Ever Popular Lambda for HL(2)

[DevgruSeal]

As you all may or may not know, the Half-Life logo's name is "Lambda."

A lambda is technically a nuclear science term, (also the 11th letter of the greek alphabet) which can relate to Half-Life in many ways.

Lambda Baryon -- An electrically neutral baryon having a mass 2,183 times that of the electron and a mean lifetime of approximately 2.6 × 10-10 seconds. Also called lambda particle. See Table at subatomic particle.

My question to you is, why is it also the symbol for homosexuals?

The lambda symbol seems to be one of the most controversial of symbols in regards to its meaning. There are several differing opinions as to why the lambda was chosen as a gay symbol and what it really means. However, most sources agree on a few things:

The lambda was first chosen as a gay symbol when it was adopted in 1970 by the New York Gay Activists Alliance. It became the symbol of their growing movement of gay liberation. In 1974, the lambda was subsequently adopted by the International Gay Rights Congress held in Edinburgh, Scotland. As their symbol for lesbian and gay rights, the lambda became internationally popular.

Source

I was doing some photoshops for my forums, working on the posting buttons, and was looking for a quick HL logo I could use. I typed in lamda in google, and saw that page at the top.

What is up with this?

Tell me your thoughs...

 

[Danimal]

We all know it is a scientific term but I don't know why the homosexual commuity have used it also :|

 

[CyberPitz]

leave it to the homesxual community to take a good icon and use it why can't they make their own (PS no gaybashing from me!)

 

[f|uke]

**** the queers!

I'd rather not. But please, show some class.

It is curious that they've taken this symbol. It had given me second thoughts about wearing my HL2 tshirt, but I do anyways. Hmm,. I wonder if thats why that guy kept smiling at me..

Yah its an unfortunate double meaning for the symbol we hold in such high reguard. Freeman better prove himself and get a little sugar from Alyx. Thats all I'm sayin!

 

[DevgruSeal]

Freeman better prove himself and get a little sugar from Alyx. Thats all I'm sayin!

Haha, thats the truth...Wouldn't it be a major surprise if Alyx and Freeman go out after Freeman rescues City 17 from carnage...

It does suck that such a popular symbol has to be a gay symbol as well...You should write on your T-Shirt, "I AM NOT GAY" lol

 

[CTTcrew_MrBlue]

You know Homophobic means Fear of gay people. Which alot of you people seem to be.

I wear my HL2 t shirt all the time, it doesnt even occur to me that its a symbol also meaning gay , and neither does it matter.

 

[kaf11]

im secure enough in my sexuality that i dont need to back up the fact that im not "one of those queers" on my clothing. the lambda symbol is cool, and i dont see why we should have these threads pop up every few weeks. i believe they use lambda as a sign of liberation, not a call sign for them being gay. who cares, get over it.

 

[el Chi]

You know Homophobic means Fear of gay people. Which alot of you people seem to be.
I wear my HL2 t shirt all the time, it doesnt even occur to me that its a symbol also meaning gay , and neither does it matter.

Quoted for emphasis. Gordon should "prove himself"!? What the hell are you on about? Morons :hmph:

 

[frances_farmer]

im glad you don't support bush el chi

 

[el Chi]

says the bush supporter :upstare:

Bush supporter!? Where the hell did you get that filthy notion?
If you're referring to my sig, I suggest you check out the link first...

 

[Platinum]

hmmm ... damn ... dont they already have their symbols??? the rainbow flag??? why take the half life logo? meh ... oh well ... i'm down with gays ... no gay bashing here

 

[Nocturnaloner]

It' interesting, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. The general public doesn't equate lambda with the gay thing at all. Rainbow flags they understand, not Greek letters.

 

[el Chi]

im glad you don't support bush el chi

Me too

 

[BackFyr]

rainbow flags... upside down purple triangles.... nah I hadn't heard of the Lambda symbol representing them until the article said so.... oh well... I think my nation voiced there opinion on the matter Nov 2nd... 11 outta 11 states baby

 

[Shippi]

.

 

[subz-]

Its only a symbol and it represents what the BEARER believes in, not what the viewer believes.

