11 June 2021 – San Francisco, CA. Dorothy clicked her heels to find her way home. But for lesbian entrepreneur Kathy Amendola, she’s bringing people to her home, San Francisco’s historic Castro District, with the click of a mouse via her Cruisin’ the Castro Walking Tours (www.cruisinthecastro.com) – San Francisco’s first and only officially recognized “Legacy Business” tour company – virtually!
“Cruisin’ the Castro has never been easier,” said Amendola who has been running the internationally-known tours for over 16 years. “For those who can’t walk the walk with us, our LGBTQ history is only a click away. We are now offering a virtual tour for purchase on our website with a feature titled ‘The Castro – A Community Advocating for Equality”, entailing over 70 years of LGBTQ activism in San Francisco.”
When the COVID pandemic shut down Kathy’s acclaimed and internationally-known walking tours of San Francisco’s LGBTQ community, she heard from a lot of people who missed them. That’s when she made a decision. When in-person tours returned, she’d also expand their reach – right into people’s laptops. She spent the first few months of lockdown doing research, and preparing her online offerings, now ready for launch.
“This is just another way for history lovers to discover how many brave sexual and gender diverse individuals pushed beyond boundaries in the ongoing effort to obtain equality and civil rights in America,” says Amendola who moved to San Francisco in 1999. “Our virtual video tour spans from the early 20th century through 2020 and includes tremendous feats of local individuals advocating for positive social change.”
Highlights of the new online offering include:
Evolution of a diverse culture
Heroes and heroines of LGBTQ activism
Harvey Milk and the Castro Community
The AIDS Epidemic
The Rainbow Honor Walk
Community Landmarks, Art & Murals
The Future of LGBTQ Rights in America
Cruisin’ the Castro Tours was founded in 1989 by local historian Trevor Hailey who was inspired by the social and political upheaval of gay and lesbian rights in America. Trevor became an icon as well as, the orator of the Castro community for 16 years. Upon her retirement in 2005, Amendola, purchased Cruisin’ the Castro Tours and continues to educate and empower people from around the globe on LGBTQ history and lack civil rights. In 2019, Cruisin’ the Castro Tours was officially recognized a Legacy Business, for providing 30 consecutive years as a longstanding, community-servicing business and a valuable cultural asset to the City and County of San Francisco.
“It’s been a tremendous opportunity for me to call the Castro community my home. So much of LGBTQ history, activism and culture started in San Francisco. Over the past 16 years, my job went from being a tour guide to a civil rights activist. And following pioneers like Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, Harvey Milk, Cleve Jones and Carol Migden is a tremendous honor,” says Amendola. “As a diverse culture, we don’t have visibility or equal rights in America nor many parts of the world where homosexuality and diversity are still illegal or a worse, a death sentence. My tour gives people the education and knowledge to make differences in their lives and communities. This is how we change the world, one heart at a time.”
Or, said another way starting this 2021 Pride Month: one easy click at a time!
SAN FRANCISCO TO FULLY REOPEN BUSINESSES AND ACTIVITIES ALIGNING WITH THE STATE’S REOPENING PLANS BEGINNING JUNE 15
Thanks to San Francisco’s successful COVID vaccine roll out and decreasing cases and community spread, the City intends to align with the State Beyond the Blueprint guidance that removes nearly all local COVID-19 related restrictions beginning June 15, with some narrow exceptions for mega events
San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed and Health Officer Susan Philip today announced that starting Tuesday, June 15, San Francisco will fully reopen and eliminate capacity limits and almost all local restrictions on business operations in alignment with the State’s Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors – effective June 15. Based on draft guidelines that the State has released in advance of the June 15 reopening as well as masking guidance issued today by the State, San Francisco has determined that it will fully align with the State plan with some limited exceptions pertaining to extremely large events and specific institutional settings with heightened risk, such as acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and jails. In these instances, additional health and safety requirements may be implemented in San Francisco.
“The people of San Francisco have done an incredible job during this pandemic of listening to our public health experts and following the guidance to keep each other safe,” said Mayor Breed. “Together we have saved thousands of lives. On June 15, we will be taking an incredible step forward by aligning our reopening with the state. I’m excited that the City is coming alive again and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for San Francisco. Please continue to do your part make sure that you and everyone you know—friends, families, neighbors—are getting vaccinated so we can finally end this pandemic. “
Businesses are encouraged to review the State’s framework in order to prepare for the changes. With the impending elimination of the State’s tiered reopening system and local health directives for industry sectors, it is expected that many aspects of San Francisco businesses will return to usual operations for attendees, customers, and guests. Most notably, health order changes include the elimination of local capacity limits as well as local requirements for physical distancing, masking, and operational procedures and protocols in almost all instances.
