Progress vs Rainbow Flag: Which Should You Fly?

You see both flags everywhere during Pride season, hanging from porches, pinned on backpacks, waving at parades. The classic six-stripe rainbow. The newer Progress flag with its chevron. They both say "pride," but they say it differently. So which one actually belongs on your flagpole?

Short answer: neither is wrong. But understanding what each flag communicates helps you pick the one that says what you mean.

The Rainbow Flag: Where It All Started

Gilbert Baker sewed the first rainbow flag in 1978 for San Francisco Pride. The original had eight stripes. Hot pink got dropped because the fabric was hard to source. Turquoise got cut when organizers wanted an even number of stripes for split-pole displays. By 1979, the six-stripe version (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet) became the standard.

For nearly 40 years, this flag was the flag. It represented the entire LGBTQ+ community under one symbol. It still does for millions of people.

Flying a rainbow flag is a classic, recognizable statement. Your neighbor, your mail carrier, pretty much anyone on the planet knows what it means. That universal recognition is its biggest strength.

What the Progress Flag Adds

Designer Daniel Quasar introduced the Progress Pride flag in 2018. It keeps the six rainbow stripes as the base and adds a chevron (arrow shape) on the left side with five additional stripes: white, pink, and light blue (representing transgender people), plus brown and black (representing people of color and those lost to AIDS).

The chevron points to the right. It represents forward movement. The design choice was intentional: Quasar wanted to highlight communities within the LGBTQ+ movement that have been marginalized even within queer spaces.

In 2021, designer Valentino Vecchietti updated the design further with the Intersex-Inclusive Progress flag, adding a purple circle on a yellow triangle inside the chevron to represent intersex people. Some retailers carry this version, though the 2018 Quasar design remains the most widely flown.

The Progress flag does not replace the rainbow flag. It builds on it. Think of it as the rainbow plus a spotlight on communities that deserve extra visibility.

Side-by-Side Comparison

When you line these two flags up, the differences are practical, not just symbolic.

1	Recognition. The rainbow flag wins here. It has been the universal symbol of LGBTQ+ pride for over four decades. Almost everyone recognizes it instantly. The Progress flag is gaining ground fast but still requires a quick explanation for some people.
2	Inclusivity statement. The Progress flag is more explicit about inclusion. By calling out trans people and people of color directly, it makes a clear statement that these communities belong. The rainbow flag is inclusive by definition, but the Progress flag puts that front and center.
3	Design. The rainbow flag is clean and simple. Six horizontal stripes. It works at any size, from a tiny lapel pin to a billboard. The Progress flag is busier with its chevron, and the additional colors can be harder to reproduce on small items. On a full-size 3x5 flag, both look great.
4	History. The rainbow flag carries 47 years of history. It has been at every major milestone in LGBTQ+ rights: Stonewall commemorations, marriage equality celebrations, protest marches. The Progress flag is newer (2018), so it does not carry the same weight yet, but it is already building its own legacy.

1978 The year Gilbert Baker created the original rainbow pride flag for San Francisco Pride. It has been the symbol of LGBTQ+ pride for nearly five decades.

So Which One Should You Fly?

Here is how to think about it.

Fly the rainbow flag if you want maximum recognition and a timeless symbol. If your goal is "I support the LGBTQ+ community" in the broadest sense, the rainbow flag says it clearly. It is also the better choice if you are displaying it somewhere visibility matters more than subtlety, like a business storefront or a public park.

Fly the Progress flag if you want to make a statement about trans inclusion and racial justice within the queer community. If those issues matter to you personally, or if you want your flag to say "I see you" to people who have been historically overlooked, the Progress flag does that work.

Fly both if you have the space. Plenty of people hang one on the front porch and the other on the back. Or they switch seasonally. There is no rule that says you pick one and stick with it forever.

The flags are not competing. They are on the same team. One is the foundation, the other is an evolution of it. The community is big enough for both.

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What About Other Pride Flags?

The rainbow and Progress flags are the two most recognized "community-wide" pride flags, but dozens of identity-specific flags exist too. The transgender flag (light blue, pink, white) designed by Monica Helms. The bisexual flag (pink, purple, blue) created by Michael Page. The lesbian flag, the nonbinary flag, the pansexual flag, and many more.

Flying an identity-specific flag alongside or instead of a community flag is completely valid. Many people fly their identity flag and one of the community flags together.

If you want the full breakdown of every flag and what it stands for, check out our complete guide to every pride flag.

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Caring for Your Flag

Whichever flag you choose, a few basics will keep it looking good.

For more tips on hanging and displaying your flag, see our guide on how to display a pride flag at home.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE 01

Thinking one flag is "more correct" than the other

Both flags are valid symbols of LGBTQ+ pride. The Progress flag is not a correction of the rainbow flag. It is an addition. Neither choice is wrong.

MISTAKE 02

Buying the cheapest flag you can find

Bargain-bin flags use thin polyester that fades in weeks and frays at the edges. Invest in outdoor-grade material with reinforced grommets. Your flag should last a full season, not a single rainstorm.

MISTAKE 03

Leaving a shredded flag flying

A torn, bleached-out flag does not send the message you want. When your flag is worn out, retire it and replace it with a fresh one. It is a small cost for a big statement.

MISTAKE 04

Only flying your flag during Pride Month

Pride is not a one-month thing. Flying your flag year-round sends a consistent message that your home or business is a welcoming space every day, not just in June.

Now that you know the common pitfalls, let's cover the questions people ask most often.

Common Questions

Is the Progress flag replacing the rainbow flag?

No. The Progress flag adds to the rainbow flag, it does not replace it. Both are widely used, and the rainbow flag remains the most recognized symbol of LGBTQ+ pride worldwide.

Is flying the rainbow flag instead of the Progress flag offensive?

Not at all. The rainbow flag represents the entire LGBTQ+ community. Flying it is a clear, positive statement of support. Choosing the rainbow flag is not exclusionary.

Can I fly both flags at the same time?

Absolutely. Many homes and businesses display both. There is no official protocol, so do whatever feels right for your space.

What is the difference between the Progress flag and the Intersex-Inclusive Progress flag?

The 2021 update by Valentino Vecchietti added a purple circle on a yellow triangle to the chevron to represent intersex people. Some retailers carry this version alongside the original 2018 Progress design.

Where should I buy a pride flag?

Look for flags made from durable outdoor-grade polyester with reinforced grommets. Cheap flags fade fast and fall apart. A quality 3x5 flag should last a full outdoor season.

Do I need to be LGBTQ+ to fly a pride flag?

No. Allies fly pride flags too. It signals that your home or business is a welcoming, safe space for LGBTQ+ people. The ally flag exists for exactly this purpose if you prefer a dedicated symbol.

Already know which flag you want? We have both in stock, plus 15 other pride flags for every identity.

Curious about the bisexual pride flag and what its colors mean? Our bisexual flag guide covers the full history, from Michael Page's 1998 design to how to display it at home.

Curious about other identity flags? Check out our guide to The Bisexual Pride Flag: Meaning, History, and How to Show Support.

For the story behind the eight-stripe pride flag with black and brown stripes added on top, read our Philadelphia pride flag guide.

There is also an updated version with a yellow triangle and purple circle for intersex visibility. See the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag explained.

If you are planning beyond your own city, we also put together a practical guide to WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, including dates, Canal Parade planning, packing, and etiquette.

Fly Your Flag With Pride Outdoor-grade pride flags that last. Free shipping on every order. Get the Progress Flag → Get the Rainbow Flag →