Image: iStockPhoto Anastasiia_M
What does the yellow flag mean?
Increasingly, groups of intersex people show who they are with a yellow flag with a purple circle. But what does that symbol stand for? And where does it come from? On this page you can also download a digital version of the flag; to print yourself as a flag or on a T-shirt. Additionally, on this page you get access to other files that you can use on social media or on your own website.
History of the intersex flag
The flag with a purple circle on a gold and yellow background is used worldwide by intersex organizations working from a human rights standpoint. The colors and symbol of the unbroken circle were chosen to completely avoid symbols that have anything to do with gender. Sex is not the same thing as gender, and sex characteristics do not determine someone’s gender identity or expression. The powerful symbol was designed in July 2013 by Morgan Carpenter of Intersex Human Rights Australia (then known as Organisation Intersex International Australia) as a flag ‘that is not derived [from other flags], but still has a solid foundation.’ The circle is described as an ‘unbroken symbol without ornaments that stands for wholeness and completeness, and our possibilities.’ Further, Morgan says, ‘We are still fighting for bodily autonomy and genital integrity, and this symbolizes the right to be who and how we want to be.'(Carpenter 2019)
The design was released on December 18, 2013 under a Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal license. This means that the flag is free to use by any intersex organization or intersex person in a human rights-affirming community context.(Carpenter 2019)
Colours
The official flag colors for an sRGB color space are:
- Yellow
- HTML: #FFD800
- sRGB: R: 255 G: 216 B: 0
- Purple
- HTML: #7902AA
- sRGB: R: 121 G: 2 B: 170. (Carpenter 2019)
Want to make your own flag?
This page contains PDF files that can easily be printed by any company that produces flags. The PDF file assumes that the flag is 120×80 cm, but it can be printed in any size without loss of quality; just tell the printer what size you want. For small runs, it is best to have the file printed; for larger runs, screen printing is usually used. Costs for a single flag of 150×80 cm, starts at around 15 euros excluding VAT.
Download your flag here
Intersex flag
This is the intersex flag most commonly used. The standard size is 120×80 cm, but the file can be printed at any size without loss of quality. Click on the button below the flag to download the corresponding PDF file (195KB). The PDF file is fully compatible with Adobe Illustrator and can be edited with that program if necessary. It is free to use under CC0 1.0 Universal.
Intersex flag with fist
Here, the intersex flag has been expanded to include a ‘power fist’. Thus two symbols, for intersex and for power over your own situation, are combined. The standard size is 120×80 cm, but the file can be printed at any size without loss of quality. Click on the button below the flag to download the corresponding PDF file (195KB). The PDF file is fully compatible with Adobe Illustrator and can be edited with that program if necessary.
Intersex Superheroes Flag
This flag was used by NNID Foundation, the Dutch organisation for intersex human rights, during the Utrecht Canal Pride 2019. The standard size is 120×80 cm, but the file can be printed at any size without loss of quality. Click on the button below the flag to download the corresponding PDF file (180KB). The PDF file is fully compatible with Adobe Illustrator and can be edited with that program if necessary.
