Rainbows everywhere 🌈

[FlipFlopsInMyCar]

Maybe I am being unreasonable. Not sure.

But I clicked on my linkedIn profile today and two massive rainbows stuck out at me! Looks like two of my previous workplaces have changed their logos to the rainbow flag.

Now, I'm in support of individuals wearing rainbow badges if they want to publically show they are allies of LGBTQ+ Even a few colleagues have put the rainbow on their email signature. That's cool with me.

But I don't know how I feel about whole workplaces replacing their company logo with a rainbow? Seems like rainbows are taking over the world.

I guess maybe it doesn't matter but I can't help but think it's a bit weird that whole institutions are now becoming activists and replacing their identity with rainbows which to me, makes a statement?

Not sure whether and what I'm being unreasonable about, but just wondered other people's thoughts really?

Yes, it does bother me. I have no problem with the LGB - they are just people getting on with their lives, like everyone else.
It's the T that is the problem. The ones who want to subvert the definition of what a woman is; the ones who want to trample on my rights.

Why on earth has the T (gender) been tacked on to the LGB (sexuality), it makes no sense.

Pride Month ugh
I put this one on my FB.

YANBU. It’s become a political symbol, whether it was intended to be or not, that basically says “we’ve picked a side, and it’s not the side of women like you”.

It’s also just nonsense corporate greenwashing. I’d like to say to these big corporates with their rainbow flags: where were you when it was illegal to be gay? Where were you when people were dying of AIDS in their thousands? Oh, well known high street bank - funding the apartheid South African regime, that’s what you were doing.

It’s bullshit.

Presumably it's just for this month?

Generally it's all for show and HR rumbles on as per show.

Per usual

It's Pride Month. You can release your pearls because those same companies will be back to their usual schedules when June is over and rainbow capitalism suddenly isn't profitable anymore.

I'd actually agree with the last point, I don't see the connection between LGB and T either and I know many LGB people who feel similarly.

I hate the performance of it.
Any company who changes their logos but doesn't:

• provide equal opportunities
• promote acceptance
• work in/with or donate to causes relevant in the community the rest of the year.

Are not inclusive companies

It's rainbow washing and it doesn't sit right with me. Same with green washing.

Yabu and I think you need to look at what about this makes you uncomfortable

To be honest, I wasn't really sure why I felt uneasy with it. That's why I posted. This thread is helping me better understand what I don't like about it, and I'll continue reading for further insights. Helpful thread for me.

The erosion of women's rights.
HTH

Though I say this as a bi woman who has her sexuality proclaimed invalid because I married a man, I appreciate companies more who walk the walk, rather than those who get a reminder of their social media marketing calendar and stick up a pre-made logo they roll out every year.

It feels a lot like window dressing to me, with the aim of enhancing their image and profits rather than anything more meaningful.

It makes me uncomfortable because very few of the companies who rainbow wash themselves actually do anything or give a shit about the LGBTQ+ community.

They do it for clout.

YABU and disengenuous - "I don't know how I feel". It is pretty clear how you feel, but are rightly embarrassed to say so.

What would you like them to do?

The rainbow washing is annoying and as a PP said most multinationals only put up pride flags in countries where gay rights are already protected by law. So all they are saying is 'we do what we have to do if we don't want to be fined for acting unlawfully'.

I agree with the OP. Why aren't councils, employers, schools etc flying disability flags, or ethnic minority flags, or flags for womens' rights, or any other flag that represents the fight for the rights of minority groups?

Because these flags don't exist, that's why. PRIDE has become a political statement, with employers and other groups almost frightened into displaying the PRIDE flag, because they are concerned that not flying it would imply that they are bigoted. The whole PRIDE movement has got out of hand IMO.

It's just easy virtue signalling isn't it? And a bit of sheep mentality, like some companies started doing it so now everyone feels like they have to or they'll be accused of not being inclusive.

If a company does protect lesbians and gay men from harassment or other prejudice, then fair enough. Behaviours speak louder than any marketing or flags.

After all, ITV probably promote Pride, yet allegedly did not support a young gay man after a relationship with an older presenter ended.

This exactly. I was meh about it all and work for large corps that do it for PR, didn't care. Now I dislike it intensely for the reasons you've stated and will not be posting any rainbow nonsense anywhere as I'm very concerned about women's rights, real actual women and girls that is.

Nah it's not unreasonable, it is rainbow washing but my queer self will still be happily enjoying every moment of pride month - got to find joy where I can, right?

Build their brand and policies on acceptable and equality. Work with the local community to understand where/how they need support. Speak out on issues affecting the community. Actively (I can't think of the right word here... Deny maybe?) harmful stereotypes and hate speech.

Things that might actually benefit people. A rainbow flag does none of these things. Unless they're sponsoring a pride event in which case most will incorporate the two logos.