There are over 20 pride flags, each one designed by and for a specific community within the LGBTQ+ umbrella. You've seen the rainbow. But do you know what the black and brown stripes on the Progress flag mean? Or why the lesbian flag is orange and pink? Here's what every major pride flag stands for, who created it, and what each color means.
The Rainbow Pride Flag (1978)
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The Original LGBTQ+ Pride Flag The six-stripe rainbow. The one that started it all. Claim Free Flag → |
Gilbert Baker designed the original rainbow pride flag in 1978 for the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., asked Baker to create a symbol for the community. Baker chose a rainbow because it represented diversity across all identities.
The original had eight stripes: hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and violet. Hot pink was dropped early because the fabric was hard to source commercially. Turquoise and indigo were later combined into royal blue, giving us the six-stripe version we know today.
★ Rainbow Flag Color Meanings
| Red | Life |
| Orange | Healing |
| Yellow | Sunlight |
| Green | Nature |
| Blue | Harmony / Serenity |
| Violet | Spirit |
Baker never trademarked the design. He wanted it to belong to everyone. When he died in 2017, the flag had become one of the most recognized symbols in the world.
The Progress Pride Flag (2018)
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Most Popular Progress Pride Flag Rainbow with the chevron for trans inclusion and communities of color. Claim Free Flag → |
Designer Daniel Quasar (who uses xe/xem pronouns) added a chevron to the left side of the rainbow flag in 2018. The five new colors have specific meaning:
The Progress flag didn't replace the rainbow. It built on it. The chevron is a deliberate statement that inclusion requires active effort, not just good intentions. Quasar released it as open-source, and it spread fast.
Inclusive Progress Pride Flag (2021)
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Updated Design Inclusive Progress Pride Flag Adds a purple circle on yellow inside the chevron for the intersex community. Designed by Valentino Vecchietti. Claim Free Flag → |
The Transgender Pride Flag (1999)
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Trans Pride Transgender Pride Flag Light blue, pink, and white. Designed to look the same no matter which way you fly it. Claim Free Flag → |
Monica Helms, a transgender woman and Navy veteran, created the transgender flag in 1999. It debuted at the Phoenix Pride Parade in 2000.
Light blue is the traditional color for baby boys. Pink is the traditional color for baby girls. The white stripe in the center represents people who are non-binary, transitioning, or intersex. Helms designed it to look the same no matter which way you fly it, because "we're always finding the right way in our lives."
The original flag now lives at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. It was donated in 2014.
The Bisexual Pride Flag (1998)
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Bi Pride Bisexual Pride Flag Pink, purple, and blue. The purple is the blend of both, representing attraction regardless of gender. Claim Free Flag → |
Michael Page designed the bisexual flag in 1998 to give bi people their own symbol. Three horizontal stripes: pink (40%), purple (20%), and blue (40%). Pink represents attraction to the same gender. Blue represents attraction to a different gender. The purple stripe in the middle is the blend of both.
Page chose colors from an existing bisexual symbol called the "biangles" (overlapping pink and blue triangles). The flag was a direct response to bisexual erasure: the common dismissal that bi people are "really" gay or "really" straight depending on who they're currently with.
The Lesbian Pride Flag (2018)
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Lesbian Pride Lesbian Pride Flag Seven stripes from dark orange to dark rose. Designed to represent all lesbians, not just femme. Claim Free Flag → |
The modern lesbian flag with seven stripes in shades of orange and pink was designed by Emily Gwen in 2018. It replaced an older lipstick lesbian flag that many felt excluded butch and non-femme lesbians. The colors range from dark orange (gender nonconformity) through white (unique relationships to womanhood) to dark rose (femininity).
A simplified five-stripe version is more common because it's easier to produce. You'll see both, and both are valid.
The Gay Men's Pride Flag
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Gay Pride Gay Pride Flag Seven stripes in greens, whites, and blues. A flag for gay men separate from the broader rainbow. Claim Free Flag → |
The gay men's flag uses seven stripes in shades of green, white, and blue/purple. It was designed to give gay men a flag of their own separate from the broader rainbow. The colors range from teal and green (community and nature) through white (gender nonconformity) to blue and purple (pure love and fortitude).
More Flags You Should Know
Every identity has a flag. Here are the rest of the ones we carry.
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Non-Binary Pride Non-Binary Pride Flag (2014) Yellow, white, purple, and black stripes. Created by Kye Rowan at 17. Yellow for people outside the binary, white for multi-gendered, purple for a mix, black for agender. Claim Free Flag → |
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Pansexual Pride Pansexual Pride Flag (2010) Pink, yellow, and blue. Pink for attraction to women, blue for men, yellow for non-binary and genderqueer people. Attraction regardless of gender identity. Claim Free Flag → |
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Ace Pride Asexual Pride Flag (2010) Black, gray, white, and purple. Created by the AVEN community through a vote. Black for asexuality, gray for gray-ace, white for sexuality, purple for community. Claim Free Flag → |
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Genderfluid Pride Genderfluid Pride Flag (2012) Pink, white, purple, black, and blue. Created by JJ Poole. Pink for femininity, blue for masculinity, purple for both, black for no gender, white for all genders. Claim Free Flag → |
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Demisexual Pride Demisexual Pride Flag Black triangle with white, purple, and gray stripes. Demisexuality means only experiencing sexual attraction after forming an emotional bond. Falls on the ace spectrum. Claim Free Flag → |
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For Allies Ally Flag Black and white stripes with a rainbow "A" in the center. For straight and/or cisgender people who actively support the LGBTQ+ community. Claim Free Flag → |
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Intersectional Pride Intersectional Pride Flag The Philadelphia flag. Adds black and brown stripes to the rainbow to center people of color in the pride movement. Introduced in 2017. Claim Free Flag → |
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American + Pride American Pride Flag The U.S. flag reimagined with rainbow stripes. For LGBTQ+ Americans who want to fly both identities on one flag. Claim Free Flag → |
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Canadian Pride Canada Pride Flag The Canadian maple leaf flag with rainbow stripes. Same idea, for our neighbors to the north. Claim Free Flag → |
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Peace + Pride Rainbow Peace Flag Rainbow flag with a peace symbol. Combines LGBTQ+ pride with the peace movement. Claim Free Flag → |
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18 Different pride flags available at Pride Belongs. Every identity deserves to be seen. |
Which Pride Flag Should You Fly?
