Gilbert Baker, the legendary artist and gay rights activist who is credited for having had created the iconic pride flag, has unfortunately died on Friday in his sleep. “Gilbert was a trailblazer for LGBT rights, a powerful artist and a true friend to all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. He will be missed,” said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee on the tragic death of Baker.
The flag was created by Baker after California elected its first openly gay, Harvey Milk, back in the late 70’s (though only 11 months in he was tragically assassinated). Screenwriter of the Academy-award winning biographical film Milk tweeted, “Rainbows weep. Our world is far less colorful without you, my love. Gilbert Baker gave us the rainbow flag to unite us. Unite again.”
The original flag was an ensemble of 8 different colors; pink stood for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise for magic, blue for harmony and purple for spirit. It was designed in 1978 for gay freedom day, the equivalent of a modern Pride parade. Today those colors remain, though pink was excluded due to production costs and turquoise out of pure aesthetic reasons.
The flag, to the LGBTQ community, transcends the epitome of pride for one’s own labels within the community. It’s a flag with a message that is known secularly for its obvious pride, joy and happiness. “The rainbow flag is more than just a symbol. It is the embodiment of the LGBT community, and it has become a source of solace, comfort and pride for all those who look upon it,” said Lee to CNN.
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