Pride flag creator and activists honored with new sculpture

NAPA, Calif. (KRON) — The rainbow flag is recognized around the world as a symbol of LGBTQ+ social movements. The colorful banner is the creation of a San Francisco man.

The artist behind the flag and two of his closest friends and fellow activists are now immortalized with a new sculpture. The iconic flag is a symbol of hope and a reminder of the ongoing battle for acceptance and equality.

“There was a need for something to put out to everyone to say, we are just like everybody else,” said Richard Gutierrez of San Francisco.

The flag would debut at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Parade in June of 1978 at the request of gay rights icon Harvey Milk to show unity at a time of turbulence.

“We were still struggling. We were still being beaten up everywhere. That was horrible. The violence, the hatred,” said Steve Brownfield of San Francisco. “The Pride parade was a way for us to feel good about ourselves finally.”

The creative mind behind the eye-catching flag— artist Gilbert Baker. 

A new bronze sculpture now immortalizes Baker and his flag, years after his death, sharing a park bench with his departed friends Dr. Jerry Goldstein and Tom Taylor in a warm embrace.

The artwork was crafted by Dina Angel Wing.

“A very important message for all of us, regardless of who you are, to have compassion to other people’s lifestyles and celebrate love,” said Angel Wing, who felt her creation should depict a same-sex couple to live up to its name “Freedom to Love.”

It is now on display at the Napa Valley College Library.

“I want it to, to inspire some curiosity,” said Greg Miraglia, a Napa Valley College instructor of LGBT studies. “There will be students that will come through that won’t have any idea who these people on this bench are.”

Tom and Jerry would make a name for themselves in San Francisco as gay activists, throwing extravagant parties to support charities. They are the namesakes of the Tom and Jerry house in Noe Valley, famous for its larger-than-life Christmas decorations.

“I just am so thankful that, that this is ended up here and that my uncles were out, that the idea that they didn’t have to have this cover up story,” said Tom and Jerry’s niece Angela Traeger.

But with conservatives taking action to ban the Pride flag on government property in Utah, some are concerned progress is under threat.

“I feel like all of our gay rights are going to get stripped all over again and we just got to keep pushing on,” said Daniel Cherry, a friend of Tom and Jerry.

The flag would evolve, making diversity more visible, and still advocates for a more inclusive society today.

“I certainly hope this generation feels safer.”

A hope made possible by the contributions of those who’ve helped pave the way.