» Rainbow Dreams
He’s responsible for creating one of the most wellknown flags in the world. Paul Disney meets up with Gilbert Baker, the creator of the Rainbow Flag
Describe yourself in three words?
Artist, loving and political.
Who, if anyone, do you aspire to?
There’s so many people, that’s a tough one. Harvey Milk springs to mind. He had so much courage, charisma and had a real sense of presence to the people around him.
How does it feel to be the person who designed one of the most instantly recognised and well-known flags in the world?
Real good. I’m often amazed at how global the flag has become. It’s a symbol that the LGBT community is here; it makes us visible.
You have said the flag is unfinished, can you elaborate on that statement?
Well, just as our communities are evolving, so is the flag. The gay rights movement started off as lesbian and gay, then over the years the B for bisexual was attached followed by the T for transgendered. So you can see that both the flag and the different communities that make up the global village are always evolving.
The flag often provokes extreme reactions to this day in countries such as Russia, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia.Why is this?
I think the message is the flag has come from the soul of the LGBT communities. It says to everyone that we are here, that we are visible. Some people, especially the religious right, have a problem with that.
Tell me about the Absolut vodka connection and the Rainbow Flag?
Absolut asked to get involved because this year is the 30th anniversary of the flag and Absolut have produced a campaign to highlight that. The company have continuously supported the LGBT communities and gay rights over the years and have now produced a new campaign, Absolut Colors. There is also a glossy new cocktail book, containing recipes using Absolut vodka in all its many-flavoured variants.
Which is your favourite cocktail?
Sea Breeze, that’s a cranberry juice and vodka.
