rights
"I was made trans for a reason": The creator of the trans Pride flag on the emblem's enduring power
By Faefyx Collington at LGBTQ Nation
· June 30, 2026
· 12 min read
One morning in the late nineties, Monica Helms woke up with the design idea for the Transgender Pride Flag. Since then, the blue, pink, and white emblem has exploded in popularity. Trans people have adopted it as a symbol around which to rally across the globe. While monumental, that’s not the sole
Key takeaway In 2000, she moved to Atlanta, where she organized the city’s first Transgender Day of Remembrance and marched in the Color Guard for Atlanta Pride.
Why this matters
The enduring power of the Transgender Pride Flag, designed by Monica Helms, reflects the growing visibility and resilience of the trans community nationwide. As Helms' life story illustrates, trans individuals are not one-dimensional, but rather multifaceted people with families, careers, and diverse experiences. Her advocacy for trans rights, including her work on behalf of trans veterans, highlights the need for inclusive policies and protections that vary significantly by state. The fact that Helms and her wife, Darlene Wagner, felt compelled to leave the US due to rising anti-trans sentiment, only to return after Wagner's job situation improved, underscores the complexities of navigating a country with disparate legal protections. As Helms now sits on the board of directors for the Gilbert Baker Foundation, her work will continue to shed insight into the importance of symbols like the Pride flag, which has become a rallying point for trans people globally, and the ongoing efforts to restrict their display, such as in Florida, where rainbow-colored sidewalks are banned.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LGBTQ Nation . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 12 min
Get more LGBTQ News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering rights and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? One morning in the late nineties, Monica Helms woke up with the design idea for the Transgender Pride Flag. Since then, the blue, pink, and white emblem has exploded in popularity. Trans people have adopted it as a symbol around which to rally across the globe. While monumental, that’s not the sole
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Faefyx Collington at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .