AUSTIN, Texas – With Pride month festivities canceled across most of the nation and Austin’s own August Pride celebration originally scheduled in August also now postponed until next year, community members have found another way to keep Austin celebrating.

The Qwell Community Foundation, a project formed out of the Austin Community Foundation, is asking locals to sign up to get a free Pride flag or donate money that will not only get you a flag but will pay for one going to another Austin-area household.

The idea is since Austin Pride celebrations are currently postponed, Austin-area households and businesses are encouraged to fly the flags during Austin Pride Week, August 9-15.

“Austin is known as a haven for LGBTQIA+ people but we don’t always show it,” said Clayton Gibson from QWELL Community Foundation in an emailed statement. “Austin will not let this virus erase our celebration of LGBTQIA+ people, even if we must stay home and keep our distance. Instead, we can cover the whole five-county Greater Austin area with rainbows.”

Flags are available to any household or business in Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Hays, or Caldwell counties.

This year would have been the Austin 30^th annual Pride celebration.

You have until June 30 to sign up to give or receive a flag and can sign up by clicking here.