(or how to be a good ally and avoid rainbow-washing in this late-stage capitalist hellscape)
In today's political climate, indie shops and small businesses have a unique opportunity to create community and uplift each other. As a queer business owner, here are my thoughts on being a good ally:
Remember:
- Pride started as a protest in response to police harassment and brutality
- Trans and gender-non-conforming POC such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were on the front lines of this protest. We have them to thank for Pride!
Do:
- Order your Pride merchandise from LGBTQ+ owned brands
- Boost LGBTQ+ creators, videos, and messages
- Give back: donate a portion of your proceeds from Pride to a mutual aid org that serves the LGBTQ+ community, or host a drive to collect much-needed supplies for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth
Don’t:
- Stop selling Pride merchandise after June (or worse, after your local Pride festival is over). Pride is not a trend or a seasonal holiday
- Buy your Pride merchandise from non-LGBTQ+ owned brands. Doing so decenters LGBTQ+ folk and takes money away from the queer community
Want to give back? Here are some places to start:
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people.
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Rainbow Railroad: Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people get to safety worldwide.
https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/
Sylvia Rivera Law Project: The Sylvia Rivera Law Project works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence.
SAGE: SAGE is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older people.
True Colors United: True Colors United implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ young people (LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to face homelessness than their peers)
Your local organization: Our money and effort goes the farthest when it’s focused close to home. Consider supporting a local shelter or legal aid clinic.