A few different flags within the LGBTQ+ communityīut the rainbow flag is not the only flag that represents LGBTQ+ folks. His design for the flag was said to be inspired by Judy Garlands Over the Rainbow. That change created the six-stripe version of the flag that we all know today. symbol of pride for the gay community in San Francisco. Baker's way to fix the problem was to create a flag with an even number of stripes - dropping another color, turquoise. To keep up, the Paramount Flag Company, where Baker worked, dropped the hot pink stripe.Īccording to the GLBT Historical Society Museum and Archives, the rainbow flag was modified again in 1979 because the middle stripe was obscured when the flag hung on lamp posts.
Each color on the Pride flag represented something significant: sex, life, healing, sunlight, nature, magic, serenity and spirit.Īfter the assassination of gay San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk in November 1978, demand for the flag increased and there was a shortage of pink fabric. The original rainbow flag had 8 colors: pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue and violet.
Baker was a vexillographer, or flag maker, for more than 40 years. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, Main New York.Īccording to the Gilbert Baker Foundation, Baker designed and created the first rainbow flag in 1978. Artist Gilbert Baker, designer of the Rainbow Flag, is draped with the flag while holding a rainbow banner that reads 'Boycott Homophobia' before the start of the St.
