Multisexual Pride Flag

Overview

To provide a neutral umbrella symbol for all people attracted to more than one gender, without privileging any single identity label.

Multiple multisexual flags have been created over time. The earliest known flag dates to August 2015 (unknown creator). A five-stripe version (pink, purple, yellow, green, blue) was documented by Flags of the World on October 10, 2015. The Synp version (now the most widely recognized) was formalized on February 13, 2019. The arco-pluris m-spec flag, whose colors were deliberately drawn from multiple m-spec identity flags, followed on February 14, 2019. ^[1][2][3]

Identity & Context

Represented Identity

multisexual / m-spec

Subcommunity

bi+ / multisexual umbrella

Language Context

Multisexual (also plurisexual) is an umbrella term for all sexual orientations involving attraction to more than one gender. The word 'plurisexual' dates to 1879 in German sexology, where Eugen Wilhelm formulated 'plurisexualitat.' The modern use of 'multisexual' as an orientation label can be traced to the 1970s. ^[1][4]

Identities under the multisexual umbrella include bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, polysexual, abrosexual, and ceterosexual, among others. The related umbrella term 'pluralian' was coined by Tumblr user Kulinda on October 6, 2016, as an adjective parallel to 'achillean,' 'sapphic,' and 'diamoric.' ^[1]

Creators

The Creator

Attribution notes

The most widely recognized multisexual flag was created by Synp and formalized on February 13, 2019. A separate m-spec flag was created by Tumblr user arco-pluris and posted to the beyond-mogai-pride-flags Tumblr blog on February 14, 2019. An earlier flag by an unknown creator was in use by August 24, 2015. A five-stripe alternate (pink, purple, yellow, green, blue) was documented by Flags of the World on October 10, 2015, and was hoisted in Tel Aviv in June 2018. ^[1][2][5][3]

Origin

Digital Origin

true

Digital origin; no verified physical location.

The Synp flag was formalized online on February 13, 2019. The arco-pluris m-spec flag was posted on beyond-mogai-pride-flags the following day. Earlier versions date to 2015. ^[1][2]

Dates & Chronology

Year Created

2019

Exact date

February 13, 2019

First public use

August 24, 2015

Period in Use

2015-present

The five-stripe 2015 version was hoisted in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Rothschild Boulevard in early June 2018 alongside other pride flags. The Synp version has become the most commonly referenced in online sources. ^[1][3]

The term 'multisexual' likely gained traction as a compromise in the bi vs. pan discourse, offering a neutral umbrella that does not privilege any single identity. ^[1][6]

Lineage

Indirect influences

Bisexual Pride Flag, Pansexual Pride Flag, Polysexual Pride Flag, Rainbow Pride Flag

Related flags

Abrosexual Pride Flag, Omnisexual Pride Flag

Conceptually the umbrella flag for the family of m-spec orientations. The arco-pluris version deliberately samples colors from bisexual, polysexual, pansexual, omnisexual, trisexual, quadsexual, and quintsexual flags. ^[1][2]

Colors & Symbolism

The Synp flag's four stripes represent peace, unity, freedom, and love. The arco-pluris m-spec flag samples colors from multiple m-spec identity flags to represent the entire umbrella, with an orange stripe for all other m-spec identities. ^[1][2]

Stripe meanings are for the Synp version (2019). The arco-pluris m-spec flag has a different design philosophy, sampling colors from existing m-spec identity flags. ^[1][2]

Hex values are for the Synp version (2019) and are documented on flagcolorcodes.com. It is unclear whether these are creator-issued values or circulating community values. ^[5]

Design

Aspect Ratio

3:2

Orientation

horizontal

Stripe Count

4

Layout

horizontal stripes

Stripes (Top → Bottom)

Purple / Fuchsia, White, Light Blue, Pink

Four equal horizontal stripes (Synp version). At least five distinct designs exist with varying stripe counts. ^[1]

Four equal horizontal stripes: purple/fuchsia (top), white, light blue, pink (bottom). ^[1]

Four equal horizontal stripes in purple/fuchsia, white, light blue, and pink. This is the Synp version (2019), the most commonly referenced design.

Usage & Adoption

First Users

Online m-spec and Queer communities

Geographic Usage

Tel Aviv, Israel (five-stripe 2015 version hoisted on Rothschild Boulevard, June 2018) ^[3]

Online Usage

Tumblr, DeviantArt, LGBTQIA+ identity wikis

Current Status

active

The Synp version is the most commonly referenced in online sources. The five-stripe 2015 version has documented physical use in Tel Aviv. ^[1][3]

Discourse & Debates

• Significant debate exists over whether 'bisexual' or 'multisexual/m-spec' should serve as the umbrella term for multi-gender attraction. Pro-bisexual-umbrella advocates argue bisexuality has the longest history. Pro-m-spec advocates argue subsuming all identities under 'bisexual' implies other labels are unnecessary. ^[1][6]
• M-Spec Exclusionists (also called Battleaxe Bisexuals) believe pansexuality, omnisexuality, and other m-spec labels beyond bisexual contribute to biphobia. The term 'Battleaxe Bisexual' was originally coined by artist foxflightstudios as part of an art collection and was appropriated by exclusionists. ^[6]

Multisexual, plurisexual, and m-spec are used as synonymous umbrella terms. The term 'bi+' is a compromise that some find still centers bisexuality. The romantic counterpart is multiromantic. ^[1]

Footnotes & Citations

Image Sources

Rendering

Synp version (2019)