A History of the Rainbow Flag

History of the Rainbow Flag - Glii
Jun 24, 2022

Bisexual Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Bisexual Flag – Overlapping over the stereotypical colours for boys (blue) and girls (pink) is lavender—attraction to both sexes.

Pansexual Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Pansexual Flag – This flag, for example, represents pansexuality’s interest in all genders: Pink for women, blue for men, and yellow for “nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people.

Asexual Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Asexual Flag – Black represents asexuality, grey for graysexuals (between sexual and asexual) and demisexual (sexual attraction following emotional connection). Purple represents the community.

Demisexual Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Demisexual Flag – The demisexual flag exists on the asexual spectrum (hence the similar colours in a different configuration), but also has its own separate flag.

Intersex Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Intersex Flag – Intersex International Australia designed this flag in 2013 with non-gendered colours “that celebrate living outside the binary.” Intersex (variation in sex characteristics) is also represented in the transgender flag (see next slide).

Transgender Pride Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Transgender Pride Flag- The blue and pink represent boys and girls, and no matter which way you hold it, the flag is always right-side up.

Gender Fluid Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Gender Fluid/Gender Flexible Flag – This flag was designed to embody all that gender fluidity can contain (since their gender can vary over time): Pink for femininity, blue for masculinity, white for no gender, black for all genders, and purple for the combination between masculine and feminine.

GenderQueer Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Genderqueer Flag- genderqueer flag to represent those identifying outside the gender binary: lavender is androgeny, white is agender, and green is nonbinary. This is also known as the “nonbinary” flag.

Lesbian Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Lesbian Flag- In 2018, this new version added more colours to celebrate (from top to bottom) gender non-conformity, independence, community, unique relationships to womanhood, serenity and peace, love and sex, and femininity. The debate about representation goes on.

NonBinary Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Nonbinary Flag- gender existing outside the binary (symbolized by the yellow). White is all genders, black is no gender, and purple is a mix of genders.

Straight Ally Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Straight Ally Flag- This is a combination of different symbols—the straight flag is black and white stripes, the traditional pride flag is a rainbow—and the combination is meant to show allyship for the LGBTQ+ community.

LGBTQ Pride Flag

LGBTQ+ Pride Flag (Gilbert Baker) – Each colour has symbolism: Hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic/art, indigo for serenity, and violet for spirit.

Traditional Gay Pride Flag History of the Rainbow Flag

Traditional Gay Pride Flag- This is probably the flag you’ll see most often: Six colours, apparently easier to produce than the odd-numbered seven (although other reports say it was more about making the flag easier for parades and to hang on posts).