The red white and blue City of Manteca logo has a temporary makeover in white with a rainbow background in recognition of June as being Gay Pride or LGBT Pride month.

The logo first appeared Tuesday on the city’s Facebook page with the message, “The #CityofManteca wishes you a Happy Pride Month! To our LGBTQ+ community: know that you are valued and respected. In recognition of our community's vibrant diversity, the City will be celebrating all month long with a special logo.”

The message was posted in both English and Spanish.

The Pride Month logo included the slogan “My Manteca” the city has been using to brand itself during interactions with the community’s 87,000 residents.
It marked the first time the city has recognized Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month in an official manner.

Mayor Ben Cantu said he liked the temporary logo the city is using on its various social media sites.

That said Cantu would like the 41-year-old city seal — what municipalities historically referenced their logos as — to be updated.

“It needs something that represents commerce besides just housing and churches,” Cantu said.

The current logo is in the traditional circle of a city seal using vibrant red and blue against a white background. It encompasses the city motto “The Family City” as well as the date of incorporation of May 28, 1918 along with the wording “City of Manteca, California.” The center of the seal includes the name “Manteca” again along with two objects — a house with two trees behind it and what appears to be a larger house next to it.

If you look closer at the larger “house” you will notice two windows shaped as if they were stained glass windows on a church. That’s because the original seal had a church. The church was neutered about 22 years ago when the city — without public fanfare — removed a steeple with a cross presumably to avoid the city being accused of promoting religion.

In advance of having nearly 40 wayfaring signs made and installed throughout Manteca, the city conducted a contest in 2019 for a possible replacement logo.

There were 60 entries in the city sponsored contest.

The logo used on everything from city stationary and employee clothing to the side of municipal vehicles will be changed as supplies are depleted and equipment replaced.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com