LGBT Symbols of Pride

Listed below are some symbols that have been adopted by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and their allies as well as the significance of each:

Stonewall & Pride Celebrations

On June 28, 1969, a routine raid on the Stonewall Bar on Christopher Street in New York City turned into a riot when patrons resisted. The patrons barricaded themselves inside the bar. The riot escalated until reinforcements arrived. The riots continued for several evenings. This rebellion, begun by drag queens and bar patrons, marked the beginning of the modern gay and lesbian movement. Each June, Pride marches, rallies and celebrations are held throughout the nation commemorating Stonewall.

Rainbow Flag

The Rainbow Flag as we know it today was developed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. At the time, there was a need for a gay symbol which could be used year after year for the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade. Baker took inspiration from many sources, from the hippies movement to the black civil rights movement, and came up with a flag with eight stripes. Color has always played an important power in the gay right movement- Victorian England symbolized homosexuality with the color green, lavender became popular in the 1960s, and and pink from the pink triangle has caught on as well- and the colors of the gay flag were no different. Baker explained that his colors each stood for a different aspect of gay and lesbian life:

• Hot pink for sexuality
• Red for life
• Orange for healing 
• Yellow for the sun 
• Green for nature 
• Blue for art
• Indigo for harmony 
• Violet for spirit

Pink Triangle

When the Allied forces liberated the Nazi concentration camps, the horrors they discovered shocked a disbelieving world. That millions had been systematically tortured and murdered seemed beyond human capacity for violence and hate. The Holocaust forever changed our understanding of the potential of evil. Concentration camp prisoners were classified by a set of colored triangles; pink was reserved for male homosexuals. When liberation came in the mid 1940's, most of the survivors were set free. Homosexuals, however, were not released but taken by U.S. Army personnel from concentration camps to allied prisons because Paragraph 175, a German law that prohibited homosexuality, was enforced. This law was enforced in West Germany until 1969.

Since the 1940's, the pink triangle has become one of the most recognizable and powerful symbols for gay people and the oppression they have faced throughout Western History. The pink triangle was a commonly used insignia throughout the early gay liberation movements. It appears in photographs and film footage of the early marches and demonstrations. The pink triangle was ubiquitous at the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987. It is a reminder and is often accompanied by the statement, " Never again!"

 Freedom Rings

Freedom rings are six metal rings with each of the rainbow flag's six colors. Freedom rings, like the rainbow flag, is a symbol of gay pride. These rings are usually hung on a chain and presented as a necklace, bracelet or keychain.

Bisexuality

The top symbol, one cross (female) and two arrows (male) signifies male bisexuality. The bottom symbol, two crosses (female) and one arrow (male) represents female bisexuality.

Intersex and Transgender

The arrow (male symbol) and the cross (female symbol) on the same ring symbolizes the male and female parts inherent in one person (intersex or transgender). Another symbol that signifies transgender individuals includes the pink triangle and additional arrow and cross combined.

Lesbian Lesbian is represented by two crosses (female symbol) interconnected. Gay Male Gay male is represented by two arrows (male symbol) interconnected.