History of the Bisexual Pride Flag
The bisexual (bi) pride flag was designed by Michael Page in response to a need for a flag/symbol for the bisexual community. It was unveiled on December 5th, 1998 at the BiCafe's 1st Anniversary party.
Bi Flag Design Notes:
The Bi Flag features three horizontal stripes. The larger Pink/Magenta and Blue stripes take up 2/5ths of the flag's height respectively and the overlapping purple stripe in the middle takes up the remaining 1/5th.
Page described the colors of the flag as:
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.
Inspiration for the Bi Flag:
Page also stated that he was inspired by the colors and overlap from "the biangles." The biangles (or the bisexuality triangles) were designed by artist Liz Nania as she co-organized a bisexual contingent for the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987. Interestingly, the design of the biangles comes from the pink triangle, a Nazi concentration camp badge that later was reclaimed by the queer community and became a symbol of gay liberation.
Bisexual Pride Flag Today
The bisexual pride flag quickly gained popularity and is now widely recognized as a symbol of bisexual (bi) pride and visibility. You'll see it prominently at pride parades and is very prominent online. Bisexual individuals will frequently use the colors or flag in social media posts, avatars, and other forms of online expression even though it does not have a dedicated flag emoji.
We encourage flying of the Bisexual pride flag during Bisexual awareness week (#BiWeek) September 16-23 which leads up to Bisexuality Day on September 23rd. The annual celebration promotes cultural acceptance of the bisexual community, as well as attempts to create a platform for advocating bisexual rights.
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