As hundreds gathered in the Castro last night to remember the life and legacy of Gilbert Baker, the artist who designed the Rainbow Flag, prominent members of San Francisco's LGBT community shared their recollections of the man and the enduring symbol he created.
Baker died on Friday at his home in New York due to undetermined causes. In 1978, Baker, who was living in San Francisco, created the Rainbow Flag for the then-emerging gay rights movement. The flag's colors are meant to signify inclusion.
"He was a veteran, a drag queen, a sister, a revolutionary, and a hippie," said author and activist Cleve Jones, addressing the crowd at Harvey Milk Plaza. "He dedicated his life to the movement. He saw the struggle for LGBT equality as part of the larger social justice movement."
"I came out in the 90s," said Rafael Mandleman, an attorney for the Oakland City Attorney's office. "It was a relatively easy experience. I'm so grateful for everything that Gilbert did—we remember Gilbert with a lot of gratitude."
Sister Merry Peter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence also addressed the crowd. "Gilbert will always be remembered. He had a generous heart. He gave away the rainbow so the whole world could share it."
State Senator Scott Wiener, who previously represented the Castro on the Board of Supervisors, called Baker "an LGBT icon" who helped define the community.
"For generations of LGBT people, myself included, the rainbow flag was part of our coming out and our discovery of community," said Wiener. "Rest in power, Gilbert. You will be missed."
"I'm so glad he lived long enough to know that he was known by the younger generation," said Jones as the crowd prepared to march down Castro Street to the intersection of 18th and Castro.
At the head of the march, several people carried a long Rainbow Flag bearing the slogan, "Rise and Resist!" Many chanted Baker's name as they made their way down the street.
Journalist David Bogachik, an emigre from the Ukraine, carried a flag with the words "Somos Orlando" ("we remember Orlando") written on it, a remembrance of the 49 killed last year at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando. That tragedy now stands as the worst mass shooting in US history.
Ken Jones, a longtime community activist who was portrayed in the recent ABC TV historical drama "When We Rise," also marched. Teary-eyed, Jones told Hoodline that he preferred not to issue a statement.
At 18th and Castro, the Rise and Resist sign was held in front of the Bank of America branch as people chatted, many sharing thoughts and memories of Gilbert Baker's legacy.
