Thirty-five years ago, Gilbert Baker created the one symbol that has united LGBT communities all over the world — the rainbow flag.
Baker will be on hand at the Oct. 7 OutFest to bestow an award named for him and sell signed 35th-anniversary paintings.
The artist conceived of the flag for the San Francisco Pride celebration in 1978.
He said he chose to use a flag because it proclaims power.
“It came at a time when visibility was really important and celebrated,” Baker said. “A flag really fits because it is a universal tool for visibility. We needed one.”
In addition to showing the many “colors” of the community,” the rainbow also expresses the idea that sexuality is inborn.
“I really love that it’s the rainbow and it is from nature; therefore, it is a natural flag and we are out of nature,” Baker said. “So, on so many levels the rainbow fits us so perfectly.”
The actual term for someone who creates flags is vexillographer, but Baker is often nicknamed the “gay Betsy Ross.”
“She is the mother of our country, so when they call me that I laugh,” Baker said.
Baker said he knows a good deal about Ross’ life and is both “honored and amused” by the comparison.
When he created the flag, Baker said he wasn’t immediately aware of the impact it would have.
“I wasn’t really sure but I knew the second it went up in the air that it would change my life,” he said. “It has lasted a long time and it seems like it never stops evolving. It has become everything.”
He noted the flag has been used for everything from logos for LGBT organizations to souvenirs to artwork.
“It has translated itself in an incredible way,” he said.
He said he most enjoys the statement that comes from flags hung outside of homes, businesses and even dorm rooms.
“The fact that they have the flag up is saying something,” Baker said.
To commemorate the flag’s 25th anniversary, Baker created a world-record-breaking flag that stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.
On a recent trip to Ireland, where he was honored by the National Gallery of Ireland, he gifted a miniature rainbow flag to the organization, which it hung on its building and which inspired him to honor the 35th anniversary with a flag that was smaller, but still powerful.
The personalized small rainbow-flag paintings will go for $20, and Baker will sell the works at a number of other LGBT festivals throughout the country.
Baker, who regularly attends OutFest, said he is a fan of Philadelphia not just for its history but also for its unique LGBT community.
“I love Philadelphia, I love the Gayborhood, I love the people,” he said. “It really feels like a community there. “Philly is intellectual, and I really appreciate that. It is about ideas and people on a real level. It is Hollywood without the movie stars. It is New York without the money and Washington, D.C., without the bullshit. It is a very cool place.”
At previous OutFest celebrations, he said he’s seen rainbow-flag patterns used for everything from dog clothing to soaps.
“I always discover something clever. There is always interesting craftwork in Philadelphia,” he said.
Each year, an award in Baker’s name is given to an organization that has had a profound impact on the LGBT community. This year’s recipient for the OutProud Gilbert Baker Award is the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus, which promotes Philadelphia as an LGBT tourist destination and worked to install rainbow-flag street signs throughout the Gayborhood.
“They’ve done a really great job in Philly,” Baker said. “They’ve created very interesting campaigns over the years and it gives a good message to the world about Philadelphia.”
As for future local work, Baker hopes to one day make a rainbow flag that would stretch the length of Market Street.
For more information on Baker and his work, visit www.gilbertbaker.com.