Shining a brighter spotlight on inclusion, designers and campaigners are updating Pride flags so more people feel seen; Valentino Vecchietti’s intersex-inclusive banner will be flown across London this weekend, and it matters because flags are about identity, visibility and dignity.
Essential takeaways
- Bright, meaningful design: Valentino Vecchietti added the intersex purple circle on yellow beside the trans chevrons, creating a vivid, modern flag that reads well at a distance and in photos.
- Made during crisis: The updated design began in 2021 amid the pandemic when many intersex people felt overlooked in official counts.
- Emotional impact: Recipients report the flag gives "hope" and a sense of inclusion; supporters worldwide have sent messages, badges and photos.
- Respectful evolution: The design deliberately builds on previous Pride flags, keeping the broader rainbow message while highlighting under‑represented groups.
- Practical note: Look for good-quality inks and fabric when buying flags; vibrant, durable materials keep colours true through London weather and many marches.
A flag that felt like a lifeline
Valentino Vecchietti’s design landed during a lonely moment for many intersex people, and it landed with colour , a bright yellow panel with Morgan Carpenter’s purple circle set near the trans chevrons. That visual contrast is striking and feels intentionally celebratory; you can spot it across a crowd. According to reporting in MyLondon, Valentino says the design gave people hope during the pandemic, when some felt invisible in official processes. That emotional resonance is why flags matter: they’re simple objects that make complex identities visible.
How the design evolved from necessity to symbol
The update didn’t emerge from a corporate brief but from activism and lived experience. Valentino told MyLondon she was responding to a feeling that intersex people were being excluded from the census and from public conversations. Designers and campaigners have long tweaked Pride symbolism to reflect new understandings of gender and sex, and this is the latest recognised iteration. The addition sits comfortably with the trans chevrons rather than replacing earlier elements, which keeps continuity with the history of Pride flags.
Why colour, texture and production choices count
Valentino also adjusted hues because modern inks and fabrics produce brighter, longer‑lasting colours. That’s not vain detail: a flag that fades or flaps limp in the wind loses its impact. When you’re choosing a flag for a parade, community space or a shopfront, look for weatherproof polyester, strong stitching and colourfast printing. Small practical choices mean your flag keeps looking fresh through rain, sun and repeat use , and keeps the message visible.
The wider history and community response
Flags have always evolved. From the original rainbow flag to progress and intersex‑inclusive versions, each change tells a story about who’s asking to be seen. Museums and cultural outlets have noted these shifts, and organisations from grassroots groups to larger businesses have embraced the new design. Valentino’s experience , receiving badges, images and invites from across the globe , shows the ripple effect a single, resonant image can have. It’s also a reminder that inclusion isn’t just symbolic: visibility can unlock conversations, services and safety.
How to show support at Pride this weekend
If you’re heading to London Pride, consider more than a photo-op. Buy flags or badges from community vendors who fund local work, look for accessible information stalls, and respect that different people may use different pronouns or terms for themselves. When choosing a flag to fly at home or at work, match size to location (smaller for windows, larger for poles), and pick materials suited to outdoor conditions. Most importantly, listen , small gestures of recognition often mean the most.
It’s a small change that can make every march and meeting feel more welcoming.
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