Sterling Bay Celebrates Pride Month by Flying Chicago’s Largest Progress Pride Flag


Sterling Bay Celebrates Pride Month by Flying Chicago’s Largest Progress Pride Flag

For the second year in a row, local real estate investment and development firm, Sterling Bay, is celebrating Pride Month in a big way by flying Chicago’s largest Progress Pride Flag in the city’s Fulton Market neighborhood.

Beginning June 1st, The Grand Flag, Sterling Bay’s landmark 200-foot flagpole located at 1100 W Grand Avenue, will fly a custom-made Progress Pride Flag over the Chicago skyline as a symbol of citywide inclusivity.
The Progress Pride Flag, which will fly beneath the U.S. flag per U.S. Flag Code, is a salute to the city’s advancements toward social equality and its celebration of individuality. This year, the flag will fly during the first and last week of June to mark Pride Month’s opening and closing festivities taking place across the city.

“As a company dedicated to building up Chicago’s diverse communities, Sterling Bay is proud to fly the Progress Pride Flag as a celebration of the many individuals who make our hometown great,” said Keiana Barrett, Sterling Bay’s Director of Diversity and Strategic Development. “With Chicago Pride festivities returning for the first time in three years, it’s a particularly exciting time to fly the Progress Pride Flag and show the world that Chicago is an accepting, inclusive city that embraces people from all walks of life.”

In 2021, Lone Star Banners handcrafted the 30-foot by 60-foot custom flag over the course of seven weeks at the request of Sterling Bay. Comprised of more than 1,800 square feet of nylon and weighing 50 pounds, the multi-colored flag is designed for heavy wind resistance. Professionals from CARA Cleanslate, a local organization that connects individuals who face barriers to employment with quality job opportunities, will raise the flag on the first and last week of June.

The original multi-colored rainbow flag was designed by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978 in San Francisco. The transgender Pride Flag (white, pink, and light blue stripes) was designed by transgender activist and veteran Monica Helms in 1999. Portland-based artist Daniel Quasar combined both renderings in 2018 to reimagine and re-design the Progress Pride Flag. The flag’s black and brown stripes represent marginalized LBGT communities of color, community members lost to HIV/AIDS, and those currently living with AIDS. Quasar reshaped the new flag colors into a chevron to represent a need for forward movement.

“The Pride Progress Flag is a tremendous addition to the 27th Ward as a symbol of universal inclusion,” said 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett. “The flag represents marginalized groups and highlights the Pride movement, which is based on the celebration of diversity and love.”

To follow future updates regarding the Progress Pride Flag, follow @TheGrandFlag on Instagram.

ABOUT STERLING BAY
Sterling Bay is an experience-driven real estate company that places people at the center of design. Known for creating innovative, connected, and collaborative spaces for world-class companies such as Google, McDonald’s, WPP, Pinterest, Dyson and Tyson Foods, Sterling Bay is consistently recognized for award-winning projects that transform space, enhance communities, and strengthen a company’s culture and brand. Sterling Bay’s team of more than 185 professionals is responsible for a portfolio exceeding $5 billion, and a development pipeline of more than $12.4 billion. For more information, visit www.sterlingbay.com.

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