# Blue "equals sign" bumper sticker? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 22, 2004, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232 "2004-12-22T22:26:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/21 "2004-12-24T02:10:30Z")
What does the symbol mean or imply? Gay rights? If so, pick a damn symbol and stick with it. I’ve seen rainbows, pink triangles, yellow equals signs, etc. I really have no idea what in the hell the symbols mean anymore, other than the driver is likely liberal and part of some minority. I’m being serious; this is a marketing/branding issue; I’m all for symbols, but you have to pick one or two and make it stick, otherwise you just confuse the public. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/22 "2004-12-24T02:25:39Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > What does the symbol mean or imply? Gay rights? If so, pick a damn symbol and stick with it. I’ve seen rainbows, pink triangles, yellow equals signs, etc. > > I really have no idea what in the hell the symbols mean anymore, other than the driver is likely liberal and part of some minority. > > I’m being serious; this is a marketing/branding issue; I’m all for symbols, but you have to pick one or two and make it stick, otherwise you just confuse the public. The equal sign means, not unsurprisingly, that one stands for equal rights, particularly with reference to GBLT people, since the HRC’s purpose is as an advocacy group for them. One of the Ask the Gay Guy threads went into some detail on the symbolism behind the rainbow. The pink triangle is a case of “reclaiming” – it was the symbol of shame used by the Nazis to brand gay people, and I gather the feeling is that to wear it as a badge of pride is redeeming that former mark of degradation. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/23 "2004-12-24T02:28:05Z")
The thing is, **Slyfrog** , folks tend not to actually be homogenous demographic blocks. Some people might not like the pink triangle because of its horrible origin, and may consider using it to be identifying with victimhood. Likewise, some people might not like the rainbow because it can be seen as, well, a little bit _My Little Pony._ Before you can “pick one and stick with it” you have to something that works for nearly everyone. Sure, there’s an element of branding in there – but marketers rarely “pick a logo and stick with it.” Things evolve. If they didn’t, my local hockey franchise would still have jerseys sporting a crude drawing of a [skating, toque-wearing lumberjack](http://www.classicsportslogos.com/logos/vancouvercanucks_blue.gif). ---
**Author:** ![Beltane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@Beltane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beltane)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/24 "2004-12-24T02:51:11Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > See? Some of us heteros are willing to take one for the team. Must…resist… crass comments… must resist… Whew, made it. * * * The Black/blue/black is supposed to indicate a law enforcement officer, or his family. " The thin blue line." ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/25 "2004-12-24T03:29:01Z")
As far as “pick a symbol and stick with it” goes, the HRC symbol is a symbol of that organization, not of the gay community in general. The organization, a completely self-governing entity, chose that symbol as a general trademark. It’s not like we all voted to add yet another symbol in. And you forgot about lambda… ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/26 "2004-12-24T07:57:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Must…resist… crass comments… must resist… Hey, go for it! I come here partially for the crass comments. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/27 "2004-12-24T12:58:15Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > Not that the sticker necessarily means the driver is gay. I know a hetero couple who have two stickers on their car. Just thought I’d clarify. Agreed. I had a sticker on the old van, and somewhere around I have a baseball cap embroidered with the same logo. I’m straight, but am a vigorous supporter of gay rights. Or, how does one say it appropriately? Equal rights for all?.. Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Chotii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Chotii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chotii)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/28 "2004-12-24T22:26:37Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Are you _entirely_ sure that the glare wasn’t because of the pong? 😉 “Pong” means ‘bad smell’. 🙂 For the British vocabulary impaired. