And so it begins....Pride Month Conversations

[MudFire_Dex]

I've pledged to have these conversations more often and not just near Pride but here we are again - it's summer and this is on my mind so much because of the upcoming election cycle.

We were contacted this week by a coffee shop wanting queer makers - of course - for a Pride Month pop-up - where normally they don't sell handmade goods and have opted for pre-fabricated merchandise (mugs) to sell on a day to day which many shops do because a handmade price point is out of reach for merch (I happen to believe that is a matter of perspective as in an earlier conversation with @PessoAlumni about artists and living wages in our culture and how we think about and treat handmade goods and makers). They wanted to have their event and to avoid being labeled as Pride capitalists and wanted to engage to counteract that narrative and be supportive.

Things we suggested:
 * carrying the work of queer artists year-round - not supplanting other merch but making an effort to specifically be enhancing the economy in a group of creators that are marginalized
 * donating a portion of proceeds to LGBTQ organizations
  * using inclusive language in hiring practices and when serving customers (IE the use of people, friends, folks etc instead of gendered language)
 * gender-neutral signage and restrooms
 * seeking out diverse talent for their social media and staff so that marketing reflects all customers in photos and outreach

It begs the same question for me of a lot of retailers and companies like Square whom we all use. What if everyone did these things?? 

Do y'all think as this Washington Post article states that there is a "middle-ground" because for me - there really isn't. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/05/10/target-pride-collection/. If you are in the middle and not proactively trying to create and inspire diversity and foster inclusivity in your space then how is that a middle ground? That says to me that you believe your LGBTQ+ customers should be left to fend for themselves and stay quiet about it.

We already know that greater understanding and communication and just 'knowing' LGBTQ+ people was a huge part of the legislative shifts on gay marriage and that those same actions can change the barrage of attacks in the form of legislation, denial of rights and healthcare protections for trans and non-binary children and adults, book-bannings - and don't say gay bills. When you say - we should just stay out of this - then you are on the side of the oppressors who wish to see us in the margins...aren't you?

Target is one of the first to already announce they think only some stores should have the Pride merch and are already limiting what they will carry. I personally know artists that were hurt in last years backlash, boycott, and pulling of merchandise...and while I have a lot to say about pride capitalism and non-LGBTQ+ retailers selling things like this in the first place I also feel JOY when I see Pride merch because it tells me that someone there understands that fundamentally we're here, we're queer and we are just like everyone else that needs to swing by the store for some food and laundry stuff and accidentally overspend at the Target...but I'm in my feels about this and want to know what y'all think??

Is there a middle ground?

[AdamB]

I haven't read the Washington Post article because of the paywall (I saw the free option but didn't want to give them my email address at the moment) so I am making some assumptions about the "middle ground" statement, but usually going for a middle ground implies you have two different but valid opinions. I don't personally see inclusion as an opinion so much as a requirement of being an ethical, moral person. I also don't see the opposite of that as valid, so if it means a kind of watered-down form of inclusion then I wouldn't support a middle ground. Please correct me if my understanding what that means is wrong, though!

Thanks for posting this, @MudFire_Dex .

[MudFire_Dex]

Correctly assumed @AdamB - I am inside of that paywall for the Post...lol. The article is suggesting that Target is operating in a middle ground by making assumptions of where to have the products and where to stay silent as if the silence is the middle ground. I personally see it as you are part of the solution (fostering awareness, mindfulness, communication, inclusion and equity) or you are not. I see it as a lack of awareness of our collective humanity and the need to visually see oneself in the world.

[AdamB]

Silence is consent, as they say. 

[GeekInStitches]

I'm going to answer this in a different way.  More in terms of what I'm doing and not what others - small, medium, large companies - are doing.

I've been mulling this over for a while.   I'm on the cusp of 53.   I grew up a lot differently than a lot of the 'kids these days.'   I spent a very long time hiding in denial.   Kids these days are not afraid.   They know what they want and go get it.  They are tenacious. 

I lived in South Georgia in the 80's where no one was out.  I was in the Georgia capital the day our senate passed the anti-gay marriage law back in the day. 

I make a lot of LGBTQ themed practical items and fabric / mixed media artwork.    I make myself visible at every event.   I want the kids who are scared to come out to see me. 

I've had excited gay couples excited to see me again.    I've had people tell me they were happy to see me representing the community a few times.   I have talked with 20+ year olds haven't come out to their parents.  I have talked with the parents and their trans children  One kid bought a little gay sticker and the parent happily bought it in March.  I don't forget things like that.

I'm about to retire from my IT career at a large University.   It's not the most welcoming place in Georgia, but knowing that I have 10-12 different pieces of artwork hanging in Professors offices.   I'm finding that's the legacy that I'm most proud of.