Life

Gilbert Baker, creator of the rainbow flag, dead at 65

Gilbert Baker, creator of the rainbow flag, dead at 65

Gilbert Baker, the civil rights activist, Army veteran and self-taught tailor who created the symbol of the LGBTQ movement 39 years ago has died. He would have turned 66 this Pride.

His beloved friend, author and organizer Cleve Jones, shared the sad news on Twitter.

There was no word as to the cause of death. Baker’s website tells his story of how he taught himself how to sew and created flags and banners for marches and protests, including the rainbow banner flown by civil rights icon Harvey Milk in San Francisco on June 25, 1978. It’s a story he also told it to PBS in 2015.

Baker’s creation has been seen flown all around the world. He was 65.

Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

The positive message behind this Google doodle gave us all the feels

Previous article

Which companies are celebrating North Carolina’s HB2 replacement?

Next article