Gay sign

A unique visual vocabulary, comprising distinct hues and various emblems, has been forged by the LGBTQI+ community. Within the confines of this insightful guest post, Gillian Murphy, serving as the Curator for Equality, Rights and Citizenship at the LSE Library, meticulously examines the emblems that have emerged from activism, logo contests, acts of resistance, and collective communal endeavors. Annually, during the month of February, LGBT+ History Month finds its observance across the United Kingdom.

LGBTQI+ symbols and their meanings

'Well, of course, a symbol can mean anything you want it to mean.' This assertion was notably featured in Come Together, specifically in its twelfth issue, published in 1971.

The utilization of emblems and hues serves as a crucial method for various organizations to transmit messages, foster communication among individuals, and establish a discernible visual representation. Throughout the decade of the seventies, individuals identifying as LGBTQI+ were actively urged to disclose their identity; consequently, in doing so, they frequently adorned pins featuring unique insignia, thereby solidifying the conviction that they would no longer remain imperceptible to society. This present article subsequently examines a select array of these emblems, discoverable within various LGBTQI+ archives.

Conventional gender markers, representing both the masculine and feminine, customarily originate from astrological signs and their corresponding mythological connotations, denoting Mars (the deity of armed conflict, typically depicted with a shield and spear) and Venus (the goddess of affection and aesthetic appeal, symbolized by her mirror), in that specific order.

Commencing with the initial editions of Come Together, an ephemeral publication authored by the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) from late 1970 onwards, dual masculine and dual feminine sex-specific emblems were consistently employed on the inaugural pages to denote homosexual men and women.

As of the eighth issue of Come Together, specifically for August 1971, the more distinctive emblem of the GLF had been adopted; furthermore, initial photographic evidence of GLF affiliates depicts them adorning pins bearing this particular motif. This particular pin features a violet hue, displaying a white, tightly closed hand (an emblem universally acknowledged as signifying defiance), accompanied by a violet blossom and gender-specific white masculine/feminine markers situated within its inner surface. The inscription, ‘GAY LIBERATION FRONT', rendered in white uppercase lettering, encircles the upper periphery of the badge.

By late 1971, a fresh GLF emblem was prominently promoted within the pages of Come Together (specifically, its eleventh issue), obtainable for a mere five pence. This particular pin depicted the symbol associated with the planet Jupiter, alternatively known as Jove. It offered a distinct option to the emblem of Mars and Venus and the conventional gender duality, as it was understood to embody the characteristics of benevolence and cheerfulness. The iconic hand motif was incorporated subsequently. A concise write-up in the twelfth issue of Come Together furnished additional insights concerning the selection of Jupiter's emblem, delineating it as one of the most enigmatic and potent celestial bodies, associated with an elevated existence, in a parallel manner to how the GLF itself operated. This recently introduced motif can be discerned within various transient artifacts housed in the LSE Library's archival holdings.

The inverted rose-hued delta, an emblem historically employed to mark individuals belonging to the LGBT+ community within the Third Reich's detention facilities during the course of the Second World War, experienced a reappropriation throughout the 1970s by various LGBT+ organizations and initiatives. This specific rose-colored geometrical figure is discernible within the pin of the London Gay Teenage Group and also on the Gays Against Fascism's flag, as depicted in the preceding image.

Additionally, this rose-colored triangle was utilized by the militant, yet peaceful, activist collective known as OutRage! The timber crucifix displayed previously features an inscribed rose-hued delta with the phrase ‘Stop Crucifying Queers' written upon it, an integral component of their initiative to underscore the Holy See's denouncement of same-sex relationships during the decade of the nineties.

The rose-hued delta is observed in the preceding image, affixed to the handcrafted pin for the movement to revoke Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, and furthermore, it functions as the emblem of the Hall-Carpenter Archives, which were established during the decade of the 1980s&8230;

…and it was similarly applied to pins commemorating homosexual pride events throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The emblem prominently featured on the aforementioned pin, intended for the pride celebration of 1989, was conceived by the See Red Women's Workshop collective to commemorate two decades since the Stonewall disturbances, which occurred in New York City.

The activist organization ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), which was established in March 1988 in New York City, embraced the upward-pointing delta as its official emblem. Act-Up London subsequently published its inaugural periodical, Action News, in May 1989; said emblem is visible on these aforementioned articles, as depicted in the preceding illustration.

The minuscule Greek letter lambda, being the eleventh character in the Hellenic script, was selected by the American homosexual rights advocate, Tom Doer, to serve as the emblem for the Gay Activists Alliance, which was situated in New York, in the year 1970. The lambda emblem possesses varied interpretations. Within the field of chemistry, it signifies a facilitator or transformation, and it is quite likely in this conceptual framework that it was selected by Doer.

The International Gay Rights Congress convened in Edinburgh during December 1974, and it was there that the lambda was formally acknowledged as the representative emblem for lesbian and gay advocacy. This lambda motif appears prominently on pins, flags, and periodicals, for instance, Pa'fuera! (meaning Out!), which is depicted in the illustration above and serves as the newsletter for the Communidad de Orgullo Gay (or Gay Pride Community) of San Juan in Puerto Rico.

Regarding the aforementioned pin, crafted for the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, the lambda symbol is discernible, enclosed within the pink triangle.

The bifurcated axe, also known as the labrys, displayed in the preceding image, constituted a significant emblem within Minoan spiritual practices in historic Crete, and was intrinsically linked to female deities. Throughout the decade of the seventies, this labrys transformed into an icon of female emancipation, notably resonating with lesbian individuals.

In the middle of the 1980s, the London Bisexual Group organized an emblem design contest, inviting its constituents to forward their concepts for an insignia representing ‘Bisexuality Pride'. Presented herein is a page from their regular publication, Bi-Monthly, featuring a selection of the submissions.

The victorious emblem was conceived by John Barker, hailing from Yorkshire, and subsequently appeared in successive editions of Bi-Monthly.

During the year 1985, the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre Project initiated operations to investigate the feasibility of establishing an enduring facility in London, a goal actualized in 1992. The See Red Women's Workshop subsequently crafted a highly unique emblem for this collective, as illustrated on the preceding leaflet.

Author profile:

Gillian Murphy serves as the Curator responsible for Equality, Rights, and Citizenship at the LSE Library. She actively advocates for archival holdings that pertain to entitlements and equitable principles, which primarily entails collaboration with The Women's Library and the Hall-Carpenter Archives. She orchestrates diverse interactive pursuits, utilizing these same collections as their foundation. Such initiatives encompass developing public displays, coordinating gatherings and presentations, and facilitating practical sessions enabling individuals to engage directly with the resources the LSE Library possesses.

Guest-authored articles are not editorially managed by PHM; instead, they showcase diverse perspectives on subjects pertinent to the museum's holdings. It is important to note that these contributions do not inherently represent the opinions of PHM. Visual content was furnished by the submitting author.

Interested in finding out more?

The British Library of Political and Economic Science (@LSELibrary) was established in 1896, precisely one year following the inception of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Its operations have been situated within the Lionel Robbins Building since 1978, and it accommodates numerous globally renowned assemblages, such as The Women&8217;s Library and the Hall-Carpenter Archives.

Discover more concerning the LGBT+ collections housed at LSE Library, alongside insights into the historical trajectory of the Hall-Carpenter Archives.

Peruse information detailing the evolution of the emblematic upraised hand.

Acquire knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS advocacy efforts via an article discussing the Mark Ashton Trust.

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A prior iteration of this online post was initially released during February of the year 2024.