Beloved activist and artist Gilbert Baker, who was born in Kansas on June 2, 1951, had lived in San Francisco, and became a resident of New York City and Fire Island, passed away, in his sleep, in NYC on March 30. He would have turned 66 on June 2. Gilbert was best known for creating the iconic LGBT rainbow flag in 1978.
Gilbert was a Radical Faerie and a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence and, as a flag maker, was also known as Busty Ross. He recreated his original flag for Gus Van Sant’s film “Milk” (2008), about Harvey Milk, and made one for Dustin Lance Black’s miniseries “When We Rise” (2017), in which he was portrayed by Dylan Arnold. A flag that Gilbert made and maintained flew over Cherry Grove dock during Pride season and he also participated in Arts Project of Cherry Grove Art Shows. We will miss his proud presence.