View source for Bisexual flag

{{Short description|Pride flag}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox flag
| Name = Bisexual flag
| Image = Bisexual Pride Flag.svg
| Use = Symbol of the bisexual community
| Proportion = 3:5
| Adoption = 1998
| Design = Three solid horizontal bars: two fifths pink, one fifth purple, and two fifths blue.
| Designer = Michael Page
}}
{{LGBT symbols}}
{{Bisexuality topics sidebar}}
The '''bisexual flag''', also called the '''bisexual pride flag''', is a [[pride flag]] representing [[bisexuality]], bisexual individuals and the bisexual community. According to Michael Page, the activist who created the flag based on a color palette designed by Liz Nania,<ref name="biflag">{{cite web |date=1998-12-05 |title=History, Bi Activism, Free Graphics |url=http://www.biflag.com/Activism.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010801185547/http://biflag.com/Activism.asp |archive-date=2001-08-01 |access-date=2020-04-20 |publisher=BiFlag.com}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Biangles, bisexual symbol, bi colors, bi history — Liz Nania |url=https://www.liznania.com/early-work |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Liz Nania |language=en-US}}</ref> the pink stripe represents attraction to the same sex, while the blue stripe represents attraction to the opposite sex. The purple stripe, the resulting "overlap" of the blue and pink stripes, represents attraction to both sexes.<ref name="biflag" />

Page designed the flag to increase the visibility of bisexuals among society as a whole and within the [[LGBTQ community]]. He aimed to give the bisexual community a symbol that is comparable to the [[Rainbow flag (LGBT)|rainbow flag]] for the greater LGBT community. The first bisexual pride flag was unveiled at the BiCafe's first anniversary party<ref name="flagspot">{{cite web|last1=Young|first1=Randy|title=BiPride Flag|url=https://flagspot.net/flags/qq-bi.html|website=Flagspot|publisher=Flags of the World|access-date=October 24, 2015|date=June 6, 2015}}</ref> on December 5, 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-20 |title=Counseling and Wellness Services - Safezone Symbols |url=http://www.wright.edu/counseling/SafezoneSymbols.html |access-date=2021-12-28 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020163051/http://www.wright.edu/counseling/SafezoneSymbols.html |archive-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Design and colors==
[[File:Bi triangles.svg|thumb|left|The [[LGBT symbols#Biangles|biangles]] symbol of bisexuality, designed by artist Liz Nania, from which Michael Page stated that he took the colors and overlap for the bisexual pride flag, which he created]]
Page stated that he took the colors and overlap for the flag from the [[LGBT symbols#Biangles|biangles]], symbol of bisexuality.<ref name="biflag"/><ref name="auto"/> The biangles symbol of bisexuality was designed by artist Liz Nania as she co-organized a bisexual contingent for the [[Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights]] in 1987.<ref name="1Dezeen">{{cite web | last=Jordahn | first=Sebastian | title=''Queer x Design highlights 50 years of LGBT+ graphic design'' | website=[[Dezeen]] | date=2019-10-23 | url=https://www.dezeen.com/2019/10/23/queer-design-andrew-campbell-50-years-lgbt-graphic-design/ | access-date=2021-06-12}}</ref> The design of the biangles began with the [[pink triangle]], a Nazi concentration camp badge that later became a symbol of [[gay liberation]] representing [[homosexuality]]. The addition of a blue triangle [[Gendered associations of pink and blue|contrasts the pink]] and represents [[heterosexuality]]. The two triangles overlap and form lavender, which represents the "queerness of bisexuality", referencing the [[Lavender Menace]] and 1980s and 1990s [[Lavender (color)#LGBTQ|associations of lavender with queerness]].<ref name="auto"/>

Page described the meaning of the pink, purple, and blue colors:<ref name="biflag" /><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |year=2005 |title=Rainbow Flag and Other Pride Symbols |encyclopedia=Youth, Education, and Sexualities: An International Encyclopedia |publisher=Greenwood |location=[[Westport, Connecticut|Westport, Conn.]] |last=Rosiek |first=Jerry |editor-last=Sears |editor-first=James Thomas |volume=2 |pages=701 |isbn=0-313-32755-6}}</ref>
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{{blockquote|The pink color represents sexual attraction to the same sex only (gay and lesbian). The blue represents sexual attraction to the opposite sex only (straight) and the resultant overlap color purple represents sexual attraction to both sexes (bi). The key to understanding the symbolism of the Bi Pride Flag is to know that the purple pixels of color blend unnoticeably into both the pink and blue, just as in the 'real world,' where bi people blend unnoticeably into both the gay/lesbian and straight communities.|source=}} 
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Since the original design, the purple overlap has been reinterpreted and is now widely understood to represent attraction regardless of sex or gender.<ref name="Outright International v922">{{cite web | title=Flags of the LGBTIQ Community | website=Outright International | url=https://outrightinternational.org/insights/flags-lgbtiq-community | access-date=2023-06-22}}</ref>

