We have given ample time for Art Andrews to answer, or at least converse, with our regimental leaders on the subject of why Pride logos, posts, and support was cancelled from the top level days before the event, after work had been put in. With only a vague “brand integrity” excuse thrown around.
I can’t be part of a group that is owned by a tyrant. Someone who swoops in, makes demands that actively go against the mantle they preach (“brand” over community).
I refuse to give any more of my personal time and volunteering efforts to an organization that is owned by someone with the level of disrespect shown to the current administration, volunteers, and community. The people built the 405th. It is the membership who make it great. The people don’t need a tyrant, we just need a community, and it doesn’t need to be this one.
Ownership does not respect our efforts or the work that we put in enough to have a civil, reasonable, respectful conversation with us about an event and subject we have supported and participated in for years. Halo itself hosts events and celebrations for Pride, so it isn’t against any of their branding and values.
As a passion, I worked with the 405th brand as one of the graphics team. Professionally I have worked in digital media for well over a decade, I am currently working professionally to build companies brands and guiding documents. With that expertise I can say without a doubt we could have easily worked to make celebrations adhere to brand. But this was never about brand.
I’m no longer waiting for a response from Art, I’ve given up on a respectful dialogue. We will never get one.
Every day that has passed I have grown more resentful of the way this was handled. We were given a disrespectful “If you don’t like it, leave.” Well Art, you got your wish. Goodbye. The free first class tickets on a guilt trip you gave us about “abandoning our community”, well… I hope you have enough tickets for all of Canada, we’ll take them with us.
I implore all other regiments to consider following suit. Leave this place, we can happily form a network of members across the globe. The 405th can keep their brand, we’ll happily take what matters, the community.
Any members who would like to join a community that values its members over arbitrary and easily changeable rules is more than welcome in the new community that is being formed, regardless of physical location.
Join us at: halocosplay.ca/
