Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color

by Gilbert Baker, Graham Halstead (Narrator)

In 1978, Harvey Milk asked Gilbert Baker to create a unifying symbol for the growing gay rights movement, and on June 25 of that year, Baker's Rainbow Flag debuted at San Francisco's Gay Liberation Day parade. Baker had no idea his creation would become an international emblem of freedom, forever cementing his place and importance in helping to define the modern LGBTQ] movement. Rainbow Warrior is Baker's passionate personal chronicle, from a repressive childhood in 1950's Kansas to a harrowing stint in the U.S. Army, and finally his arrival in San Francisco, where he bloomed as both a visual artist and social justice activist. His fascinating story weaves through the early years of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, where he worked closely with Milk, Cleve Jones, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Baker continued his flag-making, street theater, and activism through the Reagan years and the AIDS crisis. And in 1994, Baker spearheaded the effort to fabricate a mile-long Rainbow Flag--at the time, the world's longest--to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City. Gilbert Baker often called himself the Gay Betsy Ross, and those listening to his colorful, irreverent and deeply personal memoir will find it difficult to disagree.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Memoir, History, Queer, Biography, Politics

Audio CD

Published June 4, 2019

Reviews

[Ashton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love reading historical queer autobios. Baker’s work is undeniably important in queer history and I’m honestly pretty surprised that this book didn’t get more attention.

I was surprised by how much I liked Baker’s voice and writing style, I loved learning more about 80s-90s queer organizing and enjoyed hearing another perspective on the people involved (especially those that I already knew about like Cleve, ACT UP folks, etc)! the best parts imo were the thoughtful and reflective discussions on how art and politics intersect. i LOVE queer art and i very much think that art and politics belong together and every time i read stuff by people who have similar thoughts, I’m very inspired by it. I especially loved Baker’s obvious appreciation for the interplay between arts and crafts, reading about his love of flagmaking and sewing and fabric arts was delightful as a fellow fiber artist.

-1 star just bc I don’t feel right giving it five stars? as important as Baker is, a lot of his politics don’t sit right w me in terms of how much he seems to… like/appreciate/make excuses for the u.s.? as a country? it is sometimes weird and can be off-putting to read stuff by people you artistically and queerly admire only to confront the fact that not every queer shares the most radical of politics. nonetheless, i think Baker had his heart in the right place.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color is an autobiography written by Gilbert Baker. This memoir chronicles the audacious life and work of the designer of the symbolic rainbow flag.

Gilbert Baker was an American artist, gay rights activist, and designer of the rainbow flag. Baker's flag became widely associated with LGBT rights causes, a symbol of gay pride that has become ubiquitous in the decades since its debut.

Baker passionately charts his rise to prominence from a stifling Methodist childhood in 1950s Kansas, where he secretly danced in his aunt's old prom dress and became conflicted about his burgeoning homosexuality and obsession with art.

Drafted into the Army at nineteen, he endured a harrowing two-year stint but landed securely in San Francisco at the dawn of the gay rights movement, a sure sign of things to come. Baker writes briskly and amiably about making fast friends and becoming an activist.

Though sewing projects kept him busy, he envisioned creating something to replace the pink triangle as the symbol of gay visibility and diversity. Thus, the rainbow flag was born, which in his words is "a visual metaphor and an active proclamation of power, created and dedicated to gay and lesbian liberation," and was displayed during Gay Freedom Day on June 25, 1978.

Through the darkness of the Jonestown massacre, Harvey Milk's assassination, and Ronald Reagan's problematic presidency, Baker and his friends persevered, proudly continuing their dedication to promoting tolerance.

Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color is written rather well. Baker shares his joys, visions, untamed spirit, flashes of vitriol, and all of the unvarnished truths of who he and his collaborators were and are. They share his moments of confidence and his times of doubt, his search for those to help realize his impossible dreams, and the small moments of success that made all the suffering worthwhile.

All in all, Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color is a wonderfully written memoir of a man trying to fight for equal rights and his quest to rally the LGBTQ community under one banner – the Rainbow Flag.

[Jacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.8

I enjoyed learning about Queer Herstory directly from a key figure. The upbeat nature of the writing kept me engaged throughout the book.

[Yj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent autobiography by the creator of the original Rainbow flag and its significance in the lgbtq story then and now.

[Jordan Lombard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title/Author: Rainbow Warrior by Gilbert Baker
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Subject/Topic: Memoir/LGBTQ Activism
Book Format: Hardcover
Length: 230 pages
Well Written/Editor Needed: Well written
Would I Recommend?: Yes
Personal Thoughts: I knew Gilbert Baker was the designer/creator of the rainbow flag, but there was so much beyond that that I didn't know. This book helps to explain his life and all of his activism, which I had been completely unaware of. Unfortunately, Gilbert had originally planned to end his memoirs after the creation and unfurling of the 1994 mile-long rainbow flag for the NYC parade, but a close friend includes an epilogue that briefly covers all of his larger exploits between 1994 and his death in 2017.

I think it's important to know, and to remember, just how much hard work Gilbert Baker put into his artwork, his activism, and especially, in getting his rainbow flag out into the world. Today, we enjoy seeing the flag seemingly everywhere, but we wouldn't have that, if it hadn't been for him.

