Only gay flag
Here’s What the Other LGBTQIA+ Flags Represent
LGBTQIA+
When we think of Pride Month, the first image that typically comes to mind is the classic rainbow flag. However, many people don’t realize that along with the Rainbow Pride Flag, there are an array of diverse identifiers that illustrate the diverse gender non-conforming community. While many in the LGBTQIA+ community identify with the all-encompassing rainbow flag, each team has its control flag to symbolize its unique contributions and stories within the community. Here’s a rundown of the different flags and what they represent.
The Gilbert Baker Pride Flag
The unique rainbow pride flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 at the request of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California. Gilbert chose the rainbow as it represents a symbol of hope.
Original flag colors and meaning:
Pink: sex; Red: life; Orange: healing; Yellow: sunlight; Green: nature; Turquoise: magic; Blue: harmony; Violet: spirit.
Rainbow Pride Flag
This is the iteration of the Pride Flag that we all know today, used to symbolize the overall LGBTQIA+ group. In this version, the pink and turquoise were exclu
You might be familiar with the six-colored rainbow flag that is widely used to represent the Homosexual community. But did you know that this is a relatively new rendition of the original?
The authentic flag (shown here) was designed by activist, veteran, drag queen, and creator, Gilbert Baker, and made its debut at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day March in 1978. He was inspired by the Rolling Stones song She’s a Rainbow, and the 1960s hippies movement, assigning each color with a specific meaning:
Pink: Sex (later removed)
Red: Life
Orange: Healing
Yellow: Sunlight
Green: Nature
Turquoise: Magic (later removed)
Indigo: Serenity
Violet: Spirit
The evolution to the six-colored flag used today happened out of practicality.
After the parade in 1978, demand for the Event Flag increased, but the hot pink fabric was difficult to find in large quantities. Then, the Paramount Flag Company started making a version out of the standard rainbow colors to help encounter demand, and a seven-color pride flag was the new norm.
A year later, the flag evolved once more…
The Progress Pride flag was developed in 2018 by non-binary American artist and designer Daniel Quasar (who uses xe/xyr pronouns). Based on the iconic rainbow flag from 1978, the redesign celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ society and calls for a more inclusive society. In 2020, the V&A acquired a bespoke applique version of the Progress Celebration flag that can be seen on display in the Design 1900 – Now gallery.
'Progress' is a reinterpretation of multiple iterations of the pride flag. The original 'rainbow flag' was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978 to celebrate members of the gay and lesbian political movement. It comprised eight coloured stripes stacked on top of each other to evoke a rainbow, a symbol of wish. Baker assigned a specific meaning to each colour: pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic, indigo for serenity and violet for spirit. A year later the pink and turquoise stripes were dropped owing to a shortage of pink fabric at the time and legibility concerns, resulting in the six-colour rainbow flag most commonly used in the first decades of the 21st century.
Baker's flag was embra
The Pride Flag
Flying the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag – or other iterations of the Pride Flag – in our federal buildings supports federal tries and mandates to create a diverse and inclusive workforce, in addition to serving diverse Canadians in an inclusive way.
Visible Identity festival flags are a basic way to contribute to a sense of belonging and demonstrate that your department, agency and/or team celebrates the diversity of all staff. This evident representation leads to inclusion and a sense of belonging, providing equity-deserving groups and employees with a positive feeling of creature recognized, acknowledged and renowned.
The Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag can be flown at various times during the calendar year. These dates can include:
- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – May 17
- International Afternoon of Pink (second week of April, annually)
- Pride Month (dates vary across provinces and territories, from June to September annually)
- Public Service Pride Week (third week of August, annually)
There is no directive that states that the National Flag of Canada must be the only flag to fly in the lobbies or other open spaces within Governmen
Pride Flags
Flags are often used as symbols of pride. It is no surprise then that numerous pride flags own been created to represent the sexual and gender diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Explore all the different flags and their meanings.
Interested in exploring further? Accept the online Positive Space: Foundations course to learn more about sex, sexuality, and gender diversity.
This resource is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of pride flags. If you hold a suggestion for a flag to add or possess any feedback on the information provided, please contact us.
Achillean Flag
Achillean: Men or men-aligned individuals who are attracted to other men and men-aligned people. It is sometimes famous as men loving men (MLM). Achillean individuals may or may not be attracted to other genders. While this label isn’t exclusive, it is used to unify men-aligned people or men who love other men.
Date: 2016
Creator: Redesigned by DeviantArt (Tumblr user)
Flag meaning: The first iteration was created by pridenpositivity (Tumblr user). The flag contains the color blue to represent men and a lime-green carnation in the center, which was popularized by Oscar Wilde