Gay asylum seeker denied visa for not knowing the meaning of the Pride flag colours
A gay Iranian seeking asylum in Austria had his application rejected because he couldn’t explain what the six colors on the Pride flag meant.
Navid escaped Iran in 2014 because he feared for his life based on his sexuality. He arrived in Vienna where he has since lived and established a life in Austria.
But in June, his application for asylum based on sexuality was rejected by the Federal Office for Aliens and Asylum (BFA). The BFA didn’t believe his reason for seeking asylum because he could not explain what each color on the Pride flag meant.
The six-colored Pride flag is a global symbol of the LGBTI community and is often displayed at Pride events and protests.
Austrian LGBTI group ‘Queer Base’ supported Navid throughout the asylum process. Established in 2015 and based in Vienna, Queer Base works for refugees who have been forced to flee their home countries as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Queer Base argued that the BFA didn’t appropriately investigate Navid’s application. For example, the BFA didn’t even interview Navid’s partner to confirm he is gay. And Austrians pleaded for Navid after his application rejection became public knowledge.
And then, weeks after the BFA denied Navid asylum, the Federal Administrative Court (BvWG) ruled in his favor. On Monday (13 August) Navid was finally granted asylum in Austria.
‘We are very happy and so is Navid and we thank all his supporters!’ Queer Base wrote on Twitter.
What do the colors mean though?
San Francisco artist, Gilbert Baker, designed the world famous Pride flag in 1978 to use in the gay rights movement. While the flag is meant to represent the diversity of the LGBTI community, each of the six colours also has a special meaning. They are:
Red = Life
Orange = Healing
Yellow = Sunlight
Green = Nature
Blue = Harmony/Peace
Violet = Spirit
More recently, people have started adding black and brown stripes to the flag to represent people of color.
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9 Comments
Mandy
August 17, 07:36Jeezuz! Do you know that it is until I read this post that I even knew those colours stood for something. I just thought the guy who made the flag simply chose the rainbow because, well, (you’re gonna laugh) because it was a symbol of peace between God and Noah after the flood in the bible. ??
Rehoboth
August 17, 08:47They should have jystcsaid they do not want tivgrant him asylum.
Kenny
August 17, 12:00I didn’t know what the colours mean until now… Doesn’t make me any less gay.
Paris hilton bff
August 17, 16:17OMG let me quickly save this in my memory. Had no clue. Just thought it was normal rainbow
Vhagar
August 17, 16:18What Hippie bullshit is this?
Light, healing, vitality etc?
adminkd
August 17, 19:43I tire sef
flame
August 17, 23:14Some Bull! Yellow= sunlight! Shoot me!
J
August 21, 20:47I didn’t know the meaning, thanks for sharing Pinky. I have it upheart now LOL Pinky I want to make a suggestion, isn’t it high time you started match making guys that want a serious relationship here? I need a serious boyfriend abeg.
Sleek Creamy
September 17, 22:39This information Very handy right,
If they like they should come and ask me in my dream and see if i will not tell them meaning of the black n brown as well….. ?????