Scott Powers
One of the world’s best-known symbols of LGBT pride is now flying over the Orange County Administration Building in Orlando.
Section 93 of what once was a 1.25-mile-long “Rainbow 25 Sea To Sea Flag” — created to stretch across Key West in 2003 — was loaned to Orange County Wednesday and raised over the county offices Thursday.
A formal flag-raising ceremony actually will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. It was delayed from today because of the visit of President Barack Obama to Orlando, but County Mayor Teresa Jacobs decided to raise the flag today so it would be on display for his visit.
The flag traces its origins to the rainbow flag created by artist and LGBT activist Gilbert Baker, designed and first used in 1978 at San Francisco’s Gay Freedom Day Parade.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary, Baker created the Rainbow 25 Sea To Sea Flag, featuring six rainbow color stripes, which was unfurled stretching across Key West from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. That banner then was cut up into hundreds of pieces and sent to various cities. Section 93 stayed in Key West.
Section 93 was famously displayed on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court last year. It also has traveled worldwide.
Mark Ebenhoch, executive director of LoveisLove Key West and curator for Section 93, said eventually, the piece is headed for the National Museum of American History in Washington.
He presented the flag on loan to Jacobs.
‘You can see it from Highway 408. It was hung this morning about noon. It will be lit tonight, and they will have a special ceremony tomorrow,” Ebenhoch said.
