Artist Gilbert Baker, who created the iconic gay pride rainbow flag in 1978, has died at age 65.
Baker was an Army vet who lived in San Francisco in the late ’70s, where he met politician Harvey Milk. Baker created the flag as a symbol of gay rights and anti-war protest. His cause of death is currently unknown.
“He helped Long Island native Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person elected to public office, with banners and flags that helped to frame the message for the LGBT community as one of hope and change,” Dr. David Kilmnick, CEO of the LGBT Network, said in a statement.
