Straight Ally Flag

History

The Straight Ally Flag dates from approximately 2000 and emerged from campus LGBTQ+ groups in the United States looking for a way to visually identify heterosexual and cisgender people who were active supporters of LGBTQ+ rights. The design's black-and-white field deliberately uses heterosexual colour conventions (black and white, often associated with straight identity in the context of pride symbolism) while the rainbow A asserts active alignment with the community. The flag has been used at Pride events worldwide and in workplace diversity programmes.

Colors

black, white (field), rainbow A

Black and white stripes represent heterosexual and cisgender identity; the large 'A' in rainbow colours stands for 'ally.'

Symbols

rainbow A on black-and-white striped field

The A references both 'ally' and the triangular shape used in other LGBTQ+ flag designs, signalling solidarity without claiming membership.