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Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color
In 1978, Harvey Milk asked Gilbert Baker to create a unifying symbol for the growing gay rights movement, and on June 25 of that year, Baker's Rainbow Flag debuted at San Francisco's Gay Freedom Day Parade. Baker had no idea his creation would become an international emblem of liberation, forever cementing his pivotal role in helping to define the modern LGBTQ movement. Rainbow Warrior is Baker's passionate personal chronicle, from a repressive childhood in 1950s Kansas to a harrowing stint in the US Army, and finally his arrival in San Francisco, where he bloomed as both a visual artist and social justice activist. His fascinating story weaves through the early years of the struggle for LGBTQ rights, when he worked closely with Milk, Cleve Jones, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Baker continued his flag-making, street theater and activism through the Reagan years and the AIDS crisis. And in 1994, Baker spearheaded the effort to fabricate a mile-long Rainbow Flag—at the time, the world's longest—to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in New York City. Gilbert and parade organizers battled with Mayor Rudy Giuliani for the right to carry it up Fifth Avenue, past St. Patrick's Cathedral. Today, the Rainbow Flag has become a worldwide symbol of LGBTQ diversity and inclusiveness, and its colorful hues have illuminated landmarks from the White House to the Eiffel Tower to the Sydney Opera House. Gilbert Baker often called himself the "Gay Betsy Ross," and readers of his colorful, irreverent, and deeply personal memoir will find it difficult to disagree.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2019
12 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 13, 2023
I always love reading historical queer autobios. Baker’s work is undeniably important in queer history and I’m honestly pretty surprised that this book didn’t get more attention.
I was surprised by how much I liked Baker’s voice and writing style, I loved learning more about 80s-90s queer organizing and enjoyed hearing another perspective on the people involved (especially those that I already knew about like Cleve, ACT UP folks, etc)! the best parts imo were the thoughtful and reflective discussions on how art and politics intersect. i LOVE queer art and i very much think that art and politics belong together and every time i read stuff by people who have similar thoughts, I’m very inspired by it. I especially loved Baker’s obvious appreciation for the interplay between arts and crafts, reading about his love of flagmaking and sewing and fabric arts was delightful as a fellow fiber artist.
-1 star just bc I don’t feel right giving it five stars? as important as Baker is, a lot of his politics don’t sit right w me in terms of how much he seems to� like/appreciate/make excuses for the u.s.? as a country? it is sometimes weird and can be off-putting to read stuff by people you artistically and queerly admire only to confront the fact that not every queer shares the most radical of politics. nonetheless, i think Baker had his heart in the right place.
I was surprised by how much I liked Baker’s voice and writing style, I loved learning more about 80s-90s queer organizing and enjoyed hearing another perspective on the people involved (especially those that I already knew about like Cleve, ACT UP folks, etc)! the best parts imo were the thoughtful and reflective discussions on how art and politics intersect. i LOVE queer art and i very much think that art and politics belong together and every time i read stuff by people who have similar thoughts, I’m very inspired by it. I especially loved Baker’s obvious appreciation for the interplay between arts and crafts, reading about his love of flagmaking and sewing and fabric arts was delightful as a fellow fiber artist.
-1 star just bc I don’t feel right giving it five stars? as important as Baker is, a lot of his politics don’t sit right w me in terms of how much he seems to� like/appreciate/make excuses for the u.s.? as a country? it is sometimes weird and can be off-putting to read stuff by people you artistically and queerly admire only to confront the fact that not every queer shares the most radical of politics. nonetheless, i think Baker had his heart in the right place.
June 25, 2019
Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color is an autobiography written by Gilbert Baker. This memoir chronicles the audacious life and work of the designer of the symbolic rainbow flag.
Gilbert Baker was an American artist, gay rights activist, and designer of the rainbow flag. Baker's flag became widely associated with LGBT rights causes, a symbol of gay pride that has become ubiquitous in the decades since its debut.
Baker passionately charts his rise to prominence from a stifling Methodist childhood in 1950s Kansas, where he secretly danced in his aunt's old prom dress and became conflicted about his burgeoning homosexuality and obsession with art.
