The bisexual pride flag has been a symbol of bi visibility since 1998, and it's one of the most recognized identity flags in the LGBTQ+ community. If you've seen those pink, purple, and blue stripes and wondered about the story behind them, you're in the right place.
This guide covers everything: what the colors mean, who designed it, how to display it, and why bi visibility still matters in 2026. Plus, we'll answer the most common questions people have about bisexual pride.
What the Bisexual Flag Colors Mean
Michael Page designed the bisexual pride flag in 1998 with a specific purpose: give the bi community a symbol that was entirely their own. Before this flag existed, bi people often felt invisible, caught between the gay and straight worlds with no visible marker of their identity.
The three stripes aren't random. Each one carries meaning.
★ Bisexual Flag Color Breakdown
| Pink (top, 40%) | Attraction to the same gender |
| Purple (middle, 20%) | Attraction to two or more genders (the overlap) |
| Blue (bottom, 40%) | Attraction to a different gender |
Here's the clever part: the purple stripe isn't its own separate color. It's created by the overlap of pink and blue, just like bisexuality itself exists in the overlap of different attractions. Page described it as the blending that's "invisible" in everyday life, the same way bi people often go unrecognized in both straight and gay spaces.
The proportions matter too. The pink and blue stripes are each 40% of the flag, while the purple center is just 20%. That narrow middle band represents how bi people can blend into either community without being seen for who they actually are.
The History Behind the Bisexual Pride Flag
Michael Page wasn't a designer by trade. He was a bisexual activist in Florida who got tired of his community being left out of the conversation. In the late 1990s, the rainbow flag was everywhere at pride events, but bi-specific representation was basically nonexistent.
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1998 The year Michael Page released the bisexual pride flag, giving the bi community its own symbol. |
Page launched the flag on December 5, 1998, through BiCafe.com, one of the earliest bisexual community websites. His goal was straightforward: create something that would help bi people feel seen at pride events and in their daily lives.
The flag caught on fast. Within a few years, it showed up at pride marches across the US and internationally. By the mid-2000s, it was standard at any major pride celebration. Today, you'll see it at WorldPride events, on social media profiles, hanging from apartment windows, and printed on everything from tees to blankets.
| 1 | 1998: Flag debut. Michael Page releases the bisexual pride flag online through BiCafe.com. |
| 2 | 2000s: Pride march adoption. The flag becomes a fixture at pride parades in major US cities and starts appearing internationally. |
| 3 | 2010s: Social media boom. Bi visibility skyrockets as people share the flag on Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr during Bisexual Awareness Week. |
| 4 | 2020s: Mainstream recognition. The bisexual flag is now one of the most recognized LGBTQ+ identity flags worldwide, included in emoji sets and official pride collections. |
Why Bi Visibility Still Matters
Bisexual people make up the largest single group within the LGBTQ+ community. According to the Williams Institute at UCLA, roughly 4.2 million adults in the US identify as bisexual. That's more than the number who identify as gay or lesbian combined.
And yet, bi people face some of the highest rates of invisibility and erasure in the community. When a bi woman dates a man, people assume she's straight. When a bi man dates another man, people assume he's gay. The identity itself gets erased based on who someone happens to be with at the moment.
This has real consequences. Studies from the Human Rights Campaign show that bisexual people experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and isolation compared to both straight and gay/lesbian peers. A lot of that comes down to feeling unseen.
Flying a bisexual pride flag is one of the most direct ways to push back against that erasure. It says "I exist, I'm here, and my identity is valid" without needing to explain anything to anyone.
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How to Display a Bisexual Pride Flag
There's no single "correct" way to hang your bi flag. That said, a few guidelines will help it look good and last longer.
If you're renting and can't drill holes, suction cup hooks and over-the-door hangers work great. Fabric clips are another solid option for wall display without damage. For a full breakdown of mounting options, check out our guide to displaying pride flags at home.
Want something softer for indoor use? A bisexual pride blanket draped over a couch or bed makes a statement without needing any hardware at all.
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Bisexual vs Pansexual: What's the Difference?
This comes up a lot, and the honest answer is: it depends on who you ask. Both terms describe attraction to more than one gender, and plenty of people feel comfortable with either label.
The most common distinction goes like this: bisexual typically means attraction to two or more genders, while pansexual means attraction regardless of gender (gender doesn't factor into the attraction at all). But these definitions overlap heavily, and many bi people describe their own attraction in ways that sound identical to how pan people describe theirs.
The bottom line? Neither label is "better" or more inclusive than the other. People choose the term that feels right for them. Some pick bisexual because of its longer history and political legacy. Others prefer pansexual because it feels more precise for their experience. Both are valid.
What matters is respecting whatever label someone chooses for themselves. If someone tells you they're bi, don't correct them to pansexual (or vice versa). They know their own identity better than anyone.
