The Bisexual Flag - Proudly Pulling My Panties up the Flagpole

[Brian]

http://main.bisexual.com/forum/images/misc/miscstuff/author11.jpgBy Heze Douglas

We often illustrate our identities with symbols, to locate ourselves, and to find our kindred. The bi-flag was born 7 years ago and has given us a new alternative to wrap about our bodies if we so choose. Given its young life and somewhat limited visibility, I don’t think I’ve actually laid my eyes on one “in the flesh.” To be fair though, I’m sure they have been toted through my hometown streets during Pride, at least. I dare say past my very nose, but I was probably too busy checking out all the cute ladies and gents to register this colourful swath. I can almost hear myself thinking “Hmm, that pink, purple and blue flag is a pretty version of the Pride flag…” and not taking the thought one step further. This made me wonder if others know about the bi-flag? Is it unknown, unrecognized, and unappreciated? Who does befriend this symbol and what does it mean to them?

Historically there have been many symbols adopted and used to identify different sects of queer culture. Some of these have been rejected as they have become dated or revealed as controversial. Certain picks are more visible than others, more desirable, more marketable. There are those of us who create our own symbols, not available for mass marketing, nor mass recognition, and those of us who reject all symbols of identification.

Throughout time queers have had symbols pinned to them against their will, and chosen to pin themselves with symbols. Peering back to the dark days prior to WW II, Hitler was rapidly gaining power, writing laws and creating his reign of terror. He made all forms of homosexuality illegal, including erotic dreams. During the war he put his law into practice and homosexual men were marked with a pink triangle upon arrest. Women who were known as feminists, lesbians, or prostitutes were marked with a black triangle. These symbols have been reclaimed to draw attention to past and present persecution, and to defy historical denial.

http://main.bisexual.com/forum/images/misc/miscstuff/symbol-lambda.gifThe Lambda symbol was adopted in the early 70’s by New York’s Gay Activist Alliance. This lowercase Greek L is associated with liberation. To the Spartans it resembled unity. And the Romans adopted the letter to mean “the light of knowledge shed into the darkness of ignorance.” The chemists and physicists use the Lambda to connote charged energy, me-ooow! In the past sporting the Lambda allowed you to breeze by gay bashing frat boys who would easily mistake it for a college frat symbol while your fellow gays could identify you with it. This is one of the more controversial numbers.

http://main.bisexual.com/forum/images/misc/miscstuff/symbol-labrys.gifA ladies pick has been the double-edged hatchet, known as the Labrys. It was used as a symbol of feminist and lesbian strength and self-sufficiency. Word has it most feminists eventually dropped the symbol leaving it for the lesbians. I can picture the labrys hugging the strong neck of my beloved past classmate, an old school lesbian.

The early 70’s also introduced the gender symbols for identity purposes, displaying either your sexuality or gender. The two interlocking male symbols for the gay boys, while the lesbians proudly started interlocking two female symbols. Trans people merged the cross and the arrow on the same ring. Another symbol used in the trans and intersex communities is the mercury symbol. This has a cross extending down to represent femininity and a crescent moon at the top to represent masculinity.

http://main.bisexual.com/forum/images/misc/miscstuff/symbol-rainbow.gifThe symbol most recognized by us modern queers is the rainbow flag. San Franciscan artist, Gilbert Baker, designed this flag and took it to Pride in 1978. It started out as 8 colours representing the various components of our culture: hot pink=sex, red=life, orange=healing, yellow=sun, green=nature, turquiose=art, indigo=harmony, violet=spirit. In its 1979 mass production pink and turquoise were dropped as they weren’t commercially available colours, and royal blue replaced indigo. Drop pink and turquoise? Sex and art? Maybe that’s why the current rainbow flag doesn’t resonate with me. In any case this six colour version has become visible like hickies the morning after a high school dance and is known as the symbol of gay pride and diversity. Although I don’t drape myself with this symbol I must admit if I’m going to an establishment outside of the queerborhood I do feel more at ease if the door is marked with the rainbow sign. And I tend to peer more curiously into cars I pass on the highway sporting the rainbow stripe.

