The rainbow symbol

[ToTheLetter01]

I've noticed two instances recently where the rainbow symbol have been referred to as a symbol of the first lockdown.
The first was my DS son in the newsletter about pride week and it referred to it as a symbol of the lockdown and a symbol of hope in lockdown.
The second was on the programme This Morning. They had done a segment on rainbow decor being in now and how it's a symbol for the first lockdown.

Now I know the rainbow symbol has been around a long time and has been used for the LGBTQ community for many years. I find it infuriating that society are trying to take this away and remake it into a different thing because of this pandemic.

I know its not trademarked but why couldn't another symbol be used inside of a marginalised communities symbol. There are so many out there to choose from.

How do other people feel about it?

I don't post on here often but just wondered why you thought this was relevant to Feminism?

A rainbow has been a symbol of hope since biblical times.

Not sure why this is relevant to feminism but rainbows belong to everyone not just the gays (and I am gay).

It’s a symbol of hope going back to the story of Noah in the Bible. The rainbows I see symbolising hope in the pandemic look quite different to the LGBT pride symbol, anyway. Also, why is this a feminist issue?

I thought Noah got first dibs?

The rainbow symbol has been around since ancient times as a symbol of hope. It doesn’t belong to anyone group and should remain that way.

It's a rainbow.
A naturally occurring refraction of sunlight through water droplets.
The visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
It's been used as a symbol of hope for a damn sight longer than it's been the Pride flag.

It doesn't "belong" to anybody.

Interesting

I see it as another subtle way to indoctrinate children into trans movement.
Rainbows = freedom, hope, liberty and chopping off your perfectly healthy breasts

What? Rainbows have existed for as long as Earth. I’m afraid that the LGBT community have to share the rainbow with the rest of us!

I thought the whole point of the rainbow symbol, as used by Pride, is that it includes everyone? Are you saying there are some people who shouldn't use it?

I thought it was associated more with the nation thanking the NHS/key workers than the lockdown itself?

To be honest,it makes me faintly wary and suspicious now. I see it the same way that *LivingLaVidaCovid does.

Rainbows have different significance to different people. The main theme though is hope. I doubt women who refer to a successful pregnancy after loss as a rainbow baby worry they are misappropriating a symbol appropriated recently by a particular group. Also used in the bible to demonstrate hope. Children drew them- cause kids do to show a bit of solidarity and hope. I doubt many parents were concerned about your perceived misappropriation.

Rainbow courts in the shape of a rainbow = lockdown (hope).

Rainbow from a prism = Pink Floyd

Rainbow colours/effect in anything else = LGBTetc pride

*colours not courts

It was a Christian emblem long before it was LGBT, but I’m sure it’s not a problem for everyone to share.

@LivingLaVidaCovid

Interesting

I see it as another subtle way to indoctrinate children into trans movement.
Rainbows = freedom, hope, liberty and chopping off your perfectly healthy breasts

What?! By whom exactly?

Btw the rainbow is seen as outdated by many in the LGBTQ community. There's a new, inclusive flag with black and trans colours to include trans and BLM.

Also, the LGBTQ 'rainbow' isn't rainbow-shaped - it's the rainbow colours in straight lines.

This is the new Pride symbol. Very different from NHS rainbows.

The LGBT "symbol" isn't an actual rainbow though is it?

Its 6 different coloured vertical stripes used in various different ways. Although isn't it 8-10 different colours now depending on if you are including brown and black.

Horizontal 🙄

Poor Noah. He's been robbed.

The LGBT Community hijacked the rainbow if anything. It was fitting and apt that it was used during the pandemic as a symbol of hope and if anybody is "infuriated" (can't imagine many people are) with the LGBT trying to reclaim the rainbow, I would understand. As a pp said upthread, the rainbow doesn't belong to anybody or any group of people. It belongs to everyone. It's not exclusive to the gay community, it's not trademarked. It's not a feminist issue.

Rainbow colours, not rainbows, have been used by the LGB for many years, the rest of the letters weren't stuck on until 2015.