The flag is used in different aspect ratios; 2:3 and 3:5 are often used, in common with many other flags.{{Source needed|date=June 2022}}

In [[vexillology|vexillological]] terms, the bisexual pride flag is a simple horizontal [[triband (flag)|tricolor]].
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Official<ref name="biflag" />
! colspan="3" |Unofficial
|-
!Colour named as
!Pantone ([[Pantone#Pantone Color Matching System|PMS]])
!RGB
!Hex triplet
!Color
|-
|Magenta (pink)
|226
|214, 2, 112
|<code>#D60270</code>
| width="60px" title="#D60270" style="background:#D60270" |
|-
|Lavender (purple)
|258
|115, 79, 150
|<code>#9B4F96</code>
| width="60px" title="#9B4F96" style="background:#9B4F96" |
|-
|Royal (blue)
|286
|0, 56, 168
|<code>#0038A8</code>
| width="60px" title="#0038A8" style="background:#0038A8" |
|}

[[File:The_bisexual_pride_flag_(3673713584).jpg|thumb|left|A physical version of the bisexual pride flag]]
The pink stripe takes up two fifths of the flag, the purple stripe takes up the middle fifth, and the blue stripe takes up the other two fifths.<ref name="biflag" /> The flag has been most commonly oriented with the pink stripe at the top, but both orientations are acceptable.<ref name="flagspot" /> The flag is not [[patent]]ed, [[trademark]]ed, or [[service mark]]ed.<ref name="biflag" />

== Variation ==
[[File:Yellow trillium, April 2018--Warren Bielenberg (40026346960).jpg|thumb|The [[trillium]] flower is another symbol of bisexuality]]

The bisexual pride flag is used in different aspect ratios; 2:3 and 3:5 are often used, in common with many other flags.{{Source needed|date=June 2022}}

In 1999, Michael Page established the use of the [[trillium]] flower as a symbol of bisexuality.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eidson |first1=Jessica |title=Plants That Can Symbolize LGBTQIA+ Pride |url=https://discoverandshare.org/2024/06/25/lgbtqiaplants/#:~:text=The%20trillium%20flower%20has%20symbolized,bisexual%20pride%20flag%20in%202001. |website=Discover + Share |date=June 25, 2024 |publisher=Missouri Botanical Garden}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Eyvanaki |first1=Ashley |title=Queer Objects: William Keble Martin Lily Illustration |url=https://outandabout.exeter.ac.uk/2020/10/29/queer-objects-william-keble-martin-lily-illustration/ |website=out and about |date=October 29, 2020 |publisher=University of Exeter |access-date=August 14, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bisexual Botany |url=https://www.lpzoo.org/bisexual-botany/#:~:text=Around%202001%2C%20the%20Mexican%20bisexual,Michigan%20lilies%20at%20Nature%20Boardwalk. |website=Lincoln Park Zoo | date=June 20, 2024 |access-date=August 14, 2024}}</ref>

==Licensing controversy==
{{See also|BiNet USA#Claims of copyright of bisexual pride flag}}
In 1998, Page stated that the bisexual pride flag was "for free public and commercial use" and that it was "not patented, trademarked or service marked".<ref name="biflag" /> In April 2020, [[BiNet USA]] falsely claimed that it was the sole copyright owner of the flag and flag colors, and said organizations and individuals who wished to use the flag for commercial purposes would be required to obtain a license from the organization, despite having nothing to do with the flag's design or creation.<ref name="lgbtqnation">{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Alex |title=A group is threatening legal action & demanding payment for use of the bisexual pride flag |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/04/group-threatening-legal-action-demanding-payment-use-bisexual-pride-flag/ |access-date=April 29, 2020 |work=LGBTQ Nation |date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> BiNet's claim and the resulting controversy were covered by ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'' and ''[[LGBTQ Nation]]'', which cast doubt on BiNet's claim and noted that the flag is not eligible for copyright.<ref name="lgbtqnation" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Street |first1=Mikelle |title=This Organization Wants to Be Paid for Use of the Bi Pride Flag |url=https://www.out.com/bisexuality/2020/4/29/organization-wants-be-paid-use-bi-pride-flag |access-date=April 29, 2020 |work=www.out.com |publisher=Out |date=April 29, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

BiNet USA ultimately ceased to use the flag on May 8, 2020, opting instead to use a different design.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Prager|first=Sarah|title=A Bi Advocacy Group Claimed Copyright Over the Bi Pride Flag. Activists Were Outraged|url=https://www.them.us/story/binet-usa-bi-pride-flag-controversy|access-date=2021-01-25|website=them.|date=May 7, 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Similar symbols representing bisexuality==

