rainbow flag (LGBTQ)

File:Gilbert Baker during SF Pride 2012 (hi-res).jpgGilbert Baker, born in 1951 and raised in Parsons, Kansas, had served in the U.S. Army between 1970 and 1972. After an honorable discharge, Baker taught himself to sew. In 1974, Baker met Harvey Milk, an influential gay leader, who later challenged Baker to devise a symbol of pride for the gay community.{{cite web |url = http://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2015/06/17/moma-acquires-the-rainbow-flag/ |title = MoMA Acquires the Rainbow Flag |website = MoMA.org |publisher = Museum of Modern Art |access-date = May 5, 2016 }} The inspiration for the original gay pride flags may have been the Brotherhood Flag from 1938.{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Mark |title=Marring the rainbow |url=https://theamericanmag.com/marring-the-rainbow/ |website=The American |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=16 November 2014}} The original gay pride flags flew at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade celebration on June 25, 1978.{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2021 |title=What Is The Original Gilbert Baker Rainbow Pride Flag, And What Does It Stand For? |url=https://queerintheworld.com/original-gilbert-baker-rainbow-pride-flag/ |access-date=January 25, 2023 |language=en}}

A close friend of Baker's, independent filmmaker Arthur J. Bressan Jr., pressed him to create a new symbol at "the dawn of a new gay consciousness and freedom".{{Cite web|url=https://gilbertbaker.com/rainbow-flag-origin-story/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411163443/https://gilbertbaker.com/rainbow-flag-origin-story/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2019|title=Rainbow Flag: Origin Story {{!}} Gillbert Baker|date=April 11, 2019|access-date=June 11, 2019}} According to a profile published in the Bay Area Reporter in 1985, Baker "chose the rainbow motif because of its associations with the hippie movement of the Sixties but he notes that the use of the design dates all the way back to ancient Egypt".{{cite news|author=Mike Hippler |url=https://archive.org/details/BAR_19851114/page/n7/mode/2up |title=Gilbert Baker: Street queen at the ball |newspaper=Bay Area Reporter |date=November 14, 1985 |access-date=June 25, 2018}} People have speculated that Baker was inspired by the Judy Garland song "Over the Rainbow" (Garland being among the first gay icons),{{cite book |author = The National Museum & Archive of Lesbian and Gay History |author2 = Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center |year = 1996 |title = The Gay Almanac |location = New York |publisher = Berkley Books |isbn = 978-0-425-15300-0 |oclc = 636576927 |page = [https://archive.org/details/gayalmanac00lesb/page/94 94] |url = https://archive.org/details/gayalmanac00lesb/page/94 }}{{cite book |last = Higgs |first = David |title = Queer Sites: Gay Urban Histories Since 1600 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=BeKncyQyBEwC&pg=PA173 |access-date = November 19, 2012 |year = 1999 |publisher = Psychology Press |isbn = 978-0-415-15897-8 |pages = 173– |via = Google Books }} but when asked, Baker said that it was "more about the Rolling Stones and their song 'She's a Rainbow{{'"}}.{{Cite journal |last=Fitzharris |first=Dustin |date=June 27, 2008 |title=True Colors Shining Through: The rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBT Pride, celebrates three decades |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=qth&AN=33516989&site=eds-live&scope=site |journal=New York Blade |volume=12 |issue=26 |pages=9 |quote="I come from the '60s, so [the flag's] more about the Rolling Stones and their song 'She's a Rainbow'", Baker said. "That era was a time when people were asserting themselves as artists in the true sense. But, I get the Garland thing, and being from Kansas, I double get it." |via=EBSCO}} Baker was likely influenced by the "Brotherhood Flag" (with five horizontal stripes to represent different races: red, white, brown, yellow, and black) popular among the world peace movement and hippie movement of the 1960s.{{cite web|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/int-wpa.html |title=World Peace Association: Brotherhood flag |publisher=Crwflags.com |access-date=June 25, 2018}}{{Cite news|last=Joye|first=Paula|date=November 18, 2011|title=Wear it proud. Say it loud|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/wear-it-proud-say-it-loud-20111116-1nicd.html|access-date=April 7, 2021}}{{cite web |url = http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/gsc/ally/lgbtsymbols/ |publisher = Carleton College |title = Symbols of Pride of the LGBTQ community |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080907001747/http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/gsc/ally/lgbtsymbols/ |archive-date = September 7, 2008 }} Noted as sourced to The Alyson Almanac from the college's library.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pXAsU1sQG1AC |title = San Francisco: The Unknown City |first1 = Helene |last1 = Goupil |first2 = Josh |last2 = Krist |publisher = Arsenal Pulp Press |year = 2005 |isbn = 978-1-55152-188-6 |page = 33 }}

The first rainbow flags commissioned by the fledgling pride committee were produced by a team that included artist Lynn Segerblom.{{Cite news |url = http://www.losangelesblade.com/2018/03/02/woman-behind-rainbow-flag/ |title = The woman behind the Rainbow Flag |date = March 2, 2018 |work = Los Angeles Blade |access-date = March 8, 2018 |language = en-US }} Segerblom was then known as Faerie Argyle Rainbow; according to her, she created the original dyeing process for the flags.{{cite news|author=Hailey Branson-Potts |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-rainbow-flags-20180531-story.html |title=On the 40th anniversary of the LGBTQ pride symbol, artist wants her rainbow flag story told |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=June 8, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2018}} Thirty volunteers hand-dyed and stitched the first two flags for the parade.{{cite book|title=Out in All Directions: A Treasury of Gay and Lesbian America|url=https://archive.org/details/outinalldirectio00witt|url-access=registration|publisher=Warner Books|year=1995|isbn=978-0-446-67237-5|editor-last=Witt|editor-first=Lynn|location=New York|page=[https://archive.org/details/outinalldirectio00witt/page/435 435]|oclc=37034700|editor2-last=Thomas|editor2-first=Sherry|editor3-last=Marcus|editor3-first=Eric}} The original flag design had eight stripes, with a specific meaning assigned to each of the colors:{{cite web |url = http://abc7news.com/society/san-francisco-creator-of-gay-flag-shares-story-of-strength-pride/1780322/ |title = San Francisco creator of gay flag shares story of strength, pride |date = March 1, 2017 |department = ABC7 News |publisher = KGO-TV |access-date = June 2, 2017 }}{{cite AV media |date=June 23, 2016 |title=How the Pride Rainbow Flag Came to Be |medium=video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_bzpr2jalQ&t=150 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/S_bzpr2jalQ |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=June 2, 2017 |time=2:30 |publisher=NBC News |quote=It's a flag, it needed to have depth, and so I liked the idea that each color would represent an element of everyone's life. |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite AV media |date=June 23, 2016 |title=Gilbert Baker: The Gay Betsy Ross |medium=video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rx-SjnRf-c&t=150 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/1rx-SjnRf-c |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=June 2, 2017 |time=2:31 |publisher=In the Life Media |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

