Happy anniversary, rainbow flag!

Thirty years ago tomorrow, the rainbow flag -- the international symbol, whether you love it or think it's tacky, of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) movement -- was first flown, at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Parade. On June 25, 1978, that is to say.

"Garish it may be," notes artist and designer John Coulthart at his blog, {feuilleton}, "but it has the advantage of being highly visible, which is partly the point, of course. Flickr photos show how effective it is at standing out in a variety of surroundings."

I've always thought the flag was goofy-looking, but I find the Flickr photos quite moving.