rainbow flag

noun

plural rainbow flags

: a flag that has horizontal stripes typically of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet and that represents pride in and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community

The rainbow flag is a symbol of safety, acceptance, and belonging for LGBTQ+ people who may be looking for a sign that they are seen and supported just as they are. On a larger scale, this flag encourages pride and unity that uplifts all members of our community.

—Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Herald

… in the 1970s … Harvey Milk, an openly gay San Francisco politician and activist, tasked artist Gilbert Baker with coming up with a unifying symbol for the gay community, and the rainbow flag was born.

—The Daily News (Batavia, New York)

His palette is based on the colors of the rainbow flag, a quiet but forceful commitment to telling the LGBTQ story.

—Michael James Rocha

called also pride flag

see progress pride flag

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above