Kansas City Pride Month Warning Against 'Rainbow Washing' Demands REAL Progress

A note for June that argues for involvement rather than the mere celebration of pretty colors.

As always, first we define terms . . .

Rainbow washing is when companies use rainbow colors on logos, products, websites and more to signal support for the LGBTQ+ community. But the issue isn’t the colors themselves; it’s that companies sometimes use rainbow colors to win the business of queer allies without actually furthering equity and inclusion for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.

Rainbow washing means remaining politically and socially neutral while still sporting rainbow colors. It’s developing colorful campaigns without the leadership or contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. Rainbow washing can happen year-round, but it’s especially easy to spot during June’s Pride Month. For example, companies may feature LGBTQ+ employees wearing Pride merch yet lack queer representation on their boards or executive teams, or they may lack any significant action that furthers LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity. 

A tale about how legit LGBT biz pushes back against this trend . . . 

"The mission of the store is not about being gay," explained Matt Bramlette as he stood inside his Mid Coast Modern store. "It's gay owned."

The store carries lots of merchandise - and Bramlette's signature Bear Soap Co offerings. But finding things with a rainbow motif is a bit like going on a scavenger hunt - even during Pride Month.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

How to avoid 'rainbow-washing' and support LGBTQ community during Pride Month

Westport Road has some of the highest concentrations of LGBT-owned businesses in Kansas City. But it's hard to find a rainbow flag on it these days - and that's by design."The mission of the store is not about being gay," explained Matt Bramlette as he stood inside his Mid Coast Modern store.