There's no wrong answer. Fly the flag that represents your identity, or fly one to support someone you love. A few common questions:
I'm an ally. Which flag do I fly?
The Ally flag (black and white stripes with a rainbow "A") was designed for exactly this. You can also fly the rainbow or Progress flag to show support.
What's the difference between the Progress flag and the rainbow flag?
The rainbow flag represents LGBTQ+ pride broadly. The Progress flag adds a chevron for trans people and communities of color to highlight that those groups face additional challenges. Neither is "more correct."
Can I fly multiple pride flags?
Absolutely. Many people fly their identity flag alongside a rainbow or Progress flag. No rules about how many you can display.
I don't see my identity here. Is there a flag for me?
Very likely yes. There are flags for aromantic, agender, polyamorous, two-spirit, bear, leather, and many more identities. The community is always growing.
Is it okay to fly a pride flag if I'm not out yet?
Your safety comes first, always. But if you feel comfortable, a flag in your room, on your laptop, or on your car is a small way to affirm who you are on your own terms.
Ready to fly your flag at an event? Check out our complete guide to Pride Month 2026 events for parade dates and schedules across the country.
Once you know which flag represents you, the next step is putting it up. Our guide to displaying a pride flag at home covers mounting options for outdoor and indoor setups, renter-friendly ideas, and care tips to keep your flag looking fresh.
Want to know how the rainbow flag went from a hand-sewn banner in a San Francisco attic to the most recognized LGBTQ+ symbol on Earth? Read our history of the rainbow flag.
Not sure which community flag to pick? Read our comparison of the Progress flag vs the rainbow flag to find the right fit.
Want to take your support further? Check out our guide on how to be a better LGBTQ+ ally.
Heading to your first parade and want to know what all those flags mean? Check out our first pride parade prep guide for everything else you need to know.
Want the full story? Our LGBTQ+ history guide covers the key moments from 1924 to today.
With Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, check out our Transgender Day of Visibility 2026 guide for the history, flag meaning, and ways to celebrate.
Ready to put those flags to work? See our guide to decorating your home with pride.
Once you know which flag matches, check our pride gift guide for ideas on how to turn that flag into a perfect gift.
Want to learn more about the bisexual pride flag specifically? Check out our complete bisexual flag guide for the full history, color meanings, and display tips.
Looking for more ways to show up? Read our guide on the Day of Silence 2026 and how students, allies, and workplaces can participate.
Want to learn more about individual flags? Check out our deep dive into the lesbian pride flag and what each color means.
Want the full story behind the bisexual flag? Read our deep dive: The Bisexual Pride Flag: Meaning, History, and How to Show Support.
Looking for more flag deep dives? Read our guide to the non-binary pride flag and what each color means.
For a closer look at the pansexual flag and how it compares to the bi flag, check out our pansexual pride flag guide.
We also have a deep dive on the lesbian pride flag, covering the sunset design, its history, and what each stripe represents.
Looking for more flag deep dives? Read our guide to the transgender pride flag and what its colors mean.
For a deep dive into the gay male pride flag, check out our complete guide to the gay pride flag.
New guide: learn about the demisexual pride flag and how it fits inside the ace family of pride flags.
For the story behind the eight-stripe pride flag with black and brown stripes added on top, read our Philadelphia pride flag guide. Supporters who want their own symbol can also read about the ally flag meaning and how to show real LGBTQ+ support.
Lesbian Visibility Week 2026 runs April 20 to 26. See our full guide: Lesbian Visibility Week 2026: How to Celebrate and Show Real Support.
Genderfluid flag: The genderfluid pride flag was designed in 2012 by JJ Poole and carries five stripes representing the full range of genderfluid experience. Read our complete guide to the genderfluid pride flag for what each color means and how to show real support.
If you want to go deeper on the most inclusive version of the Progress flag, read our full breakdown of the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag.
Pair this with our guide to IDAHOBIT 2026 (May 17), the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.
For the human story behind Stonewall, see our deep dive on Marsha P. Johnson, the activist who helped spark Pride.
Read the story of Sylvia Rivera, the Latina trans elder who fought for these flags before most of the names existed.
One of the oldest LGBTQ+ symbols still in use is not a flag at all. Read the story of the pink triangle and how it became a memorial and protest symbol.
For the full life story, read Harvey Milk's story from his Long Island childhood through his murder at City Hall.
New to the community or just want the basics down? Start with our plain-language guide to what LGBTQIA+ stands for, every letter explained.
Aromanticism sits right alongside this one on the a-spec map. If you want the companion guide, here is the aromantic pride flag and what its colors mean.
Flags are not the only symbols the community carries. For the pink triangle, the lambda, the labrys, and more, read our guide to LGBTQ+ symbols and what they mean.
Curious about a phrase you see all over Pride Month? Here is what "love is love" really means and where it came from.
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Find Your Flag We carry 18 pride flags, all 3' x 5', all made to fly. Free with any order. |
For more on Harvey Milk, see our guide on Harvey Milk Day 2026 and how to honor his legacy on May 22.