The two flags originally created for the 1978 parade were believed lost for over four decades, until a remnant of one was discovered among Baker's belongings in 2020.{{Cite web|last=Melendez|first=Lyanne|date=June 5, 2021|title=Original rainbow flag returns home to San Francisco after being lost for more than 40 years|url=https://6abc.com/10748503/|access-date=June 10, 2021|website=6abc Philadelphia|language=en}}{{cite web | last=McGreevy | first=Nora | title=Long-Lost Fragment of First Rainbow Pride Flag Resurfaces After Four Decades | website=Smithsonian Magazine | date=June 16, 2021 | url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/original-rainbow-pride-flag-returns-san-francisco-after-43-years-180978000/ | access-date=May 21, 2022}}

{{Multiple image

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| caption1 = Original eight-stripe version designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978

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| caption2 = Seven-color version due to unavailability of pink fabric (1978–1979)

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| caption3 = Six-color version popular since 1979, with turquoise and indigo replaced with blue

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After the assassination of gay San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk on November 27, 1978,{{Cite web |title=San Francisco leaders George Moscone and Harvey Milk are murdered |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/san-francisco-leaders-george-moscone-and-harvey-milk-are-murdered |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=HISTORY |language=en}} demand for the rainbow flag greatly increased. In response, the San Francisco-based Paramount Flag Company began selling a version using stock rainbow fabric with seven stripes: red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, and violet. As Baker ramped up production of his version of the flag, he too dropped the hot pink stripe because fabric in that color was not readily available. The Paramount Flag Company also began selling a surplus stock of Rainbow Girls flags from its retail store on the southwest corner of Polk and Post, at which Gilbert Baker was an employee.{{cite news |url = http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/08/Apr/1801.htm |title = Unsung Heroes of the Gay World: Vexillographer Gilbert Baker: The Gay Betsy Ross |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090721053735/http://ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/08/Apr/1801.htm |archive-date = July 21, 2009 |work = UK Gay News |date = April 17, 2008 |access-date = September 23, 2009 }}

In 1979, the flag was modified again.{{Cite web |title=History of the Pride Flag |url=https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Smart%20Mobility/History%20of%20the%20Pride%20Flag.pdf |access-date=January 27, 2023}} Aiming to decorate the street lamps along the parade route with hundreds of rainbow banners, Baker decided to split the motif in two with an even number of stripes flanking each lamp pole. To achieve this effect, he dropped the turquoise stripe that had been used in the seven-stripe flag. The result was the six-stripe version of the flag that would become the standard for future production—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

File:Gay Pride march in London 1999 (2).jpg, 1999]]

In 1989, the rainbow flag came to further nationwide attention in the U.S. after John Stout sued his landlords and won when they attempted to prohibit him from displaying the flag from his West Hollywood, California, apartment balcony.{{cite news |last = Russell |first = Ron |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-08-we-1471-story.html |title = Removal of 'Gay Pride' Flag Ordered: Tenant Suit Accuses Apartment Owner of Bias |work = Los Angeles Times |date = December 8, 1988 |at = Part 9, 6 }}

In 2000, the University of Hawaii at Manoa changed its sports teams' name from "Rainbow Warriors" to "Warriors" and redesigned its logo to eliminate a rainbow from it. Athletic director Hugh Yoshida initially said that the change was to distance the school's athletic program from homosexuality. When this drew criticism, Yoshida then said the change was merely to avoid brand confusion.{{cite news |last = Whitley |first = David |title = More buzz over 'Bows |work = Orlando Sentinel |date = August 9, 2008 |url = http://archives.starbulletin.com/2000/08/09/editorial/viewpoint.html |access-date = December 17, 2008 }} The school then allowed each team to select its own name, leading to a mix including "Rainbow Warriors", "Warriors", "Rainbows" and "Rainbow Wahine". This decision was reversed in February 2013, by athletic director Ben Jay, dictating that all men's athletic teams be nicknamed "Warriors" and all women's teams "Rainbow Warriors". In May 2013, all teams were once again called "Rainbow Warriors" regardless of sex.{{cite web |title = Nickname Of UH Men's Teams To Be Rainbow Warriors |url = https://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2013/5/14/GEN_0514135044.aspx?path=gen |access-date = July 31, 2020 |url-status = live |date = May 14, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191102000257/https://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2013/5/14/GEN_0514135044.aspx?path=gen |archive-date = November 2, 2019}}{{cite news |title = Hawaii football changing name back to Rainbow Warriors |url =https://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/15/hawaii-football-changing-name-back-to-rainbow-warriors |access-date = July 31, 2020 |newspaper = NBC Sports |date = May 15, 2013 |author = Ben Kercheval }}

In autumn 2004 several gay businesses in London were ordered by Westminster City Council to remove the rainbow flag from their premises, as its display required planning permission.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jun/04/localgovernment.gayrights|title=Council bans gay firms from flying the flag|last=Barkham|first=Patrick|date=June 4, 2005|work=The Guardian|access-date=July 31, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} When one shop applied for permission, the Planning sub-committee refused the application on the chair's casting vote (May 19, 2005), a decision condemned by gay councillors in Westminster and the then-Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. In November the council announced a reversal of policy, stating that most shops and bars would be allowed to fly the rainbow flag without planning permission.

In June 2004 LGBT activists sailed to Australia's uninhabited Coral Sea Islands Territory and raised the rainbow flag, proclaiming the territory independent of Australia, calling it the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands in protest to the Australian government's refusal to recognize same-sex marriages. The rainbow flag was the official flag of the claimed kingdom until its dissolution in 2017 following the legalisation of same sex marriage in Australia.{{cite news |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070710203915/http://www.gayandlesbiankingdom.com/introduction.htm |url = http://www.gayandlesbiankingdom.com/introduction.htm |archive-date = July 10, 2007 |title = Introduction |publisher = Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands }}

File:Celebrating a new America -lovewins 58242 (18588276403).jpg illuminated in the rainbow flag colors in June 2015]]

In June 2015, The Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan added the rainbow flag symbol to its design collection.{{cite news |last1 = Lowder |first1 = J. Bryan |title = MoMA Preserves Pride by Acquiring the Rainbow Flag |url = http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/06/18/moma_adds_the_rainbow_flag_to_design_collection_during_lgbtq_pride_month.html |access-date = June 24, 2015 |work = Slate |date = June 18, 2015 }}{{cite web |last1 = Antonelli |first1 = Paola |last2 = Fisher |first2 = Michelle Millar |title = MoMA Acquires the Rainbow Flag |url = http://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2015/06/17/moma-acquires-the-rainbow-flag/ |publisher = Museum of Modern Art |access-date = June 24, 2015 |date = June 17, 2015 }}{{cite news |last1 = Martinez |first1 = Alanna |title = The Rainbow Flag Joins the Museum of Modern Art's Collection |url = http://observer.com/2015/06/the-rainbow-flag-joins-momas-collection/ |access-date = June 24, 2015 |work = Observer |date = June 17, 2015 }}

On June 26, 2015, the White House was illuminated in the rainbow flag colors to commemorate the legalization of same-sex marriages in all 50 U.S. states, following the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision.{{Cite web |last1=de Vries |first2=Allie |last2=Malloy |first1=Karl |date=June 27, 2015 |title=White House shines rainbow colors to hail same-sex marriage ruling |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/26/politics/white-house-rainbow-marriage/index.html |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}

