On June 25, 1978, Gilbert Baker debuted the first rainbow flag at the San Fransisco Gay Freedom Day Celebration. In just 30 years, the Rainbow Flag has become the most visible icon for our community worldwide.
“In 1978, when I thought of creating a flag for the gay movement there was no other international symbol for us than the pink triangle, which the Nazis used to identify homosexuals in concentration camps. Even though the pink triangle was and still is a powerful symbol, it was very much forced upon us”. “I almost instantly thought of using the rainbow. To me, it was the only thing that could really express our diversity, beauty and our joy. I was astounded nobody had thought of making a rainbow flag before because it seemed like such an obvious symbol for us.”
(via ohlalamag)