Drafted into the Army at nineteen, he endured a harrowing two-year stint but landed securely in San Francisco at the dawn of the gay rights movement, a sure sign of things to come. Baker writes briskly and amiably about making fast friends and becoming an activist.
Though sewing projects kept him busy, he envisioned creating something to replace the pink triangle as the symbol of gay visibility and diversity. Thus, the rainbow flag was born, which in his words is "a visual metaphor and an active proclamation of power, created and dedicated to gay and lesbian liberation," and was displayed during Gay Freedom Day on June 25, 1978.
Through the darkness of the Jonestown massacre, Harvey Milk's assassination, and Ronald Reagan's problematic presidency, Baker and his friends persevered, proudly continuing their dedication to promoting tolerance.
Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color is written rather well. Baker shares his joys, visions, untamed spirit, flashes of vitriol, and all of the unvarnished truths of who he and his collaborators were and are. They share his moments of confidence and his times of doubt, his search for those to help realize his impossible dreams, and the small moments of success that made all the suffering worthwhile.
All in all, Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color is a wonderfully written memoir of a man trying to fight for equal rights and his quest to rally the LGBTQ community under one banner � the Rainbow Flag.
Gilbert Baker was an American artist, gay rights activist, and designer of the rainbow flag. Baker's flag became widely associated with LGBT rights causes, a symbol of gay pride that has become ubiquitous in the decades since its debut.
Baker passionately charts his rise to prominence from a stifling Methodist childhood in 1950s Kansas, where he secretly danced in his aunt's old prom dress and became conflicted about his burgeoning homosexuality and obsession with art.
Drafted into the Army at nineteen, he endured a harrowing two-year stint but landed securely in San Francisco at the dawn of the gay rights movement, a sure sign of things to come. Baker writes briskly and amiably about making fast friends and becoming an activist.
Though sewing projects kept him busy, he envisioned creating something to replace the pink triangle as the symbol of gay visibility and diversity. Thus, the rainbow flag was born, which in his words is "a visual metaphor and an active proclamation of power, created and dedicated to gay and lesbian liberation," and was displayed during Gay Freedom Day on June 25, 1978.
Through the darkness of the Jonestown massacre, Harvey Milk's assassination, and Ronald Reagan's problematic presidency, Baker and his friends persevered, proudly continuing their dedication to promoting tolerance.
Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color is written rather well. Baker shares his joys, visions, untamed spirit, flashes of vitriol, and all of the unvarnished truths of who he and his collaborators were and are. They share his moments of confidence and his times of doubt, his search for those to help realize his impossible dreams, and the small moments of success that made all the suffering worthwhile.
All in all, Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color is a wonderfully written memoir of a man trying to fight for equal rights and his quest to rally the LGBTQ community under one banner � the Rainbow Flag.
June 20, 2023
4.8
I enjoyed learning about Queer Herstory directly from a key figure. The upbeat nature of the writing kept me engaged throughout the book.
I enjoyed learning about Queer Herstory directly from a key figure. The upbeat nature of the writing kept me engaged throughout the book.
August 25, 2023
Excellent autobiography by the creator of the original Rainbow flag and its significance in the lgbtq story then and now.
August 29, 2019
Title/Author: Rainbow Warrior by Gilbert Baker
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Subject/Topic: Memoir/LGBTQ Activism
Book Format: Hardcover
Length: 230 pages
Well Written/Editor Needed: Well written
Would I Recommend?: Yes
Personal Thoughts: I knew Gilbert Baker was the designer/creator of the rainbow flag, but there was so much beyond that that I didn't know. This book helps to explain his life and all of his activism, which I had been completely unaware of. Unfortunately, Gilbert had originally planned to end his memoirs after the creation and unfurling of the 1994 mile-long rainbow flag for the NYC parade, but a close friend includes an epilogue that briefly covers all of his larger exploits between 1994 and his death in 2017.
I think it's important to know, and to remember, just how much hard work Gilbert Baker put into his artwork, his activism, and especially, in getting his rainbow flag out into the world. Today, we enjoy seeing the flag seemingly everywhere, but we wouldn't have that, if it hadn't been for him.
