- Communities, Gay, Lesbian
- Author:Terris Schneider
- Posted:September 13, 2023
Buy A Package
- community, Dorian Rutherford, Femininity, gay, Gender Non-Conformity, genderqueer, Independence, lesbian, Lesbian Pride Flag, LGBTQ Culture, LGBTQ+ Community, LGBTQ+ Pride Flag, love, Peace, QPOC Pride Flag, Serenity, sex, Womanhood
In recent years, the LGBTQ+ community has made significant strides toward increasing visibility and acceptance worldwide. A pivotal aspect of this progress has been acknowledging and celebrating diverse identities and orientations within the community. The lesbian flag, with its vibrant colors and rich symbolism, is an emblem of pride and unity for lesbians worldwide. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the history and significance of the lesbian flag, exploring the messages it conveys and its role in fostering a sense of belonging.
The Origin of the Lesbian Flag
The lesbian flag, sometimes known as the “Lipstick Lesbian Flag,” was created in 2010 by an anonymous designer who submitted it to the blog This Lesbian Life. The design features five horizontal stripes in various shades of pink and red, with a kiss mark in the top left corner. The colors were carefully chosen to convey specific meanings:
- Dark pink: Represents love and desire.
- Light pink: Symbolizes friendship and community.
- White: Stands for gender non-conformity and includes non-binary or genderqueer people.
- Red: Signifies power and passion.
- Dark red: Represents solidarity and connection to lesbians who have died.
What changes have been made to the ‘lipstick lesbian flag’?
2018 saw a redesign of the pink and purple flag to make it more inclusive. An updated version of the lipstick lesbian flag includes shades of orange. Every stripe was assigned a specific meaning by the creator, Emily Gwen.
What are the colors of the lesbian pride flag redesign?
There are seven stripes on the 2018 redesign of the “Orange-Pink” Lesbian Flag. Furthermore, each stripe has a unique meaning. According to Gwen, the creator of the updated lesbian pride flag, the stripes symbolize:
- Red:gender non-conformity
- Dark orange:independence
- Light orange:community
- White:defining womanhood in a unique way
- Pink:serenity and peace
- Mauve:love and sex
- Magenta:femininity
What is the blue version of the lesbian pride flag?
A new lesbian pride flag was created in 2016—the “butch lesbian pride flag.” Instead of pink and purple colors, the butch lesbian pride flag uses purples (representing lesbians or women loving women), blues (representing masculinity), and whites (representing people of all genders and sexualities).
A Tumblr user named dorian–rutherford designed the blue flag. Despite the fact that the original post as well as dorian–rutherford’s blog appear to have been deleted, many butch and non-femme identifying lesbians continue to use the butch lesbian pride flag as a symbol of representation.
The Importance of Flags in LGBTQ+ Culture
Flags are powerful symbols of identity and pride within the LGBTQ+ community. They serve as visual reminders of the community’s struggles, triumphs, and diversity. The lesbian flag, with its unique color scheme and symbolism, fosters a sense of belonging and visibility for lesbians who may feel marginalized or overlooked.
Additionally, flags play a crucial role in LGBTQ+ celebrations and events, such as Pride parades. They serve as a unifying symbol, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate their shared identity and progress made in the fight for equal rights.
Other Flags in the LGBTQ+ Community
6-Striped LGBTQ+ Pride Flag
There has been a six-color version of the flag in use since 1979. Initially, it was based on the original Pride flag. Originally envisioned by Gilbert Baker, the rainbow flag represents LGBTQ+ pride and social movements. Also, during a meeting in 1974 with Harvey Milk, an influential gay leader, Gilbert Baker was challenged to create a symbolization of pride for the LGBTQ+ community.
The Original LGBTQ+ Pride Flag
On June 25, 1978, Gilbert Baker designed the first Pride flag with eight stripes, which was flown publicly for the first time at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. A total of thirty volunteers hand-dyed and stitched the first two pride flags for the parade. Also, among the colors, pink represents sex, red represents life, orange represents healing, yellow represents sunlight, green represents nature, turquoise represents magic and art, indigo represents serenity, and violet represents spirit.
Progress Pride Flag
In 2018, Daniel Quasar created another variation of the Pride flag known as the Progress Pride Flag to be more inclusive. Overlapping the traditional rainbow flag is a chevron design with the black and brown stripes from Philly Pride and white, pink, and blue from Trans Pride.
QPOC Pride Flag
As part of Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country and the world, the QPOC Pride Flag has gained popularity in the broader queer community in 2020. The flag symbolizes queer people of color (QPOC) and how the black community and the queer community weave together. This is in reference to both currently and in the earlier days of the Queer Liberation Movement.
