Gilbert Baker Has Died

[Larstrup]

http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170331204230-gilbert-baker-file-exlarge-169.jpg

Gilbert Baker, the designer of the iconic rainbow flag, has died.

 

In 1978, Baker sewed a multicolored flag that became the symbol of the LGBT community across the world.

 

Baker, 65, died Thursday in his sleep, said Cleve Jones, an AIDS activist and Baker's longtime friend. He died in New York City, the medical examiner's office there said.

 

A vigil in Baker's memory was planned Friday evening under the rainbow flag in San Francisco's United Nations Plaza. The banner could be seen flying half-staff from the balcony of Mayor Ed Lee.

 

"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," Lee said in a statement.

 

Baker was born in Chanute, Kansas, and joined the US Army as a medic. He arrived in San Francisco about 1970 to work at an orthopedic hospital where Vietnam veterans underwent skin grafts and amputations.

 

After his honorable discharge from the military, he stayed in San Francisco and immersed himself in the gay and lesbian community.

 

It was after the election of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California, when Gilbert created the rainbow flag.

 

Much of our LGBTQ history continues to escape many. I thought this was worthy of a mention here.

 

[LADoug1]

Thanks for such a newsworthy post! It is posts like this that make this forum topical and educational.

[+ OliverSaks]

http://www.fla-keys.com/keysvoices/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rainbow-flag-Andy.jpg

[rvwnsd]

Thanks for posting that tribute to the unsung man behind an LGBTQ icon.

[Larstrup]

http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/thenewcivilrightsmovement/pages/16923/meta_images/original/obama_gilbert_baker_flag_2.jpg?1466788706

 

http://i0.wp.com/holidaysandobservances.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Original-Gay-Pride-Flag1.png

[TruthBTold]

Yes, thanks very much for the post. My chest tightens and swells on just seeing the colors of the flag. There is something wonderful about people all around the world recognizing one symbol. It is akin to the U.N. flag.

[+ SimplyAdam]

Here's to living his legacy - flagrantly, and freely! May he rest as peacefully as we passionately - purposefully! - re-realize his many-hued contributions.

 

www.simplyadam.com/blog/rainbow-pride-part-one

[mmk123]

I know over the years the flag went from 8 stripes to 6 stripes but I would like to see the 8 stripe version come back to the forefront. Something about that version I prefer.

[TruthBTold]

Larstrup and SimplyAdam, thanks very much for the post giving us a beautifully written history lesson. Especially thanks for the link to Gilbert Baker's own discussion about the original conception and making of the flag. I am sure that he had no idea that what he made would grab the world the way that it has and become a rallying point so that human rights can be fought for. When is the next time that you think we will see this -

 

[+ Charlie]

Thanks for such a newsworthy post!

+1