What Every Pride Flag Actually Means (And How to Find Yours)
New to this, questioning, or buying for someone you love? Here is what the major Pride flags mean in plain language, and how to find the one that feels like home. There is no wrong answer here.
A lot of people come to Pride not knowing which flag is theirs, and quietly worry they are not "allowed" to claim one yet. You are. Flags are not a test you pass, they are a language you get to speak. Here is what the major ones mean, without the gatekeeping, so you can find the one that feels like you (or like the person you are buying it for).
1. What does the rainbow (LGBTQ+) flag mean?
The original, the umbrella. Six stripes, one meaning: all of us. If you are still figuring out the specifics, this one is always yours.
2. What does the Progress Pride flag mean?
The rainbow plus a chevron of white, pink, and light blue (trans) and brown and black (queer and trans people of color). It says the movement is not finished and no one gets left behind.
3. What does the transgender flag mean?
Light blue, pink, and white stripes. Blue and pink for the traditional colors, white for those who are transitioning, intersex, or feel their gender is neutral or undefined.
4. What does the bisexual flag mean?
Magenta, purple, and blue. Attraction to your own gender (magenta), to other genders (blue), and the overlap in between (purple). Still bi even when you are not dating anyone who "proves" it.
5. What does the lesbian flag mean?
Shades of orange, white, and pink. Community, independence, and love between women and sapphic people.
6. What does the pansexual flag mean?
Pink, yellow, and blue. Attraction to people regardless of gender.
7. What does the asexual flag mean?
Black, gray, white, and purple, moving from the absence of attraction to community. Ace is a spectrum, and all of it belongs.
8. Your local and community flags
Intersex, nonbinary, aromantic, genderfluid, and more exist too. If yours is not here, it still counts, and it still exists.
"Feeling like an imposter instead of actually fitting in, not having the same experiences as others."Customer
"Not feeling queer enough to engage in the community."Customer
If either of those is you, this is your permission slip. You do not have to earn your flag.
The easy part
Once you know which one is yours, the best next step is simple: get it and put it somewhere you can see it. Our Pride flags are free, you just cover shipping, in every identity above and more, so finding yours does not have to cost anything but the shipping. Every order helps fund LGBTQ+ charities. Whether it is your first flag or the right one for someone you love, this is the easy part. Pick yours below.
Want the jewelry to match? Identity sets are $49.95. See the sets →
