“There it is: activism, when approached with an intentional mindset, is all about creating experiences of meaning. Activism means taking responsibility to find answers to the world’s problems, dedicating yourself to a cause greater than your own interests. Activism doesn’t require a faith home or a spiritual practice; yet activism can feel very spiritual in nature.”
Karen Walrond, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto
Song: Dark Skies by ARIZONA
Article:
Thought: As an ally, I have really struggled to write a blog this month celebrating Pride because I feel that my words have to be perfect to not be mistaken. I’m grateful to those who have helped me understand the challenges and joys of the LGBTQ+ community; yet I still have a lot to learn. Hopefully, these words resonate but, if they misstep, I have a community that will continue to educate me.
Perhaps it’s always been there but I’ve noticed more this year rainbow-washing of logos and rainbow capitalism feel far less sincere and performative than previous years. It started with Target and the manufactured backlash to their Pride collection resulting in moving it from the front of the store. Then MLB teams tiptoeing around Pride celebrations and who gets recognition. And recently, the NHL decided to ban “specialty” jerseys in warm ups (aka Pride-themed). If you are waiting for corporations and sports teams to save us, it’s safe to assume you’ll be waiting a lot longer. Hint: they won’t. Adding a rainbow to your logo or jersey doesn’t change the laws or mean your spaces actual practice inclusion.
Corporations sell Pride merchandise because there is a market for it – they make money. If they didn’t, then they wouldn’t sell it. Sport teams celebrate Pride (or don’t) because they know their audience and know it drives attendance. Rainbow capitalism is performative activism. While I believe the visual show of support is positive it shouldn’t be mistaken for change. Change, the real kind, comes from laws and voting. Politicians in many states advocate for anti-LGBTQ+ laws, scoff at DE&I initiatives, suppress voting through racist measures, create anti-women’s freedom laws and pray on the fear of differences to hold power. They claim it’s to protect children. But who’s children are they protecting? These same corporations, teams, etc. support those leaders.
Celebrate Pride this month but vote in November (and in every election from School Board to President). If you want to be a real ally, it’s more than wearing a rainbow shirt in a parade. It’s doing the hard work to show up advocating every day for better inclusion, policies that create equity and voting for people aligned with that mission. One party has made guns and abortion their central platform; perhaps we need a movement focused on a single issue to unify around: inclusion.
Consider supporting one of these organizations focused on LGBTQ+ advocacy and support:
The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org
The Human Rights Campaign: https://www.thehrcfoundation.org
The Ali Forney Center: https://www.aliforneycenter.org