LGBTQ Symbols

Orientations
Written By Drew Bartkiewicz

This is the comprehensive list of LGBTQ symbols from the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

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The greek letter lambda was originally used as the symbol of the Gay Activists Alliance of New York in 1970 and in 1974 was officially adopted as the symbol of gay and lesbian rights by the International Gay Rights Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland. The lambda signifies unity under oppression.

Gay Male Symbol

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Popularized in the 1990’s. Comprised of two interlocking male gender symbols

Double Female Symbol

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Popularized in the 1990’s. Comprised of two interlocking female gender symbols

Transgender Symbol

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This is the most popular transgender symbol it originates from a drawing by Holly Boswell. A modification of the traditional vendor symbols, it depicts a circle with an arrow projecting from the top-right, as found in the male symbol, and a cross projecting from the bottom, as found in the female symbol, with an additional striked arrow (combining the female cross and male arrow) projecting from the top-left.


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Drew Bartkiewicz
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