Last modified: 2005-08-19 by antonio martins
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It’s a lower case lambda ("λ"), as the upper case
looks like an "A" without the horizontal stroke.
António Martins, 31 May 1999
The lambda symbol seems to be one of the most controversial of symbols in regards to its meaning. There are several differing opinions as to why the lambda was chosen as a gay symbol and what it really means. However, most sources agree on a few things:
The lambda was first chosen as a gay symbol when it was adopted in 1970 by the New York Gay Activists Alliance. It became the symbol of their growing movement of gay liberation. In 1974, the lambda was subsequently adopted by the International Gay Rights Congress held in Edinburgh, Scotland. As their symbol for lesbian and gay rights, the lambda became internationally popular.
But where history ends, speculation begins. No one seems to have a definitive answer why the lambda was originally chosen as a gay symbol. Some suggest that it is simply the Greek lower-case letter l for liberation. Others disagree, citing the use of lambda in physics to denote energy (the energy we have when we work in concert) or wavelength (are gays and lesbians on a different wavelength?). Lambda may also denote the synergy of the gay movement, the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The lambda also may represent scales and balance, and the constant force that keeps opposing sides from overcoming each other — the hook at the bottom of the right leg signifies the action needed to reach and maintain balance. The ancient Greek Spartans regarded the lambda to mean unity, while the Romans considered it «the light of knowledge shed into the darkness of ignorance».
Whatever the exact meaning and origin, the lambda originally embodied a fairly militant connotation. Today, the symbol generally denotes lesbian’s and gay men’s concerns together. Although the lambda was never intended to be linked to any specific gender or orientation such as other symbols may be, historically this is not so: In the early 1970’s the Los Angeles gay community created a flag with a lavender lambda on a simple white background. They hoped the flag would catch on to other cities, but their hopes were denied because some saw the lambda as a male symbol only.
Charles Ashburner, 16 Mar 1999
I always thought that it was just the inicial of
Λεςβοσ (Lesvos), a greek island on the
Aegean Sea were Sappho is supposed to have lived — the word
"lesbian" derives from it. However, I seem to be mistaken.
António Martins, 31 May 1999
I was told once that the Lambda (or L) derives from ancient
Sparta. Its citizen-militia (if you will) promoted homosexuality
among its members… The Spartan military used shields
which sported the letter Lambda as a “heraldic”
device. This was done because the “official” name of Sparta was
"Lacedaimonia". This explanation seems to make sense to me.
Jan H. Brockmann, 01 Sep 2000
I came across a website interview, at
http://www.usc.edu/isd/archives/oneigla/Rainbow_Flag.html,
concerning the rainbow flag. But this flag has a
white greek letter lambda on it. Has anyone seen
one of these?
Chris Pinette, 16 Mar 1999
Yes, one of these flags or more in Chicago, some on
buildings along Halsted Street. The Lambda flag, with
the Greek letter "L", is one of many
variations on the standard
six-striped Rainbow flag that
has become the basis for the Gay flag worldwide.
Steve Stringfellow, 16 Mar 1999