Bisexual lighting is the simultaneous use of pink, purple, and blue lighting to represent bisexual characters. It has been used in studio lighting for film and television, and has been observed in the cinematography of various films. While not all films, television shows, photographs, and music videos that use this lighting intend to portray bisexuality, many queer artists have deliberately used this color palette—which resembles that of the bisexual flag—in their work.
It is reminiscent of neon lights and is also associated with retrowave.[1]
George Pierpointof BBC News writes that some social media users claim bisexual lighting has been used as an "empowering visual device" which counteracts perceived under-representation of bisexuality in the visual media. The colors may be a direct reference to the bisexual pride flag.[2][3] The trend gained traction in the LGBT community in 2017 particularly on social media sites Twitter, Reddit, and Pinterest.[4] Sasha Geffen wrote at Vulture.com that it had become "solid in its meaning",[5] while Nicky Idika of PopBuzz wrote that it has now "become an established part of bisexual storytelling in media".[6] And while The Daily Dot questioned whether "the aesthetic or the cultural significance [came] first", it too concluded that the idea "has stuck".[7] Pantone selected "Ultra Violet" as the color of 2018 in a move the BBC says reflected the growing use of the scheme.[2]
