Public Domainįor decades, the 6-stripe flag stood as the symbol of the Gay Rights movement. By 1979, the flag underwent two moderations removing the hot pink and turquoise stripes while making indigo a royal blue. His assassination sparked anger and outrage from the LGBTQ+ community and the rainbow flag became a symbol for the Gay Rights movement. Milk was an openly gay man who was holding an elected office in San Francisco. The flag was created by Gilbert Baker in the late 1970s following the assassination of Harvey Milk. Hot pink stood for sex and turquoise stood for magic/art. The first gay pride flag had eight colors: hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and purple. Before the rainbow flag, the gay community used the upsidedown pink triangle used on homosexuals during the Holocaust. The first flag flew at the first San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978. The first pride flag was created 42 years ago on June 25, 2020.

Yet, the flag has a longer history than the widespread acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in recent years. It is hard to look around in June and not see the rainbow being incorporated into everything around you to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Red is Life, Orange is Healing, Yellow is Sunlight, Green is Nature, Blue is Serenity, and Purple is Spirit. The 6-stripe gay pride flag is the most recognizable symbol of the LGBTQ+ community.