His parents were prominent community citizens his mother was an educator and his father served as a judge and lawyer. Gilbert Baker was born on Jin the tiny rural town of Chanute, Kansas. He died on March 31, 2017, at the age of 65.
Baker’s artistic work helped define and solidify the LGBTQ movement. A skilled vexillographer (flag maker), his work spanned 30 years and broke two world records. Self-described as the “gay Betsy Ross,” Gilbert Baker was an American artist, LGBTQ rights activist and the creator of the rainbow flag. Gilbert Baker is an artist and LGBTQ rights activist who created the rainbow flag.
