The pink, purple, and blue flag represents bisexuality and people who are attracted to more than one gender. The flag consists of horizontal stripes in pink at the top, purple in the middle, and blue at the bottom. The colors have the following meanings:
- Pink represents attraction to the same gender (i.e. women loving women or men loving men)
- Purple represents attraction to both genders (i.e. men and women)
- Blue represents attraction to the opposite gender (i.e. women loving men or men loving women)
The flag was designed by Michael Page in 1998 to bring visibility to the bisexual community and to serve as a symbol around which bisexual people could unite. It was presented on December 5, 1998 at the first BiCafe event for bisexuals in Columbus, OH.
History
The bisexual pride flag was created to fill a need for a symbol for the bisexual community. In the 1990s, although the pink triangle had been reclaimed from its Nazi origins as a symbol for the gay community, and the rainbow pride flag had been adopted to represent the broader LGBTQ+ community, there was no comparable symbol to represent bisexuality specifically.
Page, a 20-year-old student at the time, aimed to create an eye-catching design that explicitly made reference to bisexuality, not just general LGBTQ+ identity. The magenta shade of pink represents attraction to the same sex, the royal blue shade of blue represents attraction to the opposite sex, and the lavender purple in between represents attraction to both sexes.
After the initial debut at BiCafe, the design started gaining traction within bisexual spaces and organizations. By 1999, just a year after it was created, the flag was becoming widely recognized as a symbol of the bisexual community. It was even featured on the cover of Anything That Moves, a national bisexual magazine.
Meaning of the Flag
The pink, purple, and blue bisexual pride flag is designed to specifically represent the spectrum of attractions within the bisexual, pansexual, fluid, and non-monosexual communities. The separate colors symbolize:
- Pink – Attraction to the same sex and gender (usually represented in the LGBTQ community by the pink triangle and color pink)
- Purple – Attraction to both sexes and genders, or to people regardless of sex or gender
- Blue – Attraction to the opposite sex and gender (sometimes represented by the color blue in general LGBTQ symbology)
Put together, the horizontal tri-color bar creates a gradient showing the full spectrum of attraction encompassed under the bi, pan, fluid, and similar identities. The vibrancy and uniqueness of the shades also make the flag easy to spot at a distance.
Pink
The vibrant pink at the top of the flag represents sexual and emotional attraction to those of the same sex and gender as oneself. For bisexuals, this encompasses homosexual attraction and relationships, just as the broader LGBTQ+ pink triangle symbol does.
The specific pink hue chosen by Page is a reddish, vibrant hot magenta tone. In color theory, magenta sits between red and violet on the visible spectrum. Red is known to represent love and passion, fitting for attraction, while violet has historically signified spirituality and sophistication.
Purple
The middle stripe of the flag is a royal purple, representing attraction to those of more than one sex or gender. This trait is definitive for bisexual orientation, as well as similar identities like pansexuality. The purple links the pink and blue ends of the spectrum together.
In color psychology, purple is associated with wisdom, creativity, independence, and mystery. These unique traits reflect the complexity of being attracted to multiple genders in a society that assumes monosexuality as the default. Purple also mixes shades of red and blue, bringing them together.
Blue
The dark royal blue stripe at the bottom represents attraction to the opposite sex or gender from oneself. For those who also experience heterosexual attraction, like many bisexual people, this aspect is represented with the color blue.
Blue is sometimes used to represent masculinity, opposite of pink’s association with femininity. Deeper shades of blue are linked to qualities like trust, intelligence, stability, and confidence. Attraction between opposites sits at the core of bisexuality for those with fluid attractions.
Usage of the Bisexual Pride Flag
Since its debut in the late 1990s, the pink, purple, and blue bisexual flag has gained widespread popularity and visibility around the world. It is commonly seen:
- At bisexual pride parades and events
- On clothing, pins, tattoos, and other merchandise
- In profile pictures and social media banners
- At colleges, offices, and other establishments to denote bi-friendly spaces
- On cakes, desserts, and treats
- As a symbol on apparel by LGBTQ+ brands
The bisexual pride flag is also commonly included alongside other identity flags at broader LGBTQ+ events and in visual media. With its bright pink and purple hues, the flag stands out even when shown at a distance or small size.
