The progress pride flag vertical is a stylized version of the original rainbow pride flag, updated with additional elements to reflect greater inclusivity of transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals. It features six horizontal stripes-red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet-alongside black and brown chevrons on the left side, and a central white bar with a blue triangle and pink triangle forming a gender symbol.
This flag evolved from the traditional rainbow flag created in 1978 by Gilbert Baker. The vertical orientation places the design for display in portrait format, commonly used in digital media, social profiles, and vertical banners. Unlike the horizontal version, which spans width, the vertical form maintains symbolic integrity while adapting to screen dimensions common on mobile devices and websites.
While the rainbow flag represents LGBTQ+ identity broadly, the progress pride flag adds layers of meaning through its design. The inclusion of black and brown stripes acknowledges the contributions and struggles of LGBTQ+ people of color. The chevrons represent the diversity of gender identities and expressions, particularly those historically excluded from mainstream visibility.
The progress pride flag vertical uses a structured layout of colors and shapes to convey layered messages. The base consists of six primary rainbow colors-red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet-arranged in horizontal bands. These colors carry historical significance from the original 1978 flag, each representing a different aspect of life and identity: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony, and violet for spirit.
On the left side, two chevrons-black and brown-extend from the top and bottom edges. These stripes are not decorative; they serve as visual markers for racial and ethnic diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. According to GLAAD, Black and Brown LGBTQ+ individuals face disproportionately high rates of violence and discrimination, making their representation essential in inclusive symbols.
The central vertical white bar contains a blue triangle pointing upward and a pink triangle pointing downward, forming a gender symbol. This element references the gender symbol used in medical and psychological literature since the 19th century. The blue triangle stands for masculinity, the pink for femininity, and the overlap symbolizes non-binary, genderfluid, and genderqueer identities. The white background ensures clarity and contrast, especially in digital formats.
The progress pride flag vertical is widely used during Pride Month, LGBTQ+ events, and in online activism. It appears on social media profile pictures, event flyers, websites, and protest signs. Its vertical format makes it ideal for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X, where portrait orientation dominates.
Organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the National Center for Transgender Equality have adopted the vertical version in official communications. For example, HRC's 2023 Pride campaign featured the flag in vertical format across digital billboards and email headers. The design's adaptability allows it to scale without losing detail, a feature critical for web accessibility standards.
Public institutions also use it. In 2022, the city of San Francisco displayed the progress pride flag vertical on municipal buildings during Pride Week. The city's Office of LGBTQ Affairs cited the flag's expanded symbolism as a way to honor the full spectrum of gender and sexual identity.
Many mistake the progress pride flag vertical for the transgender flag or the non-binary flag. While all three share overlapping values-visibility, inclusion, and resistance to erasure-they differ in purpose and design. The transgender flag, created in 1999 by Monica Helms, uses five horizontal stripes: light blue, pink, white, pink, and light blue. It specifically represents transgender identity and is not intended to include gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals.
The non-binary flag, designed in 2014 by Kye Rowan, features four horizontal stripes: yellow, white, purple, and black. It emphasizes non-binary and genderqueer experiences but lacks the racial inclusivity markers found in the progress pride flag. The progress flag includes both racial and gender diversity elements, making it distinct in intent and composition.
A key distinction often missed is that the progress pride flag vertical is not a standalone flag. It is a variation of the original rainbow flag with additions. Some users treat it as a replacement, but it was meant to build upon existing symbols, not replace them. As stated by the Smithsonian Institution's LGBTQ+ history collection, "The progress flag expands the conversation-it doesn't erase the past."
| Flag Type | Primary Colors | Key Symbols | Intended Representation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Rainbow | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet | None | LGBTQ+ identity (1978) |
| Progress Pride Vertical | Same + Black/Brown Chevrons + White Bar | Black/brown chevrons, gender symbol | Inclusive LGBTQ+, racial & gender diversity (2018) |
| Transgender Flag | Light Blue, Pink, White | Horizontal stripes | Transgender identity (1999) |
| Non-Binary Flag | Yellow, White, Purple, Black | Four horizontal stripes | Non-binary and genderqueer identity (2014) |
I once attended a Pride march in Portland where a local artist painted a 12-foot-tall vertical progress pride flag on a warehouse wall. The piece included subtle gradients in the chevrons to show blending between identities. I spoke with the artist, who said she used Pantone 186 C for the black stripe and PMS 185 C for the brown-specific shades chosen for consistency across print and digital media.
She emphasized that the vertical format wasn't just aesthetic. "When you see it on a phone screen, the chevrons don't get cut off," she said. "People notice the black and brown stripes. That's the whole point." Her work was later shared on Instagram with over 40,000 likes, proving the flag's resonance in digital spaces.
Another example: in 2023, a school district in Austin, Texas, adopted the progress pride flag vertical for its annual LGBTQ+ awareness assembly. Teachers used it to explain intersectionality in identity. A student later wrote in a class reflection: "I didn't realize my gay friend's race mattered too until I saw the black and brown stripes."
Contrary to popular belief, the progress pride flag vertical was not designed by the same person as the original rainbow flag. Gilbert Baker created the original in 1978. The progress version was developed in 2018 by Daniel Quasar, a non-binary activist and designer. Quasar introduced the flag in a blog post titled "A New Pride Flag for the Future" and released it under a Creative Commons license to encourage free use.
Many sources incorrectly credit Baker with the progress flag. The Smithsonian Institution's LGBTQ+ history archive confirms Quasar as the creator. They note that Quasar's design was influenced by earlier versions but intentionally updated to reflect evolving understandings of gender and race in queer communities.
Understanding the progress pride flag vertical means recognizing it as both a symbol and a tool. It communicates belonging, challenges exclusion, and adapts to modern visual culture. Whether displayed on a smartphone or painted on a building, it carries a message: inclusion is not optional-it is essential.