GettyGilbert Baker, the creator of the LGBT rainbow flag has passed away in his sleep at the age of 65.
The San Francisco based artist died on Thursday night and the prominent six-colour flag has been raised in the centre of the city in his honour.
Baker originally created the flag in 1978 which was made up of eigiht colours, each one representing a different aspect of humanity.
People all over the world are paying their respects and thanking him for giving them an empowering symbol of ‘diversity and inclusion’ for their safe space.
California’s State Senator Scott Weiner said:
Rest in power, Gilbert. Your work helped define the modern #LGBT movement
Saddened by the loss of Gilbert Baker. As designer of the Pride Flag he created a lasting symbol of diversity & inclusion for all. #LGBTQ2 pic.twitter.com/2IbUKj7gNJ
— Randy Boissonnault (@R_Boissonnault) March 31, 2017
The eight colours of the flag were: pink for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turqoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for human spirit.
In respect to Gilbert Baker.
The original rainbow flag for our community.
Such a beautiful act towards inclusion.#LGBT #GilbertBaker pic.twitter.com/ZXgLqAE9gy
— Richard Harris (@cigarboyrick82) April 1, 2017
The flag as it is today has only six colours because in the seventies, people who printed flags did not use pink, so he had to compromise.
Baker said that he wanted ‘something from nature to represent that our sexuality is a human right’.
