Is Gay Pride being swallowed up by corporate commercialisation?

[arista]

The same topic is going on in USA.
It was featured last week on the Daily Show
shown on our Comdey Central HD ch.

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Yes Corporations
have control and co fund the gay pride marches.

Sign Of The Times.

[Liam-]

I mean, companies very often use Pride as a way to try and empty their shelves yeah

[arista]

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[Livia]

Isn't everything eventually swallowed up by commercialism? It was clear it was happening when M&S brought out the gay sandwich claiming it was helping LGBT charities when in reality, such a tiny amount was being donated it was clear it was about raising their own profile and looking virtuous rather than helping the cause.

[Twosugars]

Partly unavoidable
But as long as the community spirit and solidarity are retained it should be fine
And the upside is that those companies could be held to higher standards so that lgbt rights would benefit

[Oliver_W]

Is that another way of saying cringey pointless crap?

If so, yes.

[Twosugars]

Is that another way of saying cringey pointless crap?

If so, yes.

You must be a hoot at parties:)

[bots]

companies will take advantage of anything to increase their business. It doesn't negate the original intention. Should we cancel Christmas due to it being exploited?

[Oliver_W]

You must be a hoot at parties:)

I don't drink and you can't really tell I'm gay, so you'd probably hate me x

[Twosugars]

I don't drink and you can't really tell I'm gay, so you'd probably hate me x

I dont wear pink either :laugh:
But not drinking could be an issue :hee:

[Oliver_W]

companies will take advantage of anything to increase their business. It doesn't negate the original intention. Should we cancel Christmas due to it being exploited?

Exactly - the organisers need to make money, and if other businesses want to help them do that while also profiting from it, then it's all gravy.

I don't think it's the commericalisation of Pride which is the problem - homophobia is still a thing and there is a need for positive representations of LGBT in the public sphere.

[Twosugars]

companies will take advantage of anything to increase their business. It doesn't negate the original intention. Should we cancel Christmas due to it being exploited?

Exactly - the organisers need to make money, and if other businesses want to help them do that while also profiting from it, then it's all gravy.

I don't think it's the commericalisation of Pride which is the problem - homophobia is still a thing and there is a need for positive representations of LGBT in the public sphere.

Agree.
Luckily more and more people come out so number of lgbt in public life grows

[user104658]

Anything that is popular will be inevitably swallowed up by consumerism. There's just no way to avoid that. If large numbers of people's eyes are on something, then people will want to profit.

[Tom4784]

Anything that is popular will be inevitably swallowed up by consumerism. There's just no way to avoid that. If large numbers of people's eyes are on something, then people will want to profit.

Pretty much, as long as the LGBT are benefiting though, corporations can stick rainbow flags on anything they want.

For me, it's not something I care a lot about, it's just a powerful thing to see LGBT acceptance is prevalent as it is and how far we have come in such a short time. It makes me sound older than my years but things were completely different when I was younger and to see things change for the better is an emotional thing. I didn't have the easiest time growing up bisexual but I'm glad that it'll be even just a little bit easier for future generations.

[Ammi]

...I think that regardless of whether there is more and more commercial advertising at the events etc...it’s still the whole spirit of the purpose and celebration of it that’s being absorbed more than anything else...for those who are there and also for the images we see...we see the people in their magnificent clothing and see the pride and celebration on their faces and what it means to them...we don’t even notice any advertising or commercial aspects etc...and anything like the LBGT sandwich which was produced in support of ...any donations to the LBGT homeless charity is all a great thing...

[Beso]

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Didn't expect danny baker to support it.

[user104658]

Thinking about it, it's actually pretty significant that big companies WANT to "jump on the bandwagon" and use pride / rainbow flag etc to promote their products. Even if their reason for it is purely to profit, it still means that they CAN use it for profit... When it's not that long ago that big brands would run a mile from their products being associated with "gayness" because it could destroy their mainstream appeal. Gay symbols being used in the consumer market is really a hugely positive sign for mainstream acceptance.

