Gilbert Baker, the openly gay artist and civil rights activist who designed the rainbow flag has died at the age of 65.
Fellow activist and friend, Cleve Jones broke the news in a tweet writing, “My dearest friend in the world is gone. Gilbert Baker gave the world the Rainbow Flag; he gave me forty years of love and friendship.”
Jones did not state how Baker died.
Baker taught himself to sew after he left the Army in 1972. He created banners for gay-rights and anti-war protest marches and it was during this time that he met and became friends with Harvey Milk. Baker designed the rainbow flag in 1978.
Jones said a memorial will be held Friday night at Market and Castro streets for Baker.
