Originally devised by artist Gilbert Baker, the design has undergone several revisions since its debut in 1978, first to remove colors then restore them based on availability of fabrics. The request came before the creation of a Gay Liberation symbol that used a pink triangle. The creator’s name was Gilbert Baker who, at the time, responded to outreach from the local community in search of a unifying symbol.
While this use of the rainbow flag originated in San Francisco, it is now used worldwide. The very first ideation of the now internationally famous 'Rainbow Flag' started in San Francisco in 1978. He was commissioned to create a flag by another gay icon, politician Harvey Milk, for San Francisco's annual pride parade.īesides, where does the gay flag come from? How did the gay rainbow start? The rainbow flag was created in 1978 by artist, designer, Vietnam War veteran and then-drag performer, Gilbert Baker. Baker later revealed that he was urged by Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., to create a symbol of pride for the gay community. It goes back to 1978, when the artist Gilbert Baker, an openly gay man and a drag queen, designed the first rainbow flag.
The rainbow flag was popularized as a symbol of the gay community by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978.