Bisexual Pride Flag - History & Meaning + Video 2026

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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Frequently Asked Questions About the Bisexual Pride Flag

Who designed the bisexual pride flag?

Michael Page designed the bisexual pride flag, which debuted on December 5, 1998. Page created the flag to give the bisexual community a distinct symbol of visibility, separate from the broader rainbow flag.

What do the colors of the bisexual flag mean?

The bisexual flag has three horizontal stripes. The pink stripe represents same-sex attraction. The blue stripe represents opposite-sex attraction. The purple stripe, which overlaps both, represents attraction to both — and by extension, attraction regardless of gender. Page described the purple as representing "the blending of both worlds."

What are the proportions of the bisexual flag stripes?

The pink and blue stripes each take up two-fifths of the flag's height. The purple stripe in the middle takes up one-fifth. This makes the purple stripe narrower than the other two, which was an intentional design choice by Michael Page.

What inspired the design of the bisexual flag?

Michael Page drew inspiration from the "biangles" symbol — two overlapping triangles in pink and blue created by artist Liz Nania in 1987. Those triangles were themselves adapted from the pink triangle used to identify gay men in Nazi concentration camps, which the LGBTQ+ community reclaimed as a symbol of resilience. The overlap of the two triangles producing a new color became the conceptual basis for the bisexual flag's overlapping stripes.

What is the difference between the bisexual flag and the pansexual flag?

The bisexual flag and the pansexual flag represent related but distinct identities. Bisexuality is generally defined as attraction to one's own gender and other genders. Pansexuality is defined as attraction regardless of gender entirely. The pansexual flag uses pink, yellow, and cyan stripes. Both identities and both flags are widely used within the LGBTQ+ community.

Is the bisexual flag the same as the bi flag?

Yes, "bi flag" is simply the shorthand commonly used for the bisexual pride flag. They refer to the same design created by Michael Page in 1998.

Where can I buy a bisexual pride flag?

Flags For Good carries bisexual pride flags in multiple sizes, and every purchase donates $1 to an LGBTQ+ affirming organization of your choice. For more on bisexual identity and history, read What is Bisexual? Bisexuality Explained.