http://main.bisexual.com/forum/images/misc/miscstuff/symbol-biflag.gifThen along came Michael Page. He feels that none of these symbols speak specifically to bisexuals. Upon talking to other bisexuals and searching his own experience he concluded that bi people need their own “flags and symbols to rally around.” In existence at this time were the bi-angles, the interlocking pink and blue triangles merging into purple. Page drew from these colours to design the bisexual flag. The top 40% of the flag is pink, the bottom 40% is blue, and the 20% midsection is purple. “The pink colour represents sexual attraction to the same sex (gay and lesbian), the blue represents sexual attraction to the opposite sex only (straight) and the resultant overlap purple represents sexual attraction to both sexes (bi). The pixels of colour blend unnoticeably into both the pink and blue, just as in the ‘real world’ where most bi people blend unnoticeably into both the gay/lesbian and straight communities.” This flag was unveiled on Dec.5, 1998.

“The intent and purpose of the flag is to maximize bisexual pride and visibility,” says Page. For journalistic purposes I called upon my sweet Saturday night date to drive us up and down the local queer neighborhood in search of such a flag. I felt like we were cruising the drag reminiscent of lost youth looking for action. None was to be found. Not a single bi-flag was flying in one of the world’s biggest queer villages. Not even a sticker pressed to a steamy window. I must note here that the lack of rainbow flags and signage surprised me too. Although they did exist there were less than I had imagined. Maybe it’s redundant in an already queer-identified neighborhood? I took my search a little further and checked some local queer run/friendly book and sex shops outside said neighbourhood. Nary a bi-flag anywhere. Ah, dear. I did however witness some bi-flag visibility when I searched Page’s Bi-Flag website. He has compiled pictures from international events that did have the bi-flag present. We see it flapping in the wind, and held in smiling hands at Pride celebrations in Florida, Rome, New York, and Reykavik Iceland. Not to mention various bisexual conferences, events, and activist happenings that have taken place since 1998. To learn more about Michael Page’s bi-flag endeavors go to: www.biflag.com

I decided to take a poll from a few bi-identified pals. “Are you familiar with the bi-flag?” A couple of respondents had never heard of it, while another was familiar with the bi triangles, and one had to check her fridge magnet to be sure.
“Do you identify with the bi-flag more than other queer symbols?”
-“My short answer is no, I don't identify with the bisexual pride flag. I don't like how gendered it is.”
-“I don’t identify with any queer symbols.”
-“I prefer the rainbow because it’s more representative of varied queer identities, not that I’m very drawn to the rainbow either.”
- “No, but could if I knew more about them.”

The final question “Would you buy, make, or wear any bi-gear?” got one yes, one no, one “maybe just for Pride, but probably not” and “I would never because my sexuality should be more subtle than symbolism.” Finally my pal Dez states that he really wants bi-coloured parachute pants with “One leg for the ladies, and the other for the gents.” Obviously this is just one small pocket of people, and we all need to find our own identities, their markers, and expression of these. I do not harbour any ill feelings towards those who deck themselves out in colours or symbols of choice. Myself, I’d have to say the only flag I need to wave is my panties at the boy or girl who has caught my eye. Or if I’m in the mood a little hanky coding a la navy blue, red, or houndstooth can complete my outfit with a dash of confidence and a splash of solidarity to my community and myself. But hey, chacun son gout and cada su propio.

If you’re up for some bi-gear why not whip up a little something? If you aren’t the crafty type there are no shortage of shops on-line and otherwise waiting to take cash off your hands and proudly deck you out in pink, blue, and purple. When browsing for availability I came across flags, key chains, posters, necklaces, stickers, pins, magnets, bracelets, and bookmarks. My personal favorite was the pin “Bi – twice as likely to have a date this weekend.” Ah, if only that were true…
www.biresource.org
www.biprideshop.com
www.bipridestore.com
www.desertpride.com
www.outsidethelines.biz

There you have it folks. Throughout history people have been eager to brand themselves and others through recognizable symbols. The bi-flag was born in wake of this movement and its lovely colours, and intentions are worming their way into many a bisexual heart. Others can leave them be. Will this flag become as recognized and appreciated as other queer signifiers have? Will it draw together in strength and celebration the solo shooters and gangs of bisexuals who are looking for each other? It just may. Is it for all of us? Does it need to be? Hey you already know what kind of flag I’m waving, and I’m happy with those panties of mine.