With the exception of schools, childcare, and youth activities, San Francisco will lift much of its health order sector-specific restrictions and rescind all business sector directives. State and Federal entities are expected to continue to put forward public health guidance. Additionally, some regulatory agencies like the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) and industry specific regulatory agencies such as Alcohol Beverage Control, California’s Child Care Licensing Program, etc., will maintain requirements related to the prevention of COVID-19 in the workplace and other specific contexts.
“With much of the health risk contained, the most important thing we can be doing now is supporting the economic recovery and revitalization of our commercial and downtown corridors and the city,” said Kate Sofis, the Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “The Office of Economic and Workforce Development will continue to support businesses as they rebuild, recover, and start anew in this post-COVID environment. Our focus remains on strengthening our city’s economic drivers with equity, partnering with our small business community to provide the tools and resources to adapt to our full reopening, and investing in services that our residents, workers, artists and every other San Franciscan needs in order to thrive.”
San Francisco’s reopening and recovery is, in large part, due to the availability and successful rollout of vaccines in San Francisco. The effectiveness and availability of COVID-19 vaccines has dramatically driven down case rates, hospitalizations and community spread. Currently, 79% of San Franciscans eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination have received at least one dose; and as of June 7, our case rate was 1.5 per 100,000, 25% lower than the state and representing a 96% decrease in San Francisco COVID-19 diagnoses since January. Likewise, hospitalizations are at their lowest point since the pandemic began.
“Our successful uptake of COVID vaccines has been a game changer and it’s why we are able to fully reopen our City,” said San Francisco Health Officer Susan Philip. “I encourage anyone who is not yet vaccinated and is able to do so, to make an appointment or drop in to one of our many access points today. We still need to be vigilant and use the knowledge and behaviors we’ve developed over the past year to make safer choices for ourselves and our families, especially those of us who live or interact with people who are not able to get vaccinated or are at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19.”
The Public Health Department encourages all those eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible, so that San Francisco and the entire Bay Area can safely reopen. The public can make an appointment or find a drop-in site by calling (628) 652-2700 or by going to sf.gov/get-vaccinated.
Because of San Francisco’s identity as a national and international destination, and because the pandemic is less controlled elsewhere, the San Francisco Department of Public Health will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test at indoor mega events of over 5,000 people; unvaccinated attendees must wear face coverings per state requirements. If only self-attestation is required, all attendees must wear face coverings.
Additionally, in very high-risk congregate living settings such as skilled nursing facilities, acute care hospitals, homeless shelters, and jails, San Francisco will require that personnel in these facilities are vaccinated. This requirement will go into effect after the United States Food and Drug Administration gives full approval to one of the COVID-19 vaccines which currently have emergency use authorization.
In school, youth and childcare settings, San Francisco intends to align its face covering requirements with the State and otherwise maintain its existing guidance while it awaits anticipated further reopening guidance from the CDC and State. Over the coming days, San Francisco will review the State’s Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors guide as well as the Masking Guidance that the State issued earlier today to consider any additional guidance or requirements it feels are necessary to protect residents, workers, and visitors and safeguard our reopening and economic recovery.
San Francisco plans to release the finalized health order on Friday, June 11th to be effective as of 12:01 am on Tuesday, June 15th.
CITY HALL CELEBRATES REOPENING WITH MAYOR LONDON BREED’S ANNUAL LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH KICKOFF AND FLAG RAISING CEREMONY
San Francisco celebrated its 51st Pride celebration as City Hall opened its doors to the public for the first time since March. Also, Mayor London Breed and City Officials commemorated Pride Month by releasing plans for historic new LGBTQ community investments and programs.
San Francisco, CA —Today San Francisco celebrated Mayor London N. Breed’s annual LGBTQ Pride Month Kickoff and Flag Raising at City Hall in honor of the City’s ongoing leadership and commitment to LGBTQ rights and equality. The in-person and streaming event included honoring this year’s Pride grand marshals, remarks by LGBTQ elected officials and community leaders, and featured special performances by the Gay and Lesbian Freedom Band – the official band of San Francisco—and renowned opera singer Breanna Sinclairé.
