the rainbow flag (also known as the gay pride flag or lgbt pride flag) is a rainbow flag that is used as a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (lgbtq) pride and lgbtq social movements. other older uses of rainbow flags include a symbol of peace. the colors reflect the diversity of the lgbtq community, as the flag is often used as a symbol of gay pride during lgbtq rights marches. while this use of the rainbow flag originated in san francisco, it is now used worldwide.