Inventor Of Gay Rights Rainbow Flag, Dies At 65

An artist based in San Francisco who created the rainbow flag as a symbol for the gay community, Gilbert Baker, has died aged 65. He died in his sleep at his home in New York on Thursday night.

He initially designed an eight-colour flag in 1978 for the city's gay freedom day, the precursor to the modern pride parade. The rainbow flag has been raised in central San Francisco to honour him.

It is flying near Harvey Milk Plaza, named after America's first openly gay politician, a close friend of Baker before his assassination in 1978.