Bisexual flag

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Bisexual flag
Bisexual Pride Flag.svg
UseSymbol of the bisexual community
Proportion3:5
Adopted1998
DesignThree solid horizontal bars: 2/5ths pink, 1/5th purple, and 2/5ths blue.
Designed byMichael Page
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A physical version of the bisexual pride flag.

The bisexual flag is a pride flag representing bisexual individuals and the bisexual community. The pink stripe represents homosexual attractions, the blue stripe represents attractions to different genders, and the resultant overlap color, purple, represents attraction regardless of sex or gender.

It was designed by Michael Page in 1998 to increase the visibility of bisexuals, among society as a whole and within the LGBTQ community, by giving the bisexual community a symbol comparable to the rainbow flag for the greater LGBTQ community. The first bisexual pride flag was unveiled at the BiCafe's first-anniversary party[1] on December 5, 1998.[2]

Design and colors[]

Liz Nania's "biangles" symbol

Page took the colors from an existing bisexual symbol and gave it his spin, saying:

In designing the Bi Pride Flag, I selected the colors and overlap pattern of the 'bi angles' symbol.[3]

As Robyn Ochs, editor of Boston's Bi Women Quarterly has explained, the Biangles—or bisexuality triangles—were originally created for the Boston Bi Woman's Community by the artist Liz Nania,[4] the design starting with the iconic pink triangle and adding Lavender and Blue.[5][6]

Page describes the meaning of the pink, lavender, and blue (ratio 2:1:2) flag[1] as this:

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)."[3][7]

— Michael Page

Page describes the flag’s meaning in deeper terms, stating

The key to understanding the symbolism of the Bisexual 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."[5]

The flag is used in different aspect ratios. 2:3 and 3:5 are often used, in common with many other flags.

The stripe colors and widths, from top to bottom, are pink (40%), purple (20%), and blue (40%).[3] The exact colors given by the designer are: PMS 226, 258, and 286.[1] Their approximate HTML values are #D8097E,[8] #8C579C,[9] #24468E;[10] their approximate RGB values are (216,9,126), (140,87,156), and (36,70,142), respectively. It is not patented, trademarked, or service marked.[3]

Licensing controversy[]

See also: BiNet USA § Claims of copyright of bisexual pride flag

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."[3] 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.[11] BiNet's claim and the resulting controversy were covered by Out and LGBTQ Nation, which cast doubt on BiNet's claim and noted that the flag is not eligible for copyright.[11][12]

On April 29, 2020, BiNet USA made a tweet claiming the Wikipedia page for the bisexual pride flag was inaccurate.[13] BiNet USA ultimately ceased to use the flag on May 8, opting instead to use a different design.[14]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Young, Randy (June 6, 2015). "BiPride Flag". Flagspot. Flags of the World. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  2. ^ "Counseling and Wellness Services - Safezone Symbols". October 20, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "History, Bi Activism, Free Graphics". BiFlag.com. December 5, 1998. Archived from the original on August 1, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Jordahn, Sebastian (October 23, 2019). "Queer x Design highlights 50 years of LGBT+ graphic design". Dezeen. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Petronzio, Matt (June 13, 2014). "A Storied Glossary of Iconic LGBT Flags and Symbols". Mashable. Mashable, Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  6. ^ "Pride Symbols and Icons". Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling of Alabama. ALGBTICAL. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  7. ^ 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. ISBN 0-313-32755-6.
  8. ^ Pantone Color Finder PANTONE 226 CP
  9. ^ Pantone Color Finder PANTONE 258 CP
  10. ^ Pantone Color Finder PANTONE 286 CP
  11. ^ a b Bollinger, Alex (April 29, 2020). "A group is threatening legal action & demanding payment for use of the bisexual pride flag". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  12. ^ Street, Mikelle (April 29, 2020). "This Organization Wants to Be Paid for Use of the Bi Pride Flag". www.out.com. Out. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  13. ^ @BiNetUSA (April 29, 2020). "Hey @Wikipedia can you help us with this page called Bisexual Pride Flag? Ita wholly inaccurate; and we can put you in touch with "Michael Page" who identified the info was wrong. Also he said he is not bisexual and doesn't want to be associated with the flag. Can you help?" (Tweet). Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ Prager, Sarah. "A Bi Advocacy Group Claimed Copyright Over the Bi Pride Flag. Activists Were Outraged". them. Retrieved January 25, 2021.

External links[]

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