Reclaim the Flag? LGBTQ+ leaders and luminaries share divided views on the American flag in new documentary
– 2 min read
A new short documentary, Reclaim the Flag, has ignited conversation as LGBTQ+ leaders and luminaries offer candid, and at times conflicting, reflections on the symbolism of the American flag.
The 30-minute film, which premiered on YouTube on 17 July, features over 50 voices from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum - including actors, designers, journalists, and political figures - who explore what the Stars and Stripes mean in a time of cultural division and political uncertainty.
Actress and writer Lena Waithe sets the tone early in the film: “Depending on how the United States feels about you will depend on how you feel about the flag.”
Matt Bernstein, a content creator known for his political commentary, adds a more sardonic take: “If I’m on Grindr and I see an American flag emoji in somebody’s bio, I think that is a Republican.”
Others express a sense of alienation. One unnamed participant describes the flag as a symbol of “trauma,” while another says plainly, “I don’t feel welcome here.”
Yet not all voices are critical. Mel Ottenberg, editor-in-chief of Interview magazine, offers a more hopeful perspective: “The American flag is not their flag. We should be proud of the American flag. We're Americans.”
The documentary also features high-profile figures such as Jim Parsons, George Takei, Gottmik, Gigi Goode, Cheyenne Jackson, Brandon Flynn, Marc Jacobs, and Karine Jean-Pierre. Each brings a unique lens to the discussion, shaped by personal experience and public life.
Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi and journalist Jonathan Capehart reflect on the flag’s evolving meaning, while activist Raquel Willis and writer Harper Steele speak to the tension between patriotism and marginalisation.
Producer Alexis Bittar, who created the film alongside Oscar-winner Bruce Cohen, explains the motivation behind the project: “Over the past decade, the American flag has increasingly become a symbol of division.
"I wanted to make a documentary about reclaiming it for all Americans - by bringing together 50 leaders from the LGBTQ+ community to share their reflections and hopes”.