An emoji version of the flag ({{Char|🏳️‍🌈}}) was formally proposed in July 2016,{{cite web | last=Bhattacharya | first=Ananya | title=Unicode receives proposal to add a rainbow flag emoji by the end of 2016 | website=Quartz | url=https://qz.com/737351/theres-now-a-formal-proposal-for-a-rainbow-flag-emoji/ | date=July 20, 2016 | access-date=February 8, 2020}} and released that November.{{cite web | title=Emoji Version 4.0 List | website=Emojipedia | date=November 28, 2016 | url=https://emojipedia.org/emoji-4.0/ | access-date=February 8, 2020}}

A portion of one of the original 1978 rainbow flags was donated to the GLBT Historical Society Museum and Archives in San Francisco in April 2021; the section is the only known surviving remnant of the two inaugural eight-color rainbow flags.{{cite web | title=Rainbow Flag | website=GLBT Historical Society | date=June 25, 1978 | url=https://www.glbthistory.org/rainbow-flag | access-date=June 17, 2021}}

Polish nationalists trampled, spat on, and burned the rainbow flag during Independence Day marches in Warsaw in the 2020s. In one case a mob burned down a residential building because it was flying a rainbow flag and had a Women's Strike sign.{{cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-far-right-brought-chaos-to-warsaw-on-polands-independence-day/ |title=The Far-Right Brought Chaos to Warsaw on Poland's Independence Day |work=Vice |last=Hume |first=Tim |date=November 11, 2021}}

In Norway, the flag is reported to symbolize diversity, unity and inclusion, in addition to freedom to be whoever one wants to be and to love whoever one wants to love.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ung.no/Homofil/3214_Hva_betyr_regnbueflagget.html|title=Hva betyr regnbueflagget?|date=February 7, 2013|website=Ung.no}}

{{See also|Rainbow#Culture and mythology}}

The rainbow flag has been repurposed to manifest a multitude of transnational and globalized ways of being queer. In a few scholarly articles, the rainbow flag is described as a "floating signifier".{{Cite journal|last1=Klapeer|first1=Christine M.|last2=Laskar|first2=Pia|date=September 3, 2018|title=Transnational ways of belonging and queer ways of being. Exploring transnationalism through the trajectories of the rainbow flag|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1070289x.2018.1507958|journal=Identities|volume=25|issue=5|pages=524–541|doi=10.1080/1070289x.2018.1507958|s2cid=150001156 |issn=1070-289X}}{{Cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=Pia|last2=Johansson|first2=Anna|last3=Mulinari|first3=Diana|date=February 28, 2017|title=Decolonising the Rainbow Flag|journal=Culture Unbound|volume=8|issue=3|pages=193–217|doi=10.3384/cu.2000.1525.1683193|issn=2000-1525|doi-access=free}} A floating signifier refers to the person giving the object its interpreted meaning and significance. Flags are ambivalent symbols that hold different ideologies, meanings, and agendas depending on the beholder. Therefore, the rainbow flag is a boundary object that not only brings together queer communities locally and transnationally, but can also create debates and conflicts.

In March 2016, rainbow stamps were created by a postal service common to Sweden and Denmark celebrating pride traversing borders internationally. It has become common to display a rainbow in store fronts or on websites to indicate that the space is queer friendly.{{Cite journal|last1=Alm|first1=Erika|last2=Martinsson|first2=Lena|date=February 28, 2017|title=The rainbow flag as friction: transnational imagined communities of belonging among Pakistani LGBTQ activists|journal=Culture Unbound|volume=8|issue=3|pages=218–239|doi=10.3384/cu.2000.1525.1683218|issn=2000-1525|doi-access=free}} Many government official buildings in different countries in Europe and America display the rainbow flag.

In some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, it is illegal to sell (or wear) 'rainbow-coloured' items, as it "indirectly promotes homosexuality" and claims to "contradict normal common sense".{{Cite web |last=Basil |first=Zahid Mahmood,Yousuf |date=June 19, 2022 |title=Rainbow-colored toys and clothing are seized in Saudi Arabia for indirectly 'promoting homosexuality' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/19/middleeast/saudi-arabia-rainbow-colored-toys-ban-intl/index.html |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}} The motives have aroused international criticism.{{Cite news |date=June 15, 2022 |title=Saudi authorities seize rainbow toys for promoting homosexuality |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61813390 |access-date=September 7, 2022}}

There have been many activism statements made with using the rainbow colors to create "hidden flags", in order to express their political agenda and support for gay rights and diversity.

In 2018, Russia hosted the FIFA World Cup, which coincided with Pride Month. Since legislation banned displaying LGBTQ+ symbols, a Spanish advertising agency and a Spanish LGBTQ+ rights group came up with a clever plan for six activists, one from each of six countries with colors corresponding to the rainbow flag (Spain-red, Netherlands-orange, Brazil-yellow, Mexico-green, Argentina-blue, Colombia-purple), wore team jerseys during the World Cup. When they stood together, their jerseys formed a hidden rainbow flag, a symbol visible to the world but potentially less obvious to authorities. This action highlighted Russia's anti-LGBTQ+ laws while raising international awareness for the cause. State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Trans and Bisexuals (FELGTB) partnered with LOLA Mullenlowe, a Spanish advertising agency, to conceive and execute the hidden flag campaign.{{Cite web |last=Bratek |first=Rebecca |date=2018-07-10 |title=Activists create "hidden" rainbow flag to get around Russia's LGBTQ flag ban - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/activists-create-hidden-rainbow-flag-to-get-around-russias-lgbtq-flag-ban/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Zanger |first=Doug |date=2018-07-10 |title=This Rainbow Flag Creatively Outsmarted Russian LGBTQ Laws |url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/this-rainbow-flag-creatively-outsmarted-russian-lgbtq-laws/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.adweek.com |language=en-US}}

In Poland on August 6, 2020, President Andrzej Duda was sworn in for a second term supporting an anti-LGBTQ+ campaign{{Cite web |last=Kelleher |first=Patrick |date=August 6, 2020 |title=Terrified queer Poles are fleeing the country as homophobic president Andrzej Duda is sworn in for second term |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/08/06/poland-president-andrzej-duda-swearing-in-homophobia-lgbt-rights-same-sex-marriage-family/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=PinkNews }} and the opposing politicians planned to coordinate and wear a colored outfit to each represent a color of the rainbow to stand in protest.{{Cite news|last=Santora|first=Marc|date=August 6, 2020|title=In Poland, the Rainbow Flag Is Wrapped Up in a Broader Culture War|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/world/europe/poland-rainbow-flag-statues.html|access-date=December 7, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}

Concern has been expressed among some of the rainbow symbol being white-washed and regressed to maintain a Eurocentric and colonial influence. A concept called "pride for sale"{{Cite news|title=Opinion {{!}} As more companies wade in, it's time to ask: Is Pride for sale?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/opinions/pride-for-sale/|access-date=December 7, 2021|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en}} refers to an overflowing amount of publicity and advertising from big companies displaying the rainbow flag and selling pride merchandise during Pride Month, but as soon as Pride Month is over so are all of the promotions (see rainbow capitalism). There is also a critique made about how the pride flag has deviated too much from its purpose as a radical symbol for queer rights specifically.

