The bisexual flag, also called the bisexual pride flag, is a pride flag representing bisexuality, bisexual individuals and the bisexual community. According to Michael Page, the activist who created the flag based on a color palette designed by Liz Nania,[1][2] the pink stripe represents attraction to the same sex, while the blue stripe represents attraction to the opposite sex. The purple stripe, the resulting "overlap" of the blue and pink stripes, represents attraction to both sexes.[1]
Page designed the flag to increase the visibility of bisexuals among society as a whole and within the LGBTQ community. He aimed to give the bisexual community a symbol that is comparable to the rainbow flag for the greater LGBT community. The first bisexual pride flag was unveiled at the BiCafe's first anniversary party[3] on December 5, 1998.[4]
Design and colors
The biangles symbol of bisexuality, designed by artist Liz Nania, from which Michael Page stated that he took the colors and overlap for the bisexual pride flag, which he created
Page described the meaning of the pink, purple, and blue colors:[1][6]
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.
Since the original design, the purple overlap has been reinterpreted and is now widely understood to represent attraction regardless of sex or gender.[7]
The flag is used in different aspect ratios; 2:3 and 3:5 are often used, in common with many other flags.[citation needed]
The pink stripe takes up two fifths of the flag, the purple stripe takes up the middle fifth, and the blue stripe takes up the other two fifths.[1] The flag has been most commonly oriented with the pink stripe at the top, but both orientations are acceptable.[3] The flag is not patented, trademarked, or service marked.[1]
Variation
The trillium flower is another symbol of bisexuality A Mexican variant of the bisexual pride flag, designed in 2001 by Francisco Javier Lagunes Gaitán and Miguel Angel Corona; it is emblazoned with an emblem of a trillium flower, as the trillium flower is a symbol of bisexuality.
The bisexual pride flag is used in different aspect ratios; 2:3 and 3:5 are often used, in common with many other flags.[citation needed]
In 1999, Michael Page established the use of the trillium flower as a symbol of bisexuality,[8] and in 2001, Francisco Javier Lagunes Gaitán and Miguel Angel Corona designed a Mexican variant of the bisexual pride flag, which is emblazoned with an emblem of a trillium flower.[9][10][11]
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".[1] 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.[12] 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.[12][13]
BiNet USA ultimately ceased to use the flag on May 8, 2020, opting instead to use a different design.[14]
Similar symbols representing bisexuality
Biangles
The biangles, designed by artist Liz Nania to represent bisexuality
A 3D rendering of a skeleton showcasing bisexual lighting
Bisexual lighting is the simultaneous use of pink, purple, and blue lighting and is used to represent bisexual characters. The colors may be a direct reference to the bisexual pride flag.[18][19] Bisexual lighting has been used in studio lighting for film and television, and has been observed in the cinematography of various films. According to BOWIE Creators, the concept of bisexual lighting was invented in 2014 by a Tumblr fan of Sherlock who believed that the lighting was being used to signal that Dr. Watson was bisexual and would eventually be in a romantic relationship with Sherlock Holmes. [20]
Double crescent moon
Because many bisexuals objected to the use of the biangles symbol involving the Nazi-associated pink triangle, Vivian Wagner designed the double crescent moon symbol as an alternative way to symbolize bisexuality.[21][22]
The double crescent moon bisexuality symbol with bisexual flag colors, designed by Vivian Wagner
Another version of the double crescent moon bisexuality symbol with bisexual flag colors
A version of the double crescent moon bisexuality symbol with rainbow flag colors
↑ 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. ISBN0-313-32755-6.
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