[Ammi]

Thinking about it, it's actually pretty significant that big companies WANT to "jump on the bandwagon" and use pride / rainbow flag etc to promote their products. Even if their reason for it is purely to profit, it still means that they CAN use it for profit... When it's not that long ago that big brands would run a mile from their products being associated with "gayness" because it could destroy their mainstream appeal. Gay symbols being used in the consumer market is really a hugely positive sign for mainstream acceptance.

...yeah totally...it’s an indication of an overall general public support for the LGBT community...and obviously commercialism follows Closely what the general public supports ....

[Ammi]

...here for John Lewis doing a Gay Pride advert each year..:lovedup:...

[Livia]

Thinking about it, it's actually pretty significant that big companies WANT to "jump on the bandwagon" and use pride / rainbow flag etc to promote their products. Even if their reason for it is purely to profit, it still means that they CAN use it for profit... When it's not that long ago that big brands would run a mile from their products being associated with "gayness" because it could destroy their mainstream appeal. Gay symbols being used in the consumer market is really a hugely positive sign for mainstream acceptance.

I agree with that. Although if businesses are going to support Pride then they should be honest about it. If they're using it as a promotion to raise their own profile then they should be donating a decent amount to one of the LGBT charities.

[Vicky.]

Erm obviously. So many of my mates do not go anymore as they see it as just another cash making excercise rather than anything else. Any of this 'rainbow this, rainbow that' is just about cash rather than acceptance tbh. Also does not help matters when half the attendees at pride these days seem to be straight blokes in bondage gear..because of course sexuality is all about parading ones fetishies in the street. That absolutely will not get people to draw false equivalance will it.seeing that day/week/whatever for gay people to be themselves results in a bunch of blokes running about in leather underwear/naked. Gay pride = public fetish. Erm, nope, and this winds friends up so so much. Have witnessed arguments turning into actual fights regarding this..when someone comes out with the inevitable 'not all men go there to parade their fetishes and seek attention'. Ugh. 'Not all X' is just such a pathetic response to anything..

As someone mentioned too..the likes of M&S are taking the piss. Making out they are doing so much for lgbt charities, while donating only 10k to them..meanwhile selling out because of a rainbow packet so profits soar hugely. Virtue signalling from these big companies tbh, and thats not a phrase I use often.

[Vicky.]

Thinking about it, it's actually pretty significant that big companies WANT to "jump on the bandwagon" and use pride / rainbow flag etc to promote their products. Even if their reason for it is purely to profit, it still means that they CAN use it for profit... When it's not that long ago that big brands would run a mile from their products being associated with "gayness" because it could destroy their mainstream appeal. Gay symbols being used in the consumer market is really a hugely positive sign for mainstream acceptance.

I do agree with this too though. That marketing something as supporting lgbt people makes profits soar rather than crash..is a fantastic thing in itself. I am just too cynical most of the time I think :laugh:

[Oliver_W]

Erm obviously. So many of my mates do not go anymore as they see it as just another cash making excercise rather than anything else. Any of this 'rainbow this, rainbow that' is just about cash rather than acceptance tbh. Also does not help matters when half the attendees at pride these days seem to be straight blokes in bondage gear..because of course sexuality is all about parading ones fetishies in the street. That absolutely will not get people to draw false equivalance will it.seeing that day/week/whatever for gay people to be themselves results in a bunch of blokes running about in leather underwear/naked. Gay pride = public fetish. Erm, nope, and this winds friends up so so much. Have witnessed arguments turning into actual fights regarding this..when someone comes out with the inevitable 'not all men go there to parade their fetishes and seek attention'. Ugh. 'Not all X' is just such a pathetic response to anything.
Yeah, I think at this point Pride should be retired.

There are no political battles left to fight, and by and large, no-one cares if you're gay. The odd homophobe or fag-basher isn't going to have their mind changed by the cringey and gross displays we see at Pride festivals.

Having inspirational or otherwise just well liked people in the public eye who just happen to be gay would go so much further/

[user104658]

I do agree with this too though. That marketing something as supporting lgbt people makes profits soar rather than crash..is a fantastic thing in itself. I am just too cynical most of the time I think [emoji23]It's just a double edged thing really. The fact that they DO it is a soulless cynical cash grab and I don't think the companies themselves should be thought of as doing something great. We should never forget that they don't care about anything but money.