{{multiple image

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| header = Notable Variations

|image1 = 2017 rainbow flag.svg

|caption1 = Gilbert Baker nine-stripe Flag

|image2 = Intersex-inclusive_pride_flag.svg

|caption2 = Intersex Inclusive Progress Pride Flag

|image3 = New Pride Flag by Julia Feliz 2018.svg

|caption3 = New Pride Flag

|image4 = Philadelphia_Pride_Flag.svg

|caption4 = Philadelphia eight-stripe flag

|image5 =LGBTQ+_rainbow_flag_Quasar_"Progress"_variant.svg

|caption5 = Progress Pride Flag

|image6 = Rainbow Gadsden flag.svg

|caption6 = Rainbow Gadsden Flag

|image7 = Social Justice Pride Flag.svg

|caption7 = Social Justice Pride Flag

}}

Gilbert Baker created a nine-stripe version of the flag in March 2017, adding a lavender stripe to symbolize diversity. Baker created the flag in response to the 2016 election of Donald Trump.{{cite web |date=March 9, 2017 |title=Our Enduring LGBTQ Symbols |url=https://sfbaytimes.com/our-enduring-lgbtq-symbols/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706035438/https://sfbaytimes.com/our-enduring-lgbtq-symbols/ |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |access-date=March 22, 2017 |website=sfbaytimes.com}}{{Cite news |last1=Haag |first1=Matthew |date=April 2017 |title=Gilbert Baker, Gay Activist Who Created the Rainbow Flag, Dies at 65 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/31/us/obituary-gilbert-baker-rainbow-flag.html |access-date=July 23, 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Curtis M. |date=June 7, 2018 |title=The History And Meaning Of The Rainbow Pride Flag |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rainbow-pride-flag-history_us_5b193aafe4b0599bc6e124a0 |access-date=July 23, 2018 |work=Huffington Post |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Flags by Gilbert Baker |url=https://gilbertbaker.com/flags/ |access-date=July 23, 2018 |website=gilbertbaker.com |language=en-US}}

{{Anchor|Progress Pride Flag intersex inclusive}}In 2021, Valentino Vecchietti of Intersex Equality Rights UK redesigned the Progress Pride Flag to incorporate the intersex flag.{{cite web|last1=Parsons|first1=Vic|date=June 7, 2021|title=Progress Pride flag gets 2021 redesign to better represent intersex people|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/06/07/progress-pride-flag-intersex-flag/|access-date=June 10, 2021|website=PinkNews}} This design added a yellow triangle with a purple circle in it to the chevron of the Progress Pride flag. It also changed the color of green to a lighter shade without adding new symbolism. Intersex Equality Rights UK posted the new flag on Instagram and Twitter.{{Cite web|date=June 8, 2021|title=The Progress Pride Flag Is Getting an Intersex-Inclusive Makeover|url=https://www.them.us/story/progress-pride-flag-intersex-inclusive-makeover|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710210201/https://www.them.us/story/progress-pride-flag-intersex-inclusive-makeover|archive-date=July 10, 2021|access-date=August 3, 2021|website=them.us|language=en-US}}{{Cite instagram|user=intersex_equality_rights_uk|postid=CPwvT3glwtw|title=Slide 1. Happy Pride 2021! For our Intersex Inclusion Campaign we'd like to share with you our new intersex inclusive Pride Progress…|date=June 5, 2021|author=Intersex Equality Rights UK}}

This rainbow flag design is diagonal black, brown, light blue, pink, and white stripes overlaid on a traditional six-color rainbow flag. The design is intended to represent transgender and queer people of color. Puerto Rican author and vegan activist Julia Feliz conceived the idea, and Hayley Brown designed the flag to focus on transgender and queer people of color.{{Cite web |last=Bollinger |first=Alex |date=2018-08-24 |title=Could this Pride flag that 'respects Puerto Rico' replace the rainbow flag? |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/08/pride-flag-respects-puerto-rico-replace-rainbow-flag/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=LGBTQ Nation}}{{Cite web |date=2021-06-21 |title=New Pride Flag |url=https://www.newprideflag.com/mission/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |archive-date=June 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621081213/https://www.newprideflag.com/mission/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}

This design resembles a flag proposed earlier by Daniel Quasar, which used a chevron of similar colors on a rainbow background. Quasar's design aimed to represent the same identity groups. The new design's creators, Julia Feliz and Hayley Brown, do not acknowledge Quasar's design. Some critics allege that the new design appropriates aspects of the Puerto Rico Pride flag, while Quasar maintains their design was unintentional and supports the new campaign. The use of chevrons in flags is common, but diagonally placed stripes are less so.

In June 2017, the city of Philadelphia adopted a revised version of the flag designed by the marketing firm Tierney that adds black and brown stripes to the top of the standard six-color flag, to draw attention to issues of people of color within the LGBT community.{{cite web |title=More Color More Pride |url=https://hellotierney.com/work/more-color-more-pride-2/ |website=Tierney |access-date=June 1, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.phillymag.com/g-philly/2017/06/08/philly-pride-flag-black-brown/|title=Philly's Pride Flag to Get Two New Stripes: Black and Brown|last=Owens|first=Ernest|website=Philadelphia|date=June 8, 2017|publisher=Metro Corp.|access-date=June 10, 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/controversy-flies-over-philadelphia-s-new-pride-flag-n772821|title=Controversy Flies Over Philadelphia's New Pride Flag|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=June 18, 2017|publisher=NBC News}}

On February 12, 2018, during the street carnival of São Paulo, thousands of people attended a parade called Love Fest,{{cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/sp/sao-paulo/carnaval/2018/noticia/love-fest-inunda-o-centro-de-musica-baiana-e-amor-a-populacao-lgbt.ghtml|title=Love Fest inunda o Centro de música baiana e amor à população LGBT|website=G1|date=February 12, 2018 |language=pt}} which celebrated human diversity, sexual and gender equality. A version of the flag, created by Estêvão Romane, co-founder of the festival, was unveiled which presented the original eight stripe flag with a white stripe in the middle, representing all colors (human diversity in terms of religion, gender, sex preferences, ethnicities), and peace and union among all.{{cite web|url=https://veja.abril.com.br/entretenimento/love-fest-promove-luta-contra-homofobia-no-carnaval-de-sp/|title=Love Fest promove luta contra homofobia no Carnaval de SP|website=VEJA.com|language=pt}}

