Hidden Meanings in LGBTQ+ Culture
On the modern Pride flag, this color represents life.
What is red?
This acclaimed miniseries, adapted from Tony Kushner’s play, portrays the intertwined lives of queer New Yorkers during the AIDS crisis.
What is Angels in America?
Known as the “Queen of Pop,” this icon has long been a beacon for LGBTQ+ empowerment through her boundary‐pushing music.
What is Madonna?
This discreet “code” involved wearing a colored handkerchief in one’s back pocket to signal gay identity in mid-20th century America.
What is the hanky code?
Set in 18th-century France, this visually stunning film centers on the forbidden romance between a painter and her subject.
What is Portrait of a Lady on Fire?)
This openly gay rapper’s viral hit challenged genre boundaries and sparked global conversations about queer expression in hip-hop.
What is Lil Nas X?
Early 20th-century lesbians often chose this delicate flower as a subtle emblem of affection and solidarity.
What is the violet?
Premiering in 2004, this groundbreaking series follows the lives and loves of queer women in Los Angeles, becoming a cultural touchstone.
What is The L Word?
Renowned for soulful ballads like “Stay With Me,” this British singer has openly explored themes of identity and vulnerability.
What is Sam Smith?
Popularized by Oscar Wilde, this accessory—a small green carnation—became a subtle nod to queer identity in Victorian society.
What is the green carnation?
This hit Canadian dramedy, celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling and witty banter, introduced the world to a lovable pansexual character.
What is Schitt’s Creek?
Her 2011 anthem “Born This Way” quickly became an international call for queer pride and self-acceptance.
Who is Lady Gaga?
On the modern Progress Pride Flag, this color was added specifically to represent intersex communities.
What is yellow?
This Netflix series by the Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski features a diverse group of interconnected souls—including several queer characters—across the globe.
What is Sense8?
With the critically acclaimed album Blonde, this enigmatic artist redefined modern R&B through introspective explorations of identity and desire.
What is Frank Ocean?