The evolution to the six-colored flag used today happened out of practicality.Īfter the parade in 1978, demand for the Pride Flag increased, but the hot pink fabric was difficult to find in large quantities. He was inspired by the Rolling Stones song She’s a Rainbow, and the 1960s hippies movement, assigning each color with a specific meaning: The original flag (shown here) was designed by activist, veteran, drag queen, and artist, Gilbert Baker, and made its debut at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade in 1978.

But did you know that this is a relatively new rendition of the original? You might be familiar with the six-colored rainbow flag that is widely used to represent the LGBTQ+ community. Table of contents (click on the button you want to jump to a specific section)

We want to help you know the flags! Here’s your guide to many different pride flags, their meaning, and the communities they celebrate, starting with some of the most widely used ones. And while many people have likely seen one or more of these flags, not everyone understands the symbolism and the story behind each one. This includes but is not limited to: mentoring and developing professional relationships and opportunities with its members offering a positive and inclusive environment providing platforms, candid conversations, and resources to educate, empower, and unite employees around championing equality and creating awareness among City employees about LGBTQ culture and history.The use of colorful pride flags is a longstanding tradition in the LGBTQ+ community. We achieve this by promoting high professional standards and opportunities. The Phoenix LGBTQ-EA unites City of Phoenix LGBTQ employees and allies by providing a safe space through professional development and social networking. “If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.”Ī SPECIAL THANK YOU TO PHOENIX PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF THE PHOENIX LGBTQ EMPLOYEE ALLIANCE Who We Are Being transgender does not imply sexual orientation, and therefore trans people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. Transgender people are those whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Pansexuality is sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity. Intersex is a general term used for a variety of situations in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit the boxes of “female” or “male.” Genderfluid people are people whose gender changes over time and blends traditional concepts of masculinity and femininity. Genderqueer is of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity cannot be categorized as solely male or female. DefinitionsĪsexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. It’s unknown when, exactly, the flag was created, but includes four colors: black for asexuality, gray for demisexuality, white for sexuality, and purple for community. The Demisexual Pride flag represents a section of the asexual community that develops sexual attraction to someone only after forming a deep emotional bond with them. The Show Your Colors: LGBTQ+ Pride Flag Exhibit is an opportunity for individuals to understand the differences among the diverse members of the LGBTQ+ community, and to provide an opportunity to challenge assumptions, prejudices, and stereotypes relating to the LGBTQ+ community.Ĭity of Phoenix LGBTQ Employee Alliance in Partnership with Phoenix Public Library These flags also give visibility to groups within the LGBTQ+ community that historically have not been represented in the mainstream gay rights movement. Each flag has its own story of who it represents and the significance of each color or symbol. This exhibition features twenty 3 foot by 5 foot flags and two 5 foot by 8 foot flags.

But each group, like each state, has their own individual flag.” “I say the Rainbow flag is like the American flag: everybody’s underneath that. So, why are there so many flags? Monica Helms, the creator of the Transgender Pride flag and a Navy Veteran says the following:

The Rainbow Pride flag, some might say, is the most iconic symbol of Pride, but more than 20 LGBTQ+ flags represent different sexualities and gender identities within the broader queer community and their allies. During the month of June, in honor of Pride Month and the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, the City of Phoenix LGBTQ Employee Alliance has partnered with Phoenix Public Library to showcase a LGBTQ+ Pride Flag exhibit featuring 22 Pride flags that embody just some of the many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community.

Lesbian flag 3 colors