If you want to identify yourself in the crowd, you must do something different. Honoring your queer identity is not possible without proudly waving your flag. You may have seen more than one flag of a lesbian group, and you may be confused about which flag is correct and which has no meaning. On the other hand, the stripes on the flag can mean something that is also causing some confusion, which is normal at times.
While the truth is that, for the record, there is no one correct flag to use relating to lesbians (homosexuals), the lesbian community has created and used many flags to represent who they are, or their identity.
The latest flag for the lesbian community that has gained popularity is the orange-pink or sunset flag, which came on the scene in mid-2018. Any flag you try to identify yourself is appropriate to use, be it one or more. Every flag has a rich history and meaning when it comes to fighting for lesbian pride and rights or even making a mark in society.
You will undoubtedly see the rainbow flag flying proudly in pride celebrations worldwide, especially in the last few decades. It has evolved rapidly, and several other flags represent different sections of the LGBTQ+ community. There is controversy over the correct interpretation of a distinct identity for the community due to variations in the flag. Because they consist of different neighborhoods, and all represent themselves with their particular flag, the result is neutral.
However, while some lesbians feel represented by a rainbow flag, a lesbian pride flag is undoubtedly used to describe this group.
Sunset Flag Or Rainbow Flag
The latest flag to mainstream the LGBTQ+ community is the Sunset Flag, introduced on Tumblr in 2018 by blogger Emily Gwen. And this flag was intended to represent all the different aspects of being lesbian. Before, the flag did not mean some lesbians or homosexuals, as many trans lesbians felt different from some of the other flags. And that was the reason why Emily made it prominently in 2018 and got recognition.
Lesbian Flag Color And Meaning
A group within the group and each group has been trying something different to create another flag and identity. And there is also a separate flag for the purely lesbian community, which is different from the flag of the LGBTQ+ community. The lesbian flag consists of seven stripes ranging from dark orange to dusty pink, each representing the more vital parts of being lesbian. Which is the following:
- The dark orange color represents gender nonconformity
- Orange represents freedom.
- The light orange color is for the lesbian or homosexual community.
- The color white is for unique relationships to femininity.
- Pink is for peace and harmony.
- Dusty pink represents love and lesbian sex.
- And the deep pink color represents apparent femininity.
No one flag is perfect, but with every new flag, the lesbian or homosexual community gets closer to including all lesbians, regardless of which way they exist. No flag is committed without criticism, as some lesbians feel that femininity should not be an aspect of being lesbian. Because not all homosexuals are required to appear as women, they are free to choose the character they want.
Lesbian Flag
What is the most widely and permanently used lesbian pride flag?
Whether a lesbian flag or other flag associated with the lesbian community, no flag is an official lesbian flag. Still, the 7-color (sunset or rainbow flag) flag has become common in the last few years, prominently projected by those communities for their identity.
The colors pink, white, and red are commonly used to represent lesbians. However, some people interpret it differently and feel that it only represents lipstick or female homosexuals, which is why some gay men do not accept it and distance themselves from it. However, this controversy also stems from its original version, the flag made in 2010, which featured a lipstick mark in its upper left corner. However, this was removed in later flags. Some homosexuals still adopt the previous version of the flag. In contrast, others believe the last flag is better, as it represents all homosexuals equally. At the same time, some have not yet accepted any flag, because they feel that there is a lot of variation in the colors of the flag, which does not support the true identity of homosexuals.
Some lesbians or homosexuals strongly opposed using any flag modified from the original lipstick. Because its designer, Natalie McCray, allegedly wrote racist, bipolar, and transphobic comments on the introduced blog, it was removed after much protest.
Is The Sunset Flag The Correct Flag For Lesbians?
So the short answer is no. No flag anywhere in the world is officially recognized as a lesbian pride flag. Because so many flags have been made to represent the different desires of the people of the lesbian community. There are many other groups within the lesbian or gay group, and each presents its flag. And no group was able to keep any flag prominently permanently.
While many Lesbian Pride merchants present a sunset flag to mark their identity, some use a lipstick flag. However, you can feel free to use any banner that you find appropriate. But it also has the disadvantage that people feel that there is a difference of opinion in the group and there is no neutrality for their identity.
Latest Lesbian Flag
The most recent is the flag introduced in 2018. That includes butch women, trans and gender non-conforming people in the community. It gained immense popularity after Emily Gwen shared it on a blog. However, this is also controversial, and some do not accept it.
What Is The Oldest Lesbian Flag?
Although some believe that this flag has been chosen by 'Trans Exclusive Radical Feminists' in recent times.