[EbyKat]

That was a great read.
While I've never really clung to any symbol I do have pride in who and what I am and like displaying those things as flamboyantly as possible.
And for the first time ever I now know why the bisexual flag is the way it is. :)

Thank you

[Biboz49]

I too have always wondered who designed these flags and why as well as the meaning behind the colors. I am a little discreet about displaying the symbol but I do, and I do it proudly even if I do it quietly. That was especially interesting about the lambda symbol and what it meant to various societys. :bipride:

[driventoboth]

Great read but I never was a flag-waver myself. Sex is what I do....not who I am. While I totally support those who struggle against repression and oppression over sex, I don't necessarily derive my identity from it. To say that I should wear this, drive that, listen to their music and talk like him simply because I enjoy sex with both genders is ludicrous. In short, I think there's a lot more to me than where I put my dick. The term "bisexuality" is enigmatic in and of itself. We all differ in our leanings and preferences to the point that I really feel we should simply use the term "sexual" to describe ourselves. :2cents:

[Lorcan]

I saw a rainbow choker on a clerk at 7-11, and another one on a clerk at safeway. It made me feel not so alone. Just imagine how we we all feel if we all wore them. If we were all born purple then everyone would know, and they'ld have to deal with it.

Noone knows what the bi colors mean except a small percentage of bisexuals. So I made me a rainbow bracelet with bi colored beads on it.

I will kiss the first person who knows what those beads mean! :tong:

[Flounder1967]

Great article.

I i now know what the colors of the flag stand for and I like it. I've never been a flag waver of any type execpt for the rid white and blue. I have seen the gay pride flag alot, but not the bi-pride flag. I would love to see people used it or wear it or do somehting with it. :flag3:

[Bum_Ditty]

Hello...
I haven't posted for quite a while, but I felt compelled to comment here.

I have three beads, one for each bi pride color, on my assemblage of keys; they are located on the secondary ring, which carries my car keys. Thus, while I keep it low-key, I do display the pride colors, albeit not terribly prominently. So far, there have been no responses or reprisals (or else no one has noticed; I usually don't have the keys out except when I actually use them.).

I also have the colors in beads on a key ring that is attached to one of the chains around my neck, under my shirt.

As I have said many times before (albeit not lately), I am not really very "out" as the saying goes -- yet I do feel a certain responsibility to make indentification slightly possible, just in case.

No wrapping myself in the bi flag for me, however.

Bum_Ditty :shades:

[Driver 8]

I find it hard to get behind the bi flag because, as the designer's said, the middle stripe symbolizes the way that bisexuals fade imperceptibly into the other two fields. So it's a symbol of visibility that represents ... invisibility?

I used to wear a triangular yin-yang earring, which was also the symbol of the now-defunct local bi group; had a Bisexual Pride T-shirt, too, so it's not like I'm shy.

Back when freedom rings were still big I used to wear a set, and it never failed to startle me when random people would recognize them and comment (always approvingly). There really are plenty of like-minded people in the world, however isolated you may feel, and for that reason I'd be happy to wear a bi pride symbol if I thought anyone would know what it meant. As it is, I'll probably wait until I actually see someone else wearing them.

[RainbowBright]

i am realy new to this community - as in.. i have only just acepted that i am a bisexual. i figured that a rainbow symbol would be a great way to support my community as well as the lesbian/gay community. boy was i wrong!!! we have an annual sex show here in my city and so i wore a rainbow barrette to show my support. i recieved some rather nasty looks from both the strait and gay/lesbian community. although i am not activly looking for a partner for my husband and i.. i feel that the more support is the better. i was frankly disapointed that i was treated that way. on top of this.. at a sex show.. where you see all types of things.. from bondage to gay and lesbian to drag queen shows.. one would think that they would have some sort of symbol... or anything else that would show off the proud bisexual... but alas.. not at this show.. or anywhere else for that mater. i did some research and found out the bi symbols, and meanings , and colors.. and i wear them proudly!!! my friends know what it all means.. and i know eventually other bisexual symbols and colors will become recognised world wide.. one just has to be patient. untill that time.. i will continue to support the wide communities around me and anyone who askes what the colors .. or the symbols mean, will get an education leson from me

