Pride flags are the fabric of the LGBTQ+ world. 

From the classic rainbow flag to the pink, white, and blue transgender flag, they do so much more than just look pretty fluttering in the wind. They represent community and belonging for queer people everywhere.  

We're here to spill the tea on the most common pride flags — though there are way (way) more than just the ones on this list. 

Pride: Definition 

The Pride movement began with the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which ignited the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Initially a single day of recognition, Pride transformed into a month-long series of exciting events that now span the globe. It usually takes place in June. In addition to Pride Month, October is designated LGBT History Month, with National Coming Out Day on October 11. 

Rainbow flags, parades, and colorful outfits represent the LGBTQ+ community's journey and resilience. But these celebrations, which range from spicy and sexual to family-friendly, aren't just about fun and festivities. They're a powerful reminder of the queer community's fight against issues like hate crimes and HIV/AIDS and a chance to honor people who've been lost. Pride Month also showcases the significant contributions that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals make to the world. 

Society's shift to include queer voices, perspectives, and stories isn’t over. Pride’s goal is to emphasize the importance of understanding and commemorating the LGBTQ+ community's different sexualities, rich history, and ongoing struggle for equality. 

What is a Pride flag?   

A Pride flag represents love, identity, and unity for the LGBTQ+ community. It symbolizes the different sexual orientations and gender identities that fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, as well as the queer community's progress and the collective need for continued action. The original Pride flag is a classic six-color rainbow, but there are now dozens of flags representing different identities. 

Pride flags have evolved and expanded over the years. Some designs have gotten a bit of a makeover, while brand new ones keep popping up, each with unique significance. But no matter their colors and shapes, these flags are declarations that celebrate diversity and the journey we're all on together — especially during Pride Month. 

12 Pride flags and what they mean  

The world of Pride flags is colorful, and each one makes a bold statement about identity and community. Let's get to know some of the most iconic versions you'll see during Pride Month and throughout the year: 

1. Rainbow flag

The OG Pride flag was crafted by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. While this LGBTQ flag originally had eight stripes — with meanings ranging from spirit to healing, sun, and art, today's version has been streamlined to six. It’s become the most common representation of Pride, taking many forms from actual flags to leggings to crosswalks.

2. Lesbian flag

The original Labrys lesbian flag was designed by a man and featured a two-headed axe, so many lesbians didn’t feel like it truly represented the community. Refreshed by nonbinary lesbian Tumblr user Emily Gwen​​ in 2018, the current lesbian Pride flag ranges from five to seven stripes. It includes shades of orange and pink to symbolize everything from gender non-conformity to independence, serenity, and sex. 

3. Transgender flag

Transgender woman Monica Helms created the transgender Pride flag in 1999. It includes pink and blue for traditional "girl" and "boy" gender colors, plus white to represent people who are intersex, transitioning, or see themselves outside conventional gender boundaries. This flag's clever symmetrical design means it's always right, no matter how it's flown, mirroring the trans community's journey toward self-recognition.

4. Progress flag

In 2018, Daniel Quasar, a nonbinary artist, made the progress flag to show a more intersectional approach to Pride. The Progress Pride flag features black and brown stripes, representing LGBTQ+ people of color, and blue, pink, and white in an inclusive nod to transgender folks.

5. Bisexual flag

Bisexual activist Michael Page's flag, created in 1998, features pink for same-sex attraction, blue for opposite-sex attraction, and purple for everything in between. It's a colorful visual representation of the fluidity of bisexuality. 

6. Pansexual flag

Since 2010, the pansexual flag's pink, yellow, and cyan stripes have represented this community's pride and attraction to all genders. The pink and cyan stand for sexual and romantic orientations toward women and men, and the yellow stands for orientation toward nonbinary people. 

7. Nonbinary flag

The nonbinary Pride flag was created by 17-year-old Tumblr user Kye Rowan in 2014. Its yellow, white, purple, and black stripes represent different aspects of nonbinary identities, from those who identify as outside the gender binary to those who don’t have a gender at all. 

8. Genderfluid flag

Conceived by JJ Poole in 2012 — an agender person disappointed with the lack of a genderfluid flag — this flag's five stripes represent being feminine, being masculine, and the interplay between femininity and masculinity. This LGBTQ flag acknowledges that gender identity can shift and evolve over time. 

9. Genderqueer flag

The genderqueer flag was brought to life in 2011 by genderqueer writer Marilyn Roxie. This flag sports lavender, white, and chartreuse stripes. Each one represents androgyny, queer diversity, agender or gender-neutral individuals, and people who identify as either outside the conventional gender binary or a third gender. 

10. Agender flag

Launched by Tumblr user Salem X in 2014, the agender flag has a unique seven-stripe pattern that mirrors itself. Its black and white stripes symbolize the absence of gender, and its gray stripe is for people identifying as semi-genderless. The green stripe represents nonbinary gender identities. 

11. Intersex flag

In 2013, intersex scholar Morgan Carpenter steered clear of typical gender colors to create a yellow and purple Pride flag. This flag's design celebrates the intersex community without imposing any harmful gendered stereotypes, and the purple circle in the very middle of the flag represents intersex people's wholeness — without gender. 

12. Asexual flag

The asexual flag was introduced in 2010 after the Asexual Visibility and Education Network hosted a design contest. The winning flag uses black, gray, white, and purple to symbolize the entire asexuality spectrum, including the gray areas between asexual and not asexual, the partners of asexual people, and the asexual community as a whole. 

Join Quinn's inclusive community  

Quinn, the audio erotica app created by women for the world, celebrates the diversity and identities within the LGBTQ+ community. 

Whether you identify as gay, bisexual, transgender, lesbian, nonbinary, or something else, Quinn's audio erotica invites you to explore and connect with narratives as diverse as the LGBTQ+ community. To access thousands of narrated sex stories, guided masturbation sessions, and sexy playlists, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.