Rainbow flag (LGBT)

The Rainbow flag has been the symbol of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community since its creation in 1978. It is also called the 'Pride Flag.' The flag was created by Gilbert Baker of San Francisco, California in 1978.

History
The flag was first used at a LGBT pride parade in San Francisco in 1978, at that time it had eight colors. The next year it was changed to six colors, so it could be easier to make.

The flag was first made by Gilbert Baker, to be used instead of the pink triangle symbol used before. The pink triangle was used by Nazis to show who was homosexual. Homosexual people were sent to concentration camps in Nazi Germany, where they made homosexual men wear a pink triangle. This was like the yellow Star of David that Jews had to wear to show who was Jewish. LGBT people were not ashamed of the pink triangle, but they wanted a more positive, happier symbol.

Meaning
In the LGBT version of the rainbow flag, each color has a different meaning
Pink = Sexuality
Red = Life
Orange = Healing
Yellow = Sunlight
Green = Nature
Turquoise = Magic/Art
Royal Blue = Serenity/Harmony
Violet = Spirit
It used to have a pink stripe, which meant sexuality, but was removed because the pink cloth was unable to be mass produced. It also had a Turquoise stripe as well, but it was removed.

 Related pages 
 Bisexual flag
 International Bear Brotherhood Flag
 Pansexual flag
 Pride flag
 Rainbow flag
 Transgender flag

References

Other websites

Unsung Heroes of the Gay World: Vexillographer Gilbert Baker 
How Did Gay Pride Flag Originate?  KPIX-TV (CBS 5), December 1, 2006
Gilbert Baker speaks about the Pride flag

Category:LGBT flags
Category:San Francisco
Category:1978 establishments in California