Bright

[MintyFresh]

http://main.bisexual.com/forum/images/misc/miscstuff/author11.jpgBy Heze Douglas

If you’re up for some bi-gear why not whip up a little something? If you aren’t the crafty type there are no shortage of shops on-line and otherwise waiting to take cash off your hands and proudly deck you out in pink, blue, and purple. When browsing for availability I came across flags, key chains, posters, necklaces, stickers, pins, magnets, bracelets, and bookmarks. My personal favorite was the pin “Bi – twice as likely to have a date this weekend.” Ah, if only that were true…
www.biresource.org
www.biprideshop.com
www.bipridestore.com
www.desertpride.com
www.outsidethelines.biz



These places charge extortionate P&P for overseas customers. I posted last week asking if anyone knew of any UK outlets, but nobody seems to. So I thought I'd hassle one of the many UK places that stocks merchandise for gay men and women, and will share the correspondance with you.

Me:
Thought I would let you know I like your site, and it has a great range of stuff on sale, apart from the fact that there is no bi pride merchandise at
all. I know the rainbow theme is intended to cover all expressions of
sexuality, but maybe you could investigate stocking some of the
blue/purple/pink or MFF/MMF symbol accessories and bi-themed cards,
stickers, etc. which seem to be common in the US but not so readily
available in the UK.

Them:
thank you for your comments. We have no immediate plans for extending the range of pride merchandising we carry but I will bear your comments in mind in the future.

Oh well, at least they replied.

Might have to go with a rainbow instead, but a little concerned about a reaction like another poster (sorry, I forget who) commented; it being seen as exclusively a gay symbol rather than all-encompassing.

Minty

[Driver 8]

Them:
thank you for your comments. We have no immediate plans for extending the range of pride merchandising we carry but I will bear your comments in mind in the future.


You might consider replying to thank them and ask them to let you know when they get some bi pride items in stock. Kind of a subtle way of reminding them that they're turning away business. ;)

[Bi-ten]

Hi Minty,

I'm not sure what your closet condition is like, but maybe you should consider being a distributer for bi items in the UK. It could be fun and profitable!

Just a thought.

[Iowabiguy]

I am very interested in this thread because I am in the process of deciding just how much I want to be out to people other than a select group of friends. I already have my Unitarian and Democratic bumper stickers but I just don't know if I have the courage to put a Bi-Pride bumper sticker on my car yet. I am positive my female friend would be supportive...yet it seems weak to be afraid. Of course, I am not out to most of my family and seeing anything that indicated that I was bi might start a huge scene. I am really trying to come out to more people but is it wrong to just never tell anyone in my family except my sister? Can't I just go to the Pride Parade and belong to the GLBT group at church? Do I have to wave a flag and bring down scorn from my family?

[12voltman59]

I am very interested in this thread because I am in the process of deciding just how much I want to be out to people other than a select group of friends. I already have my Unitarian and Democratic bumper stickers but I just don't know if I have the courage to put a Bi-Pride bumper sticker on my car yet. I am positive my female friend would be supportive...yet it seems weak to be afraid. Of course, I am not out to most of my family and seeing anything that indicated that I was bi might start a huge scene. I am really trying to come out to more people but is it wrong to just never tell anyone in my family except my sister? Can't I just go to the Pride Parade and belong to the GLBT group at church? Do I have to wave a flag and bring down scorn from my family?

Iowa brings up some very good points, most of which reflect my feelings on this subject.

I say to Iowa and everyone else, go with what you feel comfortable with.

At this point in my life--I am nowhere near the point of "being out" about this for I am still trying to sort it all out and make sense of this whole thing. I don't have any idea as to where I "fit" into the bisexual world or where bisexuality fits into my life. It is still a work very much in process.

At this point--the issue of how we as bisexuals identify ourselves to the rest of the world is something that I am not yet concerned. I am sure, that at some point in the future, I will arrive at that level.

Basically, whatever is developed to express bisexuality will be fine by me. Whether I ever make use of such identifiers--I have no idea.

The main point I want to make in this post is this: if you choose to openly and freely identify yourself as a bisexual, trisexual,nosexual, or whatever--then do it. If you don't care to--then don't.

Everyone finds his or her own way to live---it would be nice if the world would really allow everyone to live their lives as they see fit.

