Meaning of LGBT+ flags: the complete guide to Pride colours

The origins of the rainbow flag: from the Rainbow Flag to Progress Pride

Before diving into the specifics of each identity, it's essential to go back to the roots of the movement. It all started with a brilliant idea: using light and the rainbow to bring together communities that had long been forced into the shadows.

The original rainbow flag (1978)

Conceived by artist and activist Gilbert Baker for the San Francisco Gay Pride in 1978 at the request of Harvey Milk, the very first flag featured 8 hand-dyed stripes. Each colour carried a poetic and political message:

• Hot pink: sex

• Red: life

• Orange: healing

• Yellow: sunlight

• Green: nature

• Turquoise: art and magic

• Indigo: serenity / harmony

• Purple: spirit

Faced with popular demand, industrial production became necessary. Hot pink (too difficult to manufacture at scale) and turquoise then disappeared, giving way to the iconic 6-stripe version we see today at Pride marches all over the world.

The inclusive evolution: the Progress Pride flag (2018)

Society evolves, and so does the way diversity is represented. In 2018, artist Daniel Quasar wanted to shine a spotlight on the voices often made invisible within the LGBTQIA+ community itself. Their creation, the Progress Pride flag, incorporates a dynamic chevron on the left side:

• Black and brown stripes: represent racialised LGBT+ people as well as victims of AIDS and the memory of our elders.

• Light blue, pink and white stripes: include the transgender community.

• The yellow circle with a purple ring (2021 version by Valentino Vecchietti): sometimes added to the chevron to explicitly include intersex people.

LGBTQIA+: meaning of flags by identity and orientation

While the rainbow remains the common home, many subcultures and identities have felt the need to create their own banners to better affirm their uniqueness. Let's explore these meaning-rich flags together.

The lesbian flag

The modern lesbian flag, known as the "Sunset Flag", is made up of shades of orange, white and pink to celebrate the plurality of lesbian experiences:

• Dark / medium orange: symbolise gender non-conformity, independence and the strength of the community.

• White: represents the unique relationship with femininity and the history of lesbianism.

• Pink/magenta: evoke serenity, love, intimacy and sex.

The bisexual flag

Long a victim of invisibilisation, bisexuality found its powerful symbol in 1998 thanks to Michael Page. His goal? To give bisexual people a flag as iconic as the rainbow — the first flag created to represent a specific orientation:

• Magenta: represents attraction towards the same gender.

• Royal blue: represents attraction towards a different gender.

• Middle purple stripe: born from the harmonious blending of pink and blue, purple symbolises attraction towards all genders, with fluidity.

The transgender flag

Created in 1999 by Monica Helms, a trans woman and US Navy veteran. She envisioned this flag with soft colours but a powerful message.

• Light blue: the colour traditionally attributed to little boys.

• Pink: the colour traditionally associated with little girls.

• White: represents gender neutrality, the transition journey, as well as intersex or non-binary people.

The non-binary flag

Not everyone identifies with the strict "man" or "woman" binary. To create a space for people who navigate outside this binary, Kye Rowan designed this flag in 2014, at just 17 years old:

• Yellow: represents genders that exist outside the traditional binary man/woman system.

• White: evokes people who identify with multiple genders or all genders.

• Purple: symbolises fluidity and the combination of masculinity and femininity.

• Black: represents agender identity (the absence of gender or the feeling of having no gender).

The pansexual flag

Often confused with bisexuality, pansexuality emphasises attraction to a person regardless of their biological sex or gender identity. Its vibrant flag reflects this openness of heart and mind:

• Pink: attraction towards women or people who identify with femininity.

• Yellow: attraction towards non-binary, agender or androgynous people.

• Blue: attraction towards men or people who identify with masculinity.

The asexual flag (Ace)

Because sexuality is a spectrum that also includes the desire to express love without sexual attraction, the asexual flag came into being in 2010 following a major community vote:

• Black: represents overall asexuality.

• Grey: the spectrum of graysexuality (sexual attraction experienced very rarely or only in specific circumstances) and demisexuality (attraction only after forming a strong emotional bond).

• White: represents allies and romantic attraction.

• Purple: symbolises community, diversity and togetherness.

Celebrating our Prides every day: much more than a matter of colours

Ultimately, whether your heart beats for the traditional rainbow, the Sunset Flag or the Progress Pride flag, what matters is being able to express who you are in complete freedom, in a welcoming and open-minded environment. These flags are not mere pieces of fabric: they are essential visual landmarks for finding one another, asserting yourself and feeling like you belong.

I hope this overview of the meaning of LGBTQIA+ flags has shed some light for you. We firmly believe that inclusivity and respect for all identities are cultivated every day — in our words, in our struggles, but also in intimacy and pleasure. Whether you're searching for your own symbol or ready to show your support loud and proud for the people you hold dear, wear your colours with (the greatest) pride.

Lots of love to everyone 💜