Because the pink triangle was originally used as a tool for Nazis to identify and persecute homosexuals, Harvey Milk, (the first) openly gay politician in California at the time wanted a new, more uplifting symbol to be presented at the pride festival that year. At the time of its creation, the pink triangle was still the only symbol being used to represent the gay community. In its design, each color is meant to have a different symbolic meaning like pink for sex, red for life, and green for nature, to name a few.
Originally flown in San Francisco during the pride event of 1978, the rainbow flag is now a global symbol of peace and unity for the LGBTQ+ community. Here is a rundown of how what we know as an old, fixed symbol of pride has a bit of a fractured youth narrative.ġ978 Hot Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Turquoise, Indigo Blue, Violet Though we see its commercial use, its roots are in activism and it’s grounded in the idea of change. From decorating car bumpers to lighting up national buildings, the rainbow flag has been a symbol intended to acknowledge and signify justice and respect for the queer community.