[Whitney]

Hey this is whitney i am new to the site and am not quite sure how it works someone care to explane how do you communicate with others

[Maui-Dave]

I have some bi pride items. When I'm not at work I wear a beaded necklace and a beaded anklet with the bi pride colors. I also have some beads on my key chain too. And in my house some decorative candles in the same colors. I'm out to most of my friends, so they know what the colors mean. Other than them, I can't say I've seen the bi-flag or others wearing the colors. The jewelry has started a few conversations though as people liked the colors. It may never catch on to the extent that some would like, but I enjoy wearing it. :)

:flag4:

[blackcat16]

wow that was a good read Ilearned something new

[crowznest]

Ok so it's true I don't know everything! I now want to display a flag.....Maybe I could bead my own setup on my loom are somthing? HHHmm well thanks for the knowledge and I'll be looking at these threads from now on! :cool:

[wanderingrichard]

oh! oh! can i put my panties up the flagpole? pleeezepleezepleeze??? oh wait, i dont wear them.. hhhhmmmm maybe i should try it... any recommendations for a place that has panties that will fit a man with a 39 waist? i want something sexy, not those everyday granny grundies ;)

[bishavedmale4u]

I used colored thread and put the bi colors on a money clip so that I could show my colors if and when I want to. I dont think anyone has picked up on it yet though
:flag2:

[birugratchic]

i love the bi pride symbolism and colors. i just recently got this tattoo representing female/female/male & the colors are 40% pink(the gays/lesbians), 20% purple(bisexual), and 40% blue(straight). when put together the two colors equal purple (bisexual) my favorite color. enjoy

[Dai1961]

Got the flag on the back of my car, I have had a few people ask about it, one straight female at work who thought i was joking when I said it was for bi pride, and some gay men in my nudist group who didn't know there was a bi flag,,,, they know now!

:bipride:
Dai

[tattootears2000]

:bipride: i never actually knew there was a bi pride flag out there , hell since i know theres a symbol out there that we can all call our own ima get it tatooed on my neck and let ppl know i have pride , :bipride:

[musically inclined]

Hey there, good excerpt. Since I am a new member and I have just recently became more active in my bisexuality, it's great to know that we as bisexuals have our own represention of our orientation. And at Pride I will be rockin' yeaahhh boy!!! :bipride: :flag1:

[little clown]

Hi,

I have a website with Bi Pride logos on it.
(self made stuff, nothing fancy).

The "ironic" thing is that I don't really believe in things like gay pride
or bi pride.
I mean, I'm definitely not ashamed of being bi, but proud?
No, I just AM.

Why have you got a website with Bi Pride logos on it then, you might ask.
Well, for those who are proud of being bi and want to let the world know
about it.
...Oh, if this describes you, my site can be found at:

http://home.planet.nl/~chrysalis/bigraphics.html

On my Website, I've used the colors of the bi pride in my logos a lot.
Mostly because I don't have high quality picture editing software
and using these colors in a logo is a lot easier than creating
overlapping triangles or overlapping mars and venus symbols from scratch.
(I have been able to make a few items with these in them though.)
Besides, I like the color combination of the flag.
I don't like the symbolism behind the use of the colors.

Take care,
Dani

[kandy71]

I'm new to the site. Thank you for all the information, it was well written and very informative! I am bisexual and like the idea of having a symbol that shows what I am. Now I won't get flack from others for being so called confused. :bipride:

[little clown]

Originally Posted by kandy71
I'm new to the site. Thank you for all the information, it was well written and very informative! I am bisexual and like the idea of having a symbol that shows what I am. Now I won't get flack from others for being so called confused.

Hi kandy71,

Oops, I'd almost missed your introduction.
I'm sorry you're getting so much flack from people who think you're confused.

Welcome to the forum!

Take care,
Dani

[sassy_scientist]

Thank you for the info! I'm new to the site and I really enjoyed reading your post. Thanks!! :flag1:

[but that's my name!!]

Thank you, have a gold star and a big fat kiss.
I recognise some of the symbols used but recently I bumped into the bi flag plastered all over the place, I was going to try to look it up on the internet but how do you look up something like that if you don't know what it's called?

Anyway I've always liked the rainbow flag, it's bright, bold, unmissable and I think it's pretty (I'd love to see the 8 coloured version) but this bi flag, okay fantastic we now have our own flag (yipee I think), but Eik it's ugly. My favorite colour varies between pink and purple but that thing is just horrible.

[but that's my name!!]

