Time magazine used the rainbow flag on its 30 May edition to illustrate an article on the controversy over a ban on transgender people using the bathroom that correlates with their gender identity.
Dear @time this is a gay pride flag, not a trans pride flag. This is erasure and a failure of basic due diligence.
Some people are frustrated with the magazine for using the flag rather than one that specifically represents transgender pride.
The rainbow flag, also referred to as the gay pride flag, is widely considered representative of both the gay and the LGBT community. There is also a separate flag solely for the trans community.
But some people have referred to Time magazine's use of the rainbow flag as "embarrassing".
Others are concerned that using the gay pride flag to represent a trans issues is "irresponsible".
The trans flag vs gay flag It's unacceptable and irresponsible of @TIME to not use the correct flag Lgbtq+ ≠ rainbow
Rachel Sharp, an author from New York, re-created Time's front cover with the transgender flag using software called GIMP. She told BuzzFeed News that "it's critical that news outlets get it right".
@amaditalks Here you go, @TIME. FTFY. In ten seconds. Using freeware.
"I love that a variety of gender identities and sexual orientations are becoming more visible, more discussed, and hopefully therefore more widely accepted," Sharp said.
"I'm cis, but I do give a damn about my trans friends getting good and correct representation. So should the cover editor at Time magazine. So should everyone."
The author hopes this "bad misinformation" will encourage mainstream graphic designers to think more carefully.
Time had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.