Are Rainbows/Triangles Out?

[antiochian]

Just wanted to see what people's opinions are. I have a modest collection of pride jewelry, with the rainbows and triangles. A gay friend of one of my friends made a comment about the belt I was wearing when we met, to the effect that "men don't like that rainbow stuff; he needs to get rid of it."

I was reading an article in a magazine that now some companies that make pride jewelry are moving away from the "loud" imagery, including the two intertwined male or female symbols, to more subtle symbols.

OK, so are rainbow necklaces, rings, etc. tacky? Am I the only one who sees no problem with them? (I don't wear that stuff often and I don't cover myself in rainbows when I do, it's one or two items.)

[Alecto]

I'm 21, and I really really love my rainbow polo shirt. I think it can be tacky, depending on how ...MUCH it is, but sometimes that can be the point too. The polo in question has a rainbow set on a darker blue to subdue it a little. I have a rainbow bracelet too that the proceeds for went to support my local pride parade.

I think it's like everything: some people "don't like that stuff" anymore, and some people do. I think the rainbow is probably one of the more recognizable / well-known symbols, so if visibility is what you're going for, it's probably your best bet. If you want some subtlety, maybe you should dig a little deeper into the history and symbols.

(I'm all about the rainbow shirt, and accessories, but if I were ever going to get like a tattoo or something, I would want something different purely because it's become cliche at this point, and tats are permanent).

[HarmlessEccentric]

I have a small labrys that I wear from time to time; it always makes me chuckle that most people, including many lesbians, have no idea what it is. Am I the only one who made learning my history part of my coming-out process?

[Pablo Rafael]

Originally Posted by antiochian

JA gay friend of one of my friends made a comment about the belt I was wearing when we met, to the effect that "men don't like that rainbow stuff; he needs to get rid of it."

You too?
Maybe we have the same rainbow belt. If we get together we will look like twins. Actually I think the belt is pretty cool.

I sometimes have a hard time believing that no one at work has mentioned the belt. For a person who is not "out" at work I am really not all that subtle about the gay thing. (I also have a irridescent blue/purple shirt that only a gay man would wear. I might just wear that today with the belt.)

My main trouble with rainbow things is not that it is an outdated symbol, but that the rainbow generally doesn't match with what I am wearing. Nor does the rainbow symbol fit well with my home colors. One of my students did mention once, "That belt really doesn't go with that shirt." I had thought that very thing earlier and decided to wear it anyhow. I am now more conscious about wearing the belt only when it really does go with the rest of the outfit.

Pablo

[Vanessa White]

And believe me, I am no fashion person. I wear what I want to wear, and that includes pride jewelry and wear. I have a freedom rings earring hoop that I keep in at all times; I also have a black triangle that I have usually worn every day, although recently seem to have misplaced. I also have freedom rings in a necklace, that I wear here and there. I have a tat, the woman symbol integrated with a peace sign, and a pink triangle in it. My own design and my fave, I should say. When I figure out how to do it, I will post a pic at some point.

I don't think that either symbol is outdated, it is as has been said here, what a person's desire is/preference is in what to wear or not to wear. The thing is, why do we have to be subtle about our pride? Isn't that just one more way to try to blend in when it comes to who we are? Of course, that is ther radical in me speaking, but I feeel a sense of defiance in wearing my pride garb, as in "just try to ignore this"! I also have a rainbow window cling of a peace sign in the window of my car, as well as a John Edwards rainbow campaign sticker; I know I know..... he is gone, however, Barack also has a rainbow design to one of his stickers, which I will be sporting should he be who I back.

Wear what feels good, and know that the symbolism of it matters.

[RedneckDyke]

I hope rainbows are not too dated. I have a rainbow peace symbol tattooeed on my back. I always thought about getting a double woman's symbol, although a woman symbol looks a bit like a ahnk and people might think I am a runner from Logan's Run seeking sanctuary. Maybe a labrys would be a cool tatt. Axes are so butch.

I used to have rainbow stickers on my truck. But I kept getting pulled over for idiotic things like "turning a corner too closely". I saw a sticker in catalog once that I might get. It was called a "Dixie Pride" sticker. It's a square Rainbow flag with the St. Andrew's cross from the Confederate Battle Flag superimposed on top of the rainbow. I figure that would be pretty funny. I's get some looks, for sure. I'd like to form a local chapter of the Pink Pistols and have one of their stickers on the truck.

I have a freedom ring necklace but I haven't worn it in a couple years, since I last went to Pride. But then, I never wear any jewelery at all. Not even a wristwatch.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by RedneckDyke

I hope rainbows are not too dated. I have a rainbow peace symbol tattooeed on my back. I always thought about getting a double woman's symbol, although a woman symbol looks a bit like a ahnk and people might think I am a runner from Logan's Run seeking sanctuary. Maybe a labrys would be a cool tatt. Axes are so butch.

You are hilarious, Red!!
I just love your posts.

[Alecto]

Originally Posted by HarmlessEccentric

I have a small labrys that I wear from time to time; it always makes me chuckle that most people, including many lesbians, have no idea what it is. Am I the only one who made learning my history part of my coming-out process?

