The background of the display is a paper representation of the original GLBT Rainbow Flag.
This eight-stripe flag was designed by Gilbert Baker for the 1978 Gay Freedom Day parade in San Francisco. Each color represented an aspect of human life. These first flags were hand dyed and hand stitched by Baker and about thirty volunteers.
After the assassination of Harvey Milk, in November of 1978, there was a sudden demand for many flags. The pink fabric was unavailable on such short notice, so the pink stripe was dropped at that time. Soon after that, Baker decided to drop the turquoise color in order to have an even number of stripes on the flag for a vertical display.
The result is the semi-official six-stripe flag seen below. However, nearly any flag with evenly spaced horizontal stripes of bright color is used as a symbol for gay pride.
Fogelson Library has several books on the subject of gay and lesbian history at call numbers HQ75 and HQ76. Some of these are now on display near the main entrance, but you are welcome--and encouraged--to borrow any of the books on display.
The topic of same-sex marriage is addressed by books at call number HQ1033-HQ1034. We have one book about gays in the military at UB418 .G38 S 55 1994.
