Pride Flags Through History: From 1978 Rainbow to Modern Variations
You want a pride flag, but you are not sure which design to pick or what the stripes actually mean. With so many versions circulating online, it is easy to mislabel a flag or signal something you did not intend. That uncertainty can make a supportive display feel stressful, especially when you just want to get it right.
In this blog, we will trace the evolution of pride flags from the 1978 rainbow to modern variations, unpack pride flags meaning, and share practical tips for choosing and displaying a flag that fits your space.
What Pride Flags Are and Why They Matter
A pride flag is a symbol that represents LGBTQ+ identity, community, and support. Some pride flags stand for the broader LGBTQ+ community, while others represent specific identities such as transgender, bisexual, lesbian, or nonbinary communities.
You can find pride flags flying during a parade, but they look just as comfortable flying outside a house, a classroom, or a community center. Pride flags are a subtle expression of saying, “You are seen, and you belong here.”
There are many pride flags because the LGBTQ+ community is not a single, uniform experience. While the rainbow flag remains the broadest symbol, other flags were created so specific communities could see themselves represented clearly and respectfully.
One language note worth keeping close: When referring to a flag, always use the name that a community uses for its own flag. When in doubt, take a moment to look it up. It is a small act of respect that matters.
The History of Pride Flags: How the Rainbow Flag Began
The story of the rainbow flag dates back to 1978, when an artist and activist named Gilbert Baker was inspired by Harvey Milk to design a symbol of hope for the gay community.
Gilbert Baker designed and created flags for the Gay Freedom Day Parade held in San Francisco on June 25, 1978. Initially, the flags had eight stripes, each representing something different:
- Hot Pink: Sex
- Red: Life
- Orange: Healing
- Yellow: Sunlight
- Green: Nature
- Turquoise: Magic/Art
- Indigo: Serenity
- Violet: Spirit
Most people are only familiar with the six-stripe version, but the first version had eight colors. Baker hand-dyed and hand-stitched the first flags himself. Hot pink fabric was not commercially available in the quantities needed for mass production, and that production reality shaped what came next.
The rainbow became an umbrella symbol for the broader LGBTQ+ community, which is exactly why modern variations still reference it as their visual foundation.
How the Rainbow Became the Standard 6-Stripe Flag
The six-stripe rainbow flag became the standard, not because of a change in meaning, but because of necessity. The demand for the rainbow flag soared after Harvey Milk’s assassination in November 1978.
Baker and the Paramount Flag Company responded by producing a rainbow flag made of fabric, which is why the hot pink stripe was eliminated.
In 1979, a tweak happened. The rainbow flag needed a number of stripes so that its center would not be obscured by the streetlamp pole along San Francisco’s route. This resulted in the elimination of the turquoise stripe, hence the six-stripe rainbow flag we are familiar with: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.
Modern Pride Flag Variations and What They Represent
The new designs do not replace the rainbow flag; they emphasize communities previously overlooked and extend the welcome. Context can also be important, depending on the organization or event.
Philadelphia Pride Flag
The Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs developed a flag in 2017, adding black and brown colors to the traditional rainbow flag’s six colors. The intention was to clearly emphasize the inclusion of Black and brown people within the LGBTQ+ community.
This flag is not the Progress Pride flag. It’s a different flag, an extension of the rainbow flag, to accommodate communities that often go unnoticed in society.
Progress Pride Flag
The Progress Pride flag was created in 2018 by designer Daniel Quasar. The Progress Pride flag combines the colors of the Philadelphia flag’s black and brown stripes and the colors of the trans pride flag (light blue, pink, and white) in a Chevron pattern.
The Chevron design has meaning beyond aesthetics. The arrow points to the right to indicate forward movement and is placed along the hoist to put these marginalized groups at the forefront.
Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag
In 2021, Valentino Vecchietti, from Intersex Equality Rights UK, modified the Progress Pride Flag to produce the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag.
This version adds the intersex symbol, a purple circle on a yellow field, to the existing chevron design. The circle is intentionally unbroken, representing wholeness and completeness.
One caution worth repeating: be sure to know what type of flag a group prefers, and if purchasing for a function, always double-check.
Types of Pride Flags and What They Mean
Beyond the rainbow, there are different types of pride flags for specific identities.
Transgender
This flag has light blue, light pink, and white stripes. Monica Helms created it back in 1999. The impressive thing is that it's designed to look right no matter which way it's flying.
Bisexual
You'll spot this one with its pink, purple, and blue stripes. Pink represents attraction to the same sex, blue to the opposite sex, and purple to both.
Pansexual
This flag uses pink, yellow, and blue to show attraction to women, nonbinary people, and men.
Lesbian
A popular version has different shades of orange, pink, and white. These colors represent the lesbian community, gender nonconformity, and femininity.
Nonbinary
The colors yellow, white, purple, and black on this flag represent identities outside the typical male/female binary, mixed genders, and no gender at all.
Asexual
This flag has black, gray, white, and purple stripes. It represents those who experience little or no sexual attraction.
Some flags have multiple versions, particularly lesbian and gender identity flags, so communities may use different palettes depending on context and era.
How To Choose The Right Pride Flag For Your Display
The type of proper pride flags is determined by three factors: your message, your location, and your hardware.
Start with your message. The traditional rainbow flag is used to show overall support for the LGBTQ+ community. However, the Progress Pride flag and the trans pride flag are associated with specific groups in society.
Next, think about location. For residential use, a 3x5 ft pride flag is a great all-purpose size. When using an in-ground pole, a flag size proportional to pole height is recommended.
Then check the hardware. Heading and grommets are for outdoor use. Polesleeve is for indoor use and parades. Polesleeve with fringe is for formal indoor ceremonies.
Fly With Pride, Fly With Confidence
It’s perfectly normal to feel a little unsure at first. Pride flags have a very real history and a rapidly evolving design vocabulary. Feeling a desire to get it right is a sign of respect for that history. The key takeaway is simple: start with a rainbow, pick the one that best fits your intent and situation, and then display it.
Once you’re ready to get started, we’re here to help you find the perfect fit. Browse through Kengla Flag Co.’s Pride Flag and display options.