A multitude of colours: celebrating the many Pride Flags (2024)

The six-colour rainbow flag will probably be the flag waved the most around the world during pride. But did you know that it wasn’t the original design? And that new flags are popping up all over the world? Members of the LGBTQIA+ community use all kinds of colours in all kinds of flags to create a variety of queer symbols.

A look back at the Pride Flag

The original flag was made by artist and activist Gilbert Baker, after being proposed by Harvey Milk himself, who was keen to replace the (then often-used) pink triangle as the main symbol for the LBGT movement (due to its dark history as a former nazi symbol).

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The original design was first conceived in 1978, and had two more colours than the current design: pink (symbolising sexuality) and turquoise (symbolising magic and art). Due to increased demand for the flag and the high cost to produce hot pink fabric, the pink stripe was dropped. For the next two years, the flag would have seven colours, until turquoise suffered the same fate, leaving us with the iconic six-colour design.

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The six colours, of course, each have a meaning. Those being red, symbolising life; orange, symbolising healing; yellow, symbolising sunlight; green, symbolising nature; blue (formerly indigo) symbolising harmony or serenity; and violet or purple, symbolising spirit. The latter has spun off into its own holiday of sorts: the third Thursday of October is known as Spirit Day in the U.S., while the Netherlands has its own Purple Friday on the second Friday of December. Australia also has its own "Wear it Purple Day." These are days to raise awareness and confront homophobia, and are typically celebrated by donning purple attire.

Newer Versions

The rainbow flag is ever changing and the creativity and the individual needs of the queer community have caused it to spawn to new and different versions over the years.

Most notably, in 2017 for Philadelphia Pride, Amber Hike's design added black and brown stripes at the top. These colours symbolise diversity and inclusivity, respectively, and were included to show solidarity for the struggles LGBT people of colour especially face.

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The following year, a queer designer & activist called Daniel Quasar released a flag with emphasis on inclusion and progression by incorporating elements of the original six-colour flag: the colour brown for marginalised people of colour, black for those living with AIDS, those no longer living, and the stigma surrounding them; and Monika Helm's trans pride flag, light blue, light pink and white. The arrow pointing to the right represents forward movement, but being along the left edge it shows that progress still needs to be made.

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This variant is called the Progress LBGT+ flag.

Why is it so important to keep involving and evolving?

In the UK, over half of the black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT+ population have reported discrimination or poor treatment WITHIN the Queer Community, according to this Stonewall study. The research exposes the extent to which BAME LGBT+ people face discrimination based on both their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and their race; also known as "double discrimination," or commonly referred to as "intersectionality."

Until people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds are treated equally in LGBT+ communities, the new black and brown stripes are vital. Many don’t know that integral figures at the Stonewall riots (an uprising against years of police brutality to members of the LGBT+ community) were Marsha P Johnson, a black trans sex worker, and Sylvia Ray Rivera, a Latina trans sex worker. And many within the queer community forget that the distinctly black and latino LGBTQ vogue culture was a particularly influential movement which brought with it a flurry of literature, art, and music. But early activists like them are rarely celebrated. Instead, racist comments on the internet and dating apps like "no blacks, no Asians" or "no chocolate, no curry, no rice, no spice," which deliberately exclude different ethnicities and people of colour, the fetishisation of black sexuality and the violence perpetrated within the community are spreading. That’s why it is so important to expand the rainbow flag so it includes marginalised people of colour.

Lady Phyll, a UK activist and co-founder of UK black pride has spoken up on the matter, saying that the six-colour flag has lost its meaning for many queer people of colour, as they have been denied entry into spaces decorated with that flag, or by people proudly bearing it in their attire. A symbol can lose meaning if used incorrectly, and the same goes for the acronym. LGBTQIA+ is only letters and it can mean nothing if it is exclusionary of groups of people it claims to represent. These new flag designs are a cry from marginalised groups within the community, who deserve to be heard.

It is also important to highlight that within the LGBT+ community, the letter T is usually the one that tends to be left behind the most. It is not uncommon to hear things like "maybe we should split the LGB from the T" among other queer people, who don't fully grasp the implications of this. The problem is that as the first three letters start entering mainstream acceptance, they may be quick to close the door behind them. As mentioned before, Stonewall was instigated by queer, trans people of colour. We, as a community owe too much to them. And any newfound privilege that we can gain should be used to remind people that transphobia is not, and will never be ok.

Trans people have a very low life expectancy and frequently face barriers when trying to access healthcare or mental health services. In some countries, some victories have been made in the area of trans rights. In some others, like Hungary, they have had whatever rights they had eroded. They remain the most marginalised group of the LGBT+ community, which is why they need to be elevated. They need to be protected. Trans rights are human rights.

