Bisexual flag
 | |
| Use | Symbol of the bisexual community |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 3:5 |
| Adopted | 1998 |
| Design | Three solid horizontal bars: two fifths pink, one fifth purple, and two fifths blue. |
| Designed by | Michael Page |
| Part of theLGBTQ series |
| LGBTQ symbols |
|---|
| Symbols |
| Pride flags |
| Part ofa serieson |
| Bisexualitytopics |
|---|
| Sexual identities |
| Studies |
| Attitudes anddiscrimination |
| Community |
| Lists |
 LGBTQ portal |
Thebisexual flag,also called thebisexual pride flag,is apride flagrepresentingbisexuality,bisexual individuals and the bisexual community. According to Michael Page, the designer of the flag, the pink stripe represents attraction to the same sex, while the blue stripe represents attraction to the opposite sex. The purple stripe, the resulting "overlap" of the blue and pink stripes, represents attraction to both sexes.[1]
Michael Page designed the flag to increase the visibility of bisexuals among society as a whole and within theLGBT community.He aimed to give the bisexual community a symbol that is comparable to therainbow flagfor the greater LGBT community. The first bisexual pride flag was unveiled at the BiCafe's first anniversary party[2]on December 5, 1998.[3]
Design and colors
[edit]Page stated that he took the colors and overlap for the flag from thebiangles,symbol of bisexuality.[1][4]The biangles symbol of bisexuality was designed by artist Liz Nania as she co-organized a bisexual contingent for theSecond National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rightsin 1987.[5]The design of the biangles began with thepink triangle,a Nazi concentration camp badge that later became a symbol ofgay liberationrepresentinghomosexuality.The addition of a blue trianglecontrasts the pinkand representsheterosexuality.The two triangles overlap and form lavender, which represents the "queerness of bisexuality", referencing theLavender Menaceand 1980s and 1990sassociations of lavender with queerness.[4]
Page described the meaning of the pink, purple, and blue colors:[1][6]
The pink color represents sexual attraction to the same sex only (gay and lesbian). The blue represents sexual attraction to the opposite sex only (straight) and the resultant overlap color purple represents sexual attraction to both sexes (bi). The key to understanding the symbolism of the Bi Pride Flag is to know that the purple pixels of color blend unnoticeably into both the pink and blue, just as in the 'real world,' where bi people blend unnoticeably into both the gay/lesbian and straight communities.
Since the original design, the purple overlap has been reinterpreted and is now widely understood to represent attraction regardless of sex or gender.[7]
The flag is used in different aspect ratios; 2:3 and 3:5 are often used, in common with many other flags.[citation needed]
Invexillologicalterms, the bisexual pride flag is a simple horizontaltricolor.
The exact colors given by Page arePMS226 for the pink, 258 for the purple, and 286 for the blue:[2][1]
- magenta (R 214, G 2, B 112)
- purple (R 155, G 79, B 150)
- royal blue (R 0, G 56, B 168)
The pink stripe takes up two fifths of the flag, the purple stripe takes up the middle fifth, and the blue stripe takes up the other two fifths.[1]The flag has been most commonly oriented with the pink stripe at the top, but both orientations are acceptable.[2]The flag is notpatented,trademarked,orservice marked.[1]
In 1999, Michael Page established the use of thetrilliumflower as a symbol of bisexuality,[8]and in 2001, Francisco Javier Lagunes Gaitán and Miguel Angel Corona designed aMexicanvariant of the bisexual pride flag, which is emblazoned with an emblem of a trillium flower.[9][10][11]
Licensing controversy
[edit]In 1998, Page stated that the bisexual pride flag was "for free public and commercial use" and that it was "not patented, trademarked or service marked".[1]In April 2020,BiNet USAfalsely claimed that it was the sole copyright owner of the flag and flag colors, and said organizations and individuals who wished to use the flag for commercial purposes would be required to obtain a license from the organization, despite having nothing to do with the flag's design or creation.[12]BiNet's claim and the resulting controversy were covered byOutandLGBTQ Nation,which cast doubt on BiNet's claim and noted that the flag is not eligible for copyright.[12][13]
BiNet USA ultimately ceased to use the flag on May 8, 2020, opting instead to use a different design.[14]
See also
[edit]
- Bisexuality in the United States
- Bisexual community
- Bisexual lighting
- Celebrate Bisexuality Day
- LGBT symbols
References
[edit]- ^abcdefg"History, Bi Activism, Free Graphics".BiFlag. December 5, 1998. Archived fromthe originalon August 1, 2001.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
- ^abcYoung, Randy (June 6, 2015)."BiPride Flag".Flagspot.Flags of the World.RetrievedOctober 24,2015.
- ^"Counseling and Wellness Services - Safezone Symbols".October 20, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2013.RetrievedDecember 28,2021.
- ^ab"Biangles, bisexual symbol, bi colors, bi history — Liz Nania".Liz Nania.RetrievedJune 26,2022.
- ^Jordahn, Sebastian (October 23, 2019)."Queer x Design highlights 50 years of LGBT+ graphic design".Dezeen.RetrievedJune 12,2021.
- ^Rosiek, Jerry (2005). "Rainbow Flag and Other Pride Symbols". In Sears, James Thomas (ed.).Youth, Education, and Sexualities: An International Encyclopedia.Vol. 2.Westport, Conn.:Greenwood. p. 701.ISBN0-313-32755-6.
- ^"Flags of the LGBTIQ Community".Outright International.RetrievedJune 22,2023.
- ^Eidson, Jessica."Plants That Can Symbolize LGBTQIA+ Pride".Discover + Share.Missouri Botanical Garden.
- ^Eyvanaki, Ashley."Queer Objects: William Keble Martin Lily Illustration".out and about.University of Exeter.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^"Bisexual Botany".Lincoln Park Zoo.Lincoln Park Zoo.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^"Mexico - Sexual orientation flags".FOTW 'Flags Of The World' Website.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^abBollinger, Alex (April 29, 2020)."A group is threatening legal action & demanding payment for use of the bisexual pride flag".LGBTQ Nation.RetrievedApril 29,2020.
- ^Street, Mikelle (April 29, 2020)."This Organization Wants to Be Paid for Use of the Bi Pride Flag".out.Out.RetrievedApril 29,2020.
- ^Prager, Sarah (May 7, 2020)."A Bi Advocacy Group Claimed Copyright Over the Bi Pride Flag. Activists Were Outraged".them.RetrievedJanuary 25,2021.
