In search of a pride symbol to depict hope, optimism and love, San Francison, gay artist Gilbert Baker created the rainbow flag in 1978. Inspired by the North Beach dance club scene, including the people, music and the “swirl of color and lights” in the mirrored dance ball, Baker thought a rainbow would best symbolize a collective hope for the gay rights movement. The original flag design included eight colors- hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and violet; however, design changes occurred, for various reasons, resulting in the current six-color version. Each color has a meaning: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony and purple for spirit. The rainbow flag was meant to “empower a community”. Bake’s words may say it best:
A Rainbow Flag was a conscious choice, natural and necessary. The rainbow came from earliest recorded history as a symbol of hope. In the Book of Genesis, it appeared as proof of a covenant between God and all living creatures. It was also found in Chinese, Egyptian and Native American history. A Rainbow Flag would be our modern alternative to the pink triangle. Now the rioters who claimed their freedom at the Stonewall Bar in 1969 would have their own symbol of liberation. – Gilbert Baker
To learn more about Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag, visit:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rainbow-pride-flag-history_us_5b193aafe4b0599bc6e124a0
https://gilbertbaker.com/rainbow-flag-origin-story/
https://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/flags/qq-rb.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag_(LGBT_movement)