Pride flag designer Gilbert Baker dies
The designer of the Pride Flag, American artist and LGBTQ rights activist has died at the age of 65. Gilbert Baker designed the symbol of the LGBTQ community in 1978.
The flag, with its six vibrant colours created an enduring international emblem of LGBTQ pride. Mr. Baker was found dead in his home in New York City on March 31.
Friends encouraged him to design a banner for marches and other occasions. Before a gay pride parade in 1978 in San Francisco, that city’s Supervisor and gay rights activist, Harvey Milk, who was assassinated that year, asked Mr. Baker to design an emblem to represent the movement.
With the help of volunteers, trashcans were filled with dye in the attic of the Gay Community Centre and they pieced together the first flags, unveiling them in the parade on June 25, 1978.
One witness, Cleve Jones, also an activist, told the New York Times after learning of Mr. Baker’s death, “It needed no explanation. People knew immediately it was OUR flag.”
That’s exactly how the LGBTQ folks feel today and the flag remains the symbol of our fight for equality as human beings. We are, each and every one of us, individuals who seek to be equal in a world where inequality reigns supreme.
As the years go by and we become more aware of how diverse humankind is, we also are bound to a society that is not always kind and accepting of minorities. This is reality. However, when we see the rainbow flag hoisted on a flagpole, regardless of location, we see the symbol that unites the LGBTQ community and tells the world that we are proud and here to stay.
It provides courage and determination to go forward. One may ask if this is but a dream. Yes, it is a dream that is on the way to become more real and indeed more challenging as the years pass.
We will not be deterred by those who criticize us, condemn us or initiate violence. The task is daunting, but if we unite and view the symbol that is universal and is loved by millions of LGBTQ people everywhere, then we know the fight for peaceful coexistence with others is ours to grasp. Humankind deserves equality for all.
There are those who will attempt to minimize our symbol. A Pride flag was destroyed at the University of British Columbia last year. In Amherst, a Pride flag was removed from the pole during the night and slashed from one end to the other. More incidents have occurred and this will continue.
Many do not see LGBTQ citizens as equals and therefore will do their utmost to reject and punish. Pope Francis said recently that the Roman Catholic Church must apologize to the LGBTQ community for past wrongs, but will not embrace equality. That makes the statement redundant.
Perhaps world leaders should pay more attention to where and how many Pride flags grace our world. Perhaps then they will realize the power of the search for equality.
The rainbow flag is the symbol of love, peace and inclusion and the undeniable icon of a free and a peaceful existence for members of the LGBTQ community.
Thank you Gilbert Baker. Comments and information: lgbtconnectionsgv@gmail.com