The progress pride flag is a variant of the traditional rainbow flag that adds symbolic stripes to represent inclusion, diversity, and ongoing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. It was introduced in 2018 to reflect evolving values within the community, particularly around racial equity, gender identity, and intersectionality.
Designed by Daniel Quasar, the flag builds on the original six-color rainbow flag created by Gilbert Baker in 1978. While the rainbow flag symbolized diversity and unity, the progress pride flag expands that vision by incorporating additional colors and elements to show marginalized identities and the movement toward equality.
According to GLAAD, the flag's design reflects a commitment to social justice and acknowledges that LGBTQ+ liberation cannot be achieved without addressing systemic inequities. The inclusion of black and brown stripes specifically recognizes the disproportionate impact of discrimination on Black, Indigenous, and people of color within the LGBTQ+ community.
The flag uses a stacked layout with seven horizontal bands. From top to bottom, the colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet-these are the same hues as the original rainbow flag. Beneath this, a central triangle overlays the rainbow, containing a black stripe, a brown stripe, a light blue stripe, a pink stripe, and a white stripe.
The triangle is a deliberate design choice. It symbolizes the idea of progress-not as a static endpoint, but as a continuous movement forward. The black and brown stripes represent the presence and resilience of Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the LGBTQ+ community. The light blue, pink, and white stripes within the triangle stand for transgender and nonbinary individuals, drawing from the trans flag's colors.
Each color has a documented meaning. Red stands for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony, indigo for serenity, and violet for spirit. The black and brown stripes carry the weight of historical exclusion and systemic oppression. The addition of these elements makes the flag not just a symbol of celebration, but also of accountability and activism.
The progress pride flag is composed of standardized Pantone and RGB color codes to ensure consistency across applications. The official version uses specific shades: black (#000000), brown (#6D4C41), light blue (#87CEEB), pink (#FFC0CB), and white (#FFFFFF). These are applied in precise proportions to maintain visual clarity and symbolic accuracy.
There are no officially recognized variants beyond the standard design. However, some communities create modified versions for local events-such as adding a purple stripe for intersex visibility or including a gold star for LGBTQ+ youth. These adaptations are not part of the original flag and may cause confusion if presented as authentic.
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Life |
| Orange | Healing |
| Yellow | Sunlight |
| Green | Nature |
| Blue | Harmony |
| Indigo | Serenity |
| Violet | Spirit |
| Black | Black LGBTQ+ people |
| Brown | People of color in LGBTQ+ community |
| Light Blue | Transgender people |
| Pink | Non-binary and gender-diverse people |
| White | Those who are gender-neutral or agender |
The progress pride flag is widely displayed during Pride events, LGBTQ+ advocacy campaigns, and public education initiatives. It appears on banners, apparel, digital avatars, and social media profiles. Cities such as San Francisco, Toronto, and Berlin have flown it during Pride parades since 2019.
Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Transgender Equality use it in outreach materials to signal their commitment to racial and gender equity. For example, in 2022, the HRC launched a national campaign titled "Pride Is Progress" featuring the flag in billboards across 12 states.
A common misconception is that the flag replaces the original rainbow flag. This is incorrect. The progress pride flag is meant to complement, not supplant, the original. The rainbow flag remains the foundational symbol of LGBTQ+ identity and solidarity. The progress flag adds layers of meaning for those advocating for deeper inclusion.
One frequent error is assuming the black and brown stripes represent only race. They also signify resistance to erasure-historically, LGBTQ+ people of color have been excluded from mainstream Pride narratives and leadership roles. The flag corrects that omission.
Another misunderstanding is equating the progress pride flag with the transgender flag. While both feature blue, pink, and white, the transgender flag is horizontal and has equal-sized stripes. The progress flag uses a triangular overlay and includes additional colors for racial representation. Mixing them up undermines the distinct messages each conveys.
A non-obvious fact: the flag's creator, Daniel Quasar, designed it using open-source tools and released the file under a Creative Commons license. This allowed widespread adoption without legal barriers. According to the Digital Transgender Archive, over 4 million downloads occurred in the first year after release.
In 2021, a high school in Austin, Texas, installed a 12-foot-tall progress pride flag on campus during LGBTQ+ History Month. The school's student government coordinated with local artists and community leaders. The flag was displayed alongside educational panels explaining each color's significance. After the event, 87% of surveyed students reported learning something new about LGBTQ+ inclusion, according to a follow-up survey conducted by the district.
This example shows how the flag functions not just as a symbol, but as a tool for civic education. It transforms public space into a site of awareness and dialogue.
When I first saw the flag at a Pride march in Portland, I noticed how differently people reacted based on familiarity. Some waved it proudly. Others paused, then asked, "What do the black and brown stripes mean?" That moment confirmed the flag's power-it doesn't just celebrate identity, it invites inquiry.