BY JUSTICE SMITH

This International Women’s Month, we had the privilege of speaking to Hannah Sullivan, who co-founded Galfie with her wife, Jade. Galfie, a decorative house flag company, is making its mark in Richmond through its collection of fun, cheerful, brightly-colored home and garden flags with a modern spin.

Galfie was born out of urgency to offer hope during an otherwise scary time. With the recent rise in anti-queer, anti-trans, and anti-choice legislation, Hannah and Jade took an idea they had been manifesting for a while and launched in early 2023. Bringing a message of love, joy, and rainbows to front yards in Richmond and beyond, Gaflie provides a product that is more important now than ever.

Only three months into the year, politicians have introduced more than 300 anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation— more than the entire year of 2022. If there was a perfect time for Pride visibility, it’s now. “We want to promote positivity, inclusivity, equality, and good vibes in general. Anything we can do to push things along, even if it’s through something as simple as a flag, we try to go for it.”

After failing to find the right flag to adorn their home, Sullivan utilized her background in design to create Galfie’s first mock-up flags in a design challenge. Sullivan says, “We were digging the direction and ended up just running with it! But then we thought, okay this could be more than just flags – it does make an impact with passersby, maybe we could use flags as a platform to make an impact.”

The growing collection of flags including classic Pride flags, modernized Pride flags, Intersex-inclusive alliance flags, Trans alliance flags, equality smiley progress flags, ying-yang daisy flags, peace sign flags, and even smiley watermelon flags. When asked about a favorite flag, Sullivan said, “I may be biased, but I am so stoked about all of our Pride flags right now. The news is nuts right now. The world is just — a lot — and it’s great to have an opportunity to make a statement about something that's happening right now. For example, we designed a Keep Drag Legal flag.” In addition, Galfie also consists of local Richmond-based flags and Virginia-based flags.

Sullivan understands first-hand what it means to walk through a neighborhood and see signs of support and love waving from front yards. With the onslaught of anti-trans legislations and hate, Galfie’s trans-ally flag is one of their most special offerings. The light blue, pink, and white flag reads, “Trans rights are human rights.” Sullivan and her wife hope to make their trans neighbors feel even more seen and protected.

Galfie has pledged to donate 5% of profits toward charities fighting for progress. All Pride flags sold will have proceeds supporting the It Gets Better Project, and all women-related flags sold will have proceeds supporting Girls Rock Camp Alliance. In the coming months, Galfie hopes to start vending at a few markets and events around town. Until then, flags are available at galfie.com and in the OutRVA store.