Action, Not Logos, Make Pride Inclusive.

It's Pride Month, and Corporations Are Still Getting it Wrong

Every June, cities across this so-called "great nation" half-heartedly celebrate Pride Month, with rainbow-clad companies desperately trying to appeal to the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. But this year feels different.

The same corporations that plastered their products with rainbows and paraded their "woke-ness" last year are now noticeably quiet. Why? Because they're spineless. They caved to pressure from bigoted conservative and religious groups, who seem to have forgotten that this country is supposed to be about freedom and equality.

Let's be clear: a rainbow logo does not make a brand queer-friendly. It's a cheap stunt, and we see right through it. According to a Harris Poll of 1,110 LGBTQIA+ adults, 84% of us agree that these superficial gestures mean nothing. Over 68% of us notice when a brand backs down in the face of opposition. We see you, and we remember.

The LGBTQIA+ community needs genuine allies, particularly in the healthcare industry. At Texas Health Action’s Kind Clinic, we know how important it is to provide accessible healthcare to Austin’s LGBTQIA+ community and people impacted by HIV. Our partners are critical to this mission, and we won't apologize for that.

We launched Glossy by Kind Clinic to meet the specific needs of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals seeking aesthetics services. We've forged partnerships with leading manufacturers and skincare providers to ensure our treatments are inclusive and affirming.

So, to all the corporations out there: stop hiding behind your rainbow logos. If you truly stand with us, show up and speak out. Support organizations that are making a real difference. Otherwise, your silence speaks volumes, and we will not be erased.

Benitez, Chief Advancement Officer of Texas Health Action, has had enough of your performative activism.