Colors of Compassion 2015
A Global LGBTQ Interactive Experience @ LA PRIDE Arts & Heritage Pavilion
A Global LGBTQ Interactive Experience @ LA PRIDE Arts & Heritage Pavilion

Colors of Compassion was an interactive flag creation and sharing experience at the LA PRIDE 2015 Arts & Heritage Pavilion, where people shared uplifting messages of hope and inspiration on fabric in the colors of the LGBTQ rainbow flag.
This participatory, LGBTQ community-focused project was designed to create personal, heartfelt connections and provide encouragement and support to those facing continuing discrimination, violence, homophobia and transphobia, while raising awareness of the global LGBTQ community’s global struggles.
Located in the lounge area of the pavilion, participants had time to relax and reflect on challenges facing LGBTQ people, compose personal messages and create artwork.
Colors of Compassion was being created in collaboration with the LGBTQ community in Botswana, Africa, led by Trans ARTivist Katlego K Kol-Kes (Kat), Creative Facilitator for the project. The project is to facilitate in building a collective of champions/facilitators around the African continent, with individuals and groups in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and other countries, as a compassionate outreach and to build visibility for the local LGBTQ communities.
This was the second installment of “Colors of Compassion,” which was first produced at LA PRIDE 2013, with flags created for LGBTQ youth and sent to LA area schools through the Gay Straight Alliance. The 2013 and 2015 flags and tapestries are created by West Hollywood-based creative force Irene Sodeberg.
This participatory, LGBTQ community-focused project was designed to create personal, heartfelt connections and provide encouragement and support to those facing continuing discrimination, violence, homophobia and transphobia, while raising awareness of the global LGBTQ community’s global struggles.
Located in the lounge area of the pavilion, participants had time to relax and reflect on challenges facing LGBTQ people, compose personal messages and create artwork.
Colors of Compassion was being created in collaboration with the LGBTQ community in Botswana, Africa, led by Trans ARTivist Katlego K Kol-Kes (Kat), Creative Facilitator for the project. The project is to facilitate in building a collective of champions/facilitators around the African continent, with individuals and groups in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and other countries, as a compassionate outreach and to build visibility for the local LGBTQ communities.
This was the second installment of “Colors of Compassion,” which was first produced at LA PRIDE 2013, with flags created for LGBTQ youth and sent to LA area schools through the Gay Straight Alliance. The 2013 and 2015 flags and tapestries are created by West Hollywood-based creative force Irene Sodeberg.
Here are some photos from the recent
Botswana Queer Shorts Showcase Festival 2015 |
![]() Katlego K Kol-Kes is a 2015 Centre for African Cultural Excellence Writivist, Trans* ARTivist, writer, musician, educator and theatre producer. She is founder of the Queer Shorts Showcase Festival, “Queer Me Out” podcast, and a 2013/14 Best of Botswana “Performing Arts” Artist honouree. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community.
Kol-Kes is a WITS University BA Dramatic Arts Honours graduate. Her writing appears in the Kalahari Review, Peolwane Magazine, The Washington Blade, Afropunk.com and EliteDaily.com. |