In 2025, the American flag has taken on a variety of meanings within the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting both danger and defiance. A new short documentary, *Reclaim the Flag*, aims to explore these conflicting interpretations of the flag, which has become a subject of intense political polarization. The film, which premiered in July, is directed by Alexis Bittar, accompanied by Oscar-winning filmmaker Bruce Cohen, and features notable LGBTQ+ figures like Lena Waithe, George Takei, and Symone.
The 27-minute documentary captures voices from the LGBTQ+ community expressing a range of emotions—grief, rage, pride, and a desire for reclamation. Harper Steele, an Emmy-nominated screenwriter, poignantly articulates that while she loves her country, she feels uncertain about whether it reciprocates that love. “Wouldn’t it be nice if you were in trouble, if you were running from something…and you looked at a house that had an American flag and said, great, I’m safe? And that is not the case,” she shares.
The project was ignited by Bittar’s need to reclaim the flag from what he perceives as a co-opting by reactionaries. He emphasizes his commitment to stay and fight for the country, stating, “I’m not letting them take my country. I’m staying and fighting for it.” This sentiment is echoed by Cohen, who alongside Bittar, was motivated by their own discomfort with what the flag has come to represent, particularly in the current political climate.
Other voices in the film, like Matt Bernstein of the A Bit Fruity podcast, express a sense of disenfranchisement, noting that patriotism is difficult to feel among the young American left. He describes the flag as a symbol of systemic power rather than unity. Bernstein’s observation underlines a disconnect between the flag’s traditional meanings and the feelings of many young Americans today.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart reflects on the complexities of love and critique of the nation, stating, “I love this country so much, I have the right to criticize her relentlessly.” He believes this critique is a form of patriotism and is essential in holding the nation accountable to its foundational promises. His perspective highlights that a true love for one’s country includes the courage to address its failings.
Steele draws connections between the flag’s politicization and broader cultural themes in America, as she critiques the rise of Christian nationalism and reflects on the ongoing struggles for trans rights and acceptance. “This assault on trans people is just an assault on otherness,” she warns, linking these issues to broader societal challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Amidst these conflicts, those like Steele are finding ways to reclaim symbols of their identity, such as flying both the American and Pride flags. She views the coexistence of these flags as a statement of dual identity, affirming both her allegiance to the nation while also standing firm in her identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
*Reclaim the Flag* serves as an important exploration of what the American flag represents in today’s society—one that is marked by division yet also offers a platform for collective voices to challenge and redefine narratives. The film presents an opportunity for critical dialogue about patriotism, identity, and belonging in an era of rising political tensions and cultural conflict.