The anguished protests by the gay community and numerous supporters following Milk’s death served dramatically to publicize the Rainbow Flag around the world as a symbol of solidarity for the gay community. At the time of his death, Milk was 48 years old and the first openly gay public official elected in the state of California. The original, eight-striped gay pride flag first flew in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978, almost exactly five months before Milk was assassinated in his City Hall office on Nov.
The Rainbow Flag was created by fabric artist Gilbert Baker in 1977 at the request of influential gay leader Harvey Milk, who specifically requested a symbol of pride for the gay com- munity. And while figurative flags will be flapping all over town, the Rainbow Flag - the adopted symbol of gay pride - will also be waving in solidarity atop buildings across Key West.
Ever since its early days as a tourist hotspot, Key West has been a paragon of inclusivity and our universal acceptance is never on display more than during Pride Week, when individuals of all orientations are welcomed to the paradise and encouraged to let their freak flag fly. “One Human Family” - not only is that the (un)official motto of Key West, but it’s also the pervading philosophy of our island home.
