See also: International Co-operative Alliance § The flagĪ seven-colour rainbow flag is a common symbol of the international cooperative movement. Rainbow flags in various cultures and movements Reformation (1525) There are several independent rainbow flags in use today. The pride flag has represented gay pride since 1978 and evolved into a symbol of the LGBT movement. Since 1961, the international peace flag, also known as the PACE flag, has been especially popular in Italy and to a lesser extent Europe and the rest of the world.
1920) is used in Andean indigenism in Peru and Bolivia to represent the legacy of the Inca Empire. The International Co-operative Alliance adopted a rainbow flag in 1925. Ĭontemporary international uses of a rainbow flag dates to the beginning of the 20th century. In the 18th century, American Revolutionary War writer Thomas Paine proposed that a rainbow flag be used as a maritime flag to signify neutral ships in time of war. 5 Use of rainbow flag colors in different designs.4 Use of rainbow flag in various settings.2.6 LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Pride (1978).2.2 Armenian Republic proposed flag (1919).2 Rainbow flags in various cultures and movements.Sign up for them.'s weekly newsletter here. “Ultimately, I think it demonstrates the strength, the force, and the inspiration of the LGBTQ movement and LGBTQ people,” he adds. The rainbow comes from nature, just like LGBTQ people come from nature.” “This one had nothing going for it except that the simplicity of its design clearly connected with some resonances that are really wonderful. “To produce a trademark that becomes internationally recognized normally requires a massive, years-long, corporate campaign with an enormous budget to make sure everybody knows what Coca-Cola is or what Barbie is,” Koskovich explains. Koskovich agrees, saying the flag remnant is one of the “20 most important symbolic artifacts of LGBTQ history of the 20th century.” He also believes the material is a reminder of the way that Baker’s design has flourished in the decades since the flag’s creation, with the rainbow becoming a universal symbol of the LGBTQ+ community all over the world. At that point, Beal looked at the remnant he had been bequeathed and noticed “that it was hand-dyed fabric and fairly artisanal production,” Koskovich says. Initially, it did not occur to Beal that the flag now in his possession could be the long-lost Pride banner until he was contacted by someone who had visited Baker’s apartment in the 80s and remembered seeing it. Baker passed away in 2017 at the age of 65, and among his belongings was a portion of a rainbow flag. It would not be discovered until 2019, when Koskovich says that Charles Beal, president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation, contacted Baker’s sister looking for materials from his estate that could be carried at the Stonewall 50 Parade. It makes sense that nobody paid any particular attention to it.”īut as the rainbow flag grew in importance as a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community throughout the 1980s and 90s, the fragment saved by Baker was nowhere to be found. “It was just damaged leftover decorations from last year's parade.
“In 1979, that remnant wasn’t a precious remnant of the founding object that created an internationally recognized symbol for the LGBT community,” he says. It was originally stored at the San Francisco Gay Community Center before being damaged by mildew, owing to the building’s leaky roof.Īs Koskovich explains, Baker “simply chopped off the part that was ruined, threw it away, and kept the remaining piece that was still fresh and lovely looking.”
The other, which will be on display through the GLBT Historical Society for the remainder of the year, mysteriously vanished. Of the two original Pride flags designed by Baker, one was stolen following the 1979 parade: an eight-stripe design with a square in the upper-left-hand corner containing tie-dyed stars, closely resembling the American flag.