Mayor Breed raised the Pride flag on the Mayor’s Balcony with Senator Scott Wiener, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Treasurer Jose Cisneros, and Fred Lopez and Carolyn Wysinger from SF Pride.
“After a long year for our City, we are honored to commemorate the 51st Pride Month celebration in San Francisco, which embodies the strength of the LGBTQ community and our City’s commitment to LGBTQ rights and equality,” said Mayor London Breed. “The day also marks the first day that we are opening the doors to City Hall to public services that had been offered remotely during the pandemic. This is a great day to celebrate both our pride for our City and for the LGBTQ community.”
Although, Pride Month looks different this year due to the pandemic, communities are still coming together safely to celebrate LGBTQ history and the community through a series of in-person and virtual events. Check out additional events here and visit San Francisco Pride for additional information here.
“I’m thrilled to kickoff Pride this year in a time of optimism and positivity, as our communities start to reopen and move past the darkness of the pandemic,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “I am excited to celebrate Pride in person and virtually, and to be with our diverse and wonderful LGBTQ community here in San Francisco.”
“After more than a year of isolation, gathering together to mark the beginning of a month of Pride is more meaningful than ever,” said Treasurer José Cisneros. “As we raise the flag today, let us remember all those we lost from AIDS, from COVID-19, from racism and from transphobia.”
“San Francisco is ready for Pride 2021! Our City’s data-driven, science-based response to COVID-19 saved lives and has allowed us to reopen just in time to welcome Pride to the ballpark, Frameline to the Castro Theater and customers back into queer-owned small businesses,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “With the Mayor’s announcement of historic investments in our LGBTQ community – including the world’s first trans basic income program, mental health support services for LGBTQ seniors and a home for the worlds’ first LGBT museum right here in San Francisco – this year’s Pride is a season to celebrate indeed!”
“Today, we come together to reopen our City and celebrate our LGBTQ community in San Francisco and around the world as we raise the Pride flag—a continued symbol of our hope and resiliency during Pride Month and beyond,” said Clair Farley, Director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives. “We are grateful for Mayor Breed’s quick action during the pandemic and her ongoing support for the LGBTQ community, both through her words and actions including investing resources and services for those most impacted by the pandemic specifically our LGBT seniors, Black and Latinx Transgender women, small businesses and artists.”
The City of San Francisco celebrates Pride month by recognizing the strength and resilience of its LGBTQ leaders, and by making real investments into the community. Last week, Mayor Breed announced her proposed citywide budget that includes several new critical LGBTQ community investments including:
First of its kind Guaranteed Income Project for the Trans Community, prioritizing San Francisco residents most impacted by the pandemic and those disconnected from other benefits. The proposed program provide monthly direct payments and wrap around financial coaching for up to 150 community members per year. The proposed budget includes $2 million for the program over the next two years.
LGBTQ Senior Tele-mental health program and expanded digital access services. The new investment will increase services for up to 500 LGBTQ seniors while adding much need mental health resources to community members who have experienced increased isolation, depression and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pilot project would be funded at $900,000 over the next year.
Support for small businesses and arts and cultural programs including $12 million for the acquisition of a site to house the country’s first full scale LGBTQ Museum.
Addressing homelessness and housing instability for the transgender community and LGBTQ youth through continued investments. This includes an annual investment of $1.8 Million for the Our Trans Home SF initiative that provides housing navigation services, transition housing, and rental subsidies for low income trans community members.
Continuing to enact policies and initiatives that aim to break the cycle of violence and discrimination against our LGBTQ communities, especially against Black trans women that experience disproportionate levels of violence. That is why as part of Mayor Breed’s reinvestment effort, the Dream Keeper Initiative, is investing $2.2 Million for Black transgender equity programming over the next two years.
For more information about the services offered by the SF Office of Transgender Initiatives, please visit here. And to learn more about the Vaccine Pride campaign, visit here.
