Gilbert Baker, the designer of the iconic
rainbow flag, has died. Cleve Jones, an
AIDS activist and Baker’s longtime friend
confirms that he died in his sleep on
Thursday, March 30, 2017 in New York.In
1978, Baker sewed a multicolored flag that
became the symbol of the LGBT community
across the world. 
A vigil in Baker’s memory was held on
Friday evening under the rainbow flag in San
Francisco’s United Nations Plaza.The
banner could be seen flying half-staff from
the balcony of Mayor Ed Lee who said:
“Gilbert was a trailblazer for LGBT
rights, a powerful artist and a true
friend to all who knew him. Our
thoughts are with his friends and
family. He will be missed”.
Baker was born in Chanute, Kansas, and
joined the US Army as a medic. He arrived
in San Francisco in 1970 to work at an
orthopedic hospital where Vietnam veterans
underwent skin grafts and amputations.
After his honorable discharge from the
military, he stayed in San Francisco and
immersed himself in the gay and lesbian
community.
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