One of the oldest gay flags dates back to 1999, created by graphic designer Sean Campbell. Although this too was never presented concretely, there are different designs of this flag. But it is usually displayed as a black inverted triangle, as a reproduction of a symbol forced to be worn by the Nazis in World War II.
This flag has a labyrinth inside a triangle, also known as a double bit ax, and is displayed as a symbol of lesbian feminism and strength.
Why Is Purple A Common Color In All Lesbian Flags?
A flower historically used by lesbian communities to indicate other homosexuals themselves. The background of the Labriz flag usually consists of the color purple, or lavender, which has long been associated with homosexuality and representation of the lesbian community, along with the color of violets. The purple in the flag of the LGBTQ+ community also represents lesbians or homosexuals in the iconic rainbow flag. Designed in 1978–79 by the late San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker, it featured seven colors. That flag had long been a symbol of these communities.
An updated version of the rainbow flag, which also includes black and brown colors. Philadelphia-based LGBTQ+ community activists initially introduced it in 2017-18 to represent people of color and fight against racism.
And recently, it was revised by Daniel Quasar and introduced as Progress Flag. And the flag is explained via their Kickstarter. It has five different stripes:
- Which for trans individuals is light blue, light pink, and white.
- Displays light grey and black for marginalized POC communities.
- Also, for those people with AIDS who are no longer alive, the color black symbolizes them.
The most popular and unique is the recently popular and famous rainbow flag, which gives you the right to fly your flag together.
It helps those lesbians or homosexuals, or malice who are most marginalized. It helps them find a safe place for themselves, a sense of belonging, and find their tribe.
Many former LGBTQ+ rights activists recognize that the rainbow flag is a universally recognized symbol of queerness, most helpful in identifying queer people and places. Lesbian community flags have had many variations over the years. Still, none of those flags have caught on as prominence as the pride flag rainbow, or the trans flag has gained popularity.
The lipstick lesbian flag is quite offensive, as the term lipstick lesbian was introduced in the late '70s and early '80s as a means of marketing lesbian porn to straight men. At the time, homosexuals were considered masculine and inappropriate for a predominantly male audience. So the porn industry began using lipstick lesbians to promote the lesbian community and lesbian porn and to identify female-on-female pornography. It became a symbol that broke every record of fame. From there, the lesbian flag and the lesbian community took a prominent place.
Unfortunately, there was little lesbian representation in the media at the time, especially as the identity of the lesbian community was quite conflicted. But some lesbians had begun to self-identify as lipstick lesbians. And by the early 90s to early 00s, lipstick lesbian became a trend in the media as lesbian chic, putting its identity prominently. However, gender differences were not accepted in the mainstream media then. During this period, the term lipstick lesbian became very popular and an essential part of the media.
Fight For Lesbian Or Homosexual Rights
Although the LGBT community and lesbians (homosexuals) have made great strides in the fight for their rights since the 70s, and 80s, they still have a long journey to go and find a prominent place in society. Even though they have gotten legal recognition in some places, the truth is that the people of the society have not yet accepted them with open hearts, which is expected to be a long fight and struggle. Even though the same-sex marriage may be legal, and people in the LGBTQ+ community may be more open in some workplaces, there are still plenty of barriers and discrimination. Mainly they have to face the most considerable disdain from the ordinary people of the society.
There are no federal laws against discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in the workplace anywhere in the world.
Yes, individual workplaces may create policies, and many have, but not primarily, legal rights. And that's why it can still be worrisome because workplace safety for people in the LGBTQ+ community is at the discretion of the individual company. Many times the people of the mainstream of the company refuse to accept it.
A living example of this is the US military. It is America's largest employer but openly discriminates against gays, lesbians, and other LGBT people.
Conclusion
So finally, the answer to this question is no. There is no official flag in the form of the lesbian flag. However, some people in the community have opinions about which color they keep prominently. And in recent times, the 7-color rainbow flag is in vogue for the lesbian community, which is the flag of the LGBTQ+ community whether you present it as a lesbian flag, for people in the gay community, or for the Entire LGBTQ+ community. Including trans, lesbian, gay, exploited, or any other people. Yes, it is also true that some people in the lesbian community have considered the lipstick lesbian flag as their flag from the very beginning. They display it prominently, But the lesbian community has not been able to persuade others to understand or accept it, which appears marginalized.
So we can say that no lesbian flag is officially confirmed. And even if some accept exceptions, such as the lesbian lipstick flag, some people in their community (Lesbian community) reject it. But the truth is that in the last few years, the lesbian, gay, or any homosexual community has been embracing the flag of the Entire LGBTQ community.
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