June is the month of LGBT+ pridea month dedicated to celebrating sexual diversity, freedom of expression and equality; fight that has taken strength, thanks to movements, characters and symbols that have emerged over the years. One of these is the «gay flag», an emblem that has been part of the community for more than 40 years. Discover who Gilbert Baker, the artist, designer and activist, in charge of creating this symbol of diversity.
Who is Gilbert Baker, creator of the LGBT+flag?
Baker was born in Chanute, Kansas, on June 2, 1951; At 19 he joined the United States Army and two years later he moved to San Francisco where he graduated with Honors. It was while he was there that the LGBT Liberation Movement began to gain strength. At the same time that this happened, Baker decided to learn sewing and design the banners that were exhibited in the manifestations in favor of equality and against war; While joining the movement headed by the activist Harvey Milkwith which he filed a friendships.
By Milk's suggestion, Baker began working in the design of a symbol for the gay movement, that was when on June 25, 1978, the activist first waved rainbow fabrics at the San Francisco Pride Festival. A flag that has been indicated, was inspired by the song Over The Rainbow, of the American singer Judy Garland.
LGBT+ flag design
At first, the flag had eight colors instead of six. Each of these had a different concept, pink represented sexuality, red life, the orange health, yellow the sunlight, green nature, turquoise magic and art, purple serenity and violet the spirit; But because the pink pigment did not occur industrially, this color had to be eliminated; Years later the turquoise color adjusted to Azul Rey and the purple was ruled out.