Flag in the Map Project

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Throughout this month, Broadway Stages is excited to celebrate and recognize a few of our many LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors. We encourage you to join the celebrations throughout the city this month and to patronize the LGBTQ+ businesses in your neighborhood year-round! Today, we are thrilled to recognize The Gilbert Baker Foundation’s Flag in the Map project!

In 1976, artist-activist Gilbert Baker watched the U.S. bicentennial celebrations and was inspired by the Stars and Stripes. Gilbert Baker’s first Rainbow Flag design was proudly displayed at the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade two years later. Today, the Gilbert Baker Foundation,  a 501(c)3 nonprofit volunteer organization, works tirelessly to carry on this mission at home and abroad.

Established in December 2019, the Foundation protects and extends the legacy of Gilbert Baker, the Rainbow Flag, and its impact on the world. In addition, the Foundation seeks to carry the message to future generations and the wider world beyond the LGBTQ+ community.

Their most recent project, Flag in the Map, is a growing collection of photographs and stories that reaffirms the universal power of the Rainbow Flag to inspire LGBTQ+ people – especially in countries where their everyday existence is threatened. In fact, the project won the ‘Gold’ award at the Second Annual Anthem Awards, winning the ‘Global Awareness Campaign’ category. 

A collaboration between the Gilbert Baker Foundation and ReportOUT, Flag in the Map was launched in October 2020. The two organizations put out an open call worldwide, asking for submissions of photos of people flying their Pride Flags. The resulting images came from scores of countries and were curated for an emotionally powerful book.

Wherever you are, you can visit the Virtual Exhibit HERE and you are encouraged to submit your story to the project HERE.  Your participation and support is most welcome and your financial support of The Gilbert Baker Foundation is always appreciated!

For more information on this and other news about The Gilbert Baker Foundation, follow them on Instagram and Facebook.