Use of the Rainbow Flag by the gay community began in 1978 when it first appeared in the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade. Borrowing symbolism from the hippie movement and black civil rights groups, San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker designed the rainbow flag in 1978 in response to a need for a symbol that could be used year after year. Each color held it's own meaning & was intended to represent diversity of the gay & lesbian community. The effective mass visibility of this icon is indisputable. The 6 Colors of the flag are Red for life Orange for healing Yellow for sun Green for nature Blue for harmony Purple for spirit