=== Biangles ===
[[File:Bi triangles.svg|thumb|left|The biangles, designed by artist Liz Nania to represent bisexuality]]
The [[biangles]] were designed by artist Liz Nania, as she co-organized a bisexual contingent for the [[Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights]] in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.liznania.com/early-work|title=Biangles, bisexual symbol, bi colors, bi history|website=Liz Nania|access-date=2024-04-19|archive-date=2024-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426125159/https://www.liznania.com/early-work|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dezeen">{{cite web | last=Jordahn | first=Sebastian | title=''Queer x Design highlights 50 years of LGBT+ graphic design'' | website=[[Dezeen]] | date=2019-10-23 | url=https://www.dezeen.com/2019/10/23/queer-design-andrew-campbell-50-years-lgbt-graphic-design/ | access-date=2021-06-12 | archive-date=2021-06-13 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613233207/https://www.dezeen.com/2019/10/23/queer-design-andrew-campbell-50-years-lgbt-graphic-design/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The design of the biangles began with the [[pink triangle]], a Nazi concentration camp badge that later became a symbol of [[gay liberation]] representing [[homosexuality]]. The addition of a blue triangle [[Gendered associations of pink and blue|contrasts the pink]] and represents [[heterosexuality]]. The two triangles overlap and form lavender, which represents the "queerness of bisexuality", referencing the [[Lavender Menace]] and 1980s and 1990s [[Lavender (color)#LGBTQ|associations of lavender with queerness]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biangles, bisexual symbol, bi colors, bi history — Liz Nania |url=https://www.liznania.com/early-work |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Liz Nania |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608205658/https://www.liznania.com/early-work |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Bisexual lighting ===
[[File:Bisexual_lighting_skeleton.png|alt=A 3D rendering of a skeleton showcasing bisexual lighting|thumb|A [[3D rendering]] of a skeleton showcasing bisexual lighting]]
[[Bisexual lighting]] is the simultaneous use of pink, purple, and blue lighting and is used to represent bisexual characters. The colors may be a direct reference to the bisexual pride flag.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43765856|title=Is 'bisexual lighting' a new cinematic phenomenon?|date=April 21, 2018|via=www.bbc.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=JANELLE MONÁE HHHHH Dirty Computer Wondaland/Bad Boy/Atlantic - the Irish Times &#124; HighBeam Research | url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P4-2031144769.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503042100/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P4-2031144769.html | archive-date=May 3, 2018 }}</ref> Bisexual lighting has been used in studio lighting for film and television, and has been observed in the cinematography of various films. According to ''BOWIE Creators'', the concept of bisexual lighting was invented in 2014 by a [[Tumblr]] fan of [[Sherlock (TV series)|''Sherlock'']] who believed that the lighting was being used to signal that [[Dr. Watson]] was bisexual and would eventually be in a romantic relationship with [[Sherlock Holmes]].<ref name="rise">{{Cite web |last=Olguin |first=Michelle |date=October 7, 2021 |title=The Rise (and fall) of bisexual lighting |url=https://www.bowiecreators.com/article/the-rise-and-fall-of-bisexual-lighting |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=BØWIE Creators |language=en}}</ref>

=== Double crescent moon ===
Because many bisexuals objected to the use of the [[LGBT symbols#Biangles|biangles]] symbol involving the Nazi-associated [[pink triangle]], Vivian Wagner designed the double crescent moon symbol as an alternative way to symbolize bisexuality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/lgbt-symbols|title=Violets, Bi-Angles, And Double Moons: A Guide To LGBTQ+ Symbols|first=Erika W.|last=Smith|website=www.refinery29.com|access-date=2024-04-19|archive-date=2024-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907192842/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/lgbt-symbols|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2symbol">{{cite web |author=Koymasky, Matt |author2=Koymasky Andrej |date=14 August 2006 |title=Gay Symbols: Other Miscellaneous Symbols |url=http://andrejkoymasky.com/lou/sym/sym05.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409235810/http://andrejkoymasky.com/lou/sym/sym05.html |archive-date=9 April 2011 |access-date=18 February 2007}}</ref>
{{gallery
|align=center
|noborder=yes
|height=
|width=
|File:Double crescent symbol (filled, color).svg|upright=0.7|The double crescent moon bisexuality symbol with bisexual flag colors, designed by Vivian Wagner
|File:Double crescent symbol (color).svg|Another version of the double crescent moon bisexuality symbol with bisexual flag colors
|File:Double crescent moon.jpg|A version of the double crescent moon bisexuality symbol with [[Rainbow flag (LGBTQ)|rainbow flag]] colors}}

==See also==
{{portal|Heraldry and Vexillology|LGBTQ}}
* [[Bisexuality in the United States]]
* [[Bisexual community]]
* [[Bisexual lighting]]
* [[Celebrate Bisexuality Day]]
* [[LGBTQ symbols]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{FOTW|title=BiPride flag|id=qq-bi}}
{{LGBTQ|culture}}

[[Category:Bisexual culture]]
[[Category:LGBTQ flags]]
[[Category:Flags introduced in 1998]]
[[Category:Sexuality flags]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related controversies in art]]
[[Category:Horizontally symmetrical flags]]