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Subject/Topic: Memoir/LGBTQ Activism
Book Format: Hardcover
Length: 230 pages
Well Written/Editor Needed: Well written
Would I Recommend?: Yes
Personal Thoughts: I knew Gilbert Baker was the designer/creator of the rainbow flag, but there was so much beyond that that I didn't know. This book helps to explain his life and all of his activism, which I had been completely unaware of. Unfortunately, Gilbert had originally planned to end his memoirs after the creation and unfurling of the 1994 mile-long rainbow flag for the NYC parade, but a close friend includes an epilogue that briefly covers all of his larger exploits between 1994 and his death in 2017.
I think it's important to know, and to remember, just how much hard work Gilbert Baker put into his artwork, his activism, and especially, in getting his rainbow flag out into the world. Today, we enjoy seeing the flag seemingly everywhere, but we wouldn't have that, if it hadn't been for him.
June 11, 2020
The history between stonewall, AIDS, and Gay Marriage is blurred. I am very happy to have read this book. I am a fan of Ann Northrop and I get why she founded The Reclaim Pride coalition. She fed up with the red tape that was Heritage of pride. We are always talking about the corruption of organizers of the pride march in New York but I had no idea that it went back to 1994. I mean again the AIDS movement kind of overshadowed the corruption as well as Giuliani’s reign of terror on the community. We are not out of the hole. Pride is still corrupt and has been bought out by corporate America. Gilbert’s fight with the Stadtlanders pharmacy for creative control over the mile-long rainbow flag is something that happens to this day. I also love the Joan Crawford/Bette Davis relationship between Cleve Jones and Gilbert Baker. They have a friendship that lasts over 40 years and their fights are iconic. I am surprised Cleve didn’t talk about this stuff in his book. Also, Corporate America is not something that should overshadow LGBTQ pride. It should be about community organizations. Yes corporate sponsorship is sometimes necessary. But year after year we see that pride is overrun with the labels of corporate America and we need to fight back. Thank you Gilbert for your amazing contributions to the community and I just want you to know you matter!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2022
EXCEPTIONALLY well written book that brings back SO MANY personal memories of me in NYCity in the early 70's - Gay Pride parades -- even before they were called Gay Pride parades -- the famous Gay Liberation Firehouse in SOHO and of course -- The PRIDE FLAG -- which I proudly helped to carry in the 25th Stonewall Celebration and Parade in 1994. Ans as luck would have it -- The Pride Flag was being marched right behind me and my group in the 2019 50th Stonewall Parade. (PS - Rainbow Warrior is also a beautiful Autobiography and tribute to this exceptional man!!!)
July 16, 2022
I’ve finally figured out that I am most likely to like memoirs when they intersect with something else I want to learn about. _Rainbow Warrior_ turns out to be an excellent example of this. Gilbert Baker was a gay rights activist in San Francisco and NYC and the creator of the rainbow flag. He was far out on the fringes of in-your-face activism and tells the story of the movement from inside the most controversial, media-driven actions. He’s an excellent storyteller. Fun book, with great history.
April 21, 2022
This was a really well written story by Gilbert Baker who was the creator of the Pride flag that is now used worldwide. It encompasses his as well as many others in the Queer community. The books speaks of his activism and unwillingness to conform. The book is written is such a way that it feels like he's talking to you, telling his story. Would recommend for anyone looking for history on the LGBTQIA+ movement.
September 6, 2019
An essential read, particularly for anyone interested in queer history. The history of the now ubiquitous rainbow flag is fascinating as is the firsthand account of events and people of the queer movement. Perhaps most surprising for me is that Gilbert Baker was not a quiet flag maker, he was a feisty and fearless activist.
June 30, 2020
This is a facinating and well-written glimpse of American history. I loved reading about major historical moments from the perspective of a relatively minor character- it felt accessible. Gilbert Baker sounds like a sincere & kind person... your heart aches a little at the painful things he endured, but he also describes beautifully the joy of the successful moments.
June 25, 2019
A good lgbtqi+ book to read. I was surprised by the graphic sexual reference in the biography...but maybe that was the point. I kept referring back to the pictures as the view point that lead to the photos was worth reading and telling the story behind them.
