Community members and allies will gather at Founders Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles for a public act of courage: the unveiling of the Rainbow Steps.

Created by Lynn Segerblom, co-creator of the original rainbow flag in 1978, the installation transforms the church’s historic entry staircase into a vibrant spectrum of color — a symbolic pathway representing courage, visibility, and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ dignity and equality.

Founders MCC holds a unique place in LGBTQ+ history. Its founder, Rev. Troy Perry, helped launch the modern Pride movement by organizing the first Pride parade in Los Angeles in 1970, demonstrating how visibility and collective action help expand freedom.

The event will also mark the official launch of Flag50, a global initiative leading toward the 50th anniversary of the rainbow flag in 2028, celebrating the flag’s enduring role as a symbol of hope, diversity, and human rights.

In a time when LGBTQ+ people around the world continue to face discrimination and violence, the Rainbow Steps stand as a visible reminder that defending LGBTQ+ dignity is central to protecting democracy itself.

The event will take place in person in Los Angeles and online for global participation, inviting communities everywhere to reflect on why equality and solidarity remain at the heart of democracy.

More information and livestream details:ourpride.org

With each step, the Rainbow Steps invite us to remember that freedom is not achieved in a single moment, but built step by step through courage, solidarity, and the enduring promise of democracy.