{{Short description|Rainbow flag with a five stripe chevron along the hoist}} {{dist|Order and Progress flag}} {{Infobox flag | Image = LGBTQ+ rainbow flag Quasar "Progress" variant.svg | Nickname = Progress pride flag | Adoption = {{Start date and age|2018}} | Designer = Daniel Quasar }} The '''progress pride flag''' is a variant of the LGBTQ rainbow flag that includes additional colored stripes representing transgender and people of color,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glass |first=Jess |date=June 3, 2025 |title=Every LGBTQ+ flag you might see at Pride and what they all mean |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/06/03/all-of-the-flags-you-might-see-at-pride-and-what-they-mean/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=PinkNews |language=en-GB}}</ref> inspired by the Philadelphia pride flag.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2023 |title=Bandeira progressista do orgulho inclui a luta antirracista em sua representação |url=https://revistacasaejardim.globo.com/design/noticia/2023/06/bandeira-progressista-do-orgulho-inclui-a-luta-antirracista-em-sua-representacao.ghtml |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Casa e Jardim |language=pt-br}}</ref> The light blue and light pink colors of the flag represent transgender people, and the brown and black colors represent people of color and the anti-racism movement. The flag's black color stripe is also used to include people living with HIV/AIDS.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucca |first=Bruno |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Nova bandeira LGBT+ inclui símbolos trans, intersexo e antirracismo |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2022/12/nova-bandeira-lgbt-inclui-simbolos-trans-intersexo-e-antirracismo.shtml |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Caixeta |first=Izabella |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Nova bandeira LGBT inclui cores trans, intersexo e da luta antirracista |url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/diversidade/2022/12/07/noticia-diversidade,1430519/nova-bandeira-lgbt-inclui-cores-trans-intersexo-e-da-luta-antirracista.shtml |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Estado de Minas |language=pt-BR}}</ref>
Other similar variants have emerged to include other minority groups, such as intersex people, sex workers, people with disabilities, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Browning |first=Bil |date=December 22, 2022 |title=Conservatives are outraged over a Pride flag idea that no one uses or wants |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/conservatives-outraged-pride-flag-idea-no-one-uses-wants/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=LGBTQ Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasprak |first=Alex |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Fact Check: The Truth Behind Alleged New Pride Flag |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/fact-check-truth-behind-alleged-160700122.html |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sobel |first=Ariel |last2=J. Stillman |first2=Andrew |date=May 8, 2018 |title=The complete guide to all the Queer Pride flags |url=https://www.pride.com/pride/queer-flags |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Pride.com |language=en}}</ref>
The Progress Flag was designed in 2018 by Daniel Quasar, an American non-binary queer artist and graphic designer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wallington |first=Natalie |date=June 20, 2022 |title=Have you seen the “Progress Pride Flag” around this June? Here’s what the colors mean |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article262587132.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622060630/https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article262587132.html |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=The Kansas City Star |language=en}}</ref> Progressive pride flags are seen at LGBTQ parades, at events during Pride Month, or on commemorative dates such as International LGBTQ Pride Day and the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, used by LGBTQ organizations and activists, such as the {{Interlanguage link|Aliança Nacional LGBTI|pt}} in Brazil.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rio Sem LGBTIfobia e entidades LGBTI são recebidas pelo vice-presidente Geraldo Alckmin |url=https://www.secsocial.rj.gov.br/node/142 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428150022/https://www.secsocial.rj.gov.br/node/142 |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Social e Direitos Humanos |language=pt-br}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Valença |first=Julianna |date=December 7, 2022 |title=BANDEIRA LGBTQIA+: Nova bandeira LGBTQIA+ é lançada e inclui símbolos trans, intersexo e antirracista; veja o que muda e os significados |url=https://jc.ne10.uol.com.br/cultura/2022/12/15137075-bandeira-lgbtqia-nova-bandeira-lgbtqia-e-lancada-e-inclui-simbolos-trans-intersexo-e-antirracista-veja-o-que-muda-e-os-significados.html |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=JC |language=pt-br}}</ref>