But the fact that they CAN do it is fantastic as associating most products with "the gays" even 15/20 years ago would have been advertising suicide.

[Elliot]

There are no political battles left to fight, and by and large, no-one cares if you're gay.

This forum alone proves this isn’t the case

[Oliver_W]

This forum alone proves this isn’t the case
... Go on ... ?

[Liam-]

As long as in certain states of America companies are legally allowed to fire gay people just for being gay, then there are still problems to fight

[Oliver_W]

As long as in certain states of America companies are legally allowed to fire gay people just for being gay, then there are still problems to fight

Then let's keep walking down the street in bondage gear, that'll fix everything!!11

[Marsh.]

Stop embarrassing yourself Oliver.

Next you'll be telling us women have no more reason to fight politically. It's not as though they're having their rights stripped left and right... oh wait.

[Liam-]

Then let's keep walking down the street in bondage gear, that'll fix everything!!11

While I agree that that’s a tad grotesque, the percentage of people that actually do that is so small that it shouldn’t demean the rest of the event, quite frankly, you’re being purposely obtuse, for what reason? Idk, but to suggest there isn’t still a fight happening for gay equality is ridiculous

[Oliver_W]

Stop embarrassing yourself Oliver.

Next you'll be telling us women have no more reason to fight politically. It's not as though they're having their rights stripped left and right... oh wait.
Which rights have been stripped away?

[Oliver_W]

While I agree that that’s a tad grotesque, the percentage of people that actually do that is so small that it shouldn’t demean the rest of the event, quite frankly, you’re being purposely obtuse, for what reason? Idk, but to suggest there isn’t still a fight happening for gay equality is ridiculous

I'd never say that it's all rosy now, but in the UK we have all the rights we need. We're even allowed to drive, fancy that!!11

The only real issues gays still face are social ones, and they need to be addressed in different ways

[Liam-]

Which rights have been stripped away?

The choice of whether or not they want to have a baby for a start

[Liam-]

I'd never say that it's all rosy now, but in the UK we have all the rights we need. We're even allowed to drive, fancy that!!11

The only real issues gays still face are social ones, and they need to be addressed in different ways

Pride is an international thing, so again, to suggest getting rid of it because we’re treated alright here is ludicrous.

And how do you suggest going about that? Hiding away and not rubbing our gayness in the straights faces?

[Oliver_W]

The choice of whether or not they want to have a baby for a start
I'm talking about the UK. If we're worrying about the rights of women overseas, we'd be better off looking Eastward.

[Oliver_W]

Pride is an international thing, so again, to suggest getting rid of it because we’re treated alright here is ludicrous.

And how do you suggest going about that? Hiding away and not rubbing our gayness in the straights faces?
Increase the push for employee rights in general, including for LGBT people. (if we're still talking about the way some states can fire gays for being gays)

As for general acceptance, people being positive role models and openly gay is the best way foward

[Liam-]

I'm talking about the UK. If we're worrying about the rights of women overseas, we'd be better off looking Eastward.

We’re talking about Pride, a worldwide events, but nice little tactic there, avoid the human rights issues in America by pointing fingers elsewhere

[Marsh.]

Which rights have been stripped away?

For women?

[Marsh.]

I'm talking about the UK. If we're worrying about the rights of women overseas, we'd be better off looking Eastward.

Because the circumstances for women and gay people is so much better "Eastward"?

If women are having their rights to their own bodies stripped away even in the West then there is still very much a fight to be had. The same goes for homosexuals.

[Oliver_W]

Because the circumstances for women and gay people is so much better "Eastward"?

If women are having their rights to their own bodies stripped away even in the West then there is still very much a fight to be had. The same goes for homosexuals.

What about the rights of babies' bodies? They probably wouldn't choose to be killed. But women do have the choice to ensure they don't get pregnant in the first place.

[Marsh.]