The Flags of Other Communities

During a normal month of pride, it would be super common to see all sorts of people waving all kinds of flags, some of which you may have never seen before! Pride this year may be a bit different, but here are some flags you may see as wallpapers, virtual backgrounds, or shared in social media.
They all have their own unique history, and they are usually born out of a desire to be visible and separate from the main Gay and Lesbian movement. They, of course, also have their own unique symbolism.

The Bi Pride Flag

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Created by bisexual activist Michael Page. It is s used to represent members of the bisexual community, and their plight for visibility.

The Trans Pride Flag

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This flag was made in 1999 by Monica Helms, a trans woman. No matter how you fly it, it is always correct!

Intersex Pride Flag

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The often overlooked intersex community got its own flag, created in Australia in 2013 by Morgan Carpenter. Its design seeks to use colours with no connection to gender. In 2021, Valentino Veccheitti incorporated the Intersex flag into the Progress flag by adding a golden chevron with a purple circle.

Asexual Pride Flag

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This flag was created as a joint effort by several asexual and aromantic associations and groups in 2010. It's design was agreed via survey, making it (probably) the most democratic of all the flags.

Pansexual Pride Flag

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This is the flag used by pansexual people, who aim to challenge prejudice and judgment against their community, as well as recognition.

Flags for other Gender Identities

A multitude of colours: celebrating the many Pride Flags (10)

Agender, Genderqueer and Genderfuid people, as well as Nonbinary people, have their own flags as well. Here they are, respectively.

So, is that it?

Of course not! There are more. Many more. It would be a daunting task to include every flag here. But, if you ever encounter a pride flag whose meaning you don’t know, don't be afraid to ask. Chances are, people would love to tell you what it is.

I am an expert and enthusiast based assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide assistance on various topics. I strive to provide helpful and reliable information by using search result snippets and verifying facts. If you have any questions or need information, feel free to ask!

Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article you provided.

The Pride Flag

The pride flag is a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community and is widely recognized around the world. The original pride flag was created by artist and activist Gilbert Baker in 1978. It had eight colors, including pink and turquoise, in addition to the current six colors. The pink stripe symbolized sexuality, while the turquoise stripe represented magic and art. However, due to the high cost of producing pink fabric, the pink stripe was later dropped, and the flag became a six-color design .

The six colors of the pride flag each have their own meaning. They are as follows:

  • Red: symbolizes life
  • Orange: symbolizes healing
  • Yellow: symbolizes sunlight
  • Green: symbolizes nature
  • Blue (formerly indigo): symbolizes harmony or serenity
  • Violet or purple: symbolizes spirit

    Newer Versions of the Pride Flag

    Over the years, new versions of the pride flag have emerged to represent different aspects of the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2017, for Philadelphia Pride, a black and brown stripe were added to the top of the flag. These colors symbolize diversity and inclusivity, respectively, and were included to show solidarity with the struggles faced by LGBT people of color .

Another variant of the pride flag is the Progress LGBT+ flag, designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018. This flag incorporates elements of the original six-color flag and includes additional colors and symbols. The color brown represents marginalized people of color, black represents those living with AIDS and those who have passed away, and the light blue, light pink, and white stripes are from the trans pride flag. The flag also features an arrow pointing to the right, symbolizing forward movement and the need for continued progress.

Importance of Inclusion and Evolution

The inclusion and evolution of the pride flag are important because they reflect the diverse experiences and needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. The addition of black and brown stripes to the flag highlights the struggles faced by LGBT people of color, who often face discrimination within the queer community itself. It is a reminder that the fight for equality and acceptance should include all marginalized groups within the community .

Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize and uplift the transgender community within the LGBT+ community. Transgender individuals often face significant challenges, including discrimination, limited access to healthcare, and lower life expectancy. By acknowledging and supporting trans rights, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.

Other Pride Flags

In addition to the pride flag, there are several other flags that represent specific identities within the LGBTQIA+ community. Some of these flags include:

  • Bi Pride Flag: Represents the bisexual community and their struggle for visibility.
  • Trans Pride Flag: Represents the transgender community and their fight for recognition and acceptance.
  • Intersex Pride Flag: Represents the intersex community and aims to use colors with no connection to gender.
  • Asexual Pride Flag: Represents the asexual community and was created through a joint effort by several asexual and aromantic associations and groups.
  • Pansexual Pride Flag: Represents the pansexual community and aims to challenge prejudice and judgment against them.
  • Flags for other Gender Identities: Agender, Genderqueer, Genderfluid, and Nonbinary individuals also have their own flags to represent their unique identities.

These flags serve as symbols of visibility, pride, and recognition for different communities within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

In conclusion, the pride flag has evolved over time to reflect the diverse experiences and needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. The addition of new colors and symbols in various pride flags highlights the importance of inclusion and the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. It is essential to recognize and uplift all marginalized groups within the community to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

A multitude of colours: celebrating the many Pride Flags (2024)
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