Several communities at the time had reclaimed the Pink Triangle as a symbol of queer power. “Flags are about proclaiming power” Baker said.īaker was inspired by the United States flag, with its series of stacked lines, and also by Pop Art of the time. He was approached by Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person elected to public office in California, in 1977 to create a symbol of pride for the community. The history of the rainbow flag is a rich, fascinating, and very recent one!Īrtist and activist Gilbert Baker is credited with creating the first pride flag, meant to represent the gay community.