LIVES OF THE LINERS:CRUISING, CRUISE SHIPS & THE COVID PANDEMIC – June 6, 2021
From Bill Miller
June 2021
Tue Jun 1st MSC Cruises: Adam Coulter, UK Managing Editor of Cruise Critic, was on the very first cruise from a British port (Southampton) onboard the MSC Virtuosa (below).While a short cruise, it gave an insight into what might be cruising for the immediate future. Mr Coulter’s observations in brief:
Buffets: all foods and drinks handled by servers
Mask wearing in all public areas
Enchanced shipboard cleaning & cleansing
Fresh masks provided each morning
Great spaciousness with only 1,000 out of 6,200 passengers onboard
Different entertainments offered at same time to offset crowding
Fitbit, watch-like device to open stateroom door, booking entertainment & bill paying
Menus given through mobile phone
Lifeboat drill done through stateroom video
Passengers allowed ashore only on strictly guided tours
Mr Coulter concluded that while it might all seem strange at first, passengers adapt very quickly and easily. Everyone is just happy to be back aboard a big, beautiful cruise ship and traveling. And PS: Staff & crew are more pleasing & caring than ever – they too are happy to be back!
Carnival: Sprucing up!The2,800-passengerCarnival Victory sailed her final cruise last Feb but due to the pandemic, the ship’s transformation/refit was delayed for over a year. Now, the vessel is currently in dry dock receiving a massive remodeling and will emerge as the renamed Carnival Radiance.
British Connection! One of our top agents, Dave Hutchings sent photos of P&O’s new Iona in Southampton waters. While German built, the 184,000-tonner is the largest British owned passenger liner yet. She can carry 5,200 passengers. Quite a contrast from, say, the 83,000-ton, 2,233-passenger Queen Elizabeth of sixty years ago.
Captain Stubing: Gavin MacLeod, a TV sitcom veteran who played seaman “Happy” Haines on McHale’s Navy, Murray on TheMary Tyler MooreShow and the very different, vaguely patrician Captain Stubing on The Love Boat, died on May 29th. He was 90. The hugely successful Love Boat series was often featured onboard the Pacific Princess (seen below at Sydney), built in 1971 but now scrapped. Sensibly, MacLeod became a long-standing spokesman for both Princess Cruises and the entire cruise industry.
Moving About: From over in England, Nick Braddock reports the giant ferry Silja Europa (below) is heading to Falmouth for G7 accommodation purposes.
Wed Jun 2 Mid East Bound! The 205,000-ton MSC World Europa is set to debut at the end of 2022 sailing in the Middle East with bookings opening for MSC’s first World class vessel. She will set sail in Dec 2022 and will spend her inaugural season in the Gulf. Her season will commence with a special four-night sailing from Doha in Qatar to her new homeport of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The 6,850-passenger MSC World Europa will offer seven-night cruises from Dubai to the nearby Abu Dhabi and then onto Sir Bani Yas Island. Her program in the Gulf has also been enriched with calls in the port of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, visiting Al Ahsa oasis. The ship also calls Doha, the capital of Qatar, before returning to Dubai with an overnight in the city.
Silversea has announced new summer voyages in Alaska and Iceland, starting in Jul 2021.With the passage of the U.S. Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, which enables cruises to Alaska without required stops in Canada, the Silver Muse will resume round-trip sailings from Seattle starting Jul 29th, making Silversea the first luxury cruise line to operate in Alaska this summer.
Spain will allow cruise ships to dock in its ports from Jun 7th, the transport ministry said on Saturday, hoping to salvage the country’s battered tourism sector in time for the summer season.
UK Cruising: Our super agent Dave Hutchings has sent along the photo below of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, back to cruising and seen in Southampton Water.
TUI Cruises is set to grow in size and reach. It is reported that British cruise line Marella Cruises, which is currently owned by TUI Group, will be integrated into TUI Cruises – a joint venture between TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Group. The handover of Marella will expand TUI Cruises, which currently operates in the German market, into a European cruise line. Earlier, in 2020, another cruise line, Hapag Lloyd Cruises, was integrated into the TUI Cruises brand in a similar fashion. Marella Cruises currently has a fleet of four ships – the Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2.
Further Return: AIDA Cruises today announced that bookings are now open for AIDAcosma’s voyages over Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with AIDAcosma embarking Dec 22nd 2021, on a unique positioning cruise from Hamburg to Gran Canaria. Guests will experience New Year’s Eve while anchored in the harbor of Madeira with a perfect view of its famous fireworks display. The cruises are now bookable and can be combined for an extended holiday in the travel period Dec 22nd 2021 to Jan 8th.