Actually, I thought I pretty much was the only one (ok, one of a handful) who made a point to do so. So, yay that I'm not!

[marutidas]

Rainbows and pink triangle are queer couture. No one should be with at least one peace of pride gear in their wardrobe

[paul]

My main trouble with rainbow things is not that it is an outdated symbol, but that the rainbow generally doesn't match with what I am wearing. Nor does the rainbow symbol fit well with my home colors. One of my students did mention once, "That belt really doesn't go with that shirt." I had thought that very thing earlier and decided to wear it anyhow. I am now more conscious about wearing the belt only when it really does go with the rest of the outfit.

Pablo

Pablo,
I can't stop laughing...leave it to a gay guy to complain that his rainbow belt simply won't match anything in his wardrobe.

[tpdncr4christ]

I just bought my first ever rainbow ring! They so can't be out of style yet, that's just not fair.

[Vanessa White]

Wear it with rainbow pride, Austin!!!!!!!!!:rainbow :

[NathanATX]

I'm one of the chairs for Tulsa Pride... and I've heard a lot of gay men complain that we're using the rainbow in our logo.

Their arguement is that we've moved beyond the need to have rainbows, gay pride, etc., because our society is so much more accepting.

The way I hear it is internalized homophobia. Most of these men are somewhat successful and don't want pride to be "too gay." It's all about their personal comfort zones, their individual compromises they felt they had to make to achieve their success, the people in their lives who are "put off" by "those kind" of gay people...

And my response... flame on, girlfriend.

[keltic63]

I love the rainbow, and I find ways to include it in my house, and I have a few pieces of pride jewelry. I've kept a small garden banner in front of our house, I have a window cling rainbow squiggle on our back door, and I have a small rainbow on my car.

BUT....I find myself wishing for more options to show my pride that would coordinate with my tastes in clothing and fashion.

Our wedding rings include a stripe of irridescent rainbow....I'd show you, but we won't be wearing those rings until Aug 9th.

so after that, I guess I'll have a rainbow on everyday. and I must say that the rings do manage to include those colors in a tasteful way.

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by keltic63

I love the rainbow, and I find ways to include it in my house, and I have a few pieces of pride jewelry. I've kept a small garden banner in front of our house, I have a window cling rainbow squiggle on our back door, and I have a small rainbow on my car.

BUT....I find myself wishing for more options to show my pride that would coordinate with my tastes in clothing and fashion.

Our wedding rings include a stripe of irridescent rainbow....I'd show you, but we won't be wearing those rings until Aug 9th.

so after that, I guess I'll have a rainbow on everyday. and I must say that the rings do manage to include those colors in a tasteful way.

August 9th, huh? Sounds like a road trip to me!

You've got a good point though... the rainbow can be cheesy '80s-ish or it can be modern/sexy/aesthetically pleasing...

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by NathanATX

August 9th, huh? Sounds like a road trip to me!

You've got a good point though... the rainbow can be cheesy '80s-ish or it can be modern/sexy/aesthetically pleasing...

you know, our rings are evidently rare, I think the jeweler told us that he was the only one selling them (although I did find this pic of one....) This pic looks very much like my ring, but not exactly, mine is black titanium and not beveled; and Scott's is close to this too, but gray titanium instead of black.



I found better pics and I don't want to derail this thread.... http://www.soulforce.org/forums/show...2629#post52629

[antiochian]

I appreciate the responses. I agree that those who have a real problem with gay pride symbolism may have internalized homophobia to deal with, just the same as those guys who want nothing to do with the "obviously gay" type of guys, whatever that is! Obviously many devout followers of religions wear symbolism of their beliefs around their necks, on rings, whatever, an example being Christians wearing crosses. Same thing. It's about making a statement--"This is what I stand for. This is who I am. This is what I believe in."

[Unmasked]

I'm an accessory whore, and am constantly adorning myself with necklaces, rings, wristbands, and whatever. The only rainbow piece I have is my wristbands, but nobody really thinks much of them. I wish I had a rainbow belt, my friend Sarah wears one, but having a large build makes it hard to find cute things to wear. The biggest belt I could find in that style was around 6 inches shy of my waist size (48). Being an unfit queer is no fun.

[tymejumper]

[QUOTE=RedneckDyke;52526]I hope rainbows are not too dated. I have a rainbow peace symbol tattooeed on my back.



This very first tattoo I got is a black triangle. Lesbians were marked with a black triangle, gay men a pink one during the Nazi camp days. I chose one that is very artsy. Its a black triangle that is fashioned with celtic knot in it. Unless someone knows about the symbol, they don't know I am gay. I got it right in the middle of my lower back 'tramp stamp' area.

I was considering a labrys or a lambda symbol next.

I also think that the rainbow is a great symbol. They are not dated at all. I have several rainbow items around the house and also hanging for decorations. I have lesbian neighbors/couples on both sides of my home, but we are so far the only ones that do have rainbows on our home. My one neighbors have stickers on their cars, I have an equality sign from the HRC campaign. I even have planned a small smattering of rainbow candles at our wedding, along with our theme colors, for the brides table.

[Zerbie]

Ooooohhhh!! Where are you getting rainbow candles?

That sounds beautiful. I might get some jus' 'cuz.