September 24, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Flagging Your Page in History

The history behind the woman who made the rainbow flag.

By Jorge Paniagua

Lynn Segerblom wants to share her story – one that provides a different perspective on the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag’s origin. Not only would Segerblom appreciate credit for her work in designing the now internationally-recognized LGBTQ+ symbol, but she’s ready to create new handmade flags for the queer community.

For years, sole credit for the flag’s creation has been given to Gilbert Baker, one of three flag creators. The New York Times coined Baker the “gay activist who created the rainbow flag.” The Museum of Modern Art credits Baker with having conceived the design. Furthermore, MoMA claims each color on the flag is imbued with meaning, “red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for serenity and violet for spirit.”

Segerblom, however, does not agree with the aforementioned. She and James McNamara were also heavily involved in the flag-making process – as opposed to the widespread notion that Baker was the rainbow flag’s exclusive creator.

“There were three of us who were the flagmakers,” Segerblom said. “But the design – that was not his idea.”

Photo: James McNamara.
“The rainbow, to me, ecompasses everybody — doesn’t matter what your gender, your preference or your color,” Segerblom said.

The original rainbow flag, which was created in 1978 for San Francisco’s first Gay Freedom Day Parade, was hand-sewn and hand-dyed. It took hours of labor and help from an array of volunteers to finish, Segerblom said. The flag was completed through an extensive group effort at San Francisco’s Gay Community Center.

As for the rainbow design, it came from Segerblom herself, who – during the 1970s – was known by her alias: Faerie Argyle Rainbow.

“They [members of the Gay Community Center] asked me to on the decorations committee – so it was Gilbert and I on the decorations committee,” Segerblom said. “But the day that we met with the committee to decide what it [the flag] was going to be, Gilbert was not there. I had already come up with the rainbow idea.”

Segerblom was passionate about rainbows during the time. She said that she thought a rainbow would be a beautiful way to represent the LGBTQ+ community’s colorful members.

“The rainbow – to me – encompasses everybody; doesn’t matter what your gender, your preference or your color,” Segerblom said. “Here we have this whole spectrum, from pink to violet. It encompasses everyone.”

During the ‘70s, Segerblom made a living from hand-dying clothes for designers. The Gay Community Center rented out a room to Segerblom for her hand-dying projects. She said that  she was at the community center at least five to six days a week. Aside from designing, she played a major role in the hand-dying process of the original rainbow flags.

After six weeks of a collective, and challenging, flag-making effort – a process involving 1,000 yards of cotton muslin – an array of flags were produced. Among these flags, the rainbow flag, and another flag – donning rainbow stripes and stars (which Segerblom also takes credit for designing), were made. A test-flight took place, before the Gay Freedom Day Parade, to make sure that the flags would fly as planned the day of the event.

“I was just in awe that it worked,” Segerblom said regarding the flags’ test flight. “I was so relieved, so relieved. Because I thought about them day and night. We were under time pressure, too. For awhile, I thought we’re not going to get this done on time. That would’ve been terrible.”

41 years later, Segerblom plans to recreate the original hand-dyed rainbow flag designs, along with making the first-ever hand-dyed Transgender Flag in honor of its 20th anniversary. She recently announced a “GoFundMe” campaign to aid her in this process.Aside from celebrating the rainbow flag’s anniversary, the new flags would compensate for the original handmade rainbow flags which were stolen at the Gay Community Center shortly after their debut at the Gay Freedom Day Parade, [Segerblom said]

“The flags belonged to the community – not to one person or two people,” Segerblom said. “It had to be more than one person [who stole the flags] because they weighed so much – it takes two or three people to carry one flag.”

Segerblom said that she plans to honor the LGBTQ+ community with her hand-made rainbow designs one more time. The flags she is acquiring funds for would, respectively, go to the LGBT Center of Los Angeles, the City of West Hollywood, Boys & Girls Club of America and Transgender Flag creator Monica Helms “to be carried in the World Pride NYC Parade in June 2019,” according to the project’s GoFundMe page.

Yet, unlike in 1978, where a plethora of volunteers cooperatively brought the rainbow flag to fruition, Segerblom is on her own for this new project. Although she’s passionate about flag-making, and is well-versed in the process, she admits that she could use help – both in making the flags and funding the development.

Lynn Segerblom is set to create the first hand-dyed Trans Pride flag in honor of its 20th anniversary.