Want to learn more about the pansexual flag and how it compares to the bi flag? Check out our pansexual pride flag guide for the full breakdown.
Ways to Celebrate Bisexual Pride
You don't have to wait for Bisexual Awareness Week (September 16-23) or Bi Visibility Day (September 23) to celebrate. Here are concrete ways to show bi pride year-round.
| 1 | Fly the flag. Hang a bisexual pride flag at home, at your desk, or bring one to pride events. Visibility starts with something people can actually see. |
| 2 | Support bi-specific organizations. Groups like the Bisexual Resource Center, BiNet USA, and Still Bisexual do targeted advocacy work that larger LGBTQ+ orgs sometimes overlook. |
| 3 | Educate your circle. When someone makes a biphobic comment (even casually), speak up. "Pick a side" jokes aren't harmless. A quick correction goes a long way. |
| 4 | Share bi stories. Amplify bisexual creators, authors, and public figures. Representation matters, and sharing someone's work costs nothing. |
| 5 | Wear it. Bi pride tees, pins, and stickers are small signals that tell other bi people "you're not alone here." Sometimes that's exactly what someone needs to see. |
Bi pride doesn't have to be loud or dramatic. Sometimes it's just a flag in a window, a sticker on a laptop, or a blanket on your couch that tells visitors exactly where you stand.
Common Myths About Bisexuality (Debunked)
Bi people have heard all of these. If you're an ally, knowing these myths helps you shut them down when they come up.
MYTH 01
"Bisexuality isn't real. Pick a side."
This is the oldest biphobic line in the book. Decades of research confirm that bisexuality is a distinct, stable sexual orientation. The American Psychological Association has recognized it as such since the 1970s. Telling someone to "pick a side" is like telling someone who speaks two languages to drop one.
MYTH 02
"Bi people are just confused or going through a phase."
A 2021 Pew Research study found that most bisexual adults knew their orientation by their early twenties and maintained it throughout their lives. For most bi people, this isn't a phase. It's simply who they are.
MYTH 03
"If you're in a 'straight-passing' relationship, you're not really bi."
Your identity doesn't change based on who you're currently dating. A bisexual woman in a relationship with a man is still bisexual. A bisexual man in a relationship with another man is still bisexual. The relationship doesn't define the orientation.
MYTH 04
"Bisexual people are more likely to cheat."
This one is pure prejudice with zero data to back it up. Being attracted to multiple genders has nothing to do with fidelity. Monogamous bi people are just as committed as monogamous people of any other orientation.
These myths persist because bi erasure is baked into how a lot of people think about sexuality: as a binary, either/or thing. Flying a bi flag, talking openly about bisexuality, and correcting misinformation all help chip away at that.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the colors on the bisexual flag mean?
The pink stripe represents attraction to the same gender, the blue stripe represents attraction to a different gender, and the purple stripe in the middle represents the overlap of both. The purple is created by blending pink and blue, just like bisexuality itself blends different attractions.
Who created the bisexual pride flag?
Michael Page, a bisexual activist based in Florida, designed and released the flag on December 5, 1998. He launched it through BiCafe.com, an early bisexual community website, to give bi people a distinct symbol of their own.
What is the difference between bisexual and pansexual?
Bisexual generally means attraction to two or more genders. Pansexual means attraction regardless of gender. The definitions overlap a lot, and many people could use either term. It comes down to personal preference.
When is Bisexual Awareness Week?
Bisexual Awareness Week runs from September 16 to 23 each year, ending on Celebrate Bisexuality Day (also called Bi Visibility Day) on September 23. It was first observed in 1999, just one year after the bisexual flag was created.
Can I fly a bisexual flag if I'm an ally?
Absolutely. Flying a bi flag shows support for bisexual visibility. If you want to signal allyship more broadly, consider pairing it with a Progress Pride flag or an Ally flag. Any visible support makes bi identities more visible.
How should I hang a bisexual pride flag?
Hang it horizontally with the pink stripe on top, purple in the middle, and blue on the bottom. Use grommets with a flagpole for outdoor display, or fabric clips and suction cup hooks for indoor mounting. Bring it inside during heavy storms to extend its life.
For a complete breakdown of every LGBTQ+ flag and its meaning, check out our guide to every pride flag. And if you're interested in the story behind the original rainbow flag, our rainbow flag history post covers everything from Gilbert Baker to the Progress flag evolution.
Want to learn more about individual flags? Check out our deep dive into the lesbian pride flag and what each color means.
If this helped, you may also like our new guide to bisexual meaning, which explains bi identity, common myths, and the bisexual Pride flag in plain language.
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Show Your Bi Pride Flags, blankets, and gear that let you rep your identity loud and clear. |
