Our organization has been given an enormous 30- by 20-foot flag from the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco. Insiya Dhatt, who lives in the neighborhood, applied—on behalf of HBC—to the Castro Merchants Association’s (CMA) Rainbow Flag Donation Program for us to receive a flag that has flown and is ready to be refreshed. Insiya and three other members joined the CMA for the ceremonial changing of the flag on Friday, March 22nd. 

This program aims to celebrate the globally recognized symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and unity, the Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag that flies at Harvey Milk Plaza, by donating it to organizations that align with the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusivity. By extending the influential Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag's spirit, the Castro Merchants Association strives to ignite a continued journey towards a more inclusive world.

—Castro Merchants Association Rainbow Flag Donation Program

Terry Asten Bennett (owner of Cliff's Variety Store), President of the Castro Merchants Association (CMA), spoke to a CBS–KPIX reporter during the changing of the flag. He asked Bennett what made the changing of the flag significant that day. She explained to the reporter that the CMA flag donation program gives the flags a second life. "This flag is going to the Hand Bookbinders of California, where they're going to take the flag and repurpose it and bind it …so that we share a little bit of this history.” The full interview is here: https://youtu.be/mM4_wToid_M?si=In9Qbzbi5hZBGH6-.

HBC is only the third recipient of a rainbow flag from CMA. There is added significance to our flag. Bennett said, “The day Dianne Feinstein passed away is the day that this flag started flying.” (She wrote a touching blogpost about the raising of the flag with which we have been entrusted.) Bennett continued, “It was happenstance that we were refreshing the flag… so it would be bright and shiny for the Castro Street Fair, and she happened to pass away that morning. And so we shared a little bit of love for Dianne Feinstein.”

The HBC Board would like to formalize our plans to repurpose the flag in the spirit in which it was given. We intend to exhibit the books created with the flag in our 2025 annual exhibition. Join us in planning this worthy endeavor by the Rainbow Flag Committee. Please complete this brief online form if you would like to join the discussion.

All of us have been concerned about showing disrespect for the flag if we cut it in order to distribute it among members. We have been told explicitly that it is fine to up-cycle the flag with creativity and respect. Yes, we have permission to cut the flag.