What does the bisexual flag represent?

submitted by PeakingPeachEater from (self.Bisexuals)

Here is what they say in Spanish: Bandera del orgullo bisexualidad

  • Franja magenta: Representa la atracción hacia tu mismo género.
  • Franja azul: Representa la atracción hacia el/los género opuesto/s.
  • Franja lavanda: Representa a la bisexualidad en general.

::ENGLISH TRANSLATION::

  • Pink/Magenta Stripe : Represents attraction toward same-sex.

  • Blue Stripe : Represents attraction toward opposite-sex.

  • Purple/Lavender stripe : Represents bisexuality in general.

Now, here is what they say in Portguese: Bandeira do orgulho bissexual

A faixa magenta (cor de rosa) no topo da bandeira representa a atração sexual e/ou romântica ao mesmo gênero somente; a faixa azul real no fundo da bandeira representa a atração sexual e/ou romântica ao gênero oposto somente; as faixas ficam sobrepostas no centro em quinto lugar da bandeira para formar uma sombra profunda da lavanda (purpúra), que representa a atração sexual ou/e romântica a ambos os gêneros, uma ambivalência.

::ENGLISH TRANSLATION::

The magenta strip on top represents sexual and/or romantic attraction to same gender only; the royal blue represents on the bottom represents sexual and/or romantic attraction to the opposite gender only; the lines continue to overlap in the center in the 5th place of the flag to form a deep shade of lavender(purple), that represents an attraction sexual and/or romantic to both genders, an ambivalence.

Finally the English version...:Bisexual pride flag

The colors chosen above were used as so: The pink is for same-sex/gender attraction, blue is for different sex/gender attraction, and purple is to represent the attraction across the gender spectrum and attraction to Non-binary individuals.

....the meanings are all slightly different throughout each of these pages...

Here's more interesting history behind the flag:

The bisexual pride flag was designed by Michael Page in 1998 to give the bisexual community its symbol comparable to the gay pride flag of the larger LGBT community. He aimed to increase the visibility of bisexuals, both among society as a whole and within the LGBT community. The first bisexual pride flag was unveiled at the BiCafe's first-anniversary party[1] on December 5, 1998.[2]

Here is what Michael Page said the meaning of his flag was:

Page describes the meaning of the pink, lavender, and blue (ratio 2:1:2) flag[1] as this: "The pink color represents sexual attraction to the same sex only (gay and lesbian). The blue represents sexual attraction to the opposite sex only (straight) and the resultant overlap color purple represents sexual attraction to both sexes (bi)."*

The deeper meaning:

Page describes the flag’s meaning in deeper terms, stating "The key to understanding the symbolism of the Bisexual pride flag is to know that the purple pixels of color blend unnoticeably into both the pink and blue, just as in the 'real world,' where bi people blend unnoticeably into both the gay/lesbian and straight communities."

Michael Page may also be a gender critical bisexual like us! :D

NOTE: on the translations, for Spanish, technically género means gender, but we use it interchangeable with sex though...I am not too sure if nowadays they use it to mean "gender" as separate from sex... Same with the portuguese translation, gênero means gender too...but not sure if they use it for political reasons nowadays...

I tried to look for a Mandarin Chinese(普通话) wiki page but LOL they don't have one but I am also not surprised...

EDIT: formatting

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[–]clitoriana 9 insightful - 1 fun9 insightful - 0 fun10 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I like how explicit Michael Page was about SEX-BASED attraction. I don't think it necessarily means he was gender critical because his comments were from the late 90s, and I think maybe that was before it became an unforgivable sin to know that biological sex exists. However, it would be nice if so. Interesting post and comparisons.

[–]PeakingPeachEater[S] 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

That's very true---not sure if Michael Page would still hold the same definition to this day. It was just a nice thought and sorta a "gotcha" we can use too, if the TRAs try to change the definition---because even someone as prominent as Michael Page said sexes instead of gender.

I tried finding more information on Michael Page, but I haven't had much success.

I found Page's old website which is now archived. Apart from that, found news that a group called BiNet tried to ™ Michael Page's flag{despite Page saying anyone can use it}, so they can get ¥€¢£$. Lastly...Found a picture that might be Michael Page.

I wonder when the gender craze formed? My best guess is the 2010s--but unsure. It looks like they added the T in the 1990s but then I read that the T was around since Stonewall(1969), which I admit to knowing zilch about and need to study/research more.