{{Anchor|Progress Pride Flag}}

In June 2018, designer Daniel Quasar released a redesign incorporating elements from both the Philadelphia flag and trans pride flag to bring focus on inclusion and progress within the community.{{Cite web |title=Beyond The Rainbow |url=https://www.uclansu.co.uk/news/article/6013/Beyond-The-Rainbow/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=www.uclansu.co.uk}} The flag design spread quickly as the Progress Pride Flag on social media, prompting worldwide coverage in news outlets.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/trans-qpoc-inclusive-pride-flag-campaign-going-viral/06/2018/|title=Trans, QPOC Inclusive Pride Flag Campaign Going Viral|website=www.newnownext.com|language=en|access-date=November 11, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/06/12/designer-gives-pride-flag-an-inclusive-makeover/|title=This graphic designer has revamped the Pride flag to make it more inclusive|work=PinkNews|access-date=November 11, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.advocate.com/pride/2018/6/08/will-everyone-feel-included-artists-new-pride-flag|title=Will Everyone Feel Included With Artist's New Pride Flag?|date=June 8, 2018|work=Advocate|access-date=November 11, 2018|language=en}} While retaining the common six-stripe rainbow design as a base, the "Progress" variation adds a chevron along the hoist that features black, brown, light blue, pink, and white stripes to bring those communities (marginalized people of color, trans people, and those living with HIV/AIDS and those who have been lost) to the forefront; "the arrow points to the right to show forward movement, while being along the left edge shows that progress still needs to be made".{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/danielquasar/progress-a-pride-flag-reboot|title="Progress" A PRIDE Flag Reboot|website=Kickstarter|language=en-US|access-date=November 11, 2018}}

Some libertarians use a version of the Gadsden flag with its snake and motto placed over a rainbow flag.{{cite web |title=Gadsden Flag (U.S.) |url=https://www.fotw.info/flags/us_gad.html |website=Flags of the World |access-date=10 February 2021}} Following the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, posters containing a rainbow Gadsden flag inscribed with "#ShootBack" were placed around West Hollywood.{{cite news |last1=Branson-Potts |first1=Hailey |title=West Hollywood plastered with rainbow #ShootBack signs |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-weho-shootback-rainbow-20160616-snap-story.html |access-date=10 February 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=16 June 2016}}

In July 2018 the Social Justice Pride Flag was released in Chennai, India at the Chennai Queer LitFest, inspired by the other variations of the Pride flag around the world.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/lgbtq-meets-caste-religion-politics-social-justice-pride-flag-chennai-queer-litfest-84364|title=LGBTQ meets caste, politics: Social justice pride flag at Chennai Queer LitFest|publisher=The News Minute}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/social-justice-pride-flag-at-chennai-queer-lit-fest|title=#GoodNews: Where LGBTQ Meets Caste – A Pride Flag Inclusive of All|publisher=The Quint}} The flag was designed by Chennai-based gay activist Moulee.{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2020 |title=How Queer Artists Around the World Are Redefining Colour in Visual Culture |url=https://elephant.art/unpicking-the-politics-of-the-pride-flag-08072020/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=ELEPHANT |language=en-US}} The design incorporated elements representing Self-Respect Movement, anti-caste movement and leftist ideology in its design. While retaining the original six stripes of the rainbow flag, the Social Justice Pride Flag incorporates black representing the Self-Respect Movement, blue representing Ambedkarite movement and red representing left values.{{cite news|url=https://medium.com/qcc-blog/the-social-justice-pride-flag-635e51b80494|title=The Social Justice Pride Flag|publisher=QCC Press Statement}}

The reception to new variations and iterations of the Pride Flag have been mixed.{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Alex V. |title=The Pride Flag Has a Representation Problem |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/06/pride-flag-has-representation-problem/619273/ |access-date=July 18, 2022 |publisher=The Atlantic |date=June 23, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Compton |first1=Julie |title=Controversy Flies Over Philadelphia's New Pride Flag |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/controversy-flies-over-philadelphia-s-new-pride-flag-n772821 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |date=June 15, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Abad-Santos |first1=Alex |date=June 20, 2017 |title=Philadelphia's new, inclusive gay pride flag is making gay white men angry |publisher=Vox |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/6/20/15821858/gay-pride-flag-philadelphia-fight-explained}}{{cite news |last1=Baggs |first1=Michael |title=Manchester Pride: Does the rainbow flag need black and brown stripes? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-46860693 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |publisher=BBC |date=January 14, 2019}} Supporters have praised the focus on inclusion, and the highlighting the role and discrimination of people of color in the LGBT community. At the same time, some have expressed concern that the changes only act as a "performance, creating the impression of inclusion without real commitment", or that they have been "for the sake of branding", while not reflecting any actual "material steps towards real equality". Others have remained critical, arguing that the original design already acts as a symbol of diversity,{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=David |date=21 August 2022 |title=How trans ideology hijacked the gay-rights movement |url=https://www.spiked-online.com/2022/08/21/how-trans-ideology-hijacked-the-gay-rights-movement/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Spiked |language=en-GB}} and emphasized that the original flag was designed without any racial dimension in mind. Other critics have called the variations "patronizing" and that they have taken away some "universality". Both the Philadelphia Pride Flag and the Progress Pride Flag were met with some controversy and backlash for these reasons, but also praise and widespread adoption.{{cite news |last1=Wareham |first1=Jamie |title=Why Many LGBT People Have Started Using A New Pride Flag |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2020/07/12/why-lgbt-people-have-started-using-a-new-pride-flag-nhs-black-lives-matters/ |access-date=July 18, 2022 |work=Forbes |date=July 12, 2020}}

Quasar's iteration of the progress pride flag is licensed under a Creative Commons license, which excludes commercial use; this has been criticised as not being in keeping with Baker's original intent for the first iteration of the flag. Quasar has stated openly that small organisations can use the flag commercially and the license was chosen to put restrictions on large corporations.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Courtney |date=2023-06-13 |title=Copyright, Pride, and Progress: Navigating Ownership, Representation, and Cultural Rights |url=https://copyrightalliance.org/copyright-pride-progress/ |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=Copyright Alliance |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-28 |title=Mysterious flyers asking to boycott Progress Pride Flag posted around SF's Castro District |url=https://abc7news.com/progress-pride-flag-flyers-sf-castro-district-rainbow-lgbtq/12077610/ |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |language=en}} Quasar stated that: "A changing point for me was when I started to see it getting used in a way that I didn't personally agree with. Companies were snatching it up, making stuff out of it, and selling it without my attribution attached. It was purely rainbow capitalism based marketing… If you're going to make money off of something that I created within my community it's only fair that you give back not just to me as the artist, but the community itself, too." Criticism of the flag has also been made by LGBTQ+ people of colour, who felt that the flag, despite its inclusive intent, was created without community consultation.

Many variations of the rainbow flag have been used. Some of the more common ones include the Greek letter lambda (lower case) in white in the middle of the flag and a pink triangle or black triangle in the upper left corner. Other colors have been added, such as a black stripe symbolizing those community members lost to AIDS.{{Cite web |title=U of T raises Progress Pride flag to mark the beginning of Pride Month |url=https://www.utoronto.ca/news/u-t-raises-progress-pride-flag-mark-beginning-pride-month |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=University of Toronto News |language=en}} The rainbow colors have also often been used in gay alterations of national and regional flags, replacing for example the red and white stripes of the flag of the United States. In 2007, the Pride Family Flag was unveiled at the Houston, Texas pride parade.{{clarify|date=March 2024}}

In the early years of the AIDS pandemic, activists designed a "Victory over AIDS" flag consisting of the standard six-stripe rainbow flag with a black stripe across the bottom. Leonard Matlovich, himself dying of AIDS-related illness, suggested that upon a cure for AIDS being discovered, the black stripes be removed from the flags and burned.

