As the month of June begins, people across the world can expect to see companies changing their logos on social media to include a little rainbow. They do this in attempts to show solidarity
with the LGBTQ+ community throughout Pride Month. However in recent years,many have begun questioning the true motives behind the projected allyship.
“During Pride month you’ll often see celebrities and companies saying ‘woohoo’ to Pride month, but you won’t often see anyone making donations to charities about the LGBTQ+ community or actually helping,” senior Elliot Juillard said.
On the surface, when people see celebrities or companies making a post or changing their logo in support of the LGBTQ+ community, it seems like an inherently positive act, but many are choosing to speak out against these companies; the one company spearheading the conversation is Target
“It’s really generic, cheaply made, and its designs are really ugly,” senior Evie Trott said. “You can tell it was designed by a person who never thought about the gay community at all other than that one rainbow flag they saw.”
“The Target Pride collection has become notorious in past years for being a marketing tactic.”
Grace Venezia
Senior
Although the design choices made by Target specifically have been under public scrutiny in the past years, poor clothing decisions are not the only thing that Target may be doing wrong.
“The Target Pride collection has become more notorious in past years for being a marketing tactic,” senior Grace Venezia said. “I think it’s an excuse to show inclusivity without actually helping any of the groups it’s profiting off of.”
Despite the fact that Target may be doing things in the wrong way, or for the wrong reasons, the issue of companies showing support for the LGBTQ+ community, and even profiting off of them without really backing the community, is not specific to Target. In recent years, controversy arose when companies removed what they did to show Pride solidarity, such as changing their logos or products, right after Pride month ended. This controversy has split opinions, some rejecting the companies’ actions, while others are okay with the support they recieve being changed.
“It’s a little strange that [companies] do it the day [Pride month ends] because it seems like they are eager to change it, but if it’s a week after, I’m not going to judge them because Pride is not something that is celebrated year-round,” an anonymous student said.
On the contrary, some believe that Pride is something to be spoken about throughout the whole year, and the motive of companies changing their logos right after Pride ends should be questioned.
“I’m big on analogies. Down on San Marin Drive, there has been a sign all month about how April is distracted driving month, and this morning I thought ‘I can’t wait for April to be over with so now I can drive distracted,’” math teacher Kimberly Laabs said. “It’s the same idea with Pride month; that [Pride] is not only for [the month of June]. Pride month is to be aware of [discrimination] so that you will take on the mantle for your life and look for ways to be inclusive.”