July 1, 2024 - #mondaymoment #capitalism #liberation
Happy Monday, friends! Around this time of year, I have a habit of addressing rainbow capitalism in our monthly newsletter and in Monday Moments. For instance, two years ago I had this to say: “As we near the end of Pride month a curious and entirely predictable phenomenon will occur: all the organizations, corporations, and other entities that created rainbow-themed logos for Pride Month will go back to their normal logos throughout the day on July 1. Even though LGBTQIA+ people will continue to exist on July 1 and our rights to exist, access affirming care, have our histories taught in schools, numerous other hard-won victories will continue to be challenged in legislatures and courts across the United States. Many of the companies which supposedly supported us during the month of June will continue to donate to politicians and causes which support these absurd and disgusting laws. Some of these same companies will attempt to hide behind regional differences as if the conduct of store number 665 in Tallahassee or store number 667 in Dallas which give money to anti-LGBTQIA+ candidates does not mean that the entire organization is homophobic.”
Rainbow capitalism is the phenomenon where companies and organizations promote Pride Month and other LGBTQIA+ initiatives in order to profit off the Queer community and to bolster their image among their employees and their customers. Most often demonstrated in changing a part or whole of their logo to rainbow colors or attending Pride festivals during June, most of these companies will return to business as usual today (July 1). In fact, many brands had their websites scheduled to revert to normal logos at exactly 12:01am. With increased pressure from far-right wing groups, certain companies have caved to pressure and discontinued selling Pride-related items. While Target has received the most media attention for their Pride merchandise and removing it from some shelves, they are not alone.
Rather than dwell on rainbow capitalism, we should ask ourselves how we can do better? First, Pride Month is only one month. LGBTQIA+ people don’t cease to exist on July 1. Our lives continue, our identities continue to intersect, and we are still under attack from many sides. The recent passage of HB183 as an amendment to an unrelated bill added at 11pm is only the most recent display of these attacks. Yes, many of the rainbow flags will come down until at least October (LGBTQIA+ History Month) and there won’t be as much Queer energy and Queer joy in the air, but Queer people will still be here. Second, we need to continue to be vigilant about attacks on and movements against the LGBTQIA+ community. As we enter the full presential election season, the anti-Queer rhetoric will reach terrible proportions and there will be even greater calls for politicians to push bills through state and national legislatures which fail to address systemic issues facing our community but make for good sound bites. We need allies to step up and challenge the attacks and we need Queer people ready to fight back. We have to be consistent and honest in our activism and our policy. Supporting pro-Queer policies and laws but supporting anti-LGBTQIA+ politicians is contradictory. You say you love Queer people, and you say you love your fellow Queer people? You need to be consistent. Third, continue to recognize and celebrate LGBTQIA+ people. Pride Month might be over, but the celebration goes on year-round. Acknowledge, recognize, and celebrate the amazing and talented Queer people in your life and every connection you have with our community whether you are Queer or an ally. To paraphrase a protest chant, “We’re here, we’re Queer, you’ve gotten used to us, let’s celebrate!”
How will you continue to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community after Pride Month? What does Queer joy look like for you outside of Pride Month?
Let us pray: You, Hand of imagination, Creator of universes, Builder of hopes, Healer of agonies. Help us, inspire us to wonder, to create a new song and writings of wisdom, at the right time. Vivify us, suffuse us with the spirit of inspiration, release us from confining thoughts. Here I am, ready to be the voice of your song, for every soul and creature on your earth. Blessed are you, Mother of Creation, who blesses us with your inspiration, to partner with you in the act of creation. Amen.
(“A Blessing for Creation” written by Adva Chattler & Hila Ratzabi)
Blessings on your weeks, my friends. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Faithfully,
Ben
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