Paris has honored the creator of the Pride flag with a plaque in the city center on 19 June.

Gilbert Baker designed the flag in the late 1970s. The American artist was commemorated with a plaque including the famous six-striped symbol.

‘The city or Paris pays tribute to Gilbert Baker, American artist and creator of the rainbow flag,’ the message in square Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie reads.

This past Wednesday, June 19, the city of Paris honored Gilbert Baker with a plaque commemorating his achievements and… Posted by Jay Blotcher on Friday, 21 June 2019

‘This past Wednesday, June 19, the city of Paris honored Gilbert Baker with a plaque commemorating his achievements and legacy, situated in the Marais neighborhood in a square dedicated to Harvey Milk,’ a Facebook post on the commemoration reads.

The city’s mayor Anne Hidalgo and other dignitaries attended the event.

Harvey Milk Square in Paris

On the same day, the French capital also has celebrated LGBTI activist Harvey Milk. He was the first openly gay politician to be elected in California and was murdered in 1978.

Paris has renamed one of its squares after Milk, trans activist and poet Ovida Delect and those who fought in the Stonewall riots.

Moreover, a close-by street bears now the name of gay activist Pierre Seel, deported in 1940.

Paris renamed its squares after famous LGBTI people

More than 40 places across the city now bears the name of LGBTI people. These include Irish gay activist Mark Ashton and artist Keith Haring.

Furthermore, a passage has been renamed after bisexual writer Susan Sontag, famous for her essay on the meaning of camp.

Paris Pride, also known as marche des fiertés, will take place on 29 June.

See also

When is Pride? Check out our International Pride Calendar

Pride in London gives queer history lesson in this emotional TV ad

Tbilisi Pride, first ever Georgia’s LGBTI march, cancelled amid turmoils