|
|
The Safe Zone Symbol
The triangle represents the common
symbol of GLBT identity and self esteem. The rainbow inside the triangle
symbolizes the wealth of diversity at Radford University.
The symbol is within a circle which
represents how all students, faculty, and staff, straight and gay, need
to unite together in order to successfully create a safe and supportive
community.
The statement within the circle
represents the overall view of the Safe Zone program.
|
|
The Rainbow Flag
In 1978 San Francisco
artist Gilbert Baker designed a flag for that city's Gay Freedom
celebration. The flag since has been adopted by lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender (LGBT) movements nationally and internationally. It has
six stripes, each a different color ranging from purple to red. The flag or
sometimes six-striped streamers can be seen flying from many
homes and apartments in Richmond
as well as from the Metropolitan Community Church and is displayed at
almost all gay and lesbian events. Bumper stickers representing the flag
are also common around the city.
|
|
|
|
The Lambda
In 1970 members of the
Gay Activist Alliance chose the Greek letter lambda as their symbol
because a flag with a lambda on it was carried by a regiment of Greek
warriors who were accompanied into battle by their younger male lovers
and were noted for their fierceness and willingness to fight to the
death. Many LGBT organizations since 1970 have taken the lambda as their
symbol or part of their name.
|
|
The Pink Triangle
Under the Nazi regime,
concentration camp prisoners wore colored triangles that indicated their
classification and thus the reason they were considered enemies of the
state. Just as Jews wore two superimposed yellow triangles, homosexual
men wore pink triangles. When the Allies liberated the camps in 1945,
most survivors were freed, but the US Army simply transferred those
wearing pink triangles to other prisons. Gays and lesbians now use the
pink triangle as a symbol of identification and solidarity against
oppression.
|
|
|
|
The Black Triangle
Just as homosexual men
were forced to wear pink triangles in the camps, many lesbians were
forced to wear black triangles, which signified that they (like
prostitutes and unmarried women of the streets) did not live according to
the Nazis' ideas of correct female behavior.
|
|
Double Venus
The symbol for the
planet Mars is also the alchemical symbol for woman. Lesbians use two
such symbols overlapping to mean "woman loving woman".
|
|
|
|
Double Mars
The symbol for the
planet Mars also stand for the alchemical symbol for man. Gay men use two
such symbols overlapping to mean "man loving man".
|
|
The Labrys
A double bladed axe
served as the scepter of the goddess Artemis. It is now often used as a
symbol of lesbianism.
|
|