Take the swastika for example. That was a Buddist symbol originally if I remember correctly, just inverted and put on an angle by the Nazis. Also the pentacle (aka pentagram) was originally a pagan symbol for the goddess which the Roman Catholics literally demonized and made the symbol for the devil. With the aim of converting pagans to Christianity. Read "Da Vinci Code", brilliant book on this topic.

If the lamba symbol means "Half Life" to you then wear it comfortably

 

[Raz]

Also the pentacle (aka pentagram) was originally a pagan symbol for the goddess which the Roman Catholics literally demonized and made the symbol for the devil.

You've been reading 'The Da Vince Code' eh?

 

[FISKER_Q]

I'd rather not. But please, show some class.

It is curious that they've taken this symbol. It had given me second thoughts about wearing my HL2 tshirt, but I do anyways. Hmm,. I wonder if thats why that guy kept smiling at me..

Yah its an unfortunate double meaning for the symbol we hold in such high reguard. Freeman better prove himself and get a little sugar from Alyx. Thats all I'm sayin!

Omg, CE people keeps getting screwed, first delay, then no manual, and now a t-shirt with a symbol used by gays

No offense to the gays though :cheers:

 

[silverstealth89]

enough with this politics stuff lets figure out the queer stuf

 

[subz-]

You've been reading 'The Da Vince Code' eh?

Read "Da Vinci Code", brilliant book on this topic.

Yep for sure. That book is amazing

 

[Esquire]

Maybe they just chose it cos it looked cool.

 

[Dei Castigator]

Spartans

First post...Hee Hee Hee...

Anyway, The Lambda was also the symbol of Sparta, the Ancient Warrior city of Greece. The Spartans painted it on both their shields and armor and were very well known for it. On a single soldier level, they were by far the greatest warriors of the ancient world, known most commonly for their victory at Thermopyle, where 300 Spartan warriors defeated a Persian army of nearly 200,000 in a small canyon. So, you can add symbol of Sparta on the list of things the Lambda stands for

Thanks.

 

[DevgruSeal]

I don't really care. I'd wear a HL2 t-shirt anyways. After all, it says, "HALF-LIFE" on it anyways...

I just thought I'd throw it out there and see if you guys knew about it...no need to flame me for it.

 

[TAOakenshield]

Heh. Nice find. Well, originally, wasn't this symbol the greek letter for "L"?

Everytime I look closely at the "Half-Life" logo where the "a" is replaced by a lambda, I can't help but chuckle at the thought that this actually spells out "HLFL-LIFE" if one is to take into account the greek origins of the letter.

 

[Esquire]

Haha, that's a good point. Valve uses the lambda as an "A" quite frequently, yet lambda is a greek "L". Amusing.

 

[Epsi]

I think the description of the battle of Thermopylae as a victory for the Spartans was pretty funny. Sure, the Spartans were awesome, and they fought brilliantly, but they got slaughtered in the end. They gave the Persian juggernaut a bloody nose in the face of overwhelming odds, and that, as well as their willingness to face 'em without fear made them legendary, but they didn't win. They just slowed the Persians down to help give the rest of Greece time to mobilise.

 

[mutt]

gabe always looked a little "hey sweet thing" to me

 

[el Chi]

rainbow flags... upside down purple triangles.... nah I hadn't heard of the Lambda symbol representing them until the article said so.... oh well... I think my nation voiced there opinion on the matter Nov 2nd... 11 outta 11 states baby

What nation's that? And exactly what decision did you make?

 

[rocklegendfm99]

rap is another word for gay

 

[Lanthanide]

I'm gay and I have no idea why the lambda is used. Not really used much where I'm from (NZ) anyway.

 

[dkelly]

I had no idea that Lambda for a symbol for gay people.
Whatever that means really..
Does it symbolize being gay, or just being different?

I really don't see why it should be celebrated or persecuted one way or the other. People should be used to by now
But, that's a bit off-topic.

 

[f|uke]

Gordon should "prove himself"!? What the hell are you on about? Morons :hmph:

Woah there Spongebob. Listen, I have no problem with homosexuals.

I just dont wan't Gordon to be one, at least when I play him. And he does have the Lambda symbol right on his chest, so maybe he does have something to prove.

Whats wrong with that?