Fly your freak Flag with pride.
Flag Magazine is a queer independent publication dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ creatives and fostering community through art, collaboration, and collective care.
Explore all that Flag Magazine has to offer
Submit to our winter issue
Flag Magazine is accepting submissions for our Winter 2026 issue: Apricity. Submissions close on November 30th. Click on the button below for more information on material requirements, theme details, and additional instructions on how to submit your work.
Read our summer issue
Our Summer 2025 issue: Coming Home is available for digital access. The digital issue is available on a donation-basis of $1+. Proceeds go towards future issue printing costs and other expenses. Can’t afford to donate? Email us at hello@flagthemag.com for a code to access the issue for free.
Keep up with upcoming events
Looking to find out when the next Flag Magazine events are being hosted? Want to learn about other fun events/opportunities near you? Follow us on our social media!
What is a flag?
Our publication’s title can be interpreted in multiple ways. “Flag” is emblematic of various cultural facets of queerness, transness, and gender non-conformity.
A PRIDE / RAINBOW FLAG
Pride; community; celebration; visibility; inclusion.
The original LGBTQ+ Pride Flag debuted in 1978 and was designed by Gilbert Baker. This inaugural flag incorporated 8 colors, with each color assigned a specific meaning: hot pink (sex), red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), turquoise (magic/art), indigo (serenity), violet (spirit).
Since then, many variations have been introduced to increase inclusion/representation among sexual orientations and gender identities. Today, the Progress Pride Flag is used most commonly to represent the LGBTQ+ community and new flags continue to emerge as our understanding of gender, sexuality, and intersectionality expands. Learn more about the evolution of the Pride Flag here.
01
THE PRACTICE OF FLAGGING
Connection, cruising, DL, subtle, safety.
A queer practice of signaling sexual interests / preferences through dress and style.
The hanky code: involves wearing different colors of bandanas in your pockets — left or right, respectively, to signal top/dom or bottom/submissive roles — to indicate different kinks, fantasies, and other sexual interests to the world. This modern variation of the practice originated in the ‘70s, a time when it was illegal in most places to have queer sex.
Carabiner flagging: dominated by lesbians and queer women, this practice involves a carabiner (aka, a ring of keys). Wearers will clip their carabiner to their left or right belt hoop, respectively, to signal top/dom or bottom/submissive roles.
Other historical and modern flags include a nautical star tattoo on the wrist, pinkie rings, signet rings, green carnations, and dungarees.
02
“FLY ONE’S FREAK FLAG”
Authenticity, unconventionality, individuality.
“But I'm going to wave
My freak flag high, high ow!”
If 6 was 9 by Jimi Hendrix
To behave in an unconventional or unrestrained manner; to exhibit the uninhibited, nonconformist side of one's personality.
FEATURED IMAGE PULLED FROM FILM THE FAMILY STONE (2005).
03
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Currently we are not hiring any staff members at Flag Magazine, including editors, photographers, and artists. We will announce our Instagram (@flagthemag) if any positions open up.
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1) Any in-person events hosted by Flag Magazines.
2) Vendor booths at other events (announced on our Instagram @flagthemag).
3) At select stores in Los Angeles. Currently, we have Issue 01 in stock at Creatures (Eagle Rock), Stories (Echo Park) and the Pop Hop (Highland Park).
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Twice a year, every summer and winter.
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You can reach out to hello@flagthemag.com with any inquiries!
Frequently Asked Questions
Coverage
LA Times
Canvas Rebel
Each month we send out a newsletter with a bunch of fun content - event recaps, updates on our submission process / release schedule, upcoming Flag-hosted events, and a “Community Member of the Month” section.