[Finnoula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history between stonewall, AIDS, and Gay Marriage is blurred. I am very happy to have read this book. I am a fan of Ann Northrop and I get why she founded The Reclaim Pride coalition. She fed up with the red tape that was Heritage of pride. We are always talking about the corruption of organizers of the pride march in New York but I had no idea that it went back to 1994. I mean again the AIDS movement kind of overshadowed the corruption as well as Giuliani’s reign of terror on the community. We are not out of the hole. Pride is still corrupt and has been bought out by corporate America. Gilbert’s fight with the Stadtlanders pharmacy for creative control over the mile-long rainbow flag is something that happens to this day. I also love the Joan Crawford/Bette Davis relationship between Cleve Jones and Gilbert Baker. They have a friendship that lasts over 40 years and their fights are iconic. I am surprised Cleve didn’t talk about this stuff in his book. Also, Corporate America is not something that should overshadow LGBTQ pride. It should be about community organizations. Yes corporate sponsorship is sometimes necessary. But year after year we see that pride is overrun with the labels of corporate America and we need to fight back. Thank you Gilbert for your amazing contributions to the community and I just want you to know you matter!!!

[Azar · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCEPTIONALLY well written book that brings back SO MANY personal memories of me in NYCity in the early 70's - Gay Pride parades -- even before they were called Gay Pride parades -- the famous Gay Liberation Firehouse in SOHO and of course -- The PRIDE FLAG -- which I proudly helped to carry in the 25th Stonewall Celebration and Parade in 1994. Ans as luck would have it -- The Pride Flag was being marched right behind me and my group in the 2019 50th Stonewall Parade. (PS - Rainbow Warrior is also a beautiful Autobiography and tribute to this exceptional man!!!)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve finally figured out that I am most likely to like memoirs when they intersect with something else I want to learn about. _Rainbow Warrior_ turns out to be an excellent example of this. Gilbert Baker was a gay rights activist in San Francisco and NYC and the creator of the rainbow flag. He was far out on the fringes of in-your-face activism and tells the story of the movement from inside the most controversial, media-driven actions. He’s an excellent storyteller. Fun book, with great history.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really well written story by Gilbert Baker who was the creator of the Pride flag that is now used worldwide. It encompasses his as well as many others in the Queer community. The books speaks of his activism and unwillingness to conform. The book is written is such a way that it feels like he's talking to you, telling his story. Would recommend for anyone looking for history on the LGBTQIA+ movement.

[Scottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential read, particularly for anyone interested in queer history. The history of the now ubiquitous rainbow flag is fascinating as is the firsthand account of events and people of the queer movement. Perhaps most surprising for me is that Gilbert Baker was not a quiet flag maker, he was a feisty and fearless activist.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a facinating and well-written glimpse of American history. I loved reading about major historical moments from the perspective of a relatively minor character- it felt accessible. Gilbert Baker sounds like a sincere & kind person... your heart aches a little at the painful things he endured, but he also describes beautifully the joy of the successful moments.

[Christine Sopko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good lgbtqi+ book to read. I was surprised by the graphic sexual reference in the biography...but maybe that was the point. I kept referring back to the pictures as the view point that lead to the photos was worth reading and telling the story behind them.

[Chris Horton]

I learned a lot about Gilbert Baker and the legacy he left behind. He accomplished and did so much in his lifetime. He’s lit a fire in me to do more and be more involved. I also found out he graduated high school with my mom, so that was fun to learn while reading the book.

[Lauren J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this memoir that gives us a rich evolution of the people who have worked hard to promote equality for LGBTQ people. Gilbert Baker was a wonderful artist, politician, visionary, and friend to many. I am so glad this memoir was written to share his legacy with the world.

[Blair Stackhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting book! I love that it wasn't told as "we all got along and worked together for our rights!" when everyone who has worked on a cause knows the internal politics can bring a movement down easily. His writing style is so easy to read that this book flew by.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciate this glimpse into history making. This personal account is a reminder of battles hard fought and won. May it inspire another generation and generations to come.

[Samantha Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilbert Baker’s memoir is as colorful as his most famous creation.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Kerry Cater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic treatise on the life and work of a true gay pioneer

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. An important insight to the era and culture told through a completely unique voice. Delightfully gay.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creator of the Rainbow Pride flag.

[J.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned this flag stands for a lot of things, one of those things is the covenant God made after the flood with all of mankind.

[ells · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a couple parts that got a little boring but overall I really liked learning about this history

[Dylan Pedersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing memoir that truly felt like you were there in history.

[Mackenzie Dysart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well told

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

What wonderful book about the life and times of Gilbert Baker, the creator of the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag!!! I also loved the poignant comparisons to him and Betsy Ross throughout the novel.

[Danee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative and good. You really get a good idea of who Gilbert was

[Void. · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's so radical and got huge Balls to do the things that he did. Queer resistance is so inspiring.

[Jonah · Rating 5 out of 5]

i found it incredibly interesting! what a story! what a legend!