The non-binary pride flag is one of the most recognizable symbols in the LGBTQ+ community, and it stands for millions of people who don't fit neatly into the categories of "man" or "woman." If you've spotted those yellow, white, purple, and black stripes at a pride event or in someone's window, here's what they actually mean and where the flag came from.
What the non-binary flag colors mean
Kye Rowan designed the non-binary pride flag in 2014. Each of the four stripes stands for a different part of non-binary identity:
★ Non-binary flag color guide
| Yellow | Gender outside the man/woman binary |
| White | People who identify with many or all genders |
| Purple | Gender between or a mix of male and female |
| Black | Absence of gender (agender) |
The color choices were intentional. Yellow was chosen because it's not associated with either the traditional blue (male) or pink (female) binary. Purple blends those two, while black stands for the absence of gender entirely.
One thing worth knowing: the purple stripe is sometimes described as lavender, and that color has deep roots in queer history. Lavender has been associated with LGBTQ+ identity since at least the 1960s, so its inclusion on the flag carries extra weight.
A brief history of the non-binary flag
Before 2014, non-binary people didn't have their own dedicated flag. The genderqueer flag (lavender, white, and green), designed by Marilyn Roxie in 2011, was the closest option. But "genderqueer" and "non-binary" aren't identical terms, and many people wanted a flag that was just theirs.
Kye Rowan created the non-binary flag in February 2014 after community members expressed the need for a distinct symbol. The flag spread quickly through social media, Tumblr communities, and pride events. By 2016, it had become the standard symbol for non-binary identity at pride marches worldwide.
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2014 The year Kye Rowan created the non-binary pride flag after the community called for a symbol of their own. |
The flag's popularity tracks with broader cultural recognition of non-binary identities. In 2019, Merriam-Webster added "they/them" as a singular pronoun to the dictionary. By 2021, the first U.S. passport with an "X" gender marker was issued. The non-binary flag has been part of that visibility push from the start.
Today, the flag flies at pride events on every continent. It's been picked up by corporate pride collections, government buildings during Pride Month, and countless personal displays.
Non-binary vs. genderqueer: what's the difference?
This comes up a lot, and the answer matters for understanding which flag someone might fly.
Non-binary is a broad term for anyone whose gender identity doesn't sit exclusively in the "man" or "woman" categories. It's an umbrella that includes many identities.
Genderqueer is an older term that overlaps with non-binary but carries a slightly different connotation. Some people who identify as genderqueer emphasize the "queer" aspect, meaning they actively challenge or push against conventional gender norms. Not all non-binary people identify as genderqueer, and not all genderqueer people identify as non-binary.
Both flags are valid. Some people fly both. The key is respecting whichever flag (or flags) someone chooses.
How to display the non-binary flag
Flying a non-binary flag follows the same general rules as any pride flag. A few practical tips:
| 1 | Yellow stripe on top. This is the standard orientation. Flipping it upside down changes the visual meaning of the design. |
| 2 | Use weather-resistant fabric outdoors. Look for polyester or nylon if you're hanging it on a porch, balcony, or flagpole. Bring it inside during storms to extend its life. |
| 3 | Indoor displays work great too. Drape it over a bookshelf, pin it to a wall, or frame it behind glass. Same message, no weather damage. |
| 4 | Renters: use removable hooks or suction cups. No drilling required, no security deposit at risk. |
If you're flying multiple pride flags together, there's no strict hierarchy. Place them at the same height and give each flag enough space to be seen on its own.
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Why visibility matters for non-binary people
Representation isn't just feel-good symbolism. For non-binary people, visibility has real, measurable effects on wellbeing.
A 2022 study from The Trevor Project found that non-binary youth who felt their identity was respected by the people around them reported lower rates of anxiety and depression, sometimes by as much as 40%. Seeing a flag in a neighbor's window, a teacher's classroom, or a local business sends a clear signal: you're welcome here, exactly as you are.
