The ancient symbol of matriarchal power was adopted by lesbians, who, according to gay studies expert Rachel Poulson, valued the example of Amazons as strong, brave, women-identified women. Right smack in the middle of the purple flag is an inverted black triangle, which is a reclamation of the symbol used by Nazis in their concentration camps to identify homosexuals.įinally, the most iconic part of this particular flag: the labrys, a double-headed axe that finds roots in Crete mythology as a weapon that only accompanies women warriors (Amazons) and not male gods. The purple background is a nod to lavenders and violets being used in history and literature as a euphemism for homosexuality, which began when Abraham Lincoln’s biographer channeled the poetry of Sappho in describing the former president’s intimate male friendships as spots soft as May violets, and friendships containing a streak of lavender.
Criticized because: It didn’t come from within the communityĬampbell, a homosexual male graphic designer, came up with this design while working on a special Pride edition of the Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Times, which was published in 2000.Elements: Purple base, inverted black triangle, a labrys.
