This is NOT a Flag.
This is Belonging.
If Pride flags are removed from Alberta schools, our care does not disappear.
We wear it. We create it. We share it. We support it.
We make belonging visible.
What Is Not a Flag?
Not a Flag is a peaceful creative allyship movement helping Albertans show 2SLGBTQI+ students that they are welcomed, cared for, respected, and supported.
A Pride flag has never been just fabric. For many 2SLGBTQI+ students, it has been a visible sign that someone in the building sees them, welcomes them, respects them, and cares about their belonging.
If that visible sign is removed, communities can respond by creating many mx
But every one of them can say:
You are welcome here.
You are cared for here.
You are respected here.
You belong here.
Why It Matters
2SLGBTQI+ students deserve to feel safe, welcomed, respected, and supported in their schools and communities.
Visible signs of support matter. They help young people recognize where care exists. They help families, educators, neighbours, artists, makers, and community members say something important: You are not alone.
Research shows that 2SLGBTQI+ youth face higher rates of mental health distress than their cisgender peers, and that affirming schools, supportive adults, inclusive peer spaces, and visible signs of acceptance can help create safer, more connected environments.
Not a Flag is rooted in a simple belief: Belonging should not disappear because a flag comes down.
When words like welcoming, diversity, belonging, and positive sense of self are removed from education law, communities can choose to keep living those values out loud.
This movement is not about creating conflict. It is about creating visible care.
How To Participate
There is no one right way to be part of Not a Flag.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Create something that feels possible, meaningful, and safe for your context.
Wear A Rainbow
Wear rainbow colours, socks, earrings, pins, bracelets, shoelaces, scarves, shirts, dresses, or anything else that helps make support visible.
Make A Rainbow
Create rainbow art, bracelets, bookmarks, painted rocks, paper chains, sidewalk chalk, window displays, crafts, or classroom-friendly projects.
Display A Rainbow
Decorate your yard, window, porch, garden, fence, sidewalk, workplace, community space, or business in rainbow colours.
Host A Rainbow Event
Host a craft night, community chalk day, rainbow walk, fundraiser, maker market, garden project, or neighbourhood display.
Support The Rainbow
Buy from queer-owned makers and retailers. Support businesses donating proceeds to LGBTQ+ organizations. Donate directly to groups supporting queer and trans youth.
Share Your Rainbow
Tag @notaflagab and use #NotAFlagAB so we can share ideas, events, makers, and moments of visible allyship across Alberta.
Events + Community Actions
Not a Flag is meant to be shared.
Across Alberta, people can organize peaceful creative actions in their own communities, including:
- Rainbow sidewalk chalk days
- Craft circles
- Queer maker markets
- Rainbow yard or window campaigns
- Public art projects
- Donation drives
- School-adjacent community support actions
Hosting something in your community?
Submit your event so others can find it, join in, or be inspired to create something similar where they live.
Looking for something happening near you?
Check back soon as events are added.
Support The Rainbow
Not a Flag is also a way to direct support toward queer-owned businesses, local makers, and organizations doing direct work with 2SLGBTQI+ youth and families.
We are building a directory of:
- Queer-owned Alberta businesses and makers
- Businesses donating part of their sales to 2SLGBTQI+ organizations
- Fundraisers supporting queer and trans youth
- Alberta-based organizations providing 2SLGBTQI+ support, advocacy, education, and care
Visibility matters. Financial support matters too.
Submit Your Not a Flag Idea
Have you made, worn, displayed, organized, or imagined a creative way to show visible support for 2SLGBTQI+ students?
We want to see it.
Submit your Not a Flag idea so others can be inspired to create something similar in their own classroom, neighbourhood, workplace, business, or community.
You can submit:
- A photo of your Not a Flag creation
- A description of your idea
- Your community or region
- Your social handle, if you want to be tagged
- Permission for us to share your submission
Your creativity may be the spark someone else needs.
Community Guidelines
Not a Flag is a peaceful creative allyship movement. We ask everyone participating to act with care.
Please:
- Keep actions peaceful
- Do not harass school staff, students, families, or community members
- Do not share photos of minors without consent
- Protect the privacy and safety of young people
- Follow school, workplace, municipal, and safety rules
- Centre 2SLGBTQI+ people and youth
- Support local queer-led organizations when possible
- Make participation accessible where possible
- Turn visibility into care, not conflict
Our goal is to make support visible in ways that are creative, compassionate, and community-rooted without conflict.
They may remove the flag.
But they cannot remove belonging.
A rainbow is not a flag. It is a signal.
A signal of care.
A signal of respect.
A signal of belonging.
To every 2SLGBTQI+ student watching:
You are seen.
You are loved.
You are welcome.
You belong.
@notaflagab | #NotAFlagAB