Non-binary people still face real barriers. Many legal systems don't recognize non-binary gender markers. Healthcare forms often only offer "male" or "female." Everyday interactions, from introductions to bathroom choices, can force non-binary people into categories that don't fit.
Flying a flag doesn't fix those systemic issues. But it does something simpler and just as important: it tells non-binary people in your community that someone sees them.
How to be a good ally to non-binary people
Support goes beyond the flag. Here are concrete actions that actually make a difference:
If someone tells you they use they/them, he/they, she/they, or neopronouns, the right response is simple: use them. Mistakes happen. Correct yourself quickly and move on without making it a big production.
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Non-binary representation around the world
Non-binary identities aren't new or Western. Cultures across the globe have recognized gender diversity for centuries.
In South Asia, hijra communities have existed for thousands of years and are legally recognized as a third gender in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. In Samoa, fa'afafine are people assigned male at birth who embody both masculine and feminine traits. Many Indigenous North American nations recognize Two-Spirit people, a term that covers a wide range of gender and sexual identities.
The modern non-binary movement builds on this global history while creating new language and symbols for people living today. The non-binary flag is one of those symbols, connecting a worldwide community under a shared banner.
MISTAKE 01
Treating "non-binary" as a third gender box
Non-binary isn't "man, woman, non-binary" as a neat third option. It's an umbrella for many different experiences of gender. Some non-binary people lean masc or femme, some are agender, some are fluid. Don't flatten it.
MISTAKE 02
Assuming all non-binary people look androgynous
Gender identity and gender expression are different things. A non-binary person might present feminine, masculine, or anywhere in between. How someone looks doesn't determine their gender.
MISTAKE 03
Using "preferred pronouns" instead of just "pronouns"
The word "preferred" implies it's optional. They're not preferred pronouns, they're just pronouns. Saying "What are your pronouns?" is cleaner and more respectful than "What are your preferred pronouns?"
MISTAKE 04
Only acknowledging non-binary people during Pride Month
June support is great, but visibility in February and October matters just as much. International Non-Binary People's Day is July 14. Put it on your calendar.
These mistakes aren't dealbreakers. Most people make them without realizing it. What matters is the willingness to learn and adjust. The non-binary community isn't asking for perfection. They're asking for effort.
For more on supporting the LGBTQ+ community year-round, check out our guide on how to be a better LGBTQ+ ally. And if you want to learn about other flags in the community, our complete pride flag guide covers all of them.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the non-binary pride flag?
Kye Rowan designed the non-binary pride flag in February 2014. It was created in response to a call from the non-binary community for a flag that was distinct from the genderqueer flag.
What do the non-binary flag colors mean?
Yellow stands for gender outside the binary. White is for people with many or all genders. Purple is a mix of male and female. Black is the absence of gender (agender).
Is non-binary the same as genderqueer?
They overlap but aren't identical. Non-binary is a broad umbrella for anyone outside the man/woman binary. Genderqueer often carries an emphasis on actively challenging gender norms. Some people identify as both, some prefer one term over the other.
How should I hang a non-binary flag?
Hang it with the yellow stripe on top. For outdoor display, use weather-resistant polyester or nylon. Indoor options include wall mounting, draping over furniture, or framing.
What pronouns do non-binary people use?
It varies. Many use they/them, but some use he/him, she/her, he/they, she/they, or neopronouns like ze/zir. Always ask and use whatever pronouns someone tells you are correct.
When is International Non-Binary People's Day?
July 14. The date falls exactly between International Men's Day (November 19) and International Women's Day (March 8). It sits right between the two, just like non-binary people sit outside the gender binary.
We also have a deep dive on the genderfluid pride flag.
Non-binary is the umbrella. Genderfluid is one specific identity under that umbrella, defined by gender that moves over time. See our guide to the genderfluid pride flag for a closer look at that identity and its flag.
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Show your support Fly the non-binary pride flag at home, at work, or anywhere you want to make someone feel seen. |
