June 24, 2018 was a spectacular day for a parade in Chicago, namely the 49th annual Chicago Pride Parade that marched through the city's Lakeview neighborhood. The city came out to celebrate the vibrancy of the LGBTQ community, with the massive balloon sculptures, floats filled with drag queens, and trolleys throwing beads and other goods into the crowds lining Halsted and Belmont Streets in Chicago.
As the day rolled on, there was virtually no one in sight not wearing something with a rainbow. Now, this is great news considering how far the LGBTQ community has come thus far. But while it is important to celebrate queerness, it is also important to recognize that the LGBTQ community in itself still continues to struggle with the racism, sexism, and even transphobia that plagues its heteronormative counterpart.
And thus comes the mantra "Queer liberation, not rainbow capitalism."
In addition to the flamboyance and blasting of "Born This Way" at Pride, there were also the corporations that had their own contingents: Target, United Airlines, Bud Light, Smirnoff, you name it. In essence, rainbow capitalism is exactly this corporate presence at events celebrating queerness, one that profits off the marginalization of the queer community. Ask yourself this: when was the last time any of these companies helped fund mental health resources or shelter for homeless LGBTQ people? When was the last time one of the rainbow colored vodka bottles actually help portray actual representation of LGBTQ people of color? It also goes to when you change your Facebook profile picture to have a rainbow filter. Sure, you yourself may support your queer brothers and sisters, but does it really create any positive, long-term change?
Now, if you happen to partake in any of these anecdotal activities, this is not meant to shame you. Instead, it is supposed to educate you. Just because a retailer sells something aesthetically pleasing with a rainbow on it, it doesn't really mean that your money is going to support LGBTQ organizations. Moreover, Pride is a place to celebrate the resistance against those who fundamentally want LGBTQ people dead. Just as Pride is not a reel for corporations to flaunt its fake alliances, Pride is also not an excuse to get wasted at 2 in the afternoon. Pride is fundamentally about empowering the LGBTQ community which still continues to face hostility from people such as Mike Pence and other radical right-wing extremists.
Poverty, mental illness, racism, and discrimination still continue to plague the LGBTQ community, especially our transgender and non-binary siblings. We must help lift up those who are put down, instead of lifting up those on Wall Street who profiteer off of such a symbolic tradition.
Queer liberation, not rainbow capitalism.