The rainbow flag or pride flag is a symbol of LGBT pride and LGBT social movements. The colors reflect the diversity of the LGBT community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender. Using a rainbow flag as a symbol of LGBT pride began in San Francisco, California, but eventually became common at LGBT rights events worldwide.

Originally devised by the artists Gilbert Baker, Lynn Segerblom, James McNamara and other activists, the design underwent several revisions after its debut in 1978, and continues to inspire variations. Although Baker's original rainbow flag had eight colors, from 1979 to the present day the most common variant consists of six stripes: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The flag is typically displayed horizontally, with the red stripe on top, as it would be in a natural rainbow.

LGBT people and allies currently use rainbow flags and many rainbow-themed items and color schemes as an outward symbol of their identity or support. There are derivations of the rainbow flag that are used to focus attention on specific causes or groups within the community (e.g. transgender people, fighting the AIDS epidemic, inclusion of LGBT people of color). In addition to the rainbow, many other flags and symbols are used to communicate specific identities within the LGBT community.

Variations:

Original Gilbert Baker Design

Inspired by the lyrics of Judy Garland’s Over the Rainbow, and the designs used by other social movements such as black civil rights groups from the 1960s, the Rainbow Flag was created. Baker hand-dyed and hand sewed this flag which flew at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day in June 1978.

Seven-color version due to unavailability of pink fabric

Following the assassination of Harvey Milk in 1978, many people and organisations adopted the Pride flag that he helped to introduce to the community. The demand was so great for a rainbow striped flag, it was impossible for the 8-stripe design to be made in large quantities. Both Paramount and Baker struggled to obtain the hot pink fabric and so began manufacturing a 7-stripe version.

Traditional Gay Pride Flag

In 1979 the design was amended again. The community finalised this six-colour version and this is now the most familiar and recognisable design for the LGBT flag. Numerous complications over the odd number of stripes, including the desire to split the flag to decorate Pride parades, meant that one colour had to be dropped.

The turquoise and indigo stripes were combined to create a royal blue stripe and it was agreed that the flag should typically be flown horizontally, with red at the top, as it would be in a natural rainbow. This design continued to increase in popularity around the world, being a focal point of landmark decisions such as John Stout fighting for his right to fly the flag from his apartment balcony in 1989.

Progress Pride Flag

In June 2018, designer and activist Daniel Quasar released an updated version of the Pride flag. Combining the new elements of the Philadelphia design and the Transgender flag to bring focus on further inclusion and progress. This new flag added a chevron to the hoist of the traditional 6-colour flag which represents marginalised LGBTQ+ communities of colour, those living with HIV/AIDS and those who’ve been lost, and trans and non-binary persons.

This design went viral and was quickly adopted by people and pride parades across the world. The arrow of the chevron points to the right to show forward movement, while being on the left edge shows that progress still needs to be made for full equality, especially for the communities the chevron represents.

Intersex Inclusive Progress Pride Flag

In 2021, Valentino Vecchietti of Intersex Equality Rights UK adapted the Pride Progress flag design to incorporate the intersex flag, creating the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag 2021.

The intersex community uses the colours purple and yellow as an intentional counterpoint to blue and pink, which have traditionally been seen as binary, gendered colours. The symbol of the circle represents the concept of being unbroken and being whole, symbolising the right of Intersex people to make decisions about their own bodies.

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[–] isame@hexbear.net 4 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (2 children)

@Acute_Engles@hexbear.net

Hiya! You responded to a comment of mine in the old mega yesterday and said that what I'd said was, in fact, passive aggressive. I typed the following reply before realizing it was from the old mega, so I'm just going to paste it below. I'd really appreciate yours and others input!

Well okay the text was "Hey man let's make sure we're running the NAs out too " followed by a picture of several empty cases. Followed by "I haven't even touched my truck yet. This is all from the bird. "

I'm asking honestly, is that passive aggressive? My intent was to be direct and a little firm. Like I guess my intent was to just be the aggressive part lol. But I wasn't meaning to be "aggressive" either. He often leaves work for me to do and I've basically been encouraged by leadership to try and teach him to be better. This was my absolute first time doing so and we don't really see each other much in person. He's not well liked by our coworkers or a lot of the people who work at the accounts we service, simply because of his work ethic. Obviously I'm here because I feel a certain way about workers lol. But I have a lot to learn. I don't want this guy to lose his job, but his output forces mine to have to be higher, if that makes sense. I want us all to do better so it can be easier for everyone.

So, in the interest of self improvement and edification, was I being passive aggressive? That wasn't the intent, though I was a little peeved (I ended up spending 5 hours at that store. Should have been 2.5. But this exchange happened during hour 1). What would have been a better way to handle the situation? The other people I work around aren't necessarily shining beacons of workers' rights, et cetera, so I'd prefer to seek advice here.

I feel that I often struggle with interactions like this that require any kind of confrontation. Me even directly addressing it with him was a little outside my comfort zone, but it's what I've been encouraged to do. I'd like to get better at stuff like this.

[–] Acute_Engles@hexbear.net 1 points 2 hours ago

See I feel a certain sense of privilege in that i feel like i could strike up a conversation with any stranger at any time. There's a time and place to be passive aggressive; such as when you've already had a talk with someone about it or when you're very familiar with each other.

I don't think you committed any faux-pas

[–] Acute_Engles@hexbear.net 2 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Hi i haven't read your entire comment yet but i meant my "take a picture and send it without comment" is passive aggresive. I will read the comment but i respond to posts either at work or high or both

[–] isame@hexbear.net 3 points 5 hours ago

Ooh oki, yes I agree that is passive aggressive. And thank you! I'd appreciate it.