For centuries flags have been employed as a means of identification and communication among various people. It is commonly used to identify countries, and associations, to represent a particular movement, amongst others.
The LGBTQ community created its flag to represent them and the things the community stands for. It couldn’t have been done better than with a colorful flag to represent the inclusivity and diversity within the community.
Before the LGBTQ flag, the “pride flag,” was first created, it has evolved into other things. Now more flags have been made within the community to represent different things.
A Brief History Of The LGBTQ Flag
The first pride (LGBTQ) flag, with its 8 colors, violet, indigo, turquoise, green, yellow, orange, red, and hot pink, was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker after his encounter with a key person within the gay community at the time. The flag was used during the Gay Freedom Parade in San Francisco that same year.
Shortly after, the flag was reduced to seven colors, excluding Hot pink, because of the scarcity of pink fabrics. In 1979, it bore only six colors, excluding Turquoise and Indigo; instead, blue was added to replace them. However, Baker restored the flag to its original colors in 2003 and included a ninth color (lavender) during Trump’s regime in 2017. In between these time frames, the community has created over twenty flags to represent different things that it means to them.
The pride colors represent a message the community believes in and stands on.
- Lavender signifies diversity
- Hot Pink represents sex.
- Red represents life,
- Oranges stand for healing,
- Yellow for sunlight,
- Green for nature,
- Turquoise symbolizes Art & magic,
- Indigo for serenity,
- And violet to embody the spirit of everyone within the community.
Why Does The LGBTQ Community Have So Many Flags
In a community that heavily embraces diversity and inclusivity, it is natural to see all the different flags various movements have created to pass their specific message across.
As the community expands, we have seen new flag variations. Some of the diverse flags within the community are seen below.
- Transgender Flag
- Asexual Flag
- Flags Representing Progress
- Pansexual Flag
- Genderfluid Flag
- Non-binary Flag
- Intersex Flag
- Bisexual Flag
- Lesbian Flag
- Genderqueer Flag
- Polysexual Flag
- Aromatic Flag
- Agender Flag
- Queer People of Color Flag
- Philadelphia’s Flag for People Of Color
- Demisexual Flag
- Polyamory Flag
- Philadelphia’s Progress Flag
- Omnisexual Flag
- Bear Pride Flag
- Rainbow Pride Flag
How Is The Pride Flag Used To Support The LGBTQ Community
The Pride Flag is viewed as a symbol of hope among many other representations of the LGBTQ community, especially when the fight for acceptance was at its peak. In the beginning, pride flags were used during Gay marches. Still, in recent times, especially after the legalization of same-sex marriages in countries like the US and Australia, it’s been used to show support for community members.
Businesses, political entities, celebrities, sports clubs, and so on occasionally adorn clothes, flags, and many other materials with pride colors to show their solidarity and love for all LGBTQ matters. Sometimes you would see people use the same means to show their dislike. A whole month, “Pride Month,” is dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ community. You will likely see the flags hoisted or displayed with lights in many places during this period. Other members of the community use the flag to ensure other members know they are never alone.
Final Thoughts
There has been a significant shift since the LGBTQ community was given a back seat and didn’t have a voice as powerful as they do now. Through it, all at times when community members couldn’t use words, their Pride flags have always been a way for them to pass their messages across. Although even within the community, some believe some of these shows of diversity and inclusion are just performative, the message the LGBTQ pride flag carries is not lost for the community.
