Pride Flags
Learn about the different flags used by the the LGBTQ Community, and what they represent
What are LGBTQ Pride Flags?
LGBTQ Pride Flags, sometimes referred to as Pride Flags or simply LGBTQ flags, are symbols used by members of the LGBTQ community to represent an individual's identity in terms of their Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Below is a brief overview of the most common variations of the LGBTQ Pride Flag.
Rainbow Flag
The Rainbow Pride Flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, and was redesigned to its current form in 1979. This flag has since become the most widely used LGBTQ flag, and serves as a symbol to represent all individuals in the LGBTQ community. In addition, the Rainbow flag is also considered to symbolize gay men.
Progress Flag
The Progress Pride Flag was designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018. This flag was designed as a variation of the original Pride Flag. The design aims to be inclusive to all members of the LGBTQ community, as well as bring awareness to the progress of LGBTQ activism past and future.
LGBTQ Ally Flag
The Ally Pride Flag was created sometime in the late 2000's by an unknown artist. The flag has come to represent LGBTQ allies, individuals who are not necessarily part of the LGBTQ community but support LGBTQ individuals. LGBTQ allies can be heterosexual and/or cisgender, and often support LGBTQ civil rights, transgender equality, and are often against societal discrimination against LGBTQ people.
Lesbian Flag
The Lesbian Pride Flag was created initially in 1999, and has gone under several designs since. The flag represents individuals who identify as Lesbian including intersex, transgender, and nonbinary individuals. The flag pictured to the left is the 5-stripe Lesbian Flag, but a 7 strip version is also widely used.
Bisexual Flag
The Bisexual Pride Flag was created in 1998 by artist Michael Page. The flag has come to represent both bisexual and pansexual individuals, with each color representing:
Pink - Attraction to the same gender
Purple - Attraction to 2 or more genders.
Blue - Attraction to the opposite/different gender(s)
Pansexual Flag
The Pansexual Pride Flag was created in 2010 by an unknown artist. The flag has come to represent both pansexual individuals, with the design being a modification of the Bisexual Pride Flag. The flag has been adopted to increase visibility and recognition of pansexuality.
Transgender Flag
The Transgender Pride Flag was created in 1999 by artist Monica Helms. The flag has become a symbol of the transgender community. The stripe colors represent:
Blue - traditional color for baby boys
Pink - traditional color for baby girls
White - individuals who are transitioning, or consider themselves nonbinary/genderqueer
Asexual Flag
The Asexual Pride Flag was created in 2010 by unknown artists. The flag has come to represent the border asexual community. The flag colors represent:
Black - Asexuality
Grey - Grey-area between sexual and asexual (aka gray-ace)
White - Sexuality
Purple - Community
Nonbinary Flag
The Nonbinary Pride Flag was created in 2014 by Kye Rowan. The flag has come to represent the nonbinary community. The flag colors represent:
Yellow - Gender without reference to the binary
White - many or all genders
Purple - gender between or a mix of female and male
Black - lack of gender
Genderqueer Flag
The Genderqueer Pride Flag was created by Marilyn Roxie. The flag has come to represent the genderqueer community. The flag colors represent:
Lavender - mixture of blue and pink, represents androgyny.
White - agender/genderneutral
Light Green - Nonbinary
Intersex Flag
The Intersex Pride Flag was created in 2013 by Morgan Carpenter. The flag has come to represent the intersex community. The flag circle symbolizes wholeness and completeness, and represents the goal of wholeness and completeness of intersex individuals, and their fight for bodily autonomy.
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Last Reviewed: November 2023