== History and usage == thumb|Philadelphia Pride Flag, designed by AJ Hikes Over the years, the pride flag has been renewed several times. In 2017, AJ Hikes created a pride flag variant with black and brown colors to include racial diversity under the umbrella of "pride." According to NBC News, Amber said that "It's a push for people to start listening to the people of color in our community, start hearing what they're saying, and really to believe them and to step up and say, 'What can I do to help eradicate these issues in our community?'".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2023 |title=New Pride Flag Design: What It Symbolizes |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/international/new-pride-flag-design-what-it-means-news-295996 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref> Before Amber's flag, there was the QPOC (queer person of color) flag, which includes a raised fist in various skin colors,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pride Flags |url=https://www.unco.edu/gender-sexuality-resource-center/resources/pride-flags.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528150200/https://www.unco.edu/gender-sexuality-resource-center/resources/pride-flags.aspx |archive-date=May 28, 2018 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center |language=en}}</ref> showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2022 |title=Here’s What the Different LGBTQIA+ Flags Represent |url=https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/heres-what-the-different-lgbtqia-flags-represent/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Boston University |language=en}}</ref>
In 2018, Daniel Quasar updated the flag to include the colors of the flags designed by Amber Hikes and Monica Helms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Women and Gender Equality |date=May 20, 2025 |title=Pride Flag |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/pride-season/pride-flag.html |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hitti |first=Natashah |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Daniel Quasar redesigns LGBT Rainbow Flag to be more inclusive |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2018/06/12/daniel-quasar-lgbt-rainbow-flag-inclusive/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}</ref> The black stripe was previously used to represent "those living with or whose lives have been lost to HIV/AIDS",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inclusive Pride Flag Campaign Represents Those with HIV/AIDS and QPOC |url=https://www.papermag.com/updated-pride-flag |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Paper |language=en}}</ref> in the Victory over AIDS Flag, designed in the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pride Flag Guide: Victory Over AIDS |url=https://flag.library.lgbt/flags/victory-over-aids/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Library.LGBT}}</ref>
According to Daniel Quasar:<ref name=":0" />
{{Blockquote|text=This new design forces the viewer to reflect on their own feelings towards the original Pride flag and its meaning, as well as the differing opinions on who that flag really represents, while also bringing into clear focus the current needs within our community.|author=Daniel Quasar|source=}}
thumb|Intersex-inclusive pride flag
In 2021, Valentino Vecchietti of Intersex Equality Rights UK,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parsons |first=Vic |date=June 7, 2021 |title=Progress Pride flag gets 2021 redesign to better represent intersex people |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/06/07/progress-pride-flag-intersex-flag/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=PinkNews |language=en-US}}</ref> adapted the design of the Progress Pride flag to incorporate the intersex flag, creating this Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag, posting it via Twitter and Instagram.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jossell |first=Shar |date=June 8, 2021 |title=This Pride Flag is Designed For Intersex Inclusion |url=https://www.them.us/story/progress-pride-flag-intersex-inclusive-makeover |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Them |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=AIT |date=October 13, 2022 |title=The Intersex-Inclusive Pride Progress Flag |url=https://www.ait.org.tw/the-intersex-inclusive-pride-progress-flag/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209160450/https://www.ait.org.tw/the-intersex-inclusive-pride-progress-flag/ |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=American Institute in Taiwan |language=en-US}}</ref> It includes a yellow triangle and a purple circle, to reflect the intersex community, and was adopted as the new pride flag after going viral on the internet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desart |first=Schaller |date=July 22, 2021 |title=Adding intersex representation to the Pride flag |url=https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/blogs/2021/adding-intersex-representation-to-the-pride-flag |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=University of Nevada, Reno |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 1, 2022 |title=Pride: 'I designed the Intersex-Inclusive flag' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-london-61998753 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> This flag appeared at the 27th Copacabana Pride Parade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Queer |first=iG |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Bandeira LGBT é renovada e inclui trans, intersexo e luta antirracista |url=https://queer.ig.com.br/2022-12-06/bandeira-lgbt-renovada-inclui-trans-intersexo-luta-antirracista.html |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Internet Group |language=pt-BR}}</ref>
