Cork is set to make history this week.

Our little city is about to become the first city in the world outside the United States of America to host the original Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag, which has become the global symbol of LGBTI+ pride, visibility, inclusion and equality.

Cork City Council will welcome a delegation from San Francisco on Thursday as this extraordinary piece of social and cultural history is loaned to Cork Public Museum for public display for four months.

The large fragment of the original Pride flag was donated to the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco in 2021, but this is the first time that the artefact will ever be loaned and exhibited outside the US.

“The Gilbert Baker Flag visit provides a unique opportunity to deepen relationships between Cork and San Francisco while showcasing Cork’s commitment to equality, inclusion and community engagement,” said Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan.

“Through the range of civic events, activities and networking events planned around the flag’s arrival, the programme will celebrate the achievements of LGBTI+ communities while acknowledging the ongoing work required to create safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces for all – and Cork City, and indeed Cork City Council’s proud role in that work for decades.”

Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O’Sullivan, said it is a tremendous honour for Cork to become the first city outside the United States to host the original Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag: “This historic visit reflects Cork’s long-standing commitment to equality, inclusion and human rights, and highlights the strong and enduring relationship between Cork and San Francisco.” she added.

‘Our shared history belongs to all of us’

Many of Ireland’s firsts of Irish LGBT history happened in Cork, including the first National Gay Conference (1981), the first motion passed by a Trade Union supporting LGBT workers’ rights (1982), the publication of the first Irish AIDS leaflet (1984), the first LGBT Film Festival (1991), and the first LGBT float in a St Patrick’s Day Parade anywhere in the world (1992).

GLBT Historical Society Executive Director, Roberto Ordeñana, said: “As stewards of the original Rainbow Flag, created in 1978, we are entrusted with preserving its history and increasing greater awareness of its legacy.

“The Rainbow flag’s importance extends far beyond any one museum, city, or nation – our shared history belongs to all of us, regardless of borders.

“This international collaboration reaffirms our commitment to keeping LGBTQ+ history visible and accessible to all and sharing global solidarity during a moment when the most vulnerable among our LGBTQ community face increased attacks and erasure all around the world.”

The visit reflects the longstanding twinning relationship between Cork and San Francisco, which dates from 1984.

A week-long programme of events has been organised across Cork City from August 17th to 24th to celebrate the flag’s arrival, and LGBTI+ heritage, inclusion and community development.

The programme coincides with the opening of Cork City Museum’s first permanent LGBTI+ archive exhibition, which includes material spanning more than four decades of the history of the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.