Graphic with the flag's symbolism by Jeff RabyGLBT Historical Society
Each color of the rainbow has a unique meaning that represents something different for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Here you can find 8 milestones in LGBTQIA+ rights across the globe.
Na Parada vestimos rosa (2006-06-17) by Lauro RochaMuseu da Diversidade Sexual
Pink for Sex
In 1791, France was the first nation in the world to decriminilize homosexuality and allow same sex relationships.
Even though it was not forbidden, it doesn't mean that it was culturally allowed.
Balões pela luta contra a AIDS (2007-06-10)Museu da Diversidade Sexual
Red for Life
The first known LGBTQIA+ organization, the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, was created in Berlin in 1897.
It was founded by Magnus Hirschfeld, who conducted groundbreaking work on transgender identity.
Christopher Street Liberation Day March, 1971 (1971) by Rudy GrilloThe Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
Orange for Healing
The activism and LGBTQIA+ rights has the Stonewall Riots, in 1969, as an important milestone.
It happened in New York but its resonance was worldwide. In the following year, the first LGBTQIA+ pride event was organized to commemorate the riots.
The Lemonheads on Parade (1997-03-01) by C.Moore HardySydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Yellow for the Sun
Homosexuality was considered a mental illness by the World Health Organization until 1990.
However, in 1973 the American Psychiatric Association already had depathologized it.
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Green for Nature
The same-sex civil union was only recognized in 1989, being Denmark the first country to do so.
Only in 2000 the same-sex marriage was legalized for the first time, but it was Netherlands to be first one.
Rigel Gemini by Cameron Lee Art
Turquoise for Art and Magic
The first head of state openly gay was elected in Iceland in 2009.
At that time, Johanna Sigurdardottir couldn't marry her partner, Jónína Leósdóttir. Only in the following year of her election the same-sex marriage was finally allowed.
Pawee by Ira Girogetti (2020-06) by Photographer: Ira Girogetti and Model: PaweeRaze Collective
Blue for Serenity
Going to Latin America, Argentina was the first to recognize same-sex unions.
Two years later, in 2012, the country also recognized transgender rights, becoming again the first in the region.
Strictly Mardi Gras Float (2014-03-01) by Markham LaneSydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Purple for the Spirit
Believe it or not, but it was only in 2018 that India's Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality in the country.
Until then, a law dating back to 1861 not only forbade relationships "against the order of nature" as it punished people by a life sentence!
With information from the Council on Foreign Relations