Subscribe to Breaking NewsVanasco: Obama artist makes gay marriage poster
The amazing Shepard Fairey – who designed the ubiquitous Barack Obama campain image with Obama’s profile in heroic colors – revealed today his Defend Equality poster, which is a protest against Proposition 8.
I like this image, a fist raised in solidarity – or anger – with sunbursts radiating from it.
It is similar in message to the No on H8 poster that’s been circulating – in that case, a rainbow fist.
Both images are interesting, I think, because they’re not about convincing others to join our cause, or portraying us as loving families who are devestated about having our rights taken away. Instead, they are visual calls to action for gays and lesbians to stand and fight for our rights.
Both images, also, are kind of – militant. I wonder if this is a new phase of the gay civil rights movement. Certainly we have seen a lot of anger directed at Mormons and African-Americans. I wonder if this anger, turned to (hopefully positive) action, is the beginning of some kind of Gay Power movement.
The image certainly captures the feeling of gays and lesbians at the moment.
What do you think? Is this image saying what we want it to? What should the slogan of the gay marriage movement be?
I immediately thought of the black power movement…the American men standing with their fists in the air on the medal podium at the Olympics. My recall is failing, but someone here will know right offhand the year, and the proper name for the movement.
I like it…mabe more so if it were a rainbow fist. I do believe we can do this thing firmly, and still maintain peace overall. Every movement needs it’s ActUp presence to push the envelope sometimes, but I do believe that, overall, we are a peaceful people.
If we mobilize and become visible nationally, President Obama just might act promptly to fulfill his campaign promise of Federal civil rights in the same way that President Johnson lobbied for the 1964 civil rights and voting acts. President Johnson reacted to visible civil rights demonstrations. (Which, I might add, had substantial LGBT continents.)
You can download a Hi-Resolution of the image here:
http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/National+Fliers?t=anon
It reminds me of fisting
Finally, a symbol of power and strength that gays and lesbians can take real pride in. No more limp wrists. No more warm fuzzies and rainbows. We mean business!
Jennifer, thanks for asking…I like the image. I also like the idea of a gay power movement.
I lamented our weakness in Boston, but thankfully we won. That was decided by the legislature, not the people however.
I offered $1,000 to Mass Equality (Amy Mello to be specific, I’ve seen her name floating around currently) as seed money for a campaign to publish the names of everyone who signed the anti-marriage petition. Too aggressive, she said.
Then in California we witness the No on 8 money being spent on soft-peddling ads. No confrontation, no gay couples, no rhetoric showing how horrible this is to the people whose rights would be removed while those voting for it have nothing to gain or lose in this argument.
I’m relishing in the anger and action I see now. I have the Freedom From Religion Foundation looking into IRS tax exempt rules abuse. Many people are taking to the streets. On the national news we witness brave people picketing a restaurant owned by a yes contributor. Someone came out and said “but she didn’t know her contribution would be public” as if to say she’s not a public bigot, she’s a closeted one!
I see people saying “don’t call me a bigot” only to see people jump down their throats.
I was in NYC for a pride parade some 20 years ago and a loud, African American group from Harlem was comeing down 5th making quite a scene. The friendly NY cops were trying to make extra room. One burly black man, obviously straight, was yelling “move back, make way for the loud obnoxious queens from harlem coming through” people were going up trying to hug him, we were all laughing, and then came the loud obnoxious group blaring Samba music and blasting through the speakers loud, demanding and angry sounding chants. Everyone enjoyed it and the point was made we are loud, proud and not going to go away.
I think we moved into a family/nesing mode and all go home to watch the news and have our cocktails and the world is just fine if you don’t look out your windows. We need to get back to the loud militance we once had.
So I’m ready for the vocal, visible, loud, in-your-face type of movement that takes no prisoners and allows nobody to attack us and not get back what they deserve. I do not agree with everyone saying we have to play nicey-nicey and not make anyone uncomfortable.
If someone is uncomfortable with me I tell them to fxxx off! Get a life, I think you have bad taste but I’m not uncomfortable with you!
We have to speak out and be in these people’s faces. When you get a funny look out at dinner from the cute little christian family in the corner, say something! I always do..I make a point of being near their table and saying to my partner “honey, look at the simple minded little christian bigots. Those poor kids being raised in that bigoted family”. who cares what the parents think, the kids DO listen. (I do the same when people smoke in front of their children, or litter…last week I told a woman to pick up her cigarrette but, she refused, so I picked it up and put it under her windshield wiper, still smoking!).
These people know they are wrong. They vote out of fear of hell, or change, or fear their son will feel normal if he’s gay. We placate them when we say “they just don’t know us”….b.s. get in their face and TELL them they cannot discriminate, we won’t let them and they are abusing their children teaching them hate.
Slogan? How about:
Equality now or else!
We’re taking our rights, just try to take them back!
Get back in your caves, we’re burining your churches if you keep this up!
OK, so I’m not a slogan writer, but I’m really inspired by what I see out there..keep it up!
That poster is a bit too Leni Refinstahl like for my taste. It reminds me of the Nazi art of the 1930’s…
It reminds me of a labor movement poster. I love the idea though, of a central theme or image that goes beyond one election and that folks on the positive nature. Love, hope, perseverence, strength, compassion, steadfastness, sincerity, truth, victory!!
Yes, Said I agree. Far too much similar to NAZI propaganda. I love Shepard Fairey’s HOPE poster of Obama. This one… no.
Is that the best that Shepard Fairey could come up with? Looks like a poster for a fisting club to me.
I agree with a lot of other commentators. This poster sucks! I think an image of two upraised hands clasped together (not holding hands limply hung down or a singular one in an angry fist)would be more symbolic.
Debra,
It was the Olympics in Mexico in 1968. And I believe it was the Black Power Movement.
I like the assosiation will the black power movement. It comes across as strong and passionate. that and the idea behind it is the same, Equality. I strongly believe this even if many, including black people, disagree.
Good start!!! Its colors remind me of communism. Why don’t put the rainbow color there? And also add a woman’s hand there to show that both men and women are in altogether.
I personally think this is a wonderful poster. Shepard Fairey’s posters have always been militant in nature, acting like pop art, acting like agit prop. Art meant to inspired action on advertisement boards, in random areas in a city, on t-shirts. I think making it rainbow is overkill. I don’t think it’s directed just at gays. I think it’s supposed to be for everyone. THe most powerful and influential part of the gay community, in my opnion, has been the allies.