Our Pride Flag is an international 2SLGBTQQIA+ symbol - but the evolution of this symbol is what truly showcases our growth as a community.
Who created the first pride flag symbol?
Gilbert Baker, an openly gay man with a drag persona, created the first 8-stripe version in 1978. Baker later revealed that he was urged by Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., to create a symbol of pride for the gay community. Baker decided to make that symbol a flag because he saw flags as the most powerful symbol of pride.
"Our job as gay people was to come out, to be visible, to live in the truth, as I say, to get out of the lie. A flag really fit that mission, because that’s a way of proclaiming your visibility or saying, 'This is who I am!'" -Gilbert Baker
In 1994, the rainbow flag was internationally recognized as the symbol for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. That year Baker made a mile-long version for the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in 1969, considered by many as the beginning of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ human rights movement.
How has our pride flag evolved?
2017 - black and brown stripes adorn our flag.
An inclusive update unveiled at Philadelphia Pride included adding black and brown as the top two colours. This was in response to a longstanding history of racism, discrimination and exclusion towards racialized 2SLGBTQQIA+ people both within 2SLGBTQQIA+ spaces and in larger society. The new flag symbolizes taking a stand against racism and highlights the diversity of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
2018 - trans colours enter our flag.
Daniel Quasar released a redesign incorporating elements from both the Philadelphia flag and trans pride flag. This new flag was created to highlight the diversity of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community by representing multiple historically marginalized groups within the design. The inclusion of the transgender flag is particularly important today because many of our trans and gender diverse communities are experiencing discrimination and violence today!
2021 - intersex inclusion in our flag.
Valentino Vecchietti redesigns our flag to highlight the human rights issues facing the intersex community.
Morgan Carpenter who designed the original intersex flag sums up the inclusion perfectly - "We are still fighting for bodily autonomy and genital integrity, and this symbolizes the right to be who and how we want to be."
Our Pride flag is ever-evolving
Our Pride flag is ever-evolving to include and represent the people of our community. When we see our flag on a lawn, we hold our partners hand when we walk by. When we see our flag in a store window, we walk inside as our true self. When we update our flag, we stand together and grow as a community.