In addition, as an expression of unity, strength, defiance, and resistance, the raised fist has historically served as an emblem of solidarity and support. Its use has mostly been in the digital sphere, but it flew at the 2019 San Francisco Pride festival. Also, the flag includes various shades of brown and a white stripe representing the various colors of the “human rainbow.” The creator of the flag has not been identified.
Takeaway
The lesbian flag is a beautiful and meaningful symbol that represents the rich tapestry of experiences and identities within the lesbian community. Its colors and symbolism convey messages of love, friendship, diversity, and solidarity, making it an essential emblem of pride for lesbians worldwide. As we continue to strive for increased LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance, the lesbian flag reminds us of the progress we’ve made. It also reminds us of the work that still lies ahead in the pursuit of equality and inclusivity.
Follow our Lifestyle Guide for more LGBTQ+ news. Our blog is regularly updated with the latest LGBTQ+ and mental health news.
Get Listed Today & Boost Your Business.
First Month Free!
- Special Promotion
Only 34 / 100 Spots Left
- Free For 30 Days & $19.99/mo after. Cancel anytime.
List Your Business
About Author
Billie Olsen (she/they) is a lifestyle writer, disability justice advocate, and cozy femme located in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Their works have appeared in Metro News, Discorder, Sophomore Magazine, the Post-Feminist Post, DINE Magazine, and NerdReader.
View all posts
You May Also Like
in Lifestyle, Mental Health, Wellness
How Social Services Aid Housing Security for Disabled LGBTQ+ People
Housing insecurity is a heartbreaking reality for many, but disabled individuals within LGBTQ+ communities often face additional challenges.
You might already know the statistics: disabled people tend to experience higher rates of poverty, and queer individuals are more ..
More
Read More
in Communities, Transgender
Creating Safe Spaces Online: How Digital Platforms Support LGBTQ+ Communities
You navigate a digital world, seeking places that reflect your authentic self. It is not just about connection – it is about safety and acceptance. Online platforms are reshaping how LGBTQ+ communities thrive by creating spaces where stories unfold and advice flows freely.
These virtual ..
More
Read More
in Mental Health, Wellness
Preparing for Tomorrow: Preparing Social Workers to Support LGBTQ Clients
Being a social worker is a rewarding thing. You work with a very diverse group of people with
different disabilities and cultural differences which requires a lot of patience and understanding.
One area which requires the same patience and understanding is the LGBTQ community where
social workers ..More
Read More
in Communities, Transgender
10 of the Most LGBTQ-Friendly US Universities
The US has many prestigious and LGBTQ-friendly universities and colleges, so prospective students will definitely find a place that will become their alma mater.
1. University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
UPenn has strong LGBTQ+ support, including an ..
More
Read More
Get Listed Today & Boost Your Business.
First Month Free!
- Special Promotion Only 34 / 100 Spots Left
- Free For 30 Days & $19.99/mo after. Cancel anytime.
List Your Business
Featured Clinics
Carmen Simon, LMFT-A, Co-Created Spaces, Houston, TX
, Houston, Texas, 77006
713-309-6858
[emailprotected]
Book Appointment
Aligning Lotus Counseling, Manhattan, KS
200 Southwind Place, Suite 203, Manhattan, Kansas, 66503
7855717439
[emailprotected]
Book Appointment
gu wellness counseling, Virtual Therapist Service in Denver, CO
, Denver, Colorado, 80203
[emailprotected]
Book Appointment
Emotions Therapy Calgary
2145 17 St SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2T 4M5
5875774982
[emailprotected]
Book Appointment
Everest Therapy Solutions, Support Group in Mount Pleasant, SC
887 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464
8432592161
[emailprotected]
Book Appointment
InTouch & Motion, Creative Arts Therapies, Chicago, IL
4028 W Irving Park R, Loft B, Chicago, Illinois, 60641
7738509046
[emailprotected]
Book Appointment
Avalon Laser Health, Physiotherapy Clinic, St. John’s, NL
63 Patrick Street, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1E 2S5
7097712765
[emailprotected]
Book Appointment
Nevada Autism Center, Las Vegas, NV
7730 W Sahara Ave #115, Las Vegas, NV, 89117
+1 (702) 660-2005
[emailprotected]
Book Appointment
Get Listed Today & Boost Your Business.
First Month Free!
- Special Promotion
Only 34 / 100 Spots Left
- Free For 30 Days & $19.99/mo after. Cancel anytime.
List Your Business
Global LGBTQ+ Top Cities
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Houston
- Phoenix
- Philadelphia
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- Dallas
- San Jose
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Vancouver
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- London
- Birmingham
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- Leed
- Turkey
- Paris
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Berlin
- Athens
- Lisbon
- Mumbai
- Tokyo
- Manila