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September 30, 2020I learned a lot about Gilbert Baker and the legacy he left behind. He accomplished and did so much in his lifetime. He’s lit a fire in me to do more and be more involved. I also found out he graduated high school with my mom, so that was fun to learn while reading the book.
August 1, 2021
I love this memoir that gives us a rich evolution of the people who have worked hard to promote equality for LGBTQ people. Gilbert Baker was a wonderful artist, politician, visionary, and friend to many. I am so glad this memoir was written to share his legacy with the world.
November 4, 2024
This was such an interesting book! I love that it wasn't told as "we all got along and worked together for our rights!" when everyone who has worked on a cause knows the internal politics can bring a movement down easily. His writing style is so easy to read that this book flew by.
June 10, 2019
Appreciate this glimpse into history making. This personal account is a reminder of battles hard fought and won. May it inspire another generation and generations to come.
June 21, 2019
Gilbert Baker’s memoir is as colorful as his most famous creation.
September 4, 2019
2.5 stars
September 19, 2019
Fantastic treatise on the life and work of a true gay pioneer
December 27, 2019
3.5 stars. An important insight to the era and culture told through a completely unique voice. Delightfully gay.
September 8, 2020
Creator of the Rainbow Pride flag.
February 2, 2021
Great biography
June 21, 2021
I learned this flag stands for a lot of things, one of those things is the covenant God made after the flood with all of mankind.
July 7, 2021
There were a couple parts that got a little boring but overall I really liked learning about this history
January 1, 2023
It was an amazing memoir that truly felt like you were there in history.
November 12, 2023
Well told
January 5, 2024
What wonderful book about the life and times of Gilbert Baker, the creator of the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag!!! I also loved the poignant comparisons to him and Betsy Ross throughout the novel.
January 18, 2024
Very informative and good. You really get a good idea of who Gilbert was
December 29, 2024
He's so radical and got huge Balls to do the things that he did. Queer resistance is so inspiring.
May 30, 2024
I love when I can get my hands on anything that talks about LGBTQ history. While I've seen the movies that talk about it; to get a recollection of those events through the eyes of The Gay Betsy Ross, aka Gilbert Baker, was fascinating. After finishing the story of his adult life, I can say with 100% certainty that when I'm asked the question- What celebrity alive or dead would you like to have dinner with? My answer is now Gilbert Baker. Oh to have known that diva creator during such pivotal moments in LGBTQ history.
I have so many questions for the drama queen. So many questions.
Gilbert Baker was the creator of the Rainbow Pride Flag and the meaning of each color. In 1978 Gilbert began creating the first rainbow flag for the San Francisco Liberation Day Parade. THEN in 1994 he wanted to make a mile long rainbow flag to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Stonewall. Yes, you read that right. 1 mile long. This book follows Gilbert on his journey through life. He was often depressed and never saw his worth. Then again he was a feminine-ish gay man living in a really messed up time in history. Gilbert is one of the forefathers of the gay rights movement. If not for humans like him, would gays even be allowed to marry today? Men like Gilbert, Harvey Milk, and a slew of others paved the way for us modern day gays. I will forever be grateful for them and will remember them as Pride Month approaches.
I listened to the audiobook and it is read by one of Gilberts good friends, Graham Halstead. He put this book together after Gilbert passed using Gilberts notes and journals.
I have so many questions for the drama queen. So many questions.
Gilbert Baker was the creator of the Rainbow Pride Flag and the meaning of each color. In 1978 Gilbert began creating the first rainbow flag for the San Francisco Liberation Day Parade. THEN in 1994 he wanted to make a mile long rainbow flag to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Stonewall. Yes, you read that right. 1 mile long. This book follows Gilbert on his journey through life. He was often depressed and never saw his worth. Then again he was a feminine-ish gay man living in a really messed up time in history. Gilbert is one of the forefathers of the gay rights movement. If not for humans like him, would gays even be allowed to marry today? Men like Gilbert, Harvey Milk, and a slew of others paved the way for us modern day gays. I will forever be grateful for them and will remember them as Pride Month approaches.
I listened to the audiobook and it is read by one of Gilberts good friends, Graham Halstead. He put this book together after Gilbert passed using Gilberts notes and journals.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
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