Island Princess & Millennium at Ketchikan
Hurtigruten: With booking levels almost 50% higher than pre-pandemic levels, Hurtigruten Group reports record strong demand for 2022 small-ship experiences. As Hurtigruten Group reports its first-quarter results, the expedition cruise operator’s updated booking report shows very positive signs on the travel industry’s post-pandemic comeback. Across Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world’s largest expedition cruise company, andHurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express, bookings for 2022 are currently 45% ahead of bookings for 2020 as of the same time in 2019.
Thu Jun 3rd Queen Mary: In the 85 years since its maiden voyage, the RMS Queen Mary has survived rogue waves, transatlantic crossings and even a world war. For the last five decades, it’s enjoyed a second life docked in Long Beach, riding waves of popularity and tough times as a tourist attraction. But the historic ship is now facing its most challenging voyage yet. After years of neglect by a string of operators, the Queen Mary is so creaky and leaky that it needs $23 million in immediate repairs, according to a trove of court documents and inspection reports released last month. There is growing concern that if something is not done soon, the ship could fall into critical disrepair and be in danger of sinking.
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wishis to feature the Wish Tower Suite, a penthouse situated in the forward funnel of the ship, when she debuts in summer 2022.
Chinese Owners: The 2,600-passenger Carnival Fascination, which was sold by Carnival Cruise Line in 2020 due to the impact of the global pandemic, is currently undergoing a refurbishment to restart cruises out of mainland China.
The Star Pisces at Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal
Thu Jun 3rd Silversea has announced a return to sailing with new summer voyages in Alaska and Iceland, starting in Jul 2021. The Silver Muse will resume 10- and 11-day roundtrip sailings to Alaska from Seattle starting Jul 29th and 10-day roundtrip Reykjavik itineraries onboard the Silver Shadow showcasing Iceland will begin on Jul 30th.
P&O Cruises’ Oceana at Southampton
MSC Cruises: It won’t be quite the world’s biggest cruise ship. But it’ll be close. MSC Cruises on Monday said the massive new vessel it has on order for delivery in late 2022, the MSC World Europa, would be 22 decks high — four decks higher than the current size leader in the cruise world, Royal Caribbean‘s Symphony of the Seas.
It’ll also be 1,093 feet long, making it longer than any other MSC Cruises vessel ever built. Still, it won’t quite top the Symphony of the Seas as the world’s biggest cruise ship. The Symphony of the Seas and its three sister vessels — Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas — will remain the queens of the megaship world thanks to greater lengths and widths. In all, the MSC World Europa will measure about 205,000 tons — about 10% less than the four Royal Caribbean ships, known as the Oasis Class. Like the Oasis Class ships, MSC World Europa will be able to hold nearly 7,000 passengers with all berths filled — 6,762 to be exact.
Buzz along the Manhattan Waterfront: Like others, Royal Caribbean is supportive of resumption of service. So, we’ve “heard” that they plan on doing a 2-day test cruise via Bayonne on Aug 17th and then resume a weekly service as of Aug 29th. Yes, things are indeed looking up!
Queen Mary 2 & Costa Fortuna together at St Kitts
Disney Cruise Line will conduct a test and simulation cruise for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with volunteer guests aboard the 2010-built Disney Dream out of Port Canaveral for a two-night cruise. Disney follows Royal Caribbean International as the second cruise line to get CDC approval for the test cruise option, which will lead to letting a ship operate with non-vaccinated passengers under health and safety protocols.
Dream Cruises’ recently announced restart of cruises onboard the Genting Dream in Hong Kong has been met with an enthusiastic response from the public. After just one week of sales since bookings officially opened on May 27th, Genting Dream’s first two high seas “Super Summer Seacation” cruises departing on July 30th and Aug 1st are close to 90 percent while Friday night departures throughout August are at nearly 50 percent capacity.
The Azores at Reykjavik
Out of the old shoebox:
Above: Viking Sun berthed in reflection in Brazil (Jan 2019); Below: The legendary France departing from New York (Jun 1973)
Thank you to all our readers, correspondents, those “agents” in faraway places!
