Student Life | Issue 41

WHY IS THE LGBT SYMBOL A
RAINBOW?
The rainbow flag is seen as a symbol
of a ‘new era, of hope and of social
change’ (Schools Out UK). There is a
history of rainbow flags being used
all over the world for a number of
reasons, however it’s been used as a
symbol of gay pride and LGBT social
movements since the 1970s.
The rainbow colours represent
inclusion and seeks to create a
welcoming environment to LGBT
people.
THE MODERN FLAG
The modern pride flag now includes
stripes to represent the experiences
of people of colour, as well as stripes
to represent people who identify as
transgender, gender nonconforming
(GNC) and/or undefined.
THE ORIGINAL FLAG
(taken from lgbtplushistorymonth.
co.uk)
Created by Gilbert Baker in 1977
at the request of Harvey Milk, an
LGBT activist.
This flag is inspired by the song
‘Over the Rainbow’ from The
Wizard of Oz (1939).
HOT PINK SYMBOLIZES SEX
RED EQUALS LIFE
ORANGE SYMBOLIZES HEALING
YELLOW STANDS FOR
SUNLIGHT
GREEN REPRESENTS NATURE
TURQUOISE EQUALS MAGIC
AND ART
INDIGO STANDS FOR SERENITY
VIOLET REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT
OF LGBTQ PEOPLE
WWW.LGBTPLUSHISTORYMONTH.CO.UK
59 59 •• MARCH ISSUE 2019 41 •• STUDENT LIFE LIFE