The acronym, originally LGB, is an evolving abbreviation that began in the mid to late 1980s and since then has grown and evolved over the years to be more inclusive and respective to understand, define, identify, and express people's lived gender and experiences.

Today’s fully expanded 12-character version in use is LGBTQQIP2SAA, which represents and recognizes 11 groups in our community: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit (2S), asexual, and ally.

LGB, refers to sexual identity: Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Sexual.

T, stands for Transgender, a person whose gender identity is different from the sex on their birth certificate.

Q, stands for Queer. Anyone who is non-cisgender and/or non-heterosexual.

The second Q stands for Questioning, a person still exploring their sexuality.

I, stands for Intersex, a person born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that is not typical of female or male.

P, stands for Pansexual, someone whose physical, emotional, or romantic attraction is not based on gender, sex, or identity.

2SS, stand for two-spirited people, where birth-assigned women or men take on the role of the opposite sex.

A, stands for Asexual. Anyone who is not attracted to any gender.

And the last A, for Ally.

Furthermore, the Pride flag has also evolved since its first design in 1978, created by Gilbert Baker, a California artist, and gay rights activist. The ubiquitous Rainbow flag “…was a conscious choice, natural and necessary,” Gilbert said. “The Rainbow came from earliest recorded history as a symbol of hope.”

With the different groups, genders, and identities outlined above, each has come up with its flag over the years and although they may look different, each symbolizes a safe space.

We choose to show our pride with the updated flag, formally known as the Progress flag, using the adopted Philadelphia Pride flag colors, redesigned in 2018 by Daniel Quasar, a Portland-based designer, artist, and gamer. Daniel, who identifies as xe (a gender-neutral pronoun), conceived xis version late June 2018 on a Kickstarter campaign to emphasize “what is important in our current community climate”, and includes the Black, Brown, and Tran-pride stripes. The flag went viral in series of posts following the death of George Floyd in 2020.

The added colors to the traditional flag highlight those groups who started the movement, that today we call PRIDE. A tribute to Marsha P. Johnson and Silvia Rivera, the Trans people of color and activists who were instrumental in the 1969 Stonewall Riots.

These transformations exist from the resilience and to share one’s true self in all its uniqueness; in being heard; in greater unity; in celebrating all types of love.

FOH® is PROUD beyond the rainbow.

Working closely with some of our most cherished relationships, we have been able to complete 500+ volunteer hours and donate over $25,000 in support of our local LGBTQ+ community.

We stand with the leaders that inspire the continued fight for equality and justice.

Get involved! PRIDE is more accessible than ever. If you would like to get involved in any festivities, please find a calendar of events for your area here.

To donate directly to our partners, click here for Pridelines and here for EqualityFL.