PRIDE month is celebrated by millions around the world, and the vibrant colours of the Gay Pride Flag are synonymous with the festivities.
But why did a rainbow become the pride symbol, and when was it first used? Here's all you need to know.
What does LGBTQ+ stand for?
LGBT is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender – a term used to represent the wider community.
The acronym has been in common use since the 1990s but it's believed to have existed for much longer.
LGBT is often referred to as LGBTQ to incorporate those who identify as queer and/or questioning.
The acronym LGBTQ+ is also used, with the "plus" referring to other sexual identities including asexual, pansexual and omnisexual.
There is also LGBTQIA/LGBTQIA+ which includes intersex and asexual and/or allies in the abbreviation.
What is the Gay Pride flag? What do the rainbow colours mean?
The rainbow flag has become widely known as a symbol for the LGBT community.
It's typically made up of six horizontal stripes which appear in descending order from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.
There were originally eight colours in the flag, including hot pink and turquoise, each with their own meaning.
But the number of colours amount was later reduced due to the limited availability of the hot pink fabric.
The iconic flag was created by Gilbert Baker from Kansas, USA.
Gilbert taught himself to sew after receiving an honourable discharge from the army in 1970.
He then met gay rights leader Harvey Milk in 1974, who challenged him to come up with a symbol for the gay community three years into their friendship.
It's rumoured that Gilbert took inspiration for the flag from the famous Judy Garland song Over the Rainbow.
Judy was and is a popular gay icon, and it's said that Gilbert was inspired after the Stonewall riots that occurred days after her death.
The riots, which saw members of the gay community stand against a police raid in Manhattan, New York, are considered to be the most important event in the modern fight for LGBT rights in the US.
Tributes flooded in for Baker following his death aged 65 in 2017.
Filmmaker and husband to diving star Tom Daley Dustin Lance Black, who bagged an Oscar for the screenplay of 2008 biopic Milk, said: "Rainbows weep. Our world is far less colourful without you, my love."
While Robert York, a senior director at healthcare lobby group the National Quality Forum, wrote: "I just talked to Gilbert last month. He gave us his best and the rainbow flag will be an even more treasured keepsake of our history."
Another suggested inspiration for design was the Flag of the Races carried by college campuses that were demonstrating for world peace in the 1960s.
It featured five horizontal stripes in red, white, brown, yellow and black.
When was the first Gay Pride flag used?
The original gay pride flag was seen in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978.
Around 30 volunteers helped to hand-dye and stitch the first two flags for the parade.
Demand increased after Harvey Milk was assassinated on November 27, 1978 and the Paramount Flag Company started selling the seven striped version – red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue and violet.
A Progress Pride Flag has since been introduced, which was developed by non-binary artist and designer Daniel Quasar.
The redesign calls for greater inclusion in society and features additional stripes to represent marginalised people of people within the LGBTQ+ community.
A purple circle features on some designs to represent the intersex community.
What do the rainbow colours in the Pride flag mean?
Each colour in the original flag had a different meaning, which many still celebrate today.
When the flag was first created, each colour in the rainbow design had a different meaning
- Hot pink – sex
- Red – life
- Orange – healing
- Yellow – sunlight
- Green – nature
- Turquoise – magic/art
- Indigo – serenity
- Violet – spirit
LATEST LGBT NEWS
PRIDE PLAN 
Pride month 2022: When does it start?
Everything to know about Isaiah Rashad's sexuality
I’m a soaps expert and EastEnders has made a mistake with Ben’s rape storyline
EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street's LGBTQ storylines
When is Pride month?
Pride month occurs every June.
This year it started on June 1, 2022, and ends on June 30, 2022.
Aside from various events and community gatherings, Pride month is a time when people can peacefully protest and gain political awareness for LGBT issues.
Source: Read Full Article
