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In 1970, Gilbert Baker came to San Francisco as an Army draftee. After an honorable discharge, he stayed in San Francisco, finally able to pursue his dreams of being an artist. He learned to sew, making all the clothes that he wanted but couldn't buy.
In 1974, Baker's life changed forever when he met Harvey Milk, who showed him "how action could create change." Just three years after they met, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors – making him the first openly gay person to hold a high public office in a major American city. He had campaigned on a positive message of hope for young gay people, saying, "The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope."
After winning the election, Milk challenged Gilbert Baker to come up with a symbol of pride for the gay community. Milk had wanted a positive alternative to the pink triangle. The pink triangle, once used by Nazis to identify and persecute homosexuals, had been reclaimed in the 70s as a bold symbol of remembrance and action against persecution.
Inspired, Baker began working on a flag. He dyed the fabrics himself and, with the help of volunteers, stitched together eight strips of brilliant color into a huge banner that spoke volumes: hot pink stood for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise blue for art, indigo for harmony and violet for spirit.
On the morning of Nov. 27, 1978, San Francisco received shocking news: Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk had been assassinated at City Hall. Grief and rage galvanized San Franciscans. That night, the streets lit up with candles mourning the loss of Milk and Moscone.
That six-stripe Rainbow Flag was soon proudly flown outside many San Francisco homes and businesses. Indeed, wherever a symbol of pride and hope was needed, the rainbow appeared: on keychains, coffee mugs, T-shirts, bumper stickers – you name it. Recently, Gilbert Baker said, "The flag is an action – it's more than just the cloth and the stripes. When a person puts the Rainbow Flag on his car or his house, they're not just flying a flag. They're taking action."
In 1994 Baker created the history-making, mile-long Rainbow Flag for Stonewall 25 in New York to mark the 25th anniversary of the gay civil rights movement.
In 1974, Baker's life changed forever when he met Harvey Milk, who showed him "how action could create change." Just three years after they met, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors – making him the first openly gay person to hold a high public office in a major American city. He had campaigned on a positive message of hope for young gay people, saying, "The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope."
After winning the election, Milk challenged Gilbert Baker to come up with a symbol of pride for the gay community. Milk had wanted a positive alternative to the pink triangle. The pink triangle, once used by Nazis to identify and persecute homosexuals, had been reclaimed in the 70s as a bold symbol of remembrance and action against persecution.
Inspired, Baker began working on a flag. He dyed the fabrics himself and, with the help of volunteers, stitched together eight strips of brilliant color into a huge banner that spoke volumes: hot pink stood for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise blue for art, indigo for harmony and violet for spirit.
On the morning of Nov. 27, 1978, San Francisco received shocking news: Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk had been assassinated at City Hall. Grief and rage galvanized San Franciscans. That night, the streets lit up with candles mourning the loss of Milk and Moscone.
That six-stripe Rainbow Flag was soon proudly flown outside many San Francisco homes and businesses. Indeed, wherever a symbol of pride and hope was needed, the rainbow appeared: on keychains, coffee mugs, T-shirts, bumper stickers – you name it. Recently, Gilbert Baker said, "The flag is an action – it's more than just the cloth and the stripes. When a person puts the Rainbow Flag on his car or his house, they're not just flying a flag. They're taking action."
In 1994 Baker created the history-making, mile-long Rainbow Flag for Stonewall 25 in New York to mark the 25th anniversary of the gay civil rights movement.
The Activity:
To celebrate the hope and ambition that Milk stood for, this Pride Month we will be honoring his memory by creating our very own pride Flag. These should be a symbol for how you identify and show how each one of us is unique and wonderful. You can use any colors, patterns, and symbols that you think best represent yourself.
If you'd like to learn about all the different pride flags, check out this site! It gives lots of great information on the different designs and colors. And to learn about important queer symbols, this site lists many that have been used throughout history.
When you've finished, post your artwork and short explanation below for us all to admire!
To learn more, check out these links:
