The story behind the gay marriage symbol taking over Facebook

How a red square with a pink equal sign became the new icon for marriage equality

The Human Rights Campaign's flickr page
(Image credit: Screen shot, Flickr/HRC)

You've probably already seen it on Facebook or Twitter: Two parallel pink lines splashed on a red square background, appearing where your friends' selfies usually go. It's become the de facto logo of supporters of gay marriage as the Supreme Court considers the Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8. And it ticks all the requisite checkboxes an effective symbol needs: It's simple, instantly recognizable, and, well, everywhere.

But where did it come from? Well, the logo was created by marketing director Anastasia Khoo of the Human Rights Campaign, a group that trumpets itself as "the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organization," and "envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights."

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Chris Gayomali is the science and technology editor for TheWeek.com. Previously, he was a tech reporter at TIME. His work has also appeared in Men's Journal, Esquire, and The Atlantic, among other places. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.