The Many Flags of Pride: What They Represent
Every color tells a story.
Pride isn't just rainbow. It's a spectrum of identities, histories, and voices that deserve to be seen. In this article, we break down some of the most important LGBTQIA+ flags and what they stand for. Whether you're attending your first Pride or simply want to learn more, here's your guide to the flags that wave with purpose — and the pride merch they continue to inspire.
🌈 Rainbow Flag – The Original Pride Symbol
The rainbow flag, created by Gilbert Baker in 1978, is the most recognized LGBTQ+ symbol in the world. It reflects the spirit of a movement — and it's part of our story too. Read more about what drives us.
Each stripe was originally designed to represent a value:
- Red: Life
- Orange: Healing
- Yellow: Sunlight
- Green: Nature
- Blue: Harmony
- Purple: Spirit
This flag is about unity. It's a symbol for the entire community, but it doesn't represent all experiences — and that’s why other pride flags emerged, along with a growing diversity of pride outfits and LGBTQ pride shirts.
🎉 Transgender Pride Flag
Created by Monica Helms in 1999, this flag features light blue, pink, and white stripes. It represents:
- Blue: traditional color for boys
- Pink: traditional color for girls
- White: for those who are transitioning, intersex, or identify outside the binary
The pattern is symmetrical, which means no matter how you fly it, it's always correct — just like identity itself.
🪝 Bisexual Pride Flag
Introduced in 1998 by Michael Page, the bisexual flag blends:
- Pink: attraction to the same gender
- Blue: attraction to different genders
- Purple (overlap): attraction to more than one gender
It highlights a group often overlooked, reminding the world that bisexuality is valid, visible, and proud.
🪩 Non-Binary Pride Flag
Designed in 2014 by Kye Rowan, this flag celebrates people whose gender doesn't fit within the binary:
- Yellow: those whose gender exists outside the binary
- White: people with many or all genders
- Purple: a mix of male and female identities
- Black: those without gender at all
The flag is a powerful reminder that gender is a spectrum, not a box. It's often proudly displayed on gender-neutral clothing and non-binary fashion items.
💖 Lesbian Pride Flag
There are several versions, but a common one includes shades of orange and pink, representing femininity, independence, and love between women. Though not universally agreed upon, this flag is widely used by many lesbians today — and frequently seen on lesbian pride shirts and accessories during pride parade outfits.
🏳️Progress Pride Flag – More Than Just a Rainbow
In 2018, non-binary designer Daniel Quasar introduced the Progress Pride Flag — a powerful update to the classic rainbow flag. This version adds a forward-pointing chevron with new colors that highlight marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community:
- Black and brown: represent LGBTQ+ people of color and those affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Pink, light blue, and white: come from the transgender flag, honoring trans and non-binary individuals.
The arrow shape pushes forward, symbolizing progress while acknowledging there’s still work to be done.
In 2021, Valentino Vecchietti expanded the design by adding a yellow triangle with a purple circle to include the intersex community — making this one of the most inclusive symbols in today’s pride apparel.
Whether you’ve worn it before or are just discovering it, the Progress Pride Flag represents a deeper commitment to inclusion and justice.
🏁 Final thought
Pride is more than color — it’s visibility, identity, and belonging. Whether it’s a pride t shirt, a tote bag, or something loud from our gay pride clothing line, what matters most is expressing who you are. Celebrate all that you are with our Pride Nation Collection.
Written by the Miltti Team | June 2025