Please don't put a rainbow in your window!

[RuffleCrow]

For the past few years the rainbow has sadly becomea symbol of silencing, sexual stereotyping and oppression for a lot of women and those in the LGB community. If you're thinking of putting one up, please think about how that may make women feel - many of whom have already experienced death threats and lost their friends and jobs thanks to those who wield the rainbow flag as a weapon.

I just saw two on my walk just now and it made me feel like shit. Not the intended effect I'm sure. Please consider something else: the sun coming out from a cloud, or a simple landscape. Thanks.

It's kind of funny that the GC feminists are constantly saying "mumsnet protects our freedom of speech, we're just telling it like it is, if you think we're breaking rules, report the post", etc. but as soon as someone says you're stupid for getting upset about kids painting rainbows, you're up in arms about "bullying" and "nastiness".

This x1000

Normal women' eh @Curiositykilledthecat113 - can you hold your Misogyny Handbook a little higher for the posters in the back? I'm not sure they can quite see.

Don't be a dick.

It's kind of funny that the GC feminists are constantly saying "mumsnet protects our freedom of speech, we're just telling it like it is, if you think we're breaking rules, report the post", etc. but as soon as someone says you're stupid for getting upset about kids painting rainbows, you're up in arms about "bullying" and "nastiness".
It's kinda funny that many GC feminists have disagreed with the OP and despite this posters such as yourself feel the need to comment on what 'GC feminists' on here do and don't do.

Have you considered watching The Wizard of Oz? Then you can sing about being 'somewhere over the rainbow'
I mean seriously. Some people just want to make the world a shitter a place.
Few months down the line and kids won't be able to draw anything for fear of upsetting someone I'm talking about you Santa 🎅🏼----

you and others are expressing at the prospect of putting up a symbol that you know at least one mother out there has said she finds distressing and unsettling is actually quite disturbing.

The utter irony at this though, when people on this very thread have said they find YOUR posts upsetting as rainbows are a symbol for losing loved babies, is absolutely staggering - it's been pointed out to you twice, by different posters, and you have ignored and carried on - then you say it's unsettling and disturbing that mums are being ignored?!
Just. what I can't even -
amazing lack of self awareness, I just.....
I can't.

Perhaps you are referring to Trans/women conflict?? If so I have never seen a rainbow used to signify this. It was certainly very evident when gay marriage was legalised, is that not a good thing?

I literally have no words for what I have just read. Your poor kids. It must be a laugh a minute in your house...

Christ if we all gave up every thing that made someone sad there would be nothing left in the world. Grow up or if it really does make
You feel that bad you need antidepressants.

It's not my 'singular belief' @PleaseStopCrying. The link is very well established for many people. I'd love it if rainbows could go back to being just rainbows. I'm a big fan of the natural version myself. It's just way too soon for me, i'm afraid. When life goes back to 'normal', women will still be getting death and rape threats for stating biological sex is real. And the males targetting them will still be draped in the rainbow flag and using it as a shield.

Are you fucking joking??

I'm a mother. I'm trying to cheer up little kids who don't really understand why they can't see their friends anymore. It's a sweet gesture. I'm sick of people claiming victimhood at the slightest thing.

I'm sure I've seen posters on FWR talk about DARVO, saying the 'others' are making up bullying to play the victim.

You aren't a victim of children's rainbow drawings. Work on your resilience OP. You are going to need it to get through this virus.

My kid's rainbow picture looks like a weird stripy cock and balls. I suggest you avoid my house.

And ffs don't go in my daughters rainbow themed bedroom. Your triggered little head would implode.

@RuffleCrow I really hope you've just cross posted with my last post as if you're STILL banging on and ignoring what was said, you really, really aren't coming across well and as you say it's more than a little disturbing and unsettling,

Rufflecrow Ok this is how it is

1. A rainbow is a just that a rainbow even before the LGBT community claimed it
2. You should NOT be taking your high risk DD out even for a rare walk as you put it. High risk people to self isolate for 12 weeks.
3. You are either on a wind up or just stupid in the extreme to post something that is not on anyone's agenda right now. Tbh you are probably both.

Please, sincerely - get over yourself. Rainbow is:

1. a natural occurring phenomenon which is really beautiful
2. a symbol for many other things than LGBT

You are talking about others hijacking the rainbow but it's you who decided to appropriate it.

Btw, historically, the Irish leprechauns have the first right to claim the rainbows.

something pics or it didn't happen

if peeps were hanging up swastikas in their windows then i could understand the angst but rainbows ?

In my lifetime the meaning of the rainbow has shifted.

As a kid in the 70s it was the tv show, the tune you practised your ballet to. Rainbows were a joyful thing, they were everywhere.

Later as I got older it was more the rainbow flag - a symbol of peace, protection, acceptance (the thrill of seeing the flag in a window down some back street or bar window), then it became a marketing symbol attached to the LGBetc community and the T-movement, and yes I've seen it waved (by few) in anger against women - but that was never what it was/should ever be about.

I prefer to see it as a natural beauty, as patiently explained to us by my long-suffering (very scientific) dad - and as explained to DS by me in turn (but not nearly as well).

Love the idea but would prefer to avoid the rainbow for this purpose for the reasons outlined above.

Why not something neutral like sun? Or a smiley face? Rainbow is loaded, there is no question about it.

Attacking my mental health now @hikarati ? How incredible optimistic and hopeful of you. In fact the people who are the most defensive about this 'wonderful symbol' are also the least pleasant, judging from this thread. At least I'll know which houses to avoid in an emergency!

I'd love it if rainbows could go back to being just rainbows

But surely you see that starting this post is doing the exact opposite. You want everyone to stop doing something that is making children happy.

Why not instead embrace the idea and show that rainbows can and do mean something more? By stopping people using them you are saying they can only mean what you think they mean, surely you can see that you would then be part of the problem??

@RuffleCrow - it's not a fucking "natural version"!!! It's the original!!!
It's like saying that coconut is the natural version of Bounty. FFS!!

thank you @mandala

This thread is so going to end up in private eye!