Remembering Gilbert Baker: The Creator Of The Rainbow Flag (1951-2017)

Gilbert Baker was not just an artist; he was a revolutionary figure in the LGBTQ rights movement. His creation, the rainbow flag, is now an iconic symbol of pride and diversity worldwide. Baker's life and work have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire generations and advocate for equality and acceptance. Through his artistic expression, Baker transformed a simple piece of fabric into a powerful emblem of love and solidarity for marginalized communities.

Born in the small town of Chanute, Kansas, Baker's journey was shaped by both personal challenges and a desire to make a difference. His experiences as a gay man in a conservative society fueled his passion for activism and art. As we explore his life, we see how his creativity intertwined with his activism, resulting in a vibrant tapestry of advocacy that changed the landscape of LGBTQ representation.

The story of Gilbert Baker is not just about a flag; it’s about a movement. From his early days in San Francisco during the rise of the gay liberation movement to his pivotal role in the creation of the rainbow flag, Baker's life exemplifies the power of art as a means of expression and change. Join us as we delve into the remarkable life of Gilbert Baker, understanding the man behind the flag that symbolizes hope, diversity, and unity.

Table of Contents

• Who Was Gilbert Baker?
• Early Life
• Activism
• Why Did Gilbert Baker Make the Pride Flag?
• More Rainbow Flags and Artwork
• Record-Breaking Rainbow Flags
• Death and Tributes
• Quick Facts

Who Was Gilbert Baker?

Self-described as the “gay Betsy Ross,” Gilbert Baker was an American artist, LGBTQ rights activist, and the creator of the rainbow flag. A skilled vexillographer (flag maker), his work spanned 30 years and broke two world records. Baker’s artistic work helped define and solidify the LGBTQ movement. He died on March 31, 2017, at the age of 65.

Early Life

Gilbert Baker was born on June 2, 1951, in the tiny rural town of Chanute, Kansas. His parents were prominent community citizens; his mother was an educator and his father served as a judge and lawyer. Baker had an outgoing and friendly personality as a child but felt ostracized because of his gay identity. After graduating from high school, Baker attended college for a year before the Army drafted him. Baker was stationed in San Francisco just as the gay liberation movement was beginning to take shape. After serving a short two-year term, he was honorably discharged and settled into the thriving activist community of San Francisco.

Activism

In the 1970s, Baker participated in drag shows and joined the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a non-profit LGBTQ advocacy group whose members dress as nuns to bring attention to gender and sexual intolerance. An emerging activist and prominent drag performer, Baker joined forces with Harvey Milk—the first openly gay elected official in California. Baker became Milk’s right-hand flag man, utilizing his drag queen costume sewing skills to design and stitch numerous banners protesting the Vietnam War and supporting gay rights. In fact, when Baker’s very first rainbow flags made their debut, Milk stood beneath them.

Why Did Gilbert Baker Make the Pride Flag?

With increasing interest in the gay liberation movement, Milk and others joined forces with Baker to create a symbol for the movement. The group focused their efforts on creating a flag—because "flags are about proclaiming power, so it’s very appropriate," Baker said in an interview with the New York Museum of Modern Art just after they acquired his original flag design in 2015.

More Rainbow Flags and Artwork

Baker continued to promote the rainbow flag as an artist at Paramount Flag Company, which he credits with helping bring international attention to the rainbow flag through its mass production. Throughout the 1980s, Baker became a prominent artist for local civic, state, and national events, including the 1984 Democratic National Convention. He also designed flags for several world leaders including the Premier of China, the King of Spain, and the presidents of France and Venezuela, among others. One of Baker’s 1992 rainbow silkscreens even hung in the West Wing Office complex of the White House during Bill Clinton’s presidency.

Record-Breaking Rainbow Flags

In 1994, Baker was commissioned to design a mile-long (30-feet-wide) rainbow flag to be carried by 10,000 people in a New York City parade honoring the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. In 2003, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the flag itself, Baker again created a giant rainbow pride flag. This time, the mile-and-a-quarter-long flag that stretched sea to sea from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean in Key West employed the original eight colors. Following both occasions, Guinness World Records recognized them as the world’s largest flags to date. The giant flags were cut up and disseminated to more than a hundred cities worldwide.

Death and Tributes

In addition to developing the internationally recognized symbol of LGBTQ pride, Baker created artwork, essays, articles, and speeches about the rainbow flag. His flags were never trademarked; he chose to see the rainbow flag as his gift to the world. He even returned to San Francisco to recreate the banners and flags he originally made in the 1970s to bring authenticity to the Academy Award-winning feature film Milk (2008) starring Sean Penn.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Gilbert Baker
BORN: June 2, 1951
BIRTHPLACE: Chanute, Kansas
DIED: March 31, 2017