A February 1999 article in the National Liberty Journal , published by evangelical pastor Jerry Falwell , warned parents that Tinky Winky could be a hidden homosexual symbol , because `` he is purple , the gay pride color , and his antenna is shaped like a triangle , the gay pride symbol '' . He warned parents that Tinky Winky could be a hidden homosexual symbol , because `` he is purple , the gay pride color , and his antenna is shaped like a triangle : the gay pride symbol '' .