This past week, I and, a few hundred others gathered at the Florida State Capitol to lobby and protest during the 2026 Legislative Session — often called the “60 most dangerous days in Florida.” Many of the same bills that threatened human rights last year are back again.

The rainbow flag is the most well-known and recognizable queer symbol, but it has also drawn more attention than we might always want. This is why I’ve begun this case study. Before we embrace these symbols from both the past and present, we should first understand where they came from and why they hold significance within the LGBTQIA+ community.

This independent research study explores how brands in the U.S. leverage nostalgia to influence modern design and consumer behavior. By reviving the aesthetics of the past, colors, and branding strategies, companies create emotional connections that shape the future of marketing and product design.

Back in elementary school, I attended a performing arts school, and it was a place where I flourished. I could express myself freely, no matter who I was at the time. After finishing fifth grade, I didn’t have theatre as an extracurricular anymore, and I lost the space where I could truly be myself. When I was in middle and high school, I struggled to make friends, and I often looked for places where I could extend myself in a creative way.