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Bisexual Flag

The bisexual flag is a pride flag representing bisexuality, bisexual people, and the bisexual community.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The bisexual flag is a pride flag representing bisexuality and bisexual people. It was designed by activist Michael Page in 1998 and features three horizontal stripes of pink, purple, and blue. The flag was created to increase visibility and address bisexual erasure.

Design and symbolism

The bisexual flag consists of three horizontal bars: pink, purple, and blue. The outer colours are associated with same-gender and different-gender attraction, while the centre purple stripe represents the overlap between them.

History

Michael Page designed the flag in 1998 as a visibility symbol for bisexual people and unveiled it in December of that year.

Use in LGBTQ+ culture

The flag is used as a bisexual pride symbol in LGBTQ+ activism, community events, and identity representation. It was created in response to bisexual underrepresentation and erasure. In Canada, the flag is widely used in Pride events, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and bisexual visibility efforts, including through university and community resources.

Key facts

  • The flag was created in 1998 by Michael Page to give bisexual people a distinct symbol of visibility.
  • Its standard design has three horizontal stripes: pink, purple, and blue.
  • The pink stripe is commonly described as representing same-gender attraction.
  • The blue stripe is commonly described as representing attraction to a different gender.
  • The purple stripe represents the overlap or combination of the two outer colours, often explained as attraction to more than one gender.
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Canadian context

The bisexual flag is widely used in Canada as part of Pride events, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and bisexual visibility efforts, including through Canadian university and community resources.[4]

Frequently asked questions

Who created the bisexual flag?
Activist Michael Page designed the bisexual flag in 1998.
What do the colours mean?
Pink is commonly said to represent same-gender attraction, blue different-gender attraction, and purple attraction to more than one gender.
When was the bisexual flag first unveiled?
It was first unveiled in December 1998.
How many stripes does the flag have?
It has three horizontal stripes.
Why was the flag created?
It was created to give bisexual people a distinct visibility symbol and to address bisexual erasure and underrepresentation.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexual_flag
    Supports: Basic description, design, colour meanings, and creator information.
  2. UBC Equity & Inclusion Office — https://equity.ubc.ca/pride-flags/
    Supports: Flag meaning, first unveiling in December 1998, and bisexual visibility context.
  3. Case Western Reserve University — https://case.edu/news/waving-proudly-learn-meanings-behind-lgbt-flags
    Supports: Michael Page’s 1998 unveiling and the flag’s symbolism and purpose.
  4. Outright International — https://outrightinternational.org/insights/flags-lgbtiq-community
    Supports: Flag design, creator, and colour symbolism.