:bibounce: :flag3: :bipride: :flag3: :bibounce: okay I've been thinking about this bi flag thing and I'm kinda convinced, I like the rainbow but it's not really mine, just on loan. So lets wave a flag :) :flag3: :bibounce:

[darkeyes]

Not that sure its important to have our own flag but sure why not? Title of this thread has always reminded me of time when away for a particularly filthy an yummie weekend we drove through Inverness wiv our recently removed knickers tied 2 the car aerial. Fuzz wer less than happy an we got stopped an told in no uncertain terms that this wos unseemly an 2 take em off. At this statement we broke up in2 hysterical giggles an it musta been 10 minutes before we wer able 2 carry on wiv our journey. Funniest thing wos the humourless sod breathalised me gf cos he thought the gigglin wos a sign we wer pissed as farts!

Always wondered wot the fuss wos bout cos they wer clean on that mornin!

[FerociousFeline]

I am not out to most of my family and seeing anything that indicated that I was bi might start a huge scene. I am really trying to come out to more people but is it wrong to just never tell anyone in my family except my sister? Can't I just go to the Pride Parade and belong to the GLBT group at church? Do I have to wave a flag and bring down scorn from my family?

I'm in pretty much the same situation. My solution? I wear solid purple a lot. Or I wear purple and black.

FF

[mindfinding]

I'm recently coming into the understanding of my bi persons, so Hi. I'm glad the site is here. It is greatly appreciated. Heres my first post.....

On the topic (and a great article btw), I'm not one for flag waving with anything sexual, nor am I prone to happily using the word pride with things concerning orientation. At the same time though, I feel some comfort in knowing that someone took the time to put those colors together. I don't care for the color scheme (needs yellow if you ask me), But I'm touched. I may need to get a key chain.

*Thanks again for having this site put together. It looks great. Many useful pieces here. Thanx.

[DCoke]

Without any foreknowledge, or any indicator I knew what it was the very first time I saw it.


Originally Posted by Iowabiguy
I am not out to most of my family and seeing anything that indicated that I was bi might start a huge scene. I am really trying to come out to more people but is it wrong to just never tell anyone in my family except my sister? Can't I just go to the Pride Parade and belong to the GLBT group at church? Do I have to wave a flag and bring down scorn from my family?

Is it important? Depends on your goals in life.
Should you if you don't want to? Again, depends on your goals in life.
What do you want? Do you want to change the world, or just live your life?
If you don't want your family to know then don't tell them. There are smart reasons to tell people or not tell people, there are activist reasons to tell people. But there's no rule saying everyone has to know.

[DCoke]

I do identify with the flag. And I find purpose in flag waving. And my bisexuality is more than who I have sex with (it's who I love too). It's empowering and makes it a bit harder for antis to ignore us. It's a fuck you to those who would fuck with us.

[bi-robin-calif]

Maybe we need our own secret handshake, like the Mason's. <g>

[teamnoir]

The bi flag is pathetic and it's stupid that we even have one. I wouldn't proudly wave it since it's a futile gesture, and nobody knows what it even means.

I don't wave any flags relating to my orientation, my kinks, or whatever as I see it something that's pointless.

[bim469ky]

I love the look of our flag. I think it proudly states who we are. I have a pic of it plus a bi pride design on my cell phone. :male: :bipride:

[ohbimale]

I like the Bi Pride Flag and do wear it occassionally. I have also been known to wear the Gay Pride Flag too. I can relate to both and enjoy wearing them. :flag3: :male: :male:

[DiamondDog]

I'm not that big of a fan of flags for sexual politics.

I prefer just to be myself and not wave a flag or have a symbol at all associated with me or my sexuality.

I see the idea of flags as a silly one and I see it as a pointless gesture that's based on an "Us vs. Them" mentality/tactic of control towards others or a disdain for outsiders from the group.

I mean you don't see heterosexuals going out and making up their own flag and waving it around. There aren't individual flags based on someone's gender like if they are a man or a woman, or a flag for humanity itself.

As much as I associate with the bear/leather/BDSM/GLBT "communities" I don't feel the need to wave their flags.

