I'd also say that a major part of why FW is frig/dessy dominant is because T1 frigs can enter plexes of all sizes. As mass increases, you start being locked out of plexes. vOv It's similar to WH space's focus on T3s and AHACs.
That said, KAT! <3
That is all.
Well, not all all. I find MorLag's comment on PYRE about spot on. Also, visibility definitely feeds into the critique. More IGS/Summit/lounge /emote presence leads to more conflict.
That said, aside from killboards and FW, there aren't many public ways to demonstrate loyalty. Sure, there're events, but most of the recent events have frankly been terrible-- to the point that I no longer feel bad that my being in the US means they're never accessible to me. Noone can see Mak's 9.6 Caldari State standing and 9.95 Ishukone Watch standing, but they can see Joe FWarrior's Strike Commander standing from cloaky stab plexing. Further, because most players have incursions and L4 missions down to a science, there's very little risk and it seems there's at least a little bit of derision on the IGS toward people trying to use missions as a way to say, "Hey, I'm loyal!" "Killing baseliner ships? Please."
So, anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. Reputation comes with time, and I'd say you have it. Frankly, when I was starting back up, Kat's role as I-RED spokeskitten was a tiny bit daunting.