This version of the Pride Flag was created solely out of lack of supply of hot pink fabric. Here are the meanings behind each color of the traditional LGBTQ pride flag: Baker brought the traditional pride flag to the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on Jand hoisted his flag for the first time.
However, it wasn’t until 1978 that the colors of the rainbow officially flew to represent the LGBTQ community. It was said that he drew inspiration from Judy Garland’s song entitled “Over the Rainbow”. As a result, Baker came up with this flag. Baker thought of the rainbow as a symbol for the LGBTQ community after he was challenged by gay rights activist Harvey Milk to sew a symbol of pride and unity for the gay community. San Francisco artist and army veteran Gilbert Baker’s pride flag is considered the traditional LGBTQ flag, with the color pink on top of the normal colors of the rainbow. Listed below are several variations of the LGBTQ pride flag and what they represent. But of course, you’ve already seen other versions of the pride flag. The traditional rainbow flag has symbolized the modern LGBTQ movement since 1977. Variations of the peace rainbow flag have the word Pace, the Italian word for peace, and Eirini the Greek word for peace, printed in the center. Protesters got the inspiration from demonstrations against nuclear weapons that used similar multi-colored banners. It was first used as such during a peace march in Italy in 1961. Buddhist Flagīefore becoming a global symbol of LGBTQ Pride, the rainbow flag was a symbol for peace. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at all the iterations of the rainbow flag and how it was ultimately used as a symbol of peace and pride not just by the LGBTQ community, but other groups throughout history. However, did you know that aside from representing the escape from binary gender norms, the rainbow flag was also used by other groups and cultures to represent other concepts? Hence, members of the LGBTQ community have come up with variations for the rainbow flag. The rainbow flag is representative of all types of genders, sexualities, and sexual orientations. Miles’ simple yet profound statement, the freedom to share love freely, offers us a heartfelt understanding as to why the flag is flown by members of the LGBTQ community and friends who support them.The rainbow flag is one of the most common symbols of the LGBTQ community today, but it is not as straightforward as others may seem to think. Nobody should make you feel bad for that.” Five-year-old Miles thought on this idea for a moment, then said, “But love makes everyone feel good, so you should share your love with anyone and everyone you want to. We talked about how some people feel strongly about who people share their love with. The children then questioned why the flag is called the Pride flag and asked what the members of the community it represents are proud of? The children were drawn to the idea that each colour has its own meaning and when joined together the colours represent something significant. With further research the children learned that each colour of the Pride flag has a special meaning: red is for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony/serenity and purple is for spirit. The children discovered many types of rainbow flags from all over the world, and the one at our school is the Pride flag, a symbol of hope for the LGBTQ community. We extended the investigation by researching the flag online. They all recognized that the flag must be important in order to be flown in front of our school, and that it invoked feelings of peace and joy. Shaylee, 10, – “Peace? Or maybe because this school is a really peaceful place.”Įach child inferred a different meaning for the flag, but each of their interpretations were connected by similar values. I can’t remember, but I’m pretty sure each colour is representative of something.” Sadie, 9, – “But the Fun Fair has already happened. We asked the children for their ideas on the significance of this new flag and the reason it’s being flown. Madison, age 5, noted the colours on the new flag are colourful like a rainbow and rhymed off each colour: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Miles recognized the Canadian flag also flying nearby and explained the significance of the leaf in the centre, “It’s a maple leaf and we have lots of maple trees in Canada”.
We invited the children to examine the flag in detail, noting its colours as well as the shapes on the flag. Ever observant of their environment, the children quickly noticed the new flag flying from the flag pole at the front of our school.