Gay Pride Flag Variations + Their Stories!
(Please note: there is no definitive end all be all pride flag, and you're free to use whichever variant suits you! Also, there's infinity more variations on the rainbow flag out there, these are just the ones I found the most information on. If there's one that should be here that I didn't mention then please feel free to let me know!)
(Id: flag made up of 8 horizontal stripes, colored hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo and violet in that order)
In 1977, Gilbert Baker was challenged by Harvey Milk to create a symbol of pride for the gay community. Baker's rainbow design possibly drew inspiration from Judy Garland's singing of "Over the Rainbow" at the Stonewall riots. The meaning of the colors are sex, life, healing, sunlight, nature, magic/art, serenity, and spirit.
(Id: flag made up of 7 horizontal stripes, colored red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo and violet in that order)
After the assassination of Harvey Milk in 1978, demand for the rainbow flag skyrocketed. The hot pink stripe was dropped due to unavailability of the fabric.
(Id: flag made up of 6 horizontal stripes, colored red, orange, yellow, green, royal blue and violet in that order)
In 1979, organisers of the San Francisco pride parade decided to decorate the two sides of the parade route using one half of the rainbow flag each. Because the flag had an uneven number of stripes, the turquoise stripe was dropped to allow for symmetry. The indigo stripe was changed to royal blue, possibly because royal blue was a more common color to find.
(Id: flag made up of 9 horizontal stripes, colored lavender, hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo and violet in that order)
In 2017, Gilbert added a 9th stripe to his pride flag. The stripe symbolizes diversity.
(Id: flag made up of 8 horizontal stripes, colored black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, royal blue and violet in that order)
The same year, the city of Philadelphia adopted a revised version of the 6 stripe flag design, with the addition of a black and brown stripe to highlight black and brown LGBTQIA members within the community.
(Id: flag made up of 9 horizontal stripes, colored hot pink, red, orange, yellow, white, green, turquoise, indigo and violet in that order)
In 2018, during the Brazil São Paulo Love Fest, designer Estêvão Romane unveiled a modified version of the original pride flag. The flag includes a 9th stripe, which represents human diversity in terms of race, religion, gender, sex preferences, ethinicities and peace and union among all.
Phew! Sorry for the more off topic post, I was just on the wikipedia for the rainbow flag and got carried away and filled with Gay Rights! If I got any information wrong, please feel free to let me know!
