The colors of the flag are roughly sequenced in the same order as those displayed in a rainbow. Since the LGBTQ community consists of people from all races, genders, and ages, he based his flag on the rainbow. Baker was inspired in his design by the celebrations for America’s bicentennial anniversary in 1976. It was designed by gay artist and activist Gilbert Baker when his friend Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay elected official in California, asked him to design a symbol for the LGBTQ community. The Gilbert Baker Pride Flag was the first-ever rainbow pride flag. Here’s our inclusive list of 30 LGBTQ+ pride flags and their color meanings:

These flags provide representation for the individual LGBTQ communities and also tell us a bit about their unique stories, perspectives, histories, and experiences. However, within the LGBTQ group, there’s a wide variety of subcultures, genders, and identities, who all have their own flags. The rainbow pride flag is widely recognized as the symbol of the LGBTQ community.