Pride Events
The bisexual pride flag can be seen waving proudly at various pride events around the world. Attendees often wear flag colors or wave hand-held flags to increase visibility of the community and celebrate bi identity.
Some annual pride events that incorporate the pink, purple, and blue bisexual flag include:
- LA Pride Festival – Los Angeles
- Bi Pride UK – London
- Bisexual Pride Day – Toronto
- Bisexual Pride – Perth, Australia
- EuroBiCon – European bisexual conference, held in a different city each year
The flag is also common at more general LGBTQ+ pride events to ensure bisexual visibility alongside the broader community.
Merchandise
Apparel and merchandise featuring the bisexual pride flag’s distinctive design are popular ways to show bi pride. Some common examples include:
- T-shirts, tanks, hats, pins, bandanas, dresses with the flag colors and pattern
- Phone cases, water bottles, mugs, notebooks, and other accessories in the flag theme
- Tattoos using the flag’s colors and horizontal bar design
- Jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, pins in pink, purple, and blue
- Posters, buttons, magnets, and stickers with the flag design
Pride stores, both brick and mortar and online, often sell a wide array of bisexual flag merchandise. Mainstream retailers like Target also now include the bi flag on inclusive apparel lines.
Online Usage
The bisexual pride flag is also commonly displayed across social media and online platforms. Some examples include:
- Profile pictures or headers featuring the flag
- Bisexual pride hashtags like #bipride
- Online stores and Etsy shops selling digital bi pride designs
- Memes and viral content using the flag
- Dating apps like Tinder allowing users to display the bi flag
Digital spaces have allowed for greater visibility of bisexuality, with the flag being a recognizable marker to show bi pride online.
Alternative Versions
Since the original bisexual pride flag was created in 1998, alternative versions have emerged to represent expanded identities. Some popular designs include:
Pansexual Pride Flag
Based on the original bisexual flag, the pansexual pride flag consists of pink, yellow, and blue horizontal stripes. The yellow replaces the purple to represent attraction regardless of sex or gender.
Bisexual Light Flag
A pastel version of the flag uses lighter shades of pink, purple, and blue. While less common than the original, some prefer the lighter tones.
Bisexual Triangle Flag
This design features a pink isosceles triangle overlapping a blue one, creating a purple intersection in the middle. The pink and blue represent homosexuality and heterosexuality with purple symbolizing bisexuality.
Gender Inclusive Pride Flags
Some redesigns incorporate black and brown stripes to represent bisexual people of color as well as those who are transgender, non-binary, or outside the gender binary.
Controversies
While widely embraced by the bisexual community, the pink, purple, and blue flag has also faced some controversies over the years, including:
- Debates over whether the pink and blue reinforce the gender binary
- Criticisms over lack of representation for trans, non-binary and gender fluid identities
- Questions about its relevance for intersectional identities
- Concerns that the colors are associated with young girls and femininity
In response, alternative flag designs have emerged to expand representations of race, gender identity, and varying shades of attraction under the bisexual umbrella.
Conclusion
The pink, purple, and blue bisexual flag was created in 1998 as a symbol around which the bisexual community could come together and gain visibility. The horizontal tri-color bar design boldly celebrates the full spectrum of attractions encompassed under bisexuality and related identities.
In the decades since its debut, the flag has gained widespread popularity and is now recognized globally as a symbol of bi pride. It appears at pride events, in apparel and merchandise, across digital platforms, and anywhere where bisexual visibility and advocacy occurs.
While originating from specific meanings around attraction, the flag’s vibrancy has come to represent the creativity, complexity, and resilience of the bisexual community. The pink, purple, and blue bisexual pride flag is a testament to the diversity and beauty that exists outside boxes of monosexuality.