June Celebrations: Pride In The Shadows, Still We Shine.

#frontendchallenge #devchallenge #css

This is a submission for Frontend Challenge - June Celebrations, CSS Art: June Celebrations.

Inspiration

‎This piece is a reflection of what it means to be queer in Nigeria, a country where same-sex relationships are criminalized, and Pride isn't something you can safely celebrate in public. I wanted to capture the duality of being proud and being hidden( existing in the shadows but still burning with light).
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‎Each visual element was chosen with intention. The curtain symbolises secrecy, fear, and the weight of societal expectations. But behind it, the rainbow flag waves — slanted, quiet, but unbroken. The Nigerian flag with handcuffs represents the harsh truth that queerness in Nigeria is criminalised and punished by law and society. The flag is supposed to be a symbol of unity and freedom, yet for many of us, it has become a backdrop to pain, fear, and resistance.
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‎“Pride in the shadows, still we shine” is the core message. It’s a nod to queer Nigerians who, despite oppression, continue to love, resist, and shine even if only behind closed doors.
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‎This piece is for us — the ones who whisper when we want to scream, and the ones who still find joy in colour, even in the dark.

Demo

Live Demo(Preferred screen size is desktop): https://june-celebrations.vercel.app/

Github Repository: https://github.com/daluclemas/dev.to-challenge

Preview Image:

Journey

This project was built using HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript. It was my first time experimenting with CSS art, and it pushed me to think not just like a developer, but like an artist and storyteller.

When I began, I knew I wanted to create something personal. Something that reflected my reality as a lesbian living in Nigeria. In a country where queerness is criminalised, I often find myself hiding, silencing parts of who I am to stay safe. So, I asked myself: How do I show pride when I can’t be seen? How do I celebrate when I’m forced to remain in the shadows?

The most challenging — and rewarding — part was creating the Pride flag. I had to research how to construct it using only code and how to animate it to feel alive. I also used ChatGPT as a research tool and guide.

What I’m most proud of is that I found a way to tell a story that is deeply personal, quietly radical, and honest. If I had more time, I would’ve added a silhouette of a woman waving the flag, but even without it, I believe the message shines through.

This piece is for every queer Nigerian living in silence, for everyone finding pride in private moments, and for those who still dream in full color despite the darkness.

Pride in the shadows, still we shine.