“I’ll just be really glad that we can make some cotton, hand-dyed rainbow flags – that we can pull it off,” Segerblom said. “There’s no such thing as a free flag – like as it didn’t cost anything to make it. Somebody has got to get all of the pieces, and then we put it together – a group of somebodies. People have to pay for the fabric, and whoever does the sewing has got to be paid, too.”

Segerblom said that her campaign is in need of someone to help her dye the flags – a process that can be time-consuming and laborious. Furthermore, an ironer and someone willing to wash the flags repeatedly – a crucial step in the flag-making process – are needed.

“I can’t do it only by myself,” Segerblom said.

Aside from her latest campaign, Segerblom is excited that her contribution to LGBTQ+ history is finally being shared. The rainbow flag, which is displayed in establishments and places around the world, is used to signal an environment welcoming of LGBTQ+ people. The flag’s significance revolves around diversity, equality and LGBTQ+ pride.

For more information on Segerblom’s campaign, visit the GoFundMe page at: gofundme.com/historic-pride-flags

Related Posts

Iconic Greta Garbo Estate in Beverly Hills: Where Hollywood History Meets Modern Luxury

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Step Inside the Enchanting Oasis That Redefines Creative Living in Los Angeles By Dolores Quintana Experience the enchanting allure of...

California Renters Get Some Relief as Apartment Prices Again Drop in August

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Landlords Forced To Offer Discounts as Rental Units Stay Empty By Dolores Quintana In August, the average monthly cost of...

Anti-LGBTQ+ Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert Thrown Out of Family Friendly Beetlejuice Musical

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Boebert Was Ejected For Allegedly Vaping, Photography and Causing a Disturbance  By Dolores Quintana Rep. Lauren Boebert, the Colorado Republican...

Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Mayor Konstantine Anthony Defends Actions Amid Controversy Over Video  By Dolores Quintana Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony is facing criticism from...

Battle Over Marilyn Monroe’s Historic Last Home: Demolition Plans Stalled

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

CD 11 Councilmember Traci Park Steps In To Halt the Demolition  By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles City Council has...

Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

World Premiere of Documentary Was Screened After 20-Minute Delay By Dolores Quintana The premiere of “Lil Nas X: Long Live...

City of West Hollywood Seeks Public Input on Hazard Mitigation Plan During September

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

Community Engagement Efforts Encourage Feedback to Enhance Safety  By Dolores Quintana The City of West Hollywood seeks to foster community...

Los Angeles County Sees Sixth Week of Rising COVID-19 Transmission; Urges Vigilance

September 5, 2023

September 5, 2023

Increasing Hospitalizations and Variant Concerns Prompt Heightened Safety Measures By Dolores Quintana Los Angeles County is currently grappling with a...

West Hollywood Celebrates Plummer Park’s History at Annual Preservation Event

September 5, 2023

September 5, 2023

Plummer Park Through The Years Event Happening on September 9 By Dolores Quintana The City of West Hollywood is gearing...

Canada Issues Travel Advisory for LGBTQ+ Travelers to the United States

September 5, 2023

September 5, 2023

Anti-LGBTQ Hate and Legislation Compels This Move From Canada  By Dolores Quintana Canada has issued a travel advisory, urging LGBTQ+...

Mariah Hanson, Visionary Founder of the Dinah: 32 Years of Queer Music and Community In Palm Springs

September 5, 2023

September 5, 2023

All About the Festival, the Music, and the Passion Behind This Inclusive Festival Mariah Hanson, the visionary founder and producer...

DUI Enforcement Operations On Holiday Weekend Launched By Los Angeles Police Department

August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023

End of Summer Travel Season Initiative Aims to Curb Impaired Driving and Accidents By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles Police...

Debate Heats Up as LA’s Rent Freeze Nears End Date in February 2024

August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023

Real Estate Experts and Landlords Push for Earlier Conclusion By Dolores Quintana Even though the city of Los Angeles is...

Judge Shuffle Continues in LA’s High-Stakes Measure ULA Tax Legal Battle

August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023

Third Attempt to Secure Impartial Judge as Legal Challenge Heats Up By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles Superior Court is...

Vampyre Cosmetics Takes Stand for LGBTQIA+ Rights and Healthcare Access

August 27, 2023

August 27, 2023

Alice Cooper’s Makeup Line Dropped After Controversial Anti-Trans Comments By Dolores Quintana Alice Cooper’s makeup products, which were launched in...