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LGBTQ Culture

What are the colors of the pansexual flag? Get to know the Pride flag's meaning, history

According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 7.6% of U.S. adults self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or something other than heterosexual. In the last 11 years, this has increased by 4.1 percentage points.

Today, over 20% of Gen Z adults – those between the ages of 18 to 26 – identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, Gallup reports. The rising numbers come in part due to "larger society changing" with people feeling more comfortable sharing their identities, experts previously told USA TODAY.

Maybe you've seen or heard terms used to describe someone's identity. Pansexuality refers to someone who is attracted to all people regardless of gender identity. Here's a guide to the sexual orientation's pride flag.

What do the colors of the pansexual flag mean?

The pansexual flag has three horizontal stripes, and each color has a different meaning

  • Hot pink: Represents attraction to women 
  • Yellow: Represents nonbinary attraction 
  • Blue: Represents attraction to men
From L to R: The traditional Pride Flag; the Transgender Flag; the Pansexual Flag; and the Bisexual Flag.

LGBTQ glossary:Definitions every good ally should know

History of the pansexual Pride flag

The pansexual pride flag was created around 2010 to "bring awareness to the community," according to the Human Rights Campaign. The flag was designed to help further distinguish pansexuality from bisexuality. 

'It's a very fluid thing':What your pansexual friend wishes you knew

Is pansexuality different than bisexuality? 

Pansexuality and bisexuality are not interchangeable words.

Bisexuality does broadly describe attraction to more than one gender, while pansexuality is attraction regardless of gender. However, the two terms occasionally overlap in nuanced ways and are entirely personal to the individual who identifies with them. 

"Pan is more about all-inclusive, and bi tends to be more than one," GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis previously told USA TODAY, adding, "The golden rule, honestly, is to call someone by how they identify."

More Pride Flags explained

Pride FlagProgress Pride Flag | Lesbian Pride Flag | Transgender Pride Flag | Bisexual Pride FlagAsexual Pride Flag | Intersex Pride Flag | Gender Identity Flags

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