Most of us don’t need to go too far to find a rainbow Pride flag (start with your emoji keyboard or attend a Pride Month event!), but did you know that there are other Pride flags that represent other identities of the LGBTQ+ community, too?
In fact, there’s another flag that looks similar to the traditional rainbow flag but is actually different: The Queer Pride Flag.
With more muted colors and two black bordering stripes, this flag represents some queer identities that too often get left out of mainstream conversations about the LGBTQ+ community.
Here’s what you need to know about the Queer Pride Flag.
→ Explore the full list of all LGBTQ+ Pride flags
By the way, we’ve included some links to be able to buy this flag — and some of the links may include affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
About the Queer Pride Flag
History
Lesser known than other rainbow flags, the Queer Pride Flag represents every aspect of queerness — especially as the “queer” label becomes more widely used and celebrated.
Although the origins of its design are not entirely known, the Queer Pride Flag emerged in 2015.
The intention of the Queer Pride Flag is to represent and celebrate those who may not specifically identify with binary labels like “gay” or “lesbian,” but still want to be included in the umbrella of a larger community while honoring their individual identities.
By tweaking the shades of some of the colors we’re used to seeing on the Progress Pride Flag or 6-Color Rainbow Flag and including others, like black and white, this flag provides a symbol for folks who feel most comfortable calling themselves ‘queer.’
Colors
The colors of the Queer Pride Flag each represent a different concept:
- Black: Represents the asexual, aromantic, and agender communities
- Blue: Represents same-gender attraction
- Green: Represents nonbinary and gender-nonconforming individuals
- White: Represents the asexual, aromantic, and agender communities
- Orange: Represents nonbinary and gender-nonconforming individuals
- Pink: Represents same-gender attraction
What Does ‘Queer’ Mean?
To better understand the meaning behind the Queer Pride Flag, it’s important to know what it even means to be queer.
‘Queer’ often acts as an umbrella term that is not necessarily exclusive to any single identity and encompasses people whose sexual orientations are not exclusively heterosexual.
Although anyone in the LGBTQ+ community might call themselves queer, the queer label often places emphasis on folks who are nonbinary, gender fluid, or gender-nonconforming, identifying beyond more binary terms like “gay” or “lesbian.”
“A wide array of LGBT people and other sexual minorities call themselves queer as a more expressive and expansive umbrella term for their sexualities and genders,” Tyler Ford said in a video for Them.
Some more important context is that this word was long used as a slur toward the LGBTQ+ community, which means it may make some people feel uncomfortable or confused.
More modernly, however, the word has been reclaimed as a way to describe oneself. But it’s still important to talk to people one-on-one before using certain words, since ‘queer’ isn’t always universally accepted or preferred among individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.
Get a Flag: Flags For Good | Amazon
We’ve provided links to Flags For Good, which donates a portion of each Pride flag sale to LGBTQ+ nonprofits and has a fully carbon neutral production and distribution process. Use our links to save 10% off your entire order.
(We’ve also included links to Amazon for accessibility purposes.)
Plus, learn more about other Pride flags:
- All LGBTQ+ Pride Flags & Their Meanings
- Agender Pride Flag
- Androgyne Pride Flag
- Aromantic Pride Flag
- Asexual Pride Flag
- Bisexual Pride Flag
- Demigender Pride Flag
- Demisexual Pride Flag
- Drag Pride Flag
- Gay Men’s Pride Flag
- Genderfluid Pride Flag
- Genderqueer Pride Flag
- Gilbert Baker Pride Flag
- Intersex Pride Flag
- Lesbian Pride Flag
- Nonbinary Pride Flag
- Pansexual Pride Flag
- Philadelphia Pride Flag
- Polysexual Pride Flag
- Progress Pride Flag
- Queer Pride Flag
- Rainbow Pride Flag
- Transgender Pride Flag
- Two-Spirit Pride Flag
- … and read more LGBTQ+ good news