Media contact: David Perry / David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com
MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR COVERAGE: FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 11am PACIFIC
WHO / SPEAKERS:
The GLBT Historical Society Board Member Tina Valentin Aguirre and Board Chair Maria Powers
GLBT Historical Society Executive Director Terry Beswick
San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed
California State Senator Scott Wiener
San Francisco Supervisor Rafael Mandelman
Activist and author Cleve Jones
Gilbert Baker Foundation President Charles Beal
WHAT:
The discovery and unveiling of Gilbert Baker’s 1978 original. Rainbow Flag, returned to San Francisco and donated to the GLBT Historical Society after being lost for over 40 years
WHERE:
The GLBT Historical Society Museum
4127 18th Street (between Castro and Collingwood), San Francisco
The GLBT Historical Society collects, preserves, exhibits and makes accessible to the public materials and knowledge to support and promote understanding of LGBTQ history, culture and arts in all their diversity. Founded in 1985, we are recognized internationally as a leader in the field of LGBTQ public history. Our operations are centered at two sites: the GLBT Historical Society Museum, located since 2011 in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood; and the Dr. John P. De Cecco Archives and Research Center, open to researchers in the Mid-Market district.
EXHIBIT SPONSORS:
Gilbert Baker Foundation, ABSOLUT® Vodka, Rythm, Big Run Studios
WHY:
In April 2021, the GLBT Historical Society received an archival donation of an extraordinary, unique piece of history, now being publicly unveiled during the Pride season: a fragment of one of the two monumental rainbow flags first raised on June 25, 1978 in San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. Displaying the original design’s eight colored stripes, it was created by Gilbert Baker (1951–2017) and hand-stitched and dyed with the help of volunteers and friends, including Lynn Segerblom (Faerie Argyle Rainbow), James McNamara, Glenne McElhinney, Joe Duran and Paul Langlotz. Thought to have been lost for over 40 years, the fragment was recently rediscovered and is the only known surviving remnant of the two inaugural rainbow flags.
“Finding the Original Rainbow Flag”
An Account by Charles Beal
President of the Gilbert Baker Foundation
On June 4, 2021, The GLBT Historical Society Museum and Archives in San Francisco will be unveiling a historic artifact, thought to be lost forever. It is a fragment of one of the two original Rainbow Flags from 1978, recently discovered. It measures 10 feet by 28 feet.
In 1978, Gilbert Baker designed and created the first LGBTQ Rainbow Flag and companion flags with the help of Lynn Segerblom, James McNamara and more than 30 volunteers. The flags flew proudly during the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day celebrations at United Nations Plaza. In June of 1979, Gilbert planned to retrieve the original flags from storage at the San Francisco Gay Community Center. He discovered that the flags, stored under a leaky roof, were badly mildewed. Gilbert Baker managed to salvage a portion of one of the original eight-color flags. This fragment remained in his possession, secretly, for decades. When Baker died unexpectedly in 2017, this original flag piece was among boxed possessions that were given to his sister Ardonna Cook.
Two years later, the Gilbert Baker Foundation was looking for a large flag to carry in the June 2019 Stonewall 50 Pride Parade in New York City. Foundation President Charles Beal asked Cook if she could loan a large flag from Baker’s belongings. She mailed the Foundation the 1978 flag fragment, not knowing its provenance. The Foundation carried the fragment proudly in the Stonewall 50 parade, also oblivious to its identity. After the parade, the flag fragment was folded up and stored in Beal’s Greenwich Village Manhattan home. It was a chance phone call from a stranger that alerted Beal to the amazing backstory to this ragged piece of cloth.
In late August of 2019, Beal was contacted by James Ferrigan, a world-renowned flag expert who had worked with Gilbert Baker in the late seventies at the Paramount Flag Company in San Francisco. During a lively conversation, Ferrigan mentioned the fragment of the original 1978 flag, asking where it now resides. The last time he had seen it was in Baker’s San Francisco apartment in the early eighties. When Ferrigan described the flag, Beal suddenly realized this artifact was gathering dust in his closet. Beal began playing detective. He reached out to people who worked with Gilbert Baker in 1978 and learned from two different sources, including veteran activist Lee Mentley, about the damaged flags in the community center.
The next task for Beal was to authenticate the fragment. He traveled in February of 2020 to San Francisco where he was scheduled to join a panel discussion about the Rainbow Flag with Ferrigan at the GLBT Historical Society Museum. Beal brought the fragment with him. Prior to the event, he invited Ferrigan to his hotel to inspect the piece. The veteran vexillologist identified the stitching and grommets done by Paramount. He declared without doubt that the Foundation was in possession of the original 1978 LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag and prepared an official vexillological report confirming the provenance of the fragment.
This historic artifact will be added to the Gilbert Baker Collection that resides at the GLBT Historical Society Museum and Archives in San Francisco. It will be the centerpiece of the exhibition entitled “Performance, Protest and Politics: The Art of Gilbert Baker.”
