Hm. My
post on the 2009 Cincy Pride logo is the most popular ever, and the most commented on. Seriously. Organize a 700-person protest, a lot of silence...
...talk about something as silly and flippant as a logo, and everyone starts chatting. Meh. It happens.
I am not one to back down from criticism where criticism is due, but I'll say this: in a weird way, I like the theme. I'm shocked that I had the revulsion I originally did, or that so many people continue to. It's campy as hell, and I think the shirts will sell out because it is such a joke. Was it approached that way? Hell no. It was presented in all seriousness and, when we did bring it up, those of us critics were attacked for not being involved. Sell it as something fun.
If it's camp, it's absolutely fabulous, and I'll be the first to buy a t-shirt.
It plays off so many brilliant ideas and jokes and sillinesses that make up the Cincinnati gay community that I can barely contain myself. It plays off the bestiality jokes; it plays off our history as the pork capital (which is a joke in and of itself); it plays off the sexual innuendos of "pig sex;" all the while tying everything into the innumerable pigs dotted around the city... while making fun of it and making it our own.
As camp, it's absolute brilliance.
I doubt that's what it was intended as, but, in my era of playing nice(-r), I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
I also think the organizations and participants of the Pride Party should take up the theme and make it a good ol'fashion ho-down. I like cowboy hats and overalls, especially on men. I would love, love, love to see it played up and see what, say, Adonis comes up with (guess: overalls and muscle boys and twinks).... or GLSEN (my guess: rural schoolhouse?). I think this is Shooters' year to blow us all away. Or the Serpent :-).
That said...It's not a great logo, for one purpose: it will turn out blob-like in a copy machine. The cost of printing that is going to be egregious. I mean, it's a really nice image and it plays into the whole theme really well... but logos need to be simple, easy to scratch out, easy to remember, easy to copy, easy for you to doodle somewhere. The incarnation is more of a banner.
I mean, I would like it if it were part of a general exhibit of the theme itself, but I'm not too hot on it as a logo.
That said...I have news for people who criticize the critics: just because they are being critical does not mean they are wrong, and just because they aren't doing what you ask them to do everyday mean that they have no rights to talk.
Guess what? 99% of the people who benefit from and/or involve themselves in your events/etc. will not be there to plan or put it together. In the end, of the 7,000+ people that will attend Pride, less than 100 of them will say they had anything to do with Pride in the first place except to turn out, hang with friends, and get stupid drunk. And it's not us bloggers you're going to have to answer to...
...it's them.
Consider us the more vocal version of the masses. Not really. But wouldn't you rather here it from us so that you, whom you
do hear from rather than lash out at random 20-something twink boys at the parade the day of? We're vetting you. Prove to us that it's worth it. Don't lash out and attack us for not being involved.
Guess what?
Blogging is involvement.I don't hear you criticizing any other person in the city for not being involved. If you'd like, we can start naming people with absolutely nothing to their name in terms of accomplishment other than being the treasurer of so-and-so organization (
that was not directed at any in particular, I promise, I was just making a point). We are doing what we do best, us critics.
We're being critical. And, in the end, that could be good for you.
That said...I think we have been unfairly critical, including myself, of the process at times. Pride is a big event and there aren't nearly enough people involved. And they are doing the best they can with what they have, which isn't much (money, support, time, etc.) -- but that's a perennial problem for everyone. In the end, we all get drunk and have a good time and life goes on as normal.
They went out on a limb. It could have been awful and boring like "Unity through Community." I'm glad they are trying something new and different. Huzzah on them. I hope they try something new again next year.
That said...I always hope for more than I get at Pride. I've been going for years and I have yet to say I had this amazing time that blew me away. I find myself wandering the circle over and over again, hugging everyone I know, and then getting a beer and thinking, "Well, now what?"
That said...None of this really matters. There are bigger things to fight about, and fights to pick with bigger people with more power and importance than the Pride Planning Committee. In the end, it's nothing, and it will continue on ad infinitum until someone with a lot of vision, time, and connections takes over. As it always was.
But, in a time period where we're seeing a renewed sense of urgency, activism, and desire to change, don't we have better things to deal with than the freakin' Pride theme?
That said...To both sides: the bits on my Facebook are excellent that should be brought up. From darling Penny Tration: keep 'em talking. And from Miss Chanak (via John Zeh): All press is good press so long as they spell your name right.
Aren't we giving Pride a lot of coverage, right now? And aren't we involving the community in a necessary discussion about the direction of Pride?
I'm just saying. Controversy can be good, too.
That said...
Oh. I'm done. I hope I've offended everyone. It was totally my purpose this morning.
Oh, and in a bit of glorious irony, I became a fan of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center on Facebook. Seriously.
Oh goodness, RAC is going to have me for that one. LOL
