ABSTRACT

While planning San Francisco’s 1978 Gay Freedom Day Parade, gay rights activist Artie Bressan and artist Gilbert Baker suggested using the Rainbow Flag as a symbol that could be flown each year at the parade. Baker designed a flag with eight horizontal stripes in the following colors: hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and violet. Two gigantic flags flew that first year. The image of the Rainbow Flag became popular in the gay community in San Francisco almost immediately.