What about the rights of babies' bodies? They probably wouldn't choose to be killed. But women do have the choice to ensure they don't get pregnant in the first place.

:facepalm:

[Liam-]

What about the rights of babies' bodies? They probably wouldn't choose to be killed. But women do have the choice to ensure they don't get pregnant in the first place.

Except those that are raped that is, they have no choice in it

[Liam-]

Gross

[Oliver_W]

Except those that are raped that is, they have no choice in it

Morning after pill?

[AnnieK]

What about the rights of babies' bodies? They probably wouldn't choose to be killed. But women do have the choice to ensure they don't get pregnant in the first place.

And what about women that miss the 72 hour deadline for the morning after pill, whose circumstances change, who face birthing a child who will have zero quality of life due to disabilities, what about a young mum who was a little naive. A woman should have the right to dictate what happens with their body. Until the day a man can bear a child, men should not have the right to dictate what a woman does with her body. I'm all for lowering time limits on abortions, the current 24 week limit in the UK is too late but to take the choice away is wrong imo.

On topic, Pride is commercialised but as long as people need to fight for equality and diversity, it will be a thing and rightly so.

[Liam-]

Morning after pill?

Grim

[Ammi]

...the thread just recently, pondering whether there could be a time of Science ‘fixing the gay’ would show that society is apparently not as all accepting and tolerant as it should be...

[Tom4784]

'Let's not focus on problems on our side of the world when we can just pretend they don't exist so we can tut in judgement of arabic people.'

That's the long and short of your argument regarding human rights abuse in the US.

[Beso]

It's a go to atm for large companies....something to grab onto to show an understanding side to them...


They won't think twice about dropping the themes they have adopted when the next opportunity arises for them..

[Oliver_W]

'It means nothing'.

So much ignorance. Learn your history.
I love history - kings and queens and wars and old gods and old cultures ... the history of how homos treated isn't as interesting, and learning about it won't give me more appreciation of being attracted to the same gender.

'Let's not focus on problems on our side of the world when we can just pretend they don't exist so we can tut in judgement of arabic people.'

That's the long and short of your argument regarding human rights abuse in the US.
We're not American, so why complain about American things? If you're going to complain about American things, why not worse things?

[Beso]

Honestly Oliver the only conclusion I can come to is that you're lucky enough to have been extremely sheltered thus far in life. I have gay friends who are a married couple, and yet can only hold hands in public if they're on "the right side of the city". Things are far from being as peachy as you seem to believe?

Has this been tested..or did they just have a bad experienceone night?

[Marsh.]

I love history - kings and queens and wars and old gods and old cultures ... the history of how homos treated isn't as interesting, and learning about it won't give me more appreciation of being attracted to the same gender.


We're not American, so why complain about American things? If you're going to complain about American things, why not worse things?

:facepalm:

[user104658]

Has this been tested..or did they just have a bad experience one night?

They've been together for more than 12 years and have lived there the entire time, they know it like the back of their hand.

It's not about being attacked or in danger, you won't get that in any mainstream part of a city (usually), but they know what parts of town it's just normal / not noteworthy, and what parts will get staring and comments. Not even from the majority of people. Obviously most people don't bat an eye at people being "openly gay" these days. But there are always those few (usually very loud) arseholes to make a comment or crack a joke.

[Northern Monkey]

Don’t know.Never actually in my life encountered a gay pride march.Never ever seen one.

[Morgan.]

Yeah, I think at this point Pride should be retired.

There are no political battles left to fight, and by and large, no-one cares if you're gay. The odd homophobe or fag-basher isn't going to have their mind changed by the cringey and gross displays we see at Pride festivals.

Having inspirational or otherwise just well liked people in the public eye who just happen to be gay would go so much further/

:umm2:

[Jigs]

Gay symbols being used in the consumer market is really a hugely positive sign for mainstream acceptance.

The most important thing said in this thread.

Companies may not always get it right, but exposure is exposure regardless. Members of the LGBTQ+ community know that we're way more than just a rainbow or a bit of glitter. Let the heteros be reductionist. I'd rather they be a little bit reductionist than ignorant/hateful.