17.6 - RIP: Gilbert Baker

RIP: Gilbert Baker

This week, we have an RIP for someone of who, unless you were a dedicated political activist, you very likely have never heard.

Gilbert Baker

His name was Gilbert Baker, and he was found dead in his New York apartment on March 31. He died of heart disease. He was 65.

After being in the Army as a medic and nurse, he taught himself to sew - which is relevant because of the reason his passing is worth noting:

In 1978, Gilbert Baker created the rainbow flag, the flag which has become the internationally-recognizable symbol of LGBTQ pride and LGBTQ rights. So much so that four days after the historic Supreme Court decision guaranteeing the right of same-sex couples to marry, the White House was lit up in rainbow colors - and no one needed to ask why.

So RIP, Gilbert Baker.