Number 18 on my Queer Icons Pride Project is Activist Gilbert Baker Born June 2, 1951 Gilbert Baker was an artist, designer and activist. His most notable work is the pride flag. He along with Lynn Segerblom and James McNamara helped create one of the most iconic symbols of the queer community. Baker served in the US Army in the early 70s, stationed as a medic in San Francisco during the beginning of the gay movement and lived openly as a gay man. After being honorably discharged he learned to sew by fellow activist Mary Dunn, he used these skills to create banners promoting gay rights and speaking out against the war. Baker created the first pride flag with a collective in 1978. Now the colors of the original flag consisted of pink, red, orange, yellow, green, teal, indigo, and violet, but eventually due to cost the pink and teal stripes were removed. Volunteers helped Baker hand dye and stitch the original two flags together. These flags measured around 30 by 60 feet. Gilbert Baker influences me by his commitment to speak out and protest for the rights that I have today. He also inspires me as an artist, who knew that such a thing as eight stripes of color sewn together could hold so much power. @gilbert_baker_foundation #gilbertbaker #lynnsegerblom #jamesmcnamara #prideflag #pride #rainbow #queer #gay #transgender #lesbian #bisexual #drawing #redsketch #prismacolor #pride2022 #prideproject #loveislove #strength #queerartist (at Turlock, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce8i-tSLNsH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
