Rainbows

[Morrisonker]

Why is it that rainbow coloured items (t-shirts etc) seem to symbolise homosexuality?

Is it just a freedom, slightly hippy thing?

[Tinker]

I think that a rainbow is the symbol for an official gay organisation, but i'm not 100% sure...

[tigga]

Well i didnt know that ! i have a t-shirt with a big rainbow and zippy smokin a joint which i thought was rather funny- i wont be wearing that again !

PS- NO i dont use, or agree with drugs- it just looks funny !

[Hippy]

Apart from being a joyous and recognisable flag, it represents a spectrum. We all occupy a place on the spectrum of sexuality, it is not a monochrome black and white thing, but a complex mix.

 

A lot of people who have worked through this fine are happy to celebrate; some others who don't grasp the immense variability of sexuality in society sometimes espouse reactionary and wholly unacceptably bigotry.

 

The rainbow symbol is not only associateed with gay celebrations, but it also signifies more, and is not an exclusive banner behind which to march.

 

[mash]

well put Hippy, totally agree with your sentiments

[Morrisonker]

That's great Hippy, thanks :)

 

Tigga - I wasn't implying 'rainbows mean you're gay' but I've notice that, for example on Ebay, if something is multicoloured the discription often includes the word gay.  Just wondered why, I've never notice any of my gay or lesbian friends wearing particularly bright coloured clothes.

[jimmer]

wizard of oz anyone?

[Octavius]

In 1978, Gilbert Baker of San Francisco designed and made a flag with six stripes representing the six colors of the rainbow as a symbol of gay and lesbian community pride. Slowly the flag took hold, offering a colorful and optimistic alternative to the more common pink triangle symbol. Today it is recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers, and is flown in lesbian and gay pride marches worldwide. In 1989, the rainbow flag received nationwide attention after John Stout successfully sued his landlords in West Hollywood, when they prohibited him from displaying the flag from his apartment balcony. Meanwhile, Baker is still in San Francisco, and still making more flags.

 

More details here...

 

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/scotts/bulgarians/rainbow-flag.html

 

[tigga]

Morrisonker, the bit you said about e-bay, bright colours and gay, i wonder if they are simply using the word in its original context ? i.e. bright and gay !