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/29 "2004-12-25T04:36:17Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > The thing is, **Slyfrog** , folks tend not to actually be homogenous demographic blocks. > > Some people might not like the pink triangle because of its horrible origin, and may consider using it to be identifying with victimhood. > > Likewise, some people might not like the rainbow because it can be seen as, well, a little bit _My Little Pony._ > > Before you can “pick one and stick with it” you have to something that works for nearly everyone. > > Sure, there’s an element of branding in there – but marketers rarely “pick a logo and stick with it.” Things evolve. If they didn’t, my local hockey franchise would still have jerseys sporting a crude drawing of a [skating, toque-wearing lumberjack](http://www.classicsportslogos.com/logos/vancouvercanucks_blue.gif). All I’m saying is that I’m just starting to tune them out and ignore them, because I’m sick of trying to figure out what the flavor of the month is going to be. The reasons it is hard to do are fine, but many organizations have managed something, and it is diluting the message at this point to keep coming up with more symbols that seem to fundamentally mean “gay rights” or “please don’t hate gays”. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/30 "2004-12-25T04:44:54Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > All I’m saying is that I’m just starting to tune them out and ignore them, because I’m sick of trying to figure out what the flavor of the month is going to be. The reasons it is hard to do are fine, but many organizations have managed something, and it is diluting the message at this point to keep coming up with more symbols that seem to fundamentally mean “gay rights” or “please don’t hate gays”. A cross, a Bible, a steeple, the flames of Pentecost, hands in prayer, a dove. A Mogen David, the Torah, the tablets of the Decalogue, a menorah. An elephant, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan. An eagle, Old Glory, the Constitution, a minuteman. Symbols accrete. Some have staying power and some fall by the wayside. Asking the gay community to be some monolithic bloc and vote on ONE symbol is unrealistic. At various times, the lambda, the triangle, the rainbow have all been the dominant symbol, but the others never disappeared (though the lambda is quickly falling under the radar). ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/31 "2004-12-25T20:18:13Z")
In any event, that equals sign is just the symbol for the HRC, not for all gay rights in general. It says “I gave money to these people specifically.” I’m sure there are other gay rights groups that may differ with the HRC on some points or strategies. Likewise the WWF uses that panda logo on stickers for itself, implying the individual is an envornmentalist, but symbolizing the WWF directly. I don’t hear anyone saying “The world, that ecology flag, the panda… why can’t you people just pick _one_ symbol and stick with it?” ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/32 "2004-12-26T00:26:55Z")
Besides, maybe a LITTLE bit of confusion is good as it causes you to look at the sticker and think about it and wonder what it might mean. I mean, it prompted this thread, right? Of course, a prevalent “I don’t know what that is, so I’ll ignore it” attitude could kill the effect. ---
**Author:** ![caphis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19adc/32.png) [@caphis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caphis)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/33 "2004-12-26T02:40:41Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > In any event, that equals sign is just the symbol for the HRC, not for all gay rights in general. Mine doesn’t say that. :-/ ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/34 "2004-12-26T19:55:54Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > A cross, a Bible, a steeple, the flames of Pentecost, hands in prayer, a dove. > > A Mogen David, the Torah, the tablets of the Decalogue, a menorah. > > An elephant, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan. > > An eagle, Old Glory, the Constitution, a minuteman. > > Symbols accrete. Some have staying power and some fall by the wayside. Asking the gay community to be some monolithic bloc and vote on ONE symbol is unrealistic. At various times, the lambda, the triangle, the rainbow have all been the dominant symbol, but the others never disappeared (though the lambda is quickly falling under the radar). Actually, for each of those, I’d almost guarantee that there is one symbol that by far exceeds the others in “recognition quality.” Except for the last one, and I have no idea what you are trying to get at there unless it’s some general sense of “Amercia.” And even then, the difference between those examples and yours is that the gay symbols, to a much greater degree, are part of an intentional effort to brand and create public awareness. Most of your examples occurred organically. That’s what’s irritating me. Your examples are organic creations, and even though I believe there’s an example in each that has far greater brand recognition than the others, they were not originally created to pop on bumper stickers and create public awareness. The gay rights symbols, on the other hand, are effectively part of a “marketing scheme.” That implies that some actual marketing thought and effort should be put behind them. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/35 "2004-12-26T20:03:40Z")
Are you **seriously** attempting to promote the canard that the promotion of equal rights for GBLT people is part of some sort of conspiracy, as that well-refuted 1988 book suggested? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/36 "2004-12-26T20:20:21Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > And even then, the difference between those examples and yours is that the gay symbols, to a much greater degree, are part of an intentional effort to brand and create public awareness. Most of your examples occurred organically. > > That’s what’s irritating me. Your examples are organic creations, and even though I believe there’s an example in each that has far greater brand recognition than the others, they were not originally created to pop on bumper stickers and create public awareness. The gay rights symbols, on the other hand, are effectively part of a “marketing scheme.” That implies that some actual marketing thought and effort should be put behind them. If you have a debate that you’d like to open, or a BBQ Pit thread, then please do so. But don’t bring your opinions into GQ. **samclem** GQ moderator ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/37 "2004-12-27T03:28:30Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > If you have a debate that you’d like to open, or a BBQ Pit thread, then please do so. But don’t bring your opinions into GQ. > > **samclem** GQ moderator Let’s see: > [@](#): > > I changed mine to a “greater than or equal” sign. But that’s just me. > [@](#): > > Now that the question has been answered, I’d like to waste everyone’s time with a frivolous anecdote about the abovementioned symbol.\* > > I have a hat with the symbol on it. I wore it one morning when I took my dad to get Lasik surgery. It was early and I hadn’t taken a shower before we left, so I threw the cap on over my messy head of hair. This provoked two responses: One from an elderly woman in the waiting room who glared at me for half an hour, and one from a doctor, who came out from behind the reception desk and asked me if I knew where he could get one. > > \*Hey, at least I’m being honest. > [@](#): > > Are you entirely sure that the glare wasn’t because of the pong? > [@](#): > > Maybe she was glaring at you because she thinks it’s rude to wear hats indoors. > [@](#): > > Seconded: I’m straight, and have an HRC polo shirt. > > I didn’t get a sticker, though. > [@](#): > > So your statement is that it’s okay for you to be a bigot but not others. It’d be nice if all bigots made their opinions so clear. > [@](#): > > You’re welcome. One of my friends slapped one on his car because he got it in the mail and liked the “equality” notion in general and the human rights thing sounded good. He’s straight in a mostly gay neighborhood. Hilarity ensued when I told him that between the new apartment and the sticker he was gonna have a hard time meeting women if they see him parking … he’s keeping it on, being the solid liberal he is. See? Some of us heteros are willing to take one for the team. > [@](#): > > Must…resist… crass comments… must resist… > > Whew, made it. > [@](#): > > Hey, go for it! I come here partially for the crass comments. > [@](#): > > Agreed. I had a sticker on the old van, and somewhere around I have a baseball cap embroidered with the same logo. I’m straight, but am a vigorous supporter of gay rights. Or, how does one say it appropriately? Equal rights for all?.. So here’s a General Question (I think) - no one else brought anything but questions in here, right? You had no agenda in targeting my (I thought) pretty good natured discussion? You make sure that you really pare down the discussion to Q&A only? That’s pretty insulting. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/38 "2004-12-27T03:41:40Z")
Oh yes, and I will state in advance that I should have put the last one in the Pit. I’d do it now, but obviously can’t edit it. My apologies. ---
**Author:** ![booklover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@booklover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/booklover)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/39 "2004-12-27T16:27:32Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > That answered one question I had kicking around, but never remebered to ask. > > The other one was, “What are those Black/Blue/Black stickers I see on cars?” If, by Black/Blue/Black, you mean [this](http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cv/aboutflag.html) , it’s the leather(SMBD) flag. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232/40 "2004-12-27T21:51:16Z")
> [@booklover](#): > > If, by Black/Blue/Black, you mean [this](http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cv/aboutflag.html) , it’s the leather(SMBD) flag. No, not that. Only three stripes, but the same shade of blue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-equals-sign-bumper-sticker/281232.md?page=3)