In 2018, Portland, Oregon-based graphic designer Daniel Quasar proposed changes to the Rainbow Flag by adding new meaningful colours to the design. Entering from the left is a chevron of white, pink, light blue, brown and black. “When the Pride flag was recreated in the last year to include both black and brown stripes as well as the trans stripes included this year, I wanted to see if there could be more emphasis in the design of the flag to give it more meaning,” explained Quasar. “We still have forward movement to make. There still is work to be done. I wanted to highlight that,” he added.
Here’s a breakdown of the colours and what they signify:
White/pink/blue transgender community
Brown/black people of colour
Red life
Orange healing
Yellow sunlight
Green nature
Blue harmony
Violet spirit
The inclusion of different stories and messages within one flag can be challenging. It creates the potential for confusion and misinterpretation. Some have voiced concerns about the new design saying it doesn’t represent them or their community, while others feel it has muddied the original Rainbow flag’s intentions. History has proven that various organizations, causes, districts and countries have gone through numerous design iterations before settling on just the right flag. Time will tell.