New West Pride - Royal City Pride Society New Westminster, BC, Canada

The History of the Gay Pride Flag

In 1978, Gilbert Baker (born in Kansas in 1951) designed the Rainbow (or Gay Pride) Flag as a symbol of LGBT pride, liberation and diversity. "In the beginning the Rainbow Flag was about liberation. It was about breaking free of an existence limited by fear and conformity, the right to express sexuality without shame or retaliation from those who legislate "morality.'" He began making banners and ultimately the Rainbow Flag for his friend Harvey Milk, who was later assassinated on Nov 27, 1978. The Rainbow Flag debuted at the 1978 San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade. It has since been used around the world as a symbol of LGBT unity in many variations, including adaptations such as bumper stickers and decals. "A true flag," Baker said, "is torn from the soul of the people.

In 2003, Baker created a rainbow flag that stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean in Key West to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the flag. With that creation, Baker broke his own record previously awarded in 1994 for his mile long Rainbow Flag in memory of the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The Key West flag, which was 1.25-miles, was created over three months and included more than 18,000 yards of nylon fabric, 25 miles of seams, and was created in 100 foot and 250 foot sections seamed together. It weighed more than three tons. After this the Flag was divided into sections and given to Pride organizations all over the world.

In the image above, the flag used is a section of this world record flag.

by Ken Coolen,
President - Vancouver Pride Society