In 2002, another LGBT activist, Eddie Reynoso, recreated Gilbert Baker's original 1978 tie-dye flag,{{Cite web |last1=Liscia |first1=Valentina Di |date=June 14, 2021 |title=Revel in the First Pride Flag, Long-assumed Lost, in San Francisco |url=http://hyperallergic.com/653648/gilbert-baker-first-pride-flag-unveiled-at-glbt-historical-society-san-francisco/ |access-date=July 21, 2022 |website=Hyperallergic |language=en-US}} incorporating a blue canton, with white stars that were painted to a pink color, as residents in states across the nation gained the right to same-gender marriage. The flag, named the Pride Constellation,{{Cite web |title=Marriage Equality Evolving Protest Flags (U.S.) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us_mev.html |access-date=July 21, 2022 |website=www.crwflags.com}} was first painted on a canvas as a protest symbol during Nevada's constitutional amendment to define marriage as that between a man and a woman. In 2009, the flag was featured prominently on local and national news outlets as they reported on the California Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the state's marriage equality ban.{{Cite web |last=Egelko |first=Bob |date=May 27, 2009 |title=Prop. 8 stands; more ballot battles ahead |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Prop-8-stands-more-ballot-battles-ahead-3297211.php |access-date=July 21, 2022 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=California high court upholds same-sex marriage ban |url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/26/california.same.sex.marriage/index.html |access-date=July 21, 2022 |website=CNN}}{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2009 |title=California Supreme Court upholds same-sex marriage ban; lets stand existing gay unions |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2009/05/26/california-supreme-court-upholds-same-sex-marriage-ban-lets-stand-existing-gay-unions/ |access-date=July 21, 2022 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}

Reynoso later rearranged the stars by order of admission into the Union, retaining part of Gilbert Bakers tie-dye flag and the Pride New Glory Flag.

In 2015, Reynoso's flag once again made national news after it was featured across various news outlets reporting on the Obergefell v. Hodges oral arguments at the Supreme Court.{{Cite news |date=April 28, 2015 |title=The Most Telling Quotes From the Obergefell v. Hodges Oral Arguments |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-28/the-6-most-telling-quotes-from-the-first-half-of-obergfell-vs-hodges-oral-arguments |access-date=July 21, 2022 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2015 |title=Marriage Equality Supporters Camp Out At Supreme Court Days Before Oral Arguments |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marriage-equality-supreme-court_n_7152854 |access-date=July 21, 2022 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}

LGBT communities in other countries have adopted the rainbow flag.{{Cite web |last=Wareham |first=Jamie |title=Why Many LGBT People Have Started Using A New Pride Flag |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2020/07/12/why-lgbt-people-have-started-using-a-new-pride-flag-nhs-black-lives-matters/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}} A South African gay pride flag which is a hybrid of the rainbow flag and the national flag of South Africa was launched in Cape Town in 2010.{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2012 |title=South Africa Gets Own Gay Flag |url=http://www.queerlife.co.za/test/news/jan2011/6038-south-africa-gets-own-gay-flag.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316234415/http://www.queerlife.co.za/test/news/jan2011/6038-south-africa-gets-own-gay-flag.html |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |access-date=December 7, 2022}} Flag designer Eugene Brockman said: "I truly believe we (the LGBT community) put the dazzle into our rainbow nation and this flag is a symbol of just that."{{cite web |date=December 22, 2010 |title=South African Flag Revealed at MCQP |url=http://capetownpride.org/news/news/59-south-african-gay-flag-revealed-at-mcqp/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809150001/http://capetownpride.org/news/news/59-south-african-gay-flag-revealed-at-mcqp/ |archive-date=August 9, 2011 |access-date=April 4, 2011 |publisher=Cape Town Pride}}

File:Minnesota State Flag with pride design.jpg with a rainbow flag design on the field]]

While the rainbow flag has not been officially incorporated into the flags in any countries, some states and municipalities have flown the pride flag alongside the state flag to demonstrate inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ communities.{{Cite magazine |last=Zorthian |first=Julia |date=2015-06-25 |title=How the Rainbow Flag Became an LGBT Icon |url=https://time.com/3932733/rainbow-flag-lgbt-pride-same-sex-marriage/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |magazine=TIME |language=en}} Some countries, like Germany, allow the Pride flag to be flown on government buildings on specific occasions.{{Cite web |title=Germany: Federal Government Allows Flying of Pride Flags in Front of Federal Government Buildings |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2022-06-26/germany-federal-government-allows-flying-of-pride-flags-in-front-of-federal-government-buildings/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}} Some states, provinces and municipalities allow the Pride Flag to be flown on government buildings.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Emily |date=2021-06-26 |title=Pride version of San Antonio flag flies over City Hall for first time |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/06/26/pride-version-of-san-antonio-flag-flies-over-city-hall-for-first-time/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=KSAT |language=en}} Embassies and consulates of LGBTQ+ friendly countries may fly the Pride flag alongside their national flag to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-20 |title=German Embassy Lectures Hungary as Homophobic Violence Ramps up at Home |url=https://hungarytoday.hu/german-embassy-lectures-hungary-as-homophobic-violence-ramps-up-at-home/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Hungary Today |language=en}}

A spending bill passed in 2024 restricts flying any flag other than the US flag over US embassies. This means Pride flags cannot be flown on flagpoles at the top of embassies. However, this doesn't ban displaying Pride flags elsewhere on embassy grounds, like inside offices or on lower flagpoles. The Biden administration has stated their intent to work on repealing this provision.{{Cite news |last=Wang |first=Amy B. |date=2024-03-25 |title=White House vows to repeal GOP-led ban on Pride flags over U.S. embassies |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/25/pride-flags-spending-bill/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

File:02018 0308 CzęstochowaPride-Parade (cropped 1).jpg (left) carries a rainbow version of the flag of Poland at the 2018 Equality March in Częstochowa.]]

