Baker was inspired in his design by the celebrations for America’s bicentennial anniversary in 1976. It was designed by gay artist and activist Gilbert Baker when his friend Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay elected official in California, asked him to design a symbol for the LGBTQ community. But others, including Daniel Quasar, said that the Progress Pride flag wasn't intended to replace the original, and argued that it was important to represent marginalised communities. The Gilbert Baker Pride Flag was the first-ever rainbow pride flag. Some people within LGBTQ+ communities said that Gilbert Baker's Pride flag didn't need to be changed, arguing that it was originally designed to be representative of everyone. "The arrow points to the right to show forward movement, while being along the left edge shows that progress still needs to be made." explained Daniel Quasar. It included black, brown, pink, pale blue and white stripes, to represent marginalised people of colour in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the trans community, and those living with HIV/AIDS. One year later, an artist called Daniel Quasar released a redesign of the Pride flag, called the Progress Pride flag, which was widely shared on social media.
![the blue gay flag the blue gay flag](https://outburo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/The-Gay-Men-Pride-Flag-1-lgbtq-gay-lesbian-transgender-queer-bisexual-trans-asexual-intersex-pansexual-professional-entrepreneurs-online-networking-community-outburo-1024x614.png)
In 2017, Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs added black and brown stripes to the Pride flag to recognise people of colour. Demand increased after Harvey was assassinated on Novemand the Paramount Flag Company started selling the seven striped version - red, orange. Around 30 volunteers helped to hand-dye and stitch the first two flags for the parade.
![the blue gay flag the blue gay flag](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/06/30/19/Rainbow-flag.jpg)
Over the years the original rainbow flag has been redesigned, with some within LGBTQ+ movements arguing it needed to better represent and reflect more communities. The original gay pride flag was seen in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978.