Diving into

the Rabbit
Hole of the
Unicorns
HOW DID THE UNICORN
BECOME A COMMON SYMBOL
OF LGBTQ?
This connection emerged in 2018, with
unicorn- themed items at Pride events.

Its link with rainbows and its adaptable

nature.

The ever-changing unicorn resonates with

the LGBTQ community
LGBTQIA ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE LGBT
RAINBOW
+ BY GILBERT BAKER IN 1978
SYMVOLS
:

RAINBOW
S
LGBTQIA NEW COLOR
COMBINATIONS:
+
SYMVOLS
:

Rainbow Pride Flag - (6 Blue/Purple/Hot

color rainbow) Lesbian, Pink –
Gay, Bisexual and Bisexual
Transgender

Blue/Yellow/Hot
Pink –
RAINBOW
Pansexual
S & FLAGS
LGBTQIA Bisexual is a romantic or sexual attraction or
+ behavior toward both males and females, to
SYMVOLS more than one gender, or to both people of the
: same gender and different genders.

Pansexual is sexual, romantic, or emotional

attraction towards people of all genders, or
regardless of their sex or gender identity.
Pansexual people may refer to themselves as
gender-blind, asserting that gender and sex are
RAINBOW not determining factors in their romantic or
S & FLAGS sexual attraction to others.
LGBTQIA NEW COLOR
COMBINATIONS:
+
SYMVOLS
:

Purple/White/Gree
Purple/White/Grey/Bla n–
ck – Genderqueer
Asexual
Green/Brown/Blu
e - Sapiosexual
RAINBOW
S & FLAGS
LGBTQIA
+ Asexual
SYMVOLS Lack of sexual attraction to others. Asexual
: individuals may still have romantic relationships
but typically do not experience sexual desire.
Genderqueer
An umbrella term used by people who do not
identify with traditional sexual orientation
labels. It may include a wide range of sexual
RAINBOW and gender identities.
S & FLAGS
LGBTQIA
+ Sapiosexual
SYMVOLS means that a person is sexually attracted to
: highly intelligent people, so much so that they
consider it to be the most important trait in a
partner.
Genderqueer
An umbrella term used by people who do not
identify with traditional sexual orientation
labels. It may include a wide range of sexual
RAINBOW
and gender identities.
S & FLAGS
LGBTQIA NEW COLOR
COMBINATIONS:
+
SYMVOLS
:

Polysexual Lesbian
Flag Flag

RAINBOW
S & FLAGS
Intersex Transgender
Flag Flag
LGBTQIA NEW COLOR
COMBINATIONS:
+ Attraction to
SYMVOLS
multiple, but not all,
:
genders. It differs
from pansexuality in
Polysexual
Flag that polysexuals
may be attracted to
specific genders.
RAINBOW
S & FLAGS
LGBTQIA NEW COLOR
COMBINATIONS:
+
SYMVOLS
:

Lesbian
Attraction to
people of the
same gender
RAINBOW who refers to
S & FLAGS women.
LGBTQIA NEW COLOR
COMBINATIONS:
+ Intersex is a general term
SYMVOLS used for a variety of
situations in which a
: person is born with
reproductive or sexual
anatomy that doesn’t fit
the boxes of “female” or
“male.”

RAINBOW
S & FLAGS
LGBTQIA NEW COLOR
COMBINATIONS:
+
Transgender refers to
SYMVOLS
individuals whose gender
: identity differs from the sex
they were assigned at birth.

A transgender person may

identify as male, female,
non-binary, or any other
gender that aligns with their
RAINBOW
true self, regardless of their
S & FLAGS
physical sex at birth.
LGBTQIA NEW COLOR
COMBINATIONS:
+
SYMVOLS
:

Genderfluid Nonbinary
Flag Flag

RAINBOW
S & FLAGS
Polyamory Straight Ally
Flag Flag
LGBTQIA Genderfluid is a non-fixed gender identity that shifts
+ over time or depending on the situation. People may
move between masculine, feminine, or nonbinary
SYMVOLS
identities.
:
Nonbinary terms for gender identities
that are outside the male/female gender
binary. People whose gender is not male or
female use many different terms to describe
themselves, with nonbinary being one of the
RAINBOW most common (sometimes spelled with a
S & FLAGS hyphen, as “non-binary”)
LGBTQIA
Polyamory is the practice of, or the desire for,
+
romantic relationships with more than one
SYMVOLS
partner at the same time, with the informed
: consent of all partners involved

Straight Ally is any non-LGBT person that

supports LGBT rights. Effective straight allies
speak up when they hear homophobic or
transphobic remarks, identify and oppose
anti-LGBT legislation and systems, and work to
RAINBOW
educate themselves and others about LGBT
S & FLAGS issues.
OTHER
LGBTQIA+
SYMVOLS

Double Male Symbol Double Female Symbol Red Accessories

Inverted Pink Bisexuality Non-binary

Triangle
OTHER
LGBTQIA+
SYMVOLS

Double Male Symbol Double Female Symbol Red Accessories

Inverted Pink Bisexuality Non-binary

Triangle
 PLUS

LESBIAN GAY ASEXUAL

INTERSEX
BISEXUAL QUEER
TRANSGENDER
HOW DO ALL
THOSE
CONCEPTS
OVERLAP?
IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT
STAGES
By Vivienne C. Cass, MPsych, MAPsS

identity stages vary, can regress or skip.

Bisexuals may have extra phases.
Identity Confusion
Identity
Gender identity's steps are intricate too. Globally,
gender and sexual identities differ. Comparison

Socioeconomic status, religion, age, etc., affect Identity Tolerance

identity growth (intersectionality).
Identity Acceptance
Initial stages often deny same-sex attraction due
to societal norms (heteronormativity), alongside Identity Pride
discrimination and homophobia.
Identity

Synthesis
 GAY IDENTITY
ASSESS IF DEVELOPMENT
THERE IS A 01
Identity Confusion: Mixed feelings about
GAY RELATED
attraction.
ISSUE 02 Identity Comparison: Comparing oneself to
THROUGH: heterosexuals.
3. Identity Tolerance: Growing acceptance of identity.

4. Identity Acceptance: Being comfortable with the

identity.
05 Identity Pride: Strong identification and
pride.
06 Step back, avoid presuming you know everything or
others' desires. Integrating various aspects of
identity, feeling content.
WHEN
WORKING WITH Meet Them Where They
LGBTQ+ Are
INDIVIDUALS, Address
IT'S CRUCIAL Intersectionality
TO:
Avoid Jumping to
Conclusions
Acknowledging diversity

Mindful biases (both the positive &

negative)

Assess if there is a gay related issue

 SAMENES UNIQUENES
S S
LGBTQ+ aim for LGBTQ+ individuals prioritize
individuals uniformand advocacy uniqueness over conforming to
rights ,
influenced by the desire for norms.
V
acceptance and
equality.
S May reject societal pressures,
This viewoverlooks diversity valuing individuality and
within the community and authenticity,
disregards research
 Gender, sex and sexuality are all pretty
I AM complicated ideas – and definitely not as
GAY black and white as some people might
STRAIG think. The most important thing to realize is
HT B that you’re not defined by your sexuality or
gender. You’re YOU and that’s wonderful.
I
TRANSGEND
ER
... A
PERSON
Thank you
for
listening!