The Progress Pride Flag, also known as the Incremental Pride Flag or the Philadelphia Pride Flag, is a vibrant addition to the rainbow's visual legacy. Introduced by designer Daniel Quasar in 2018, it builds upon the original rainbow flag created by Gilbert Baker in 1978. The Progress Pride Flag beautifully incorporates elements from diverse communities, making it a symbol of inclusivity and progress in the LGBTQ+ movement.
As it waves proudly in the breeze, the Progress Pride Flag stands out with its captivating color scheme and distinct progress bars. But what are the colors in order, and what do they represent?
The Colors of the Progress Pride Flag
The Progress Pride Flag features a total of ten colors, each with its unique significance. Understanding these colors and their order is crucial to grasping the flag's rich symbolism.
To start, let's briefly recap the original rainbow flag's colors:
The Original Rainbow's Colors
Gilbert Baker's original rainbow flag comprises eight stripes: red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and violet, each with its unique significance. These colors are displayed in descending order of darkness, with red at the top and violet (the darkest color) at the bottom.
Knowing the original is essential, as the Progress Pride Flag builds upon this foundation.
The Progress Pride Flag's Expanded Color Scheme
The Progress Pride Flag introduces two additional bars above the existing rainbow stripes. These bars represent the progress made in LGBTQ+ rights and acknowledge the struggles faced by diverse communities. The colors in the Progress Pride Flag, in order from top to bottom, are:
- Black and Brown: Representing people of color and their fight for inclusion and justice within the broader LGBTQ+ community.
- Light Blue, Pink, and White: Symbolizing the transgender community, with light blue for transgender and non-binary communities, pink for the transgender women, and white for those who choose to remain gender-minority.
- The Original Rainbow Strips (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Turquoise, Indigo, and Violet): With the same significance as the original flag.
- Black, Brown: The Progress Pride Flag features two black and brown stripes at the bottom, mirroring the top two colors and emphasizing equal representation among LGBTQ+ people of color.
The Progress Pride Flag is a vivid testament to the LGBTQ+ community's diversity and resilience. By showcasing the hard-won progress and the work still needed, it serves as a powerful call for continued inclusivity and equal rights for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The History and Evolution of the Rainbow's Symbolism
The Progress Pride Flag's creation is part of a rich history of LGBTQ+ symbols, each telling a story of empowerment and resilience.
The original rainbow flag, created by Gilbert Baker in 1978, was a celebration of a newfound sense of community and pride. Over the following decades, different communities within the broader LGBTQ+ umbrella adopted and adapted new symbols to represent their unique struggles and triumphs. This evolution reveals the LGBTQ+ community's strength and adaptability.
Daniel Quasar, a gay African-American artist, designed the Progress Pride Flag in 2018. Inspired by charges from the AIDS Memorial Quilt and the original rainbow flag, he aimed to expand the rainbow's symbolism to include people of color, transgender individuals, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Quasar's design has since been widely embraced, becoming a prominent symbol in LGBTQ+ spaces worldwide. It symbolizes the community's commitment to inclusion, progress, and equality for all its members.
The Rainbow's Global Impact
The rainbow flag, and now the Progress Pride Flag, have become global symbols of the LGBTQ+ movement. They are recognized worldwide as icons of pride, unity, and resistance. From San Francisco's Castro District to the marches on Washington, from Mardi Gras in Sydney to Pride Month celebrations around the world, these flags fly high.
The Progress Pride Flag's unique design stands out amidst these familiar colors. It sends a clear, powerful message: the LGBTQ+ community will not rest until its members have equal rights, representation, and visibility.
The Future of Symbolism and Change
The Progress Pride Flag's story is still being written. As new communities emerge and reaffirm their identities, the LGBTQ+ symbol's colors will undoubtedly evolve and grow. The ultimate goal? A future where all LGBTQ+ individuals can live authentically and freely, with pride, love, and support.
Embracing this spirit of progress, the Progress Pride Flag remains a beacon of hope and change. As it flies high and catches our eye, it reminds us that our work is far from over—that there's still much progress to be made. But with each strip of color, we find inspiration and drive to continue the fight. So let's keep moving forward, together.