Pride season has started and a question came up in many messages sent it to us: Should we use the “traditional” or the “progressive” flag? Not unexpectedly it became an emotional discussion. Some see it as transphobia and racism when we don’t use the “progressive” flag. We think it’s time to talk.
The traditional pride flag
The original rainbow flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978. The colors reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender.
The progressive Pride flagThe progressive flag was designed by Daniel Quasar in June 2018. He wanted to raise awareness for the struggle for the most marginalised groups – people of colour (PoC) and trans people, namely – in our community.
To make it clear, we support the intention of the progressive flag. Racism and transphobia have no place in our community. But it’s 2025 now and most big corporations have changed their flags. You see the new flag everywhere and it already feels like an obligation. Understandably everyone wants to show solidarity in the pride season and not risk brand backlash.
Since we are part of the LGBTQ+ community, this is an important topic for us. So let us be the one who loudly asks: Is it really progress to make the new flag the standard?
The traditional flag stands for unconditional love for everyone. Highlighting one group can be seen as inequality by others. This in combination with social pressure can lead to quieting other voices and skeptical mistrust. Not all trans people or PoC want to be singled out within the community. They just want to be an equal part. We worry the new flag is unintentionally leading to division and it will be even harder to progress.
The new flag originated in the USA and for sure has relevance for the Western world. But what about countries where the majority are PoC? Each country has its very own issues to be highlighted. That’s why we don’t believe that the new flag will be accepted internationally. As a result, we would lose the one simple flag that unites us worldwide.
The traditional rainbow flag is also free to use for everyone. In contrast, the new flag is under copyright by Daniel Quasar, who said “I don’t believe in the continuous stigma that art is free and artists are poor.” We agree, but please don’t monetise our rainbow! The flag we all use should never be anyone’s legal property.
One of our principles is: “We value all the same, irrespective of their age, gender, race or payment status.” That’s why we love the intention of the new flag. But at the same time, we will not make it our standard flag.
Wave whatever flag you want, just do it with happiness and pride. But don’t forget, actions speak louder than flags. We believe that we have the best chances for progress if we do it under one flag that unites us all.
Gilbert Baker created the rainbow flag and intentionally never trademarked it. He chose to see the rainbow flag as his gift to the world. He even returned to San Francisco to recreate the banners and flags he originally made in the 1970s to bring authenticity to the Academy Award-winning feature film Milk (2008).
An interview with Gilbert Baker when his original flag design has been acquired for the prestigious MOMA’s design collection in New York City here.
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