What’s in a logo? A whole hell of a lot, I suppose.
It identifies you, makes a statement and it lets the public know when you are present.
In the first issue of this year, Watermark published a story, written by me, unveiling the brand new logo for St. Pete Pride. The interlocking hexagons with a teal tint, I was told, represent the pavers along St. Petersburg’s historic streets while the color is a reflection of the beautiful waters surrounding the city and the region of Tampa Bay. Leaders of the organization explained the all-lower case title of St. Pete Pride alongside—or under it—shows that the neither city nor the organization are greater than the other.
The story racked up more Facebook likes, shares and comments than all of our other stories released that same day—and this was during a time where marriage equality in Florida was on, off, and then on again, thanks to political maneuvering by lawmakers and lawyers.
It surprised me.
I was surprised not because people reacted to it. Change is far from easy and it is rarely fully embraced. But because people reacted so incredibly negatively.
Everyone has the right to like or dislike the new logo. I, for one, would have liked to see the six colors of the Pride rainbow reflected in the logo somewhere. To me, that’s a symbol of LGBT Pride worldwide and a link to our still unfolding history.
I also wish the Polytechnic building along I-4 in Polk City didn’t look like a gigantic vagina with retractable teeth.
My point is, no one asked me and art in whatever form is subjective and organizations and designers change to keep things fresh and visual. An organization’s logo undergoes the same scrutiny as an architectural vision. However, it’s important to know that whether you love or hate St. Pete Pride’s new logo, the organization it represents is still a well-respected one with an incredible history of its own.
St. Pete Pride is the state’s largest LGBT Pride celebration which brought more than 200,000 people to the city’s Grand Central District in 2014! The first-ever night parade was the biggest parade St. Pete Pride has seen in its 12 years and the organization gives money back to the community through its community grants programs.
Economically, the impact of Pride on St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay is astronomical, thanks to hotel bookings, restaurant business and the local influx of tourism.
None of that has changed simply because the logo has evolved.
I’m told that the logo is here to stay, whether the community continues to email, call, or complain on Facebook. St. Pete Pride should invite discussions about its logo, but the community must also understand the organization worked for months on that change and has much bigger fish to fry.
This year we have more to celebrate than any other time in history. Same-sex couples are legally married in our state, whether they did it officially here or elsewhere. Elected leaders continually voice their support by passing LGBT inclusive measures and businesses, large and small, finally understand the importance of diversity among its ranks.
All of this progress wouldn’t be possible with LGBT organizations leading the way. Whether it’s St. Pete Pride or Equality Florida—organizations put us in the spotlight, which means we’re in the headlines and that leads to changes of hearts and opinions about us. And that leads to equality.
If you don’t like the direction St. Pete Pride is headed—or any organization for that matter—quit whining about it on social media and do something about it. Attend a board meeting. Volunteer some of your time. Pass along your criticisms constructively. That’s how change happens and how the community continues to grow.
But don’t let anger or disappointment cloud your vision or prevent you from helping create change. Remember, hindering change isn’t the same as helping things change. The two can’t co-exist.
St. Pete Pride has a big year ahead with big plans in the works. It’s an organization that has grown up and it couldn’t have achieved adulthood without the community.
It’s important that all sides remember that moving forward.
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