Lesbian flags?

submitted by reluctant_commenter from self.Lesbians

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[–]Fraeulein 9 insightful - 2 fun9 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

The lipstick lesbian flag was made by a lady back in 2010 who wanted a flag specifically for lipstick lesbians. A version without the lipstick mark caught on some time later because before then, the only other lesbian flags were the labrys flag and the rainbow flag with double-venus symbol on it, neither of which really fit in with other LGBT flags. Some lesbians didn't like the pink flag because they felt it excluded butch lesbians, so a butch version of the pink flag was made, where instead of pink and red, the bars were yellow and orange. From that, a new version of the lesbian flag started making its rounds that was a combination of the pink and orange flags, meant to represent both butch and femme lesbians. A couple years back, people started becoming uncomfortable with the pink flag being used as the lesbian flag because 1. as I said earlier, they felt it excluded butch lesbians and 2. the original designer said some things on her blog that really rubbed people the wrong way (which imo is a ridiculous reason, considering the flag is meant for the lesbian community, not the designer herself). Some other flags were proposed as "the new lesbian flag", such as the godawful catastrophe known as the "sappho flag." Luckily, these didn't catch on too much, and a lot of people switched over to the orange/pink flag since it was easily recognizable. The pink flag is still used, but more as just a femme lesbian flag. Atleast, that's from what I recall as a lesbian Tumblr veteran. I've seen a lot of other people here disagree with this, but I really like the orange/pink lesbian flag. I think the colors are very pretty, they remind me of a sunset. I think there is a misconception that some of the bar colors are meant to represent "nonbinary lesbians" and trans lesbians, which definitely was not the case, though some people have tried to pass it off as that after it was made. I still use the pink lesbian flag too, as a femme lesbian. Though, I still believe the labrys flag is the best lesbian flag. It makes me feel powerful.

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

Thanks so much for the explanation! That makes a lot more sense. Yes, I had heard that the orange on the newer pink-and-orange lesbian flag was for nonbinary, which was part of my hesitation to use it.

I get why butches might feel excluded from the all-pink flag, as well. I am not butch but lean more masculine and I feel a little uncomfortable with how pink it is. I had femininity forced down my throat as a child, though, so that's just how I feel about it-- I respect that other people enjoy it. I like how it looks but it's not really me.

I know flags don't mean a lot to people, and that's totally okay. I am a very visual person, and I like the visibility that seeing these sorts of symbols generates-- helps you feel like you're not the only one.

[–]Fraeulein 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

No problem! I watched this weird flag discourse unfold from the start and it was a huge shitshow. Atleast it helped me to weed out any lesbophobes I had been following. I have seen a few people make posts claiming they are the original designers of the orange/pink lesbian flag and assigning meaning to each of the bars including "nonbinary lesbians." It's bullshit. The flags have existed before any of these posts were made. The only meaning they have is orange for butch and pink for femme. The white bar has no real meaning. It's just there because the preexisting butch and femme flags had it. Believe me, if it supported "nonbinary lesbians" or "he/him lesbians" in any way, I would absolutely never use it. I completely agree! Pink is my favorite color, and I think the pink flag is very beautiful! But, I do believe it is better off being a symbol for femme lesbians specifically. We're definitely not alone on this! I see a lot of people complain about having flags for different subsects of LGBT identities, but I love it, and I know plenty of people who do as well. It's fun to have the symbols that really represent you. I plan on ordering the labrys, femme, and orange/pink lesbian flags to hang up in my room.

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

I have seen a few people make posts claiming they are the original designers of the orange/pink lesbian flag and assigning meaning to each of the bars including "nonbinary lesbians." It's bullshit. The flags have existed before any of these posts were made.

Omg. I know people go on the internet and say all kinds of stupid stuff, but seriously?? Who has the nerve to and claim credit for something like that? That really irritates me.

The only meaning they have is orange for butch and pink for femme. The white bar has no real meaning.

White is for emptiness, for the lack of thought these people put into their research...

I see a lot of people complain about having flags for different subsects of LGBT identities, but I love it, and I know plenty of people who do as well. It's fun to have the symbols that really represent you.

Thanks for backing me up, I appreciate it :) that's exactly where I'm at. I feel a little silly about it but it's something I think I'd really appreciate. Now if I could only pick one (or more) that feel the best, that'd be nice, haha.

Thanks so much for sharing!