In 2018, marchers at the Equality March in Częstochowa carried a modified version of the flag of Poland in rainbow colors. They were reported to prosecutors for desecration of national symbols of Poland, but the prosecutors determined that no crime had been committed.{{cite journal |last1=Hernacka-Janikowska |first1=Anna Maria |date=2020 |title=Znieważenie symboli i znaków państwowych – aspekty prawno-politologiczne |journal=Studia Prawnoustrojowe |issue=47 |doi=10.31648/sp.5270 |doi-access=free}}

However, unofficial proposals and designs incorporating the rainbow flag into state, province, and municipalities flags exist, but have not gained widespread adoption.{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Louis Krauss Star |title=What's a design expert's verdict on Minnesota's new state flag? |url=https://www.startribune.com/whats-a-design-experts-verdict-on-minnesotas-new-state-flag/600329780/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Star Tribune}}{{Cite web |title=Pride Flags |url=https://www.unco.edu/gender-sexuality-resource-center/resources/pride-flags.aspx |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center |language=en}}

File:KWRFSeatoSea.JPG

For the 25th anniversary of the June 1969 Stonewall Riots in 1994, flag creator Baker, aka Sister Chanel 2001 of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, was commissioned to create the world's largest rainbow flag.{{cite AV media|title=San Francisco Neighborhoods: The Castro|type=Documentary|publisher=KQED-TV}} The mile-long flag, dubbed "Raise the Rainbow",{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavendermagazine.com/featured-home-page/leather-life-stonewall-25-memories/|title=Leather Life: Stonewall 25 Memories|last=Lenius|first=Steve|date=June 6, 2019|website=Lavender Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=July 15, 2019}} took months of planning and teams of volunteers to coordinate every aspect. The flag utilized the basic six colors and measured {{convert|30|ft|m}} wide. After the march, foot-wide ({{convert|1|ft|m|disp=out}}) sections of the flag were given to individual sponsors after the event had ended. Additional large sections of the flag were sent with activists and used in pride parades and LGBTQ marches worldwide. One large section was later taken to Shanghai Pride in 2014 by a small contingent of San Francisco Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and documented in the film Stilettos for Shanghai.{{Cite web|url=https://hoodline.com/amp/2017/08/stilettos-for-shanghai-castro-screening-to-spotlight-anti-lgbtq-laws|title='Stilettos For Shanghai' Castro Screening To Spotlight Anti-LGBTQ Laws|date=August 4, 2017|website=Hoodline|access-date=July 15, 2019}} The Guinness Book of World Records confirmed it as the world's largest flag.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CsNPAAAAYAAJ|title=The Guinness book of records|last=Young|first=Mark C.|date=October 1, 1994|publisher=Facts on File|isbn=9780816026463|pages=307–|access-date=November 19, 2012}}

In 2003, Baker was again commissioned to produce a giant flag marking the 25th anniversary of the flag itself.{{Cite web |title=About the Pride Flag |url=https://www.whywemarch.lgbt/about-the-pride-flag |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=Why We March |language=en}} Dubbed "25 Rainbow Sea to Sea", the project entailed Baker again working with teams of volunteers but this flag utilized the original eight colors and measured {{convert|1+1/4|mi|km|0|spell=in}} across Key West, Florida, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.{{Cite book|last=N.Y.)|first=Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center (New York|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t30YAAAAIAAJ&q=%2225rainbow+Sea+to+Sea%E2%80%9D|title=The Gay Almanac|date=1996|publisher=Berkley Books|isbn=978-0-425-15300-0|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CsNPAAAAYAAJ&q=%2225rainbow+Sea+to+Sea%E2%80%9D|title=The Guinness Book of Records 1995|date=1994|publisher=Facts on File|isbn=978-0-8160-2646-3|language=en}} The flag was again divided afterwards and sections were sent to over a hundred cities worldwide.{{Cite book|last1=Witt|first1=Lynn|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWVa4WlPFQUC&q=%2225rainbow+Sea+to+Sea%E2%80%9D+sections+were+sent+to+over+100+cities|title=Out in All Directions: A Treasury of Gay and Lesbian America|last2=Thomas|first2=Sherry|last3=Marcus|first3=Eric|date=September 26, 2009|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|isbn=978-0-446-56721-3|language=en}}

File:17ª Parada LGBT de SP.jpg]]The largest rainbow flag in the Southern Hemisphere is a six-stripe one first flown to mark the fourth Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Pride in 2014,{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldlive.co.za/gay-pride-spills-over-in-bay-streets/|title=Gay pride spills over in Bay streets|last1=Kimberley|first1=Kathryn|date=September 24, 2012|work=The Herald|access-date=July 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729074055/http://www.heraldlive.co.za/gay-pride-spills-over-in-bay-streets/|archive-date=July 29, 2014|url-status=live}} held in the city of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape province, South Africa. It measures {{convert|12|by|8|m|ft|spell=in}}, and flies on the country's tallest flag pole, which is {{convert|60|m|ft|spell=in}} high,{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/12/04/photos-is-this-the-biggest-pride-flag-ever-flown/|title=PHOTOS: Is this the biggest pride flag ever flown?|last=McCormick|first=Joseph|date=December 4, 2014|website=PinkNews|language=en-GB|access-date=July 8, 2019}} and is in Donkin Reserve, in Port Elizabeth's central business district.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mambaonline.com/2014/12/02/look-africas-biggest-gay-rainbow-flag-flies-pe/|title=Look! Africa's biggest gay rainbow flag flies in PE|last=Igual|first=Roberto|date=December 2, 2014|website=MambaOnline – Gay South Africa online|language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2019}} NMB Pride had the flag manufactured, in part, as a symbol for LGBT youth to feel empowered even if they were not able to come out. On the decision to fly the flag, a spokesperson for the municipality said, NMB "officially adds its voice to governments committing, firstly, to recognizing the LGBT community, and most importantly, to uphold the rights of the LGBT community".{{Cite web|url=https://www.algoafm.co.za/article/local/94907/nmb-flies-pride-flag-at-donkin-reserve|title=NMB flies Pride flag at Donkin Reserve|date=June 27, 2018|website=Algoa FM|access-date=July 8, 2019}} It is regularly flown for NMB Pride as well as March 21 which is Human Rights Day in South Africa, and International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, both commemorating the 1960 Sharpeville massacre.

On June 1, 2018, Venice Pride in California flew the world's largest free-flying flag to launch United We Pride.{{Cite web|url=https://thepridela.com/2018/04/venice-fly-worlds-largest-rainbow-flag/|title=Venice to Fly World's Largest Rainbow Flag|last=Giardina|first=Henry|date=April 8, 2018|website=The Pride LA|language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2019}}{{Cite web |title=World's Largest Free-Flying Pride Flag to Be Unveiled in Los Angeles For Venice Pride |url=https://venicepride.org/press-release/united-we-pride-worlds-largest-free-flying-pride-flag-to-be-unveiled-in-los-angeles-for-venice-pride/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=Venice Pride |language=en-US}} After its debut for Venice Pride, the flag traveled to San Francisco at the end of the month for SF Pride and the fortieth anniversary of the rainbow flag's adoption.{{Cite web|last=Zonkel|first=Phillip|date=April 3, 2018|title=World's largest Gay Pride flag coming to Venice|url=https://qvoicenews.com/2018/04/03/worlds-largest-gay-pride-flag-coming-to-venice/|access-date=July 8, 2019|website=Q Voice News|language=en-US}} United We Pride then had the flag sent to Paris, London, Berlin, Vancouver, Sydney, Miami, and Tokyo, ending in New York City for Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://yovenice.com/2019/07/03/venice-pride-ends-pride-month-by-representing-the-la-in-ny-world-pride-march/|title=Venice Pride Ends Pride Month By Representing the LA in NY World Pride March|date=July 3, 2019|website=Yo! Venice!|language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://metrosource.com/worldprideguide/what-is-worldpride-the-planets-biggest-lgbt-event/|title=Everything You Need to Know about The Planet's Biggest LGBT Event|last=Girardeau|first=Merrill Lee|date=March 28, 2019|website=WorldPride 2019 Guide|language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2019}} The giant flag was produced by the flag originator Gilbert Baker, and measures {{Convert|131|sqm|sqft|abbr=}}.{{Cite web|url=https://qvoicenews.com/2018/06/02/worlds-largest-gay-pride-flag-hoisted-in-venice/|title=World's largest Gay Pride flag hoisted in Venice|last=Zonkel|first=Phillip|date=June 3, 2018|website=Q Voice News|language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-rainbow-flags-20180531-story.html|title=On the 40th anniversary of the LGBTQ pride symbol, artist wants her rainbow flag story told|last=Branson-Potts|first=Hailey|website=L.A. Times|date=June 8, 2018 |access-date=July 8, 2019}}

