Symbols of Pride: The Transgender Flag

Like any other social group that exists today, the transgender community has a variety of symbols they use to identify themselves. These symbols are used to raise awareness, provide opportunities to educate, support rights and diversity, and represent themselves in various areas of the world. Unlike the LGBT community in it's broader scope which has adopted the Rainbow flag as its primary symbol, the transgender community has not completely united under one flag. Many flags have been created over the years and are used to represent us in different areas of the globe. The trans community in Israel, for example, uses a flag emblazoned with the symbol (⚧) created by Holly Boswell surrounded by a mint green field.  However, the flag depicted above is considered the primary representation for transgender people.

The flag depicted above is known as the Transgender Pride Flag, which was created by transwoman Monica Helms (pictured in purple next to Mara Kiesling) in 1999. It was first displayed at a pride parade held in Phoenix, Arizona in 2000. In Helms description of the flags meaning she said "The stripes at the top and bottom are light blue, the traditional color for baby boys. The stripes next to them are pink, the traditional color for baby girls. The stripe in the middle is white, for those who are intersex, transitioning or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender. The pattern is such that no matter which way you fly it, it is always correct, signifying us finding correctness in our lives." She donated the original to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 2014.

Many communities have developed variations of this flag to represent various aspects or groups within the trans community. The Black Trans Flag has a black stripe, rather than white, in the center to represent the higher rates of discrimination that the black trans community faces compared to the larger trans community. It was created by transwoman Raquel Willis. Other trans flags also use the colors green, purple or yellow to represent a larger diversity of gender identities within the trans community; such as gender non-binary, intersex, and genders that are neither male nor female.

This flag represents the pride we have in ourselves and our own community. We should display it proudly in every chance we get. And I believe that it, as well as ourselves, will one day be accepted by the world as people who are worthy of equal and fair treatment.