[–]ac-dc 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I love the meaning behind the bisexual flag. Something about it is just so nice.

[–]clitoriana 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

I've been thinking about this some more and it makes me angry that this is even in the article: "The colors chosen above were used as so: The pink is for same-sex/gender attraction, blue is for different sex/gender attraction, and purple is to represent the attraction across the gender spectrum and attraction to Non-binary individuals."

There's no source and that's not what Michael Page said. The CREATOR of the flag did not say anything about gender spectrums or non-binary people.

I have to admit that usually seeing the bi flag makes me feel embarrassed because so many people talk about us like we're a joke. But knowing what he really intended when he designed it makes me proud of it. I like the deeper symbolism.

[–]PeakingPeachEater[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

Yes, I'm getting tired of the TQ+ self insertions and them forcing THEIR definitions onto us. It never said ANYTHING about non-binary or 'spectrum'. They completely pulled that out of thin air.

I might do a lesbian/gay flag analysis later to see if there are some more differences and post it in s/LGBDroptheT. Idk if it would be redundant though since they already posted threads on their flags on many different occasions.

[–]clitoriana 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

I think it would be cool and useful if you did a full post of comparisons/analysis with all three flags.

[–]PeakingPeachEater[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Thanks! I just now completed the analysis. It took me a while and I may have missed a couple of things..Had to do it a bit differently than the bisexual analysis.

Here is the thread: LGB Flag Analysis

[–]clitoriana 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Oh no, it looks like it was removed. :( I don't know why. I hope you saved everything you typed up.

[–]PeakingPeachEater[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It shows up when I log in, but when I logout I see it's been removed...

The mods didn't message me with a reason why. :/

/u/clitoriana, the mods said it was accidentally filtered so the link works now for the LGB Analysis lol.

I also need to respond back to your other comment! Which I will do when I get off work haha.

[–]BiHorror 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

on the translations, for Spanish, technically género means gender, but we use it interchangeable with sex though

As far as I know, we use it to mean sex. Especially those away from all of those TQ vs GC stuff and those on the older side. Double especially since that's what led to the whole "Latinx" and "gender neutral" related stuff that others were trying to make despite Latino already existing. Actual, non-pickme, Latinos did NOT like that at all.

If Page was honestly tho, I would be drop the flag. But this dude was around the 90s so who knows. I know trying to search him up is like pulling teeth... There's barely anything on him specifically. Then there's also the whole "bisexual+" or "sexual attraction to same sex or gender identity" that pops up.

[–]PeakingPeachEater[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Not sure which country you're from, but my uncle said the official meaning of "genero" is "gender". I was curious if they use it interchangeable these days like it was in English speaking countries.

But I do know each country differs in meaning for words so it may be different from where you're from than where my family is from.

I am glad the older generation isn't buying into the "Latinx", it's stupid. Sadly, one of my cousin's I am close to uses "Latinx" to describe herself, and believes pansexuality exists. She leans strongly left. She is nice person though. It just feels awkward because I no longer hold the same/similar views as her...I used to be a trans female but I detransitioned and accepted myself for who I am.

What irks me more about "Latinx" is that 1) It doesn't fit in Spanish/Portuguese grammer and 2) It is HYPER 'americanized'. I know some people choose to write latin@s like that and a small amount wanted to change it to latine, but the majority understand that both Portuguese and Spanish is a gendered language.

Yeah! I was curious about Michael Page but it's rather difficult to find info on him. :( I would hope he wouldn't turn into a TQ theorist..I do like the original meaning of the flag that he set out in 1998, so I will be going off of that. Originally, I didn't like the flag until doing research. :D

[–]BiHorror 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Unfortunately, not a country, but a territory (cough colony cough) also known as Puerto Rico that my family is from. I was born in the US tho. I've seen it used as sex and grammar related. Mostly grammar since it makes sense, and sex for the euphemism (makes no sense in this age where there's this thing called context).

I have seen some younger people, alongside moi, fight against "latinx" stuff. I think the majority of them are either right and/or conservative leaning so that might have something to do with it.

But yeah, it is unfortnate that there isn't much about Michael Page but his flag. There's barely anything on him today to see what he's been up to...

Edit: adding/deleting words