Catherine Rusoff
Lynn Segerblom starts her mornings with a splash of color, treating each day like a blank canvas. It’s fitting for a woman who was once nicknamed “Rainbow.” Segerblom remembers that in 1976 his driver’s license had the name Faerie Argyle Rainbow on it.
His love of color is clear. She finds that different colors have different moods, and wearing bright colors like hot pink or yellow significantly lifts her mood compared to darker shades like black, gray or brown.
In the summer of 1978, Segerblom drew a rainbow artwork that brought a storm of change to California. She was 22 at the time and worked at San Francisco’s gay community center. During San Francisco’s Gay Freedom Day Parade, Segerblom and his friends brainstormed ideas for the Civic Center flagpoles, leading to the creation of the rainbow-striped flag that became the symbol of the gay rights movement.
“It’s all the colors. It’s the full spectrum, you know? And all the colors in between that we might not notice with our eyes — but they’re there,” Segerblom explains of her color choices.
But Segerblom says his work went unnoticed in the history books.
Recognition for the creation of the rainbow flag has historically been attributed to Gilbert Baker – a late friend and activist. But Segerblom said it was a collaborative effort that also included James McNamara — who Segerblom said taught Baker to sew before he died of AIDS in the 1990s – but also received no recognition.
“At the time I didn’t know I wasn’t getting the credit, you know? And that was a labor of love for all of us. And since I was already there making a living with my dyes and my sewing machine, why didn’t it seem exciting,” Segerblom said.
The rainbow flag has evolved over the years, adding colors and stripes to promote the diversity and inclusion of the rainbow. LGBTQ+ community. Terra Russell-Slavin, director of impact at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and her team honor the history of the gay rights movement and the importance of the flag.
“It gave people a symbol or image to identify with. I think that’s important when you’re trying to create visibility, when you’re trying to create acceptance. I think that’s become a rallying cry,” Russell-Slavin said.
A rallying cry that Russell-Slavin believes is still needed today. GLAAD has reported at least 145 incidents of anti-LGBTQ hate during Pride Month last year. At the recent West Hollywood Pride Parade, rainbow flags flew brightly as participants expressed that it meant queer identity, love, a welcoming community, and a safe space for openness and the continued fight for freedom.
For Segerblom, seeing the flag decades later brings joy.
“I love it when I’m outside and I see rainbow flags… It’s good for me. I try to consider it for its best attributes. It’s a rainbow. It’s light. It’s beauty. I try to consider it for its good.” has done or is doing,” she said.
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