Isabella, I appreciate your comments, but I think what most people are getting at (
acknowledging this is just my opinion) through pride flags
for any type of thing, is acceptance. Please forgive me if I am totally getting this wrong, but let me share and example.
This being LGBTQ+ pride month, there are pride flags being flown in many locations that you would not normally see them. Even government buildings and towns and cities in many locations have rainbow flags and posters that are being flown as a recognition of acceptance of this particular group that has been historically discriminated against.
This is something that reflects the changing view of society. But more specifically, it is a recognition that there HAS been discrimination and there is a need to reduce or eliminate the discrimination and have a greater acceptance of others.
This in itself is not without controversy, as those who believe this is wrong and are against it, may see this effort as a promotion for it. But all in all, I believe that because of these kinds of efforts, that there is a much greater acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Hence, having some sort of emblem, flag, or badge in this example is something that has ultimately helped towards a greater acceptance.
This is different, I believe, than what often other emblems, flags, or badges represent in consideration of "pride". People have emblems and flags and badges for many things that they are proud of. I am proud when I wear my uniform in my own line of work. It gives meaning and significance to what I do and is easily recognized by others. I am proud of my mascot at my university for where I graduated and the colors and emblems are a rallying point in competition. Certainly the emblems and insignia are statements to others of my pride and support my alma matter. Similarly, wearing my John Deere shirt or even my cowboy hat shows my pride and tells people who may not know me that I am a cowboy and represents who I am, even before they get to know me.
But I think this second example of badges, emblems, or flags is a bit different than the first example of the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag and its current use during pride month and so forth. In my humble teddy bear observations, it seems to me that this pride and emblem, badges, flags etc. is more about creating an awareness and hoping for acceptance by being brave enough to let others know this is who you are.
I think that is what this really may be more about...
Rather than the pride of wearing your team's logo, it is about daring to share with others something that is not something that most ABDLs are NOT willing (or wanting) to shout out to the world that they part of. It isn't necessarily that we are proud of wearing diapers or acting on our adult baby desires. Rather, it is about creating awareness and hoping just for more acceptance and a reduction of the stigma and discrimination that certainly can happen if others find out we are ABDL.
As in my previous post, I do not currently think that we are at a point where a particular logo, badge, emblem, flag, etc. really is what is needed.
Perhaps that may come sometime in the future, but for now, things that might help recognize that it is okay to still have interests in childish or child-like things while being an adult help pave the way for perhaps more visible actual ABDL things. In my prior post, I shared some examples of hats, clothing, and logos that don't scream "I am ABDL", but that are certainly childish or babyish in nature. Having these become more common separates the seemingly wide distance between being an adult and a baby.
--Take for instance the footed pajamas... They are becoming quite popular, and found not just online, but in mainstream department stores. It was only a few years ago when this would not have been a product that was accepted, as footed PJs certainly screamed "baby" and been considered a novelty, not a common garment that is comfortable especially during the colder winter months.
Please forgive me everyone for diving so deeply in thought on this.
In summary, I believe the whole reason for even considering of an emblem, badge, icon, etc... that represents us, is more about allowing for a
common recognition for folks within our own community, as well as
promotion of an acceptance of our community over time.
Most ABDL's aren't exactly at the point of being "proud" of this interest and are going to be willing to wear a diaper pin on their lapel or as a hat pin, etc. But yet I propose that most of us do hope for a day when we don't have to fear of being discovered, or what our parents, children, or others will think of us if they know about this. Having a common awareness about ABDLism for society as a whole and a perception no different than folks who are diehard NASCAR fans with that interest.
Rather, we hope to be able to be who we are, without fear of retribution or the stigma that comes from being different.
)
