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The LGBTQI+ community has created their own language of colours and symbols. In this guest blog Gillian Murphy, Curator for Equality, Rights and Citizenship at LSE Library, explores the symbols created through protest, logo competitions, resistance, and community. LGBT+ History Month is celebrated each February in the UK.

LGBTQI+ symbols and their meanings

“Well, of course, a symbol can mean anything you need it to mean.” Come Together, Issue 12,

The use of symbols and colours is an vital way for groups to convey messages, communicate with others, and to develop a visual identity. During the s, LGBTQI+ people were encouraged to appear out and, in doing this, they often wore badges with distinctive symbols, reinforcing the belief that no longer would they be invisible. This blog looks at some of the symbols that can be found in LGBTQI+ collections.

The gender symbols for male and female are traditionally derived from astrological signs and mythological meanings representing Mars (god of war with shield and spear) and Venus (mirror of Venus, goddess of love and beauty) respectively.

From the first issues of Come Together, the short-lived newspaper produced by the

Flags of the LGBTIQ Community

Flags have always been an integral part of the LGBTIQ+ movement. They are a apparent representation meant to mark progress, advocate for voice, and amplify the require and drive for collective action. There have been many LGBTIQ+ flags over the years. Some hold evolved, while others are constantly being conceptualized and created.

Rainbow Flag

Created in by Gilbert Baker, the iconic Pride Rainbow flag originally had eight stripes. The colors included pink to represent sexuality, red for healing, yellow for star, green for serenity with nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit. In the years since, the flag now has six colors. It no longer has a pink stripe, and the turquoise and indigo stripes were replaced with royal blue.

Progress Self-acceptance Flag

Created in by nonbinary artist Daniel Quasar, the Progress Pride flag is based on the iconic rainbow flag. With stripes of black and brown to represent marginalized LGBTIQ+ people of dye and the triad of blue, pink, and light from the trans flag, the design represents diversity and inclusion.

Trans Flag

Conceived by Monica Helms, an openly transge

The History of the Parade Flag

With its luminous colours and significant essence, the Rainbow Flag is a symbol recognised all over the world to represent the LGBTQ+ communities. It’s a symbol of hope, unity and empowerment to allow love to be love regardless of gender, ethnicity or labels. But where did this renowned flag come from? And how was the design chosen?

The original Self-acceptance Flag originates from San Francisco Activist Gilbert Baker, who desired to produce an emblem of lgbtq+ fest for the gay collective. In the Rainbow Flag was created, as Baker recognised that a flag is one of the most significant aspects of identity, and wanted his creation to be a unified symbol of gratification for all those who identify within these communities.

In England, homosexuality was decriminalised in , with Scotland following in , and Northern Ireland by Before this time, it was illegal to engage in ‘private homosexual acts’, and those caught or believed to be engaging in same-sex relationships could tackle imprisonment, public shame and a life-long criminal records. Society was homophobic, with those in same-sex relationships being stripped of their basic freedom to cherish the person they affectionate and

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