The raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents, leading to six days of protests and bloody clashes with law enforcement. In late June of 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in lower Manhattan. While it wasn’t the first time members of the LGBTQ+ community were harassed by the police, the Stonewall Riots are widely considered to have created Pride as we know it today. (Often with the sugarcoated excuse that they’ll instead be paid in “exposure,” which does not pay bills and is exploitative and condescending.) Corporate Pride waters down the idea of Pride in general
THE CLOSET CHICAGO GAY BAR FREE
That last one is particularly egregious, with brands expecting free labor for their Pride content from queer creators, many of whom-like writer, podcaster, critic and consultant Fran Tirado on Instagram-have opened up about hearing how there’s little no budget for Pride projects. Hiring queer creators for Pride projects and underpaying them (or not paying them at all).Being shady about how they’re giving back to the community all year round, not just in June.Using LGBTQIA+ employees as props in Pride-related marketing materials.
![the closet chicago gay bar the closet chicago gay bar](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/asViGBN7XKlglcHP4a8JhEI_Vjg=/0x385:750x948/1200x800/filters:focal(0x385:750x948)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48568281/gangway.0.0.jpg)
![the closet chicago gay bar the closet chicago gay bar](https://lede-admin.blockclubchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T8i-6000x4000_000008.jpg)
As we head into Pride month, here’s what you should know. It’s called rainbow-washing and, according to Urban Dictionary, it’s, “The act of using or adding rainbow colors and/or imagery to advertising, apparel, accessories, landmarks… in order to indicate progressive support for LGBTQ equality (and earn consumer credibility)-but with a minimum of effort or pragmatic result.”īasically, it’s a type of performative activism, or supporting a cause or issue to garner attention, support or monetization from others rather than actually caring about making a difference in the cause. If you’ve ever noticed things like this and thought to yourself, ‘Gee, this seems a little icky,’ you’re not alone.
![the closet chicago gay bar the closet chicago gay bar](https://www.tripsavvy.com/thmb/cF0KY4AW7gGkjAMQvTwaLY9uzrs=/960x638/filters:fill(auto,1)/marty-a4b4fab8c34d4913aa48ac276dbddefd.jpg)
Every June 1, we see our go-to ride share service has changed its profile pictures to a rainbow car we see advertisements for the Apple Watch Pride Band we wonder who in God’s name approved Burger King’s Pride Whopper (seriously).