A realization of this is a big part of why Baker decided to redesign the symbol, creating the rainbow flag that today flies high in shops, homes, schools and other institutions in a number of countries. Indeed, the pink triangle was previously used as a means for Nazi Germany to identify queer people and in turn torture and kill them.
The roots of this symbol are however very eerie and speak to the history of violence that the community faced during the Nazi regime in Germany. Prior to the existence of the rainbow flag, the widely recognized symbol for the LGBTQIA+ community was the Pink Triangle. Today's rainbow flag has six colors, excluding the prior pink and turquoise ones. Baker's original pride flag had eight colors which included pink and turquoise stripes.
The flag was created as a symbol for the LGBTQIA+ community (Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) and it first flew at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. The first rainbow flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978.