The flag has also been used by companies and entities such as Microsoft and the São Paulo Museum of Art.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Capossela |first=Chris |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Microsoft celebrates Pride around the world — even in the metaverse — as we donate to LGBTQIA+ nonprofits, release Xbox Pride controller and more |url=https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2022/06/01/microsoft-celebrates-pride-around-the-world-even-in-the-metaverse-as-we-donate-to-lgbtqia-nonprofits-release-xbox-pride-controller-and-more/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=The Official Microsoft Blog |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=N. Jordão |first=Pedro |date=June 2, 2024 |title=Conheça nova bandeira LGBT+ e o que ela representa |url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/lifestyle/conheca-nova-bandeira-lgbt-e-o-que-ela-representa/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=CNN Brasil |language=pt-BR}}</ref>
== Reception == The reception to the flags was mixed. Supporters praised the focus on inclusion and the highlighting of the role and discrimination faced by people of color within the LGBTQ community. On the other hand, some expressed concern that the changes acted merely as a "performance, creating the impression of inclusion without real commitment," or that they were "for branding purposes," though they did not reflect any "real material steps toward real equality."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Alex V. |date=June 23, 2021 |title=The Pride Flag Has a Representation Problem |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/06/pride-flag-has-representation-problem/619273/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref> Others remained critical, arguing that the original design already acts as a symbol of unity, and emphasized that the original flag was designed without any racial dimension in mind. Other critics called the variations "paternalistic" and said they took away some "universality."<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 14, 2019 |title=Manchester Pride: Does the rainbow flag need black and brown stripes? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-46860693 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Philadelphia pride flag has received specific criticism for historical disregard of the Victory Over AIDS flag, which featured a black stripe at the bottom of the flag representing triumph over AIDS <ref>{{Cite web |title=Victory Over AIDS flag |url=https://flag.library.lgbt/flags/victory-over-aids/ |access-date=May 15, 2026 |website=|language=en}} </ref>. Both the Philadelphia Pride Flag and the Progress Pride Flag were met with some controversy and backlash for these reasons, but also praise and widespread adoption.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wareham |first=Jamie |title=Why Many LGBT People Have Started Using A New Pride Flag |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2020/07/12/why-lgbt-people-have-started-using-a-new-pride-flag-nhs-black-lives-matters/#7064356c125a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713030722/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2020/07/12/why-lgbt-people-have-started-using-a-new-pride-flag-nhs-black-lives-matters/#7064356c125a |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Compton |first=Julie |date=June 15, 2017 |title=Controversy flies over Philadelphia’s new Pride flag |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/controversy-flies-over-philadelphia-s-new-pride-flag-n772821 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
Quasar's iteration of the Pride of Progress flag is licensed under a Creative Commons license, which excludes commercial use. This has been criticized for not aligning with Baker's original intent for the flag's first iteration. Quasar has openly stated that small organizations can use the flag commercially, and the license was chosen to impose restrictions on large corporations. Quasar stated: "A changing point for me was when I started to see it getting used in a way that I didn’t personally agree with. Companies were snatching it up, making stuff out of it, and selling it without my attribution attached. It was purely rainbow capitalism based marketing…If you’re going to make money off of something that I created within my community it’s only fair that you give back not just to me as the artist, but the community itself, too."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Courtney |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Copyright, Pride, & Progress {{!}} Pride Month |url=https://copyrightalliance.org/copyright-pride-progress/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Copyright Alliance |language=en-US}}</ref> Criticism of the flag has also come from LGBTQ people of color, who felt that the flag, despite its inclusive intent, was created without consultation with the community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2022 |title=Mysterious flyers asking to boycott Progress Pride Flag posted around SF's Castro District |url=https://abc7news.com/post/progress-pride-flag-flyers-sf-castro-district-rainbow-lgbtq/12077610/ |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== *Racism in the LGBTQ community
== References == {{Reflist}} {{Template:LGBTQ}}
Category:LGBTQ flags Category:Anti-racism Category:Flags introduced in 2018 Category:Social inclusion Category:Transgender culture Category:Intersex history