In June 2019, to coincide with the fifty-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots,{{Cite magazine |title=50 Years After Stonewall, We're Still Disagreeing About What Happened There. That's Why the Archives Matter |url=https://time.com/5579971/christopher-st-stonewall-history/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en}} steps at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park were turned into the largest LGBT pride flag.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/new-york-city-s-largest-lgbtq-pride-flag-arrives-four-n1016601|title=New York City's 'largest LGBTQ pride flag' arrives at Four Freedoms Park|last=Aviles|first=Gwen|date=June 11, 2019|website=NBC News|language=en|access-date=July 8, 2019}} The rainbow-decorated {{convert|12|x|100|ft|m|adj=on}} staircase Ascend With Pride was installed June 14–30.

{{See also|LGBT symbols}}

{{Main|Pride flag}}

The popularity of the rainbow flag has influenced the creation and adoption of a wide variety of multi-color multi-striped flags used to communicate specific identities within the LGBT community, including but not limited to the bisexual pride flag,{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2021 |title=What Exactly Is The Bisexual Pride Flag, And What Does It Mean? |url=https://queerintheworld.com/bisexual-pride-flag/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |language=en}} pansexual pride flag,{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2021 |title=What Is The Pansexual Pride Flag, And What Does It Stand For? |url=https://queerintheworld.com/pansexual-pride-flag/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |language=en}} and transgender pride flags.{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2021 |title=What Is The Transgender Pride Flag, And What Does It Stand For? |url=https://queerintheworld.com/transgender-pride-flag/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |language=en}}

Spirit Day, an annual LGBT awareness day since 2010, takes its name from the violet stripe representing "spirit" on the rainbow flag. Participants wear purple to show support for LGBT youth who are victims of bullying.{{cite web|url=https://www.glaad.org/2016/spiritday/about|title=About #SpiritDay |date=June 28, 2016 |publisher=GLAAD|access-date=October 15, 2019}}{{cite web |url = http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/m/article/2010/10/spirit_day_to_honor_recent_homosexual_suicide_victims |title = Spirit Day to honor recent homosexual suicide victims |last = Wackrow |first = Kyle |date = October 10, 2010 |publisher = The Eastern Echo |access-date = October 26, 2010 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101017021916/http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/m/article/2010/10/spirit_day_to_honor_recent_homosexual_suicide_victims |archive-date = October 17, 2010 }}{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2021 |title=Spirit Day — October 21, 2021 |url=https://nationaltoday.com/spirit-day/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=National Today |language=en-US}}

File:Freedom Rings (cropped).jpg

Freedom Rings, designed by David Spada in 1991, are six aluminum rings, each in one of the colors of the rainbow flag. These rings are worn by themselves or as part of necklaces, bracelets, and keychains.{{cite news|last=Van Gelder|first=Lindsy|date=1992-06-21|title=Thing; Freedom Rings|newspaper=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/21/style/thing-freedom-rings.html|access-date=2010-07-21}} They are a symbol of gay pride, and were originally sold as a fundraiser for the 1991 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade and quickly became a national trend. In June 1992, several of MTV's on-air hosts wore Freedom Rings in recognition of Pride Month, elevating their visibility.{{cite news|title=Freedom Rings Make Fashion Statement|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1992/07/17/freedom-rings-make-fashion-statement/|access-date=10 December 2017|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=17 July 1992 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000941/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1992-07-17/lifestyle/9207160717_1_freedom-rings-15-rings-fashion-statement|archive-date=4 March 2016}}{{cite journal|title=Rings Thing|journal=TV Guide|year=1992|volume=40|issue=4 July 1992|page=187|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6kjvAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=11 December 2017|issn=0039-8543}} They are sometimes referred to as "Fruit Loops".{{cite book|last=Green|first=Jonathon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=my_ut0maeV4C&pg=PA549|title=Cassell's Dictionary of Slang|date=2006|publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.|isbn=0-304-36636-6|access-date=2007-11-15}}

File:Gaysper.png

Gaysper is an LGBT symbol based on the ghost emoji "👻" with a rainbow flag background. It gained popularity in Spain from April 2019 after a tweet from the official account of the far-right party Vox, after which a multitude of users belonging to the LGBT movement began to use it as a symbol. The icon has established itself as an example of the phenomenon of reappropriation of elements of the anti-LGBT discourse in contemporary society through social networks.{{Cite news |last=Cantó |first=Pablo |date=2019-04-29 |title=Cómo el 'fantasma LGTB' que asusta a Vox se ha convertido en un icono gay |language=es |agency=El País (Verne) |url=https://verne.elpais.com/verne/2019/04/29/articulo/1556525545_044567.html |access-date=2021-05-24}}{{Cite journal |last1=Bonfill |first1=Anna Zaera |last2=Giménez |first2=Yolanda Tortajada |last3=Gálvez |first3=Antonio Caballero |date=2021-02-03 |title=La reapropiación del insulto como resistencia queer en el universo digital: el caso Gaysper |url=https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/INFE/article/view/69684 |journal=Investigaciones Feministas |language=es |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=103–113 |doi=10.5209/infe.69684 |s2cid=234065914 |issn=2171-6080 |access-date=2021-06-08 |doi-access=free |hdl=10115/34401 |hdl-access=free }}

File:Newly repainted rainbow pedestrian crossing (geograph 7526303).jpg colors]]

{{main|Rainbow crossing}}

Beginning in the 2010s, cities around the world have begun installing rainbow crossings to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, many of which have been made permanent in cities such as Seattle, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney.

{{Portal|Heraldry and Vexillology|LGBTQ}}

• GLBT Historical Society: archival collection includes the only known surviving remnant of the original 1978 rainbow flags, along with a sewing machine used in their creation
• Rainbows in culture
• Sexuality and gender identity-based cultures

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|LGBT pride flags}}

• [https://www.glbthistory.org/rainbow-flag Original 1978 Rainbow Flag] at the GLBT Historical Society
• {{cite web |url = http://ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/08/Apr/1801.htm |title = Unsung Heroes of the Gay World: Vexillographer Gilbert Baker |date = April 17, 2008 |website = UK Gay News |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160825035347/http://ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/08/Apr/1801.htm |archive-date = August 25, 2016 }}

{{LGBT |culture}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rainbow Flag (Lgbt Movement)}}

Category:1978 in LGBTQ history

Category:Flags introduced in 1978

Category:LGBTQ flags

LGBT