 | |
| 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 series on |
| Bisexuality topics |
|---|
| Sexual identities |
| Studies |
| Attitudes, slang anddiscrimination |
| Community and literature |
| Lists |
| See also |
 LGBTQ portal |
Thebisexual flag, also called thebisexual pride flag, is apride flag representingbisexuality, bisexual individuals and the bisexual community. According to Michael Page, the activist who created the flag based on a color palette designed by Liz Nania,[1][2] 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]
Page designed the flag to increase the visibility of bisexuals among society as a whole and within theLGBTQ community. He aimed to give the bisexual community a symbol that is comparable to therainbow flag for the greater LGBT community. The first bisexual pride flag was unveiled at the BiCafe's first anniversary party[3] on December 5, 1998.[4]
Page stated that he took the colors and overlap for the flag from thebiangles, symbol of bisexuality.[1][2] 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 Rights in 1987.[5] The design of the biangles began with thepink triangle, a Nazi concentration camp badge that later became a symbol ofgay liberation representinghomosexuality. The addition of a blue trianglecontrasts the pink and representsheterosexuality. The two triangles overlap and form lavender, which represents the "queerness of bisexuality", referencing theLavender Menace and 1980s and 1990sassociations of lavender with queerness.[2]
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]
Invexillological terms, the bisexual pride flag is a simple horizontaltricolor.
| Official[1] | Unofficial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour named as | Pantone (PMS) | RGB | Hex triplet | Color |
| Magenta (pink) | 226 | 214, 2, 112 | #D60270 | |
| Lavender (purple) | 258 | 155, 79, 150 | #9B4F96 | |
| Royal (blue) | 286 | 0, 56, 168 | #0038A8 | |
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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.[3] The flag is notpatented,trademarked, orservice marked.[1]
The bisexual pride flag is used in different aspect ratios; 2:3 and 3:5 are often used, in common with many other flags.[citation needed]
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 USA falsely 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.[8] BiNet's claim and the resulting controversy were covered byOut andLGBTQ Nation, which cast doubt on BiNet's claim and noted that the flag is not eligible for copyright.[8][9]
BiNet USA ultimately ceased to use the flag on May 8, 2020, opting instead to use a different design.[10]
Thebiangles were designed by artist Liz Nania, as she co-organized a bisexual contingent for theSecond National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987.[11][12] The design of the biangles began with thepink triangle, a Nazi concentration camp badge that later became a symbol ofgay liberation representinghomosexuality. The addition of a blue trianglecontrasts the pink and representsheterosexuality. The two triangles overlap and form lavender, which represents the "queerness of bisexuality", referencing theLavender Menace and 1980s and 1990sassociations of lavender with queerness.[13]
Bisexual lighting is the simultaneous use of pink, purple, and blue lighting and is used to represent bisexual characters. The colors may be a direct reference to the bisexual pride flag.[14][15] Bisexual lighting has been used in studio lighting for film and television, and has been observed in the cinematography of various films. According toBOWIE Creators, the concept of bisexual lighting was invented in 2014 by aTumblr fan ofSherlock who believed that the lighting was being used to signal thatDr. Watson was bisexual and would eventually be in a romantic relationship withSherlock Holmes.[16]
Because many bisexuals objected to the use of thebiangles symbol involving the Nazi-associatedpink triangle, Vivian Wagner designed the double crescent moon symbol as an alternative way to symbolize bisexuality.[17][18]
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In 1999, Michael Page established the use of thetrillium flower as a symbol of bisexuality.[19][20][21] This was apun, as scientists had used the term "bisexual" to refer to the flower because such flowers haveboth male and female reproductive organs.[22]
