Guest Author | James Moran, Our Spot KC Director of Education & Public Relations
June is Pride Month, a time that gains more meaning with each passing year. You know it’s coming because the rainbows start popping up everywhere–Pride flags flown, rainbow apparel worn by our friends or in store windows, the Pride-themed foods at the grocery store and local cafe. Many folks have strong feelings about the commercialization of Pride and I’m not here to try and change anyone’s mind if they disagree with my opinion, but I have to say, I love when the rainbows come out.
I love seeing a symbol of my community being adorned by those within and outside the family. For us, it’s a declaration that we are not afraid or ashamed, a way to identify ourselves and each other in the public square and share an understanding that we’re in this together. At gatherings like PrideFest when all the rainbows converge into one, you can’t help but feel empowered by the collective strength.
The outsiders who wear their rainbows for one month a year–while I wholeheartedly believe they ought to care all twelve months–also bring me joy in June because they’re sending a message to the country and community at large: “we’re siding with the gays.” These days, when there is so much power behind those who hate us, it means something when somebody–whether a person or a corporation–takes a stand for our community.
I say all this recognizing that my opinion is informed by my perspective–I work for Our Spot KC, a 501c3 that serves local LGBTQ+ folks in need with services such as housing, advocacy, mental health, life skills workshops, community programs, professional training, and more.
Our agency exists because the struggles that were faced by the rioters at Stonewall back in 1969 haven’t all disappeared, even though I can buy a rainbow bagel (for a limited time). We use Pride month as an opportunity to get that message out to as many people as we can in order to gain and build momentum for the important community-based work that is done year-round.
With the recent onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation fueled by dangerous, bigoted rhetoric, we must take advantage of capturing people’s attention during Pride month–maybe, just maybe, they’ll carry our message with them the other eleven months of the year and we’ll have gained a real ally in this fight. That’s how we turn rainbow capitalism to our advantage–by harnessing the opportunity to convince passive supporters to become true active allies, year-round. And if you need a pair of rainbow clogs to hop on board, Honey, you can borrow mine.
