Earlier right this moment, the New York Metropolis Metropolitan Transit Authority did what any proud new guardian would do: Posted photographs of its new child on Twitter. After all, the MTA isn’t simply any guardian, and its new child was one thing distinctive as effectively — an R211 prepare, set to start service on the town’s A line.

However one of many 4 photographs posted by the MTA perturbed the Twitterati. It confirmed the inside of a automotive on the brand new prepare, stuffed with time-relevant satisfaction flags, however with a curious omission: The flags’ trans colours have been nowhere to be discovered.

The precise Satisfaction flags proven on the shows within the prepare automotive are the Progress Satisfaction design — a contemporary replace to the six (initially eight)-stripe Gilbert Baker flag, which added chevrons to symbolize POC and trans folks. Within the MTA’s Twitter picture, the black and brown chevrons are current, however the pink, blue, and white have mysteriously vanished.

Jalopnik reached out to the MTA, nonetheless, and discovered that the picture is just an instance of dangerous timing. The satisfaction flags within the new R211 prepare are animated, and the picture on Twitter captured them because the chevrons have been flying onto the display screen – the trans colours merely hadn’t appeared but. The animation, in its full kind, appears to be like like this:

Each coloration of the Progress Satisfaction flag is represented on the trains’ screens, each within the flag animation in addition to the guts surrounding the MTA brand on the finish. The picture on Twitter might not have captured all the pieces, however the full animation doesn’t erase any part of the Progress Satisfaction design. Whether or not animated satisfaction flags on subway trains are appreciated recognition of the variety of NYC transit riders, or just a imprecise gesture at illustration in lieu of any significant enchancment to the lives of queer New Yorkers, is its personal debate. However, no less than the brand new trains aren’t erasing any member of the neighborhood.