The designer of the LGBT pride flag, Gilbert Baker has died aged 65.
Baker, who charmingly called himself a “gay Betsy Ross,” was found dead at his New York home today.
Baker’s iconic creation, now a global symbol of the gay rights movement, was first produced in 1978 and comprised eight stripes: pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise for magic, blue for peace and purple for spirit. The flag currently in use comprises six stripes, omitting pink and combining purple and turquoise.
The New York Times reports that Baker had recently created 39 nine-stripe flags (the eight original colours, plus lavender to represent diversity) to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the first rainbow flag.
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