In 1978, Harvey Milk asked his friend Gilbert Baker to make a symbol that would represent gay pride. Using the US flag as inspiration, Baker hand-sewed a rainbow flag.

Baker said each color on the flag represented something that was important to the community. Red represents life. Orange represents healing. Yellow represents sunlight. Green represents nature and healing. Blue represents serenity. Purple represents spirit.

The rainbow pride flag was first flown in San Francisco on June 25, 1978, for Gay Pride Day. It endures to this day.