Let's start a new one like "the annoyed by the flag lovers" or "Not another Flag, Get a Life" or "would you like a ribbon with that flag?" Flag. :)

OK, I take it back, there’s one flag that I like and that’s PFLAG, which isn’t really a flag/symbol at all. ;)

[Tygress75]

A very interesting article with some well-made points. I personally feel having bisexual symbolism is quite important to further our identity, support, and acceptance as a community. :flag1: To wit, as a community, bisexuals are largely invisible with little support or knowledge of each other's existance. Often, one's sexuality is associated by outsiders according to the person you are with, not on YOUR feelings. If you happen to be dating a member of the opposite gender, people assume you're straight and vice versa, when one or both persons could be, in fact, bisexual. How can you tell? :confused:

Many on this board have already admitted to being unfamiliar with the BiFlag and what it symbolizes. :flag3: I've read posts for persons looking for bisexual bars to meet people at, with the end result that they are gay/lesbian bars that may be bi-friendly. Many bisexuals feel that the Rainbow Flag and GLBT community is more GL and a lot less BT, and do not identify with those communities and their symbolism. It's no small thing that many in that community feel we're just making a transition to being fully gay or lesbian. :banghead:

It's difficult enough trying to find commonality in a community that's as varied as it's members... and our numbers are small considering the number of individuals who have had bisexual encounters but do not identify as bisexual, and those who are "fully out" as bisexual, and everything in between. What can we use as some sort of common bond between such a varied group such as ourselves? What can help us to gain visibility & support in a world that considers us invisible? What can help the neophyte bisexual find a place to go when they need help in explaining that their feelings are okay, normal and give them the support they need in their newly-identified orientation? In short, bisexual symbols & pride such as the bi-angles, the biflag and the pink-purple-blue color scheme. :bipride:

We could argue the aesthetics of the biflag, etc. It's a moot point. We need to embrace its symbolism, make it a recognizable part of our society, in as much as the gay & lesbian community has embraced the rainbow flag and their symbols and have become very visible in the process. :rainbow: Only then will we start to shift from the invisible to the visible, come together as more of a community on our own standing and be more able to help others in their struggle to accept their newly-discovered sexual orientation, and also realize that sexuality, like many other facets of human life, is not strictly "gay/lesbian" or "straight" but everything in between. :flag4:

You're not the flag-waving type? That's fine! You're only "out" to yourself and/or a select few (this describes me)? That's fine, too! I'm sure you can still find discreet ways to show the bi-pride colors. :bibounce: I make jewlery as a hobby, and have made a few tasteful bracelets and a necklace and wear them when I see fit. You don't need to streak your neighborhood naked wearing pink-purple-blue body paint & a smile :flag1: (although if you do, please invite me :bigrin: ). You can be as forward or discreet with your bi-pride wear as you like, but still represent so we can build as a community and come out from behind the shadows of others. :grouphug:

[balto38]

Thank you, have a gold star and a big fat kiss.
I recognise some of the symbols used but recently I bumped into the bi flag plastered all over the place, I was going to try to look it up on the internet but how do you look up something like that if you don't know what it's called?

Anyway I've always liked the rainbow flag, it's bright, bold, unmissable and I think it's pretty (I'd love to see the 8 coloured version) but this bi flag, okay fantastic we now have our own flag (yipee I think), but Eik it's ugly. My favorite colour varies between pink and purple but that thing is just horrible.

the flag does look a little dull. maybe if the colors were brighter. or the rainbow colors upsidedown as a suggestion for a bi flag.

[philly1]

the colors are enchanting,love my flag bi,

[Devildog78]

How About This for a Bisexual Flag?
http://allflagwallpaper.com/images/american-flag-2-1024x768.jpg

I relate more to this than some Magenta, Purple and Blue stripes.
And to get philosophical about those colors...why choose a color pattern that is at the end of the Rainbow spectrum of the Gay Pride Flag?

I find it defeatist if you ask me.

[MarieDelta]

The colors are representative

Blue - for those that seem straight because of their relationship

Magenta - for the invisibility of Bisexuals everywhere

Pink - for those that appear gay because of their relationship

so its not about "relating to" or "colors at the end of the gay rainbow"

Its about the community, about us.

But, as is normal with communities , if you'd rather use something else, go ahead, you might not be recognized (at least at first.)

This is our movement, and everyone is invited.

[wiz1066]

I bought a rainbow flag off the internet a while ago but my ex boy friend, who himself is gay, went and stole it. I think I'll use that as sign that I should buy a bi pride flag. :flag4:

Incidentally the site I got the rainbow flag from also sells bi pride flags but they’re more expensive and with no clear indication as to why. Ruddy cheek .

