Baker instead created the rainbow flag to represent diversity and harmony.īaker knew the symbol for pride had to be the rainbow. Back then, the common visual association for LGBTQ+ communities was the pink triangle, a symbol the Nazis had used to signal people’s sexuality.
But why do rainbows represent the queer community? When did that association begin? Where Does The Rainbow Flag Come From?Īccording to the History Channel, Harvey Milk, one of the country’s first openly gay elected officials, commissioned artist Gilbert Baker to create the first rainbow flag for San Francisco’s Gay Freedom Day Parade. I still love rainbows, and I love even more that rainbows are a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride. I also remember feeling frustrated that rainbows were associated with any sexuality - I just wanted to wear my Contempo Casuals special in peace.
In the end, it would turn out that I am bisexual, but at the time, I hadn't even begun to consider my sexuality and I just really loved that shirt. I had no idea they were associated with LGBTQ+ communities until the day I was wearing my favorite rainbow baby tee (RIP) and some girl waltzed up to me and announced, ' Rainbows are gay!' When I was in seventh grade, I was obsessed with rainbows.
