Colors of Pride
The Rainbow Flag
An exuberant and ever-evolving symbol of Pride
The original Pride flag flew for the first time at the June 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade—and it has been flying proudly ever since as an evolving symbol of hope and pride for LGBTQ+ individuals the world over.
How did the Pride flag come to be? In 1978, San Francisco City Supervisor and gay activist Harvey Milk asked artist Gilbert Baker to design a new symbol of pride for the LGBTQ+ community. Baker designed the symbol as a flag because flags are powerful symbols of unity and belonging. Some people refer to the Pride flag as the Rainbow flag.
Why does the Pride flag keep changing?
While symbols are important, they do change to reflect a changing world. The Pride flag has evolved over the years to recognize more of the LGBTQ+ community.
Many groups have created their own pride flags to represent their unique identities, so there are many different flags now. Memorizing every version of the Pride flag is not the point.
What’s really important is learning about and respecting what flags mean to the people they represent. As an educator, your role is to communicate the idea that flags are important symbols that help people feel included and seen. Displaying a flag in your classroom can also signal your support.
Learn more about the many different types of pride flags
Progress Pride Flag color and symbol key
The key below explains the colors and symbols represented on the Pride Progress flag. Over the years, the flag colors have changed and their meanings have evolved, but the basic concepts presented here will help you introduce the Pride flag to young children.
Life
Healing
Sunlight
Nature
Peace, Harmony
Serenity, Spirit
Communities of Color
Trans Community
Intersex Community
The Pride flag can be a powerful teaching tool.
EVEN IN EARLY CHILDHOOD programs and classrooms, Pride flags can enhance the learning environment, help build an awareness of diversity, foster empathy, and promote acceptance and inclusion.
Use the flag to:
- Teach colors, numbers, shapes, and patterns
- Show how colors can represent ideas and emotions
- Spark conversations about the many different types of families
- Show support for LGBTQ+ colleagues
- Communicate that your classroom is a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ families
While the Pride flag is a powerful symbol of inclusiveness, it’s important to remember that symbols can only convey so much. True inclusiveness is rooted in trust, which must be earned.
Build your Pride library.
Explore the colors and concepts of Pride.
- ABC Pride by Michael Joosten
- Our Rainbow by Little Bee Books
- Pride 1 2 3 by Louie Stowell
- Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson
- We Are the Rainbow by Claire Winslow
Experience the joy of Pride celebrations.
- Grandad's Pride by Harry Woodgate
- Marley's Pride by Joelle Retener
- Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson
- Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart
- The Rainbow Parade by Shane Jordan and Rick Hendrix
- This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman
- Twas the Night before Pride by Joanna McClintick
Learn about the history of the Pride flag.
- Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders
- Sewing the Rainbow: The Story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag by Gayle E. Pitman
Wondering how to use these books to teach children about Pride? Find teaching guides for these and other inclusive children’s books here