First Rainbow Flag Display

Date: June 25, 1978 • Location: Rome, Italy

The rainbow flag (original version pictured) representing gay pride was first flown at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade.

The rainbow flag or pride flag is a symbol of LGBTQ pride and LGBTQ social movements, as well as a peace symbol. The colors reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender. Using a rainbow flag as a symbol of LGBTQ pride began in San Francisco, California, and subsequently became common at LGBTQ rights events worldwide.