[76135]

Here's how I kind of see things...


http://www.thepassionplace.net/gabilewhwhwh.html

[BiCycler]

Aesthetics is subjective at best. I don't think the flag is any great triumph of beauty. I don't think it's meant to be. It is meant to be symbolic, representative. Any person familiar with flags and flag meanings will tell you that the more powerful flags are those with the simplest, (non-decorated) design.
Someone earlier in this thread talked about pride, saying they, 'are not ashamed, but proud?'. I believe that person was expressing that they did not feel proud about their sexuality. I get that. That's a little like me saying I'm proud I'm white (more like light pink actually). I'm not ashamed , or proud of either. But that is the point, I think. Why do some of us feel afraid to come out? Shame. Not all of us are afraid to come out. I'm partially there and so far have met with more success than disaster. I also feel like a weight is gone from off my shoulders, a freedom that I had not known before. Mostly, I think because I and my declared sexuality have in large part been accepted, often embraced and sometimes even opened the door to others who are doing the same. With most people I encounter, since stepping out of the closet into the light, I feel I can relax and just be me. What a huge difference this has made for me. Especially when new people enter my life and they know me as bisexual: it is no big deal either positively or negatively. It's like a non-issue but not a subject to be avoided either. Once in a while I come across someone who is less than friendly about it and if someone else doesn't make a comment in my defense, I can, with the knowledge that people important to me have absolutely no issue with my sexuality, deal with the situation in such a way that I end up feeling right and certain that my sexuality is not my problem but is that other individual's problem. Let him or her own it, I have life to live and more important things to put my energies to.
So, what is the point? I think the Bisexual Flag is important, at least during transition from fear and shame to freedom and acceptance. I don't mean an individual's progress through self-acceptance to being out, I mean until invisibility, ignorance, intollerance and hatred is all but extinguished, we need a symbol that validates us (to the ignorant, not to ourselves) and helps to build community and identity. There will always be those that feel alone in regards to their sexuality; I was one of those for a long time. While there was something in my upbringing/experience/makeup that allowed me to feel strong enough to accept my sexuality long before I even knew there were other bisexuals (how naive I felt when revelations about people's sexuality became a part of my life experience and finally when I discovered this site). Reflecting on the period I was alone, I did not feel I was missing anything. Now that I'm not alone and have access to the shared experience of others, I understand more about myself and all the conclusions I arrived at about my sexuality and it validates most of that hard work I did to get there. Imagine what that might feel like for someone who today has not found that common ground. One of the revelations I experienced since coming here and only recently is the notion of fluidity. I called notion cycling, hence the nick. I was sure I was the only one who cycled through feelings about women and men. I am ok with not being typical, even though I am discovering more and more that I am typical. My uncertainty with the "normality" of my shifting desires was exacerbated by the comments from gay poeple I call friends. They were telling me there is no such thing as bisexuality. I remained certain there is but had no one else in my world to confirm that. I was not upset to be the only one, I was just very sure I must not be the only one. I began to think there might be something wrong with the fact that I could not (or wasn't) 'settling' on attraction to either men, women or both but had shifting desires instead. I love being bisexual and always have. I hated how that sexuality cycled. After doing much of the hard work by myself to find an understanding of the fluid nature of my sexuality and separating fluidity from bi-gender attraction, I started to seek collective knowledge and wisdom about the topic. It is here that I have come to understand that fluidity is very common. I put a lot of hard work and energies towards that understanding. I feel that if I had encountered others and became more aware earlier, that those resources might have been available for me to work on other mysteries of this thing we call life. (Although the very exercise might in and of itself reap a bigger reward than if I was spoon fed the same). I can not help but to think about those people that are sitting alone at home wondering. Some feeling they are 'bad, wrong, evil, broken etc.'. Some knowing they are not those things, but feeling isolated none-the-less. Providing a symbol helps those people to see the otherwise invisible. It helps to bring people together under a common cause. It helps people to feel a sense of belonging. For that, I display the flag and believe in it's merit.
To the poster that put up the flag of the United States as the symbol for bisexuality, all I can say is ugh. Not as a symbol for a country. For that, I think it's great.:flag2::rainbow: