Facebook pride profile filter

bicloset

Folks, is anyone else here disillusioned atm. The amount of businesses, even small pubs and restaurants all changing their profile pics on facebook to have the pride colours is quite real. A large part of me things this is just lip service that these companies just jump on the bandwagon for this month and something else next month. I often wonder if you asked a typical staff member in any of these companies would they even know their company was promoting pride or more importantly any LGBT people in the company did they feel any more or less included. I know the company I work in (which is one of Irelands largest retailers) has finally and not before time jumped on the bandwagon. While the fb pride colours havent arrived, they seemed to have capped their efforts at sticking posters up around the place (posters which might I add the content is so vague and wishy washy, its quite clear it was wrote by someone in HR who has never had any LGBT experiences and a clear tick the box exercise). I'm at a crossroads whether to embrace it as small baby step of an effort by these companies to embrace lgbt or reject it as marketing flannel with no empathy for those struggling in the community.

baby and crumble

bicloset wrote: »

I'm at a crossroads whether to embrace it as small baby step of an effort by these companies to embrace lgbt or reject it as marketing flannel with no empathy for those struggling in the community.

In my opinion it can be both.

I think that there's a huge surge in 'rainbow capitalism' since the marriage ref, because companies saw that the majority of the country didn't care/ were supportive of further LGBT rights. So it's now less risky to 'go out on a limb' and visibly support the community during Pride.

But, it also is a very visible time of the year, and it's a good way to show inclusion for a lot of companies. It's another very visible week in the calendar.

i think the proof is in the pudding for the other 51 weeks of the year - just because companies don't have flags everywhere during the year doesn't mean they don't care. And part of me thinks that having visible support for Pride across the private, public and corporate sectors is at least a way to signal to people that it's not a bad thing to be queer in Ireland.

ongarboy

I was a little cynical as well when I first started seeing all this bandwagon jumping since the referendum but now I realize it's actually a good thing. Yes, the rainbow embracing may be a little in your face around this time of year (the post box outside my office building in Dublin has been painted with rainbow colours FFS!!) and some companies are making no bones about chasing the pink euro because of it but ultimately, this is still better than the environment up to a few years ago where companies, businesses, places of work, public services entities were afraid or chose not to have any association or acknowledgement with or of the LGBT+community. This surely has to be a positive for both people who fear or feared coming out and the wider society who have or may become more accepting with the gradual normalization of LGBT.

People fear what they are not familiar with - it's harder and harder to be unfamiliar with LGBT in Ireland!

bicloset

Valid points folks and as I say I neither agree nor disagree with you. My view changes from day to day. It is probably more a positive overall. I did notice one bar in Dublin who has just jumped on the bandwagon. However, the owners of this pub have other pubs and restaurants back in my hometown (some of which have gay managers working for them) and I don't see these ones putting up flags or facebook profilers. On a positive note, there is 1 business back in my hometown with no gay owners that has decided to change their profile pic to the pride colours and I commend them for it.

Annasopra

I have mixed feelings on it too. I really dislike the corporatisation, commercialisation and pinkwashing of pride but then today I felt really happy to see my local supermaket covered in Pride flags. It just gave me such a warm feeling and made me feel included.

Still waters

They should take it all down and withdraw all support of it unless they immerse themselves fully in the culture and all they're workers are LGBTQ. theres really no other way to make sure they fully understand what it means, if only there was a middle ground in there somewhere

Annasopra

Still waters wrote: »

They should take it all down and withdraw all support of it unless they immerse themselves fully in the culture and all they're workers are LGBTQ. theres really no other way to make sure they fully understand what it means, if only there was a middle ground in there somewhere

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

J_E

You can't have it every way. I'm glad that we live in a space where it is even accepted to have such a public display of support. I don't care if there is a corporate motive to it if it only pushes general awareness and acceptance forward.

baby and crumble

J_E wrote: »

You can't have it every way. I'm glad that we live in a space where it is even accepted to have such a public display of support. I don't care if there is a corporate motive to it if it only pushes general awareness and acceptance forward.

I agree, but I suppose it does irk me when (and this has happened) the message seems to not trickle down to employees of said corporation in day to day life - I've gotten hassle in various places that would have had a precense at Pride for going into the womens changing rooms, shopping in the mens section, etc. I think that's when it gets my back up.

Likewise the straight women (and it's usually cishet women) who think it's GREAT CRAIC to go to Pride with their GBF but then freak out when a lesbian asks them out, or they sit in the George laughing at us butches. THAT'S really ****ty.

Annasopra

J_E wrote: »

You can't have it every way. I'm glad that we live in a space where it is even accepted to have such a public display of support. I don't care if there is a corporate motive to it if it only pushes general awareness and acceptance forward.

I dunno to me it feels like our identities our being used for profit and nothing else and I dont think thats appropriate

Still waters

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I dunno to me it feels like our identities our being used for profit and nothing else and I dont think thats appropriate

I feel the same the way my Irish identity is used for financial gain on St Patrick's day, anyone for a pint of Guinness

Stop moaning ffs

The corporate hijacking of pride really saddens me.
Where were all these companies and corporations pre2015/marriage equality?
We could have really done with their support then. The only company or brand I ever remember touching it and for years before 2015 was absolut vodka. Of all things.
Ilyou could argue it helps normalise things but I see it having to be opposite effect and a certain element complaining about it being ‘shoved down their throats’. Screw those people they’ll always hate us anyways.
But the simple fact is it’s all about money. Sad to see the main pride organisations here so happily getting into bed with these companies for sponsorship.

We’ve lost what pride was all about completely.

LGBT shouldn’t stand for Linkedin Google Buzzfeed Twitter
Yet you’d think it does now if recent parades are any indicator

baby and crumble

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I dunno to me it feels like our identities our being used for profit and nothing else and I dont think thats appropriate

Still waters wrote: »

I feel the same the way my Irish identity is used for financial gain on St Patrick's day, anyone for a pint of Guinness

Agreed on both counts (except the Guinness, that's just rank )

I think there comes a point when us queers of a certain age just look at Pride as it is now with a mix of cynicism, happiness and regret.

Cynicism because it feels like our identities - which were called in question during the marriage referendum only 3 years ago, and still are (in particular if you're trans*) - are being used for profit now. Like, don't on one hand tell me I'm f*cked up and then on the other try and sell me a sandwich with a rainbow sticker on it.

Happiness because it's kind of amazing that now, Dublin Pride is the BIGGEST public parade that happens in the country. I walked past the Civic Buildings the other day, where my first few Prides in the city ended up. The entire march could fit in the amphitheater area, with room for performances and everything. It's awesome that the community has come such a long way in a relatively short space of time.

And regret because when I was 15, decriminalisation had only just happened. I was starting to realise who I was and that I was gay, and I was terrified. All I ever saw in the media about gay people were stories about AIDS and how we were unfit humans, basically. Now there's 15 year olds who'll come to their first Pride on Saturday and see a colourful spectacle with representation from political parties, RTE, huge multinational companies and small local groups, all ready to outwardly at least say 'it's fine if you're LGBT+, look at your community - we've got you". I regret that I lived my formative years in the time when Pride was something people stared at from the side of the road, rather than wait for hours to be a part of.

bicloset

Folks, I'm glad to see we all have the same Pros and Cons about it all. I have only been to 1 pride (2017) and it was a very humbling experience. I suppose to try draw a positive from it is that the LinkedIns and Google mechants who are in the parade serve as a platform for those allies who want to show support (notably straight allies). I have no issues with them. What does irk me is those jump on the bandwagon merchants.

Not trying to play the pity trump card, but I am off sick for a few weeks from my employer.
This is partly due to the stress of the job itself along with me grappling with my identity and coming out. This morning I just see this company (who is a one of Irelands biggest retailers) now changing their pic to pride colours (considering their size they should have been one of the first to change it as theirs enough marketing staff!) I would bet money this week there is absolutely nothing in work for LGBT, no pride parade participation, no information talks, no fundraisers. I have seen diversity posters floating around the site a few months but they are soo loosely worded a 4 yr old could have wrote better. And hard to believe that this poster is step one in HRs new Diversity policy for the company (shocking to believe they never had one until this year despite all the other red tape policies); rant over

L1011

Stop moaning ffs wrote: »

The corporate hijacking of pride really saddens me.
Where were all these companies and corporations pre2015/marriage equality?
We could have really done with their support then. The only company or brand I ever remember touching it and for years before 2015 was absolut vodka. Of all things.
Ilyou could argue it helps normalise things but I see it having to be opposite effect and a certain element complaining about it being ‘shoved down their throats’. Screw those people they’ll always hate us anyways.
But the simple fact is it’s all about money. Sad to see the main pride organisations here so happily getting into bed with these companies for sponsorship.

We’ve lost what pride was all about completely.

LGBT shouldn’t stand for Linkedin Google Buzzfeed Twitter
Yet you’d think it does now if recent parades are any indicator

The tech firms were onboard well before 2015, can't actually remember when there wasn't some Google presence for instance. Its the recent thing of half their sodding staff and huge floats in the parade, as well as all the finance and legal services firms that's made it so oppressively corporate - they mostly did jump on in 2015.

2013 Pride Guide ads from big (by my own determination of big :pac:) firms:
Facebook
RTE
Microsoft
Citibank
Enterprise Rentacar
Absolut
Google
Nissan

2013's the oldest I could find online but I think I have some older ones at home.

Stop moaning ffs

L1011 wrote: »

The tech firms were onboard well before 2015, can't actually remember when there wasn't some Google presence for instance. Its the recent thing of half their sodding staff and huge floats in the parade, as well as all the finance and legal services firms that's made it so oppressively corporate - they mostly did jump on in 2015.

2013 Pride Guide ads from big (by my own determination of big :pac:) firms:
Facebook
RTE
Microsoft
Citibank
Enterprise Rentacar
Absolut
Google
Nissan

2013's the oldest I could find online but I think I have some older ones at home.

I didn’t know that thank you.

The thing is maybe their presence was a lot more subtle then? I don’t remember anything like the Overbearing corporate presence we have now and the past couple of years.

bicloset

Stop moaning ffs wrote: »

I didn’t know that thank you.

The thing is maybe their presence was a lot more subtle then? I don’t remember anything like the Overbearing corporate presence we have now and the past couple of years.

Interesting. I used to work in the motor trade and into my cars and I know for a fact Nissan have't featured since. It has rotated from Opel to Volkswagen to Linders Renault to name a few. Quite clear its commercial.

Although to be fair if Nissan to feature in the parade, they wouldn't want Volkswagen or Renault driving behind them. But then the same could be said for competing banks or legal firms in the parade. See this is my point, its all about return on investment.

Annasopra

L1011 wrote: »

The tech firms were onboard well before 2015, can't actually remember when there wasn't some Google presence for instance. Its the recent thing of half their sodding staff and huge floats in the parade, as well as all the finance and legal services firms that's made it so oppressively corporate - they mostly did jump on in 2015.

2013 Pride Guide ads from big (by my own determination of big :pac:) firms:
Facebook
RTE
Microsoft
Citibank
Enterprise Rentacar
Absolut
Google
Nissan

2013's the oldest I could find online but I think I have some older ones at home.

I reckon a lot of these corporates pay people to be on their floats too.
Pride used to be a community event though. Now its just a big commercial advertisement.

Annasopra

baby and crumble wrote: »

Agreed on both counts (except the Guinness, that's just rank )

I think there comes a point when us queers of a certain age just look at Pride as it is now with a mix of cynicism, happiness and regret.

Cynicism because it feels like our identities - which were called in question during the marriage referendum only 3 years ago, and still are (in particular if you're trans*) - are being used for profit now. Like, don't on one hand tell me I'm f*cked up and then on the other try and sell me a sandwich with a rainbow sticker on it.

Happiness because it's kind of amazing that now, Dublin Pride is the BIGGEST public parade that happens in the country. I walked past the Civic Buildings the other day, where my first few Prides in the city ended up. The entire march could fit in the amphitheater area, with room for performances and everything. It's awesome that the community has come such a long way in a relatively short space of time.

And regret because when I was 15, decriminalisation had only just happened. I was starting to realise who I was and that I was gay, and I was terrified. All I ever saw in the media about gay people were stories about AIDS and how we were unfit humans, basically. Now there's 15 year olds who'll come to their first Pride on Saturday and see a colourful spectacle with representation from political parties, RTE, huge multinational companies and small local groups, all ready to outwardly at least say 'it's fine if you're LGBT+, look at your community - we've got you". I regret that I lived my formative years in the time when Pride was something people stared at from the side of the road, rather than wait for hours to be a part of.

Completely agree with all of that. I dont see a problem with having mixed feelings on it all.

I hsve mixed feelings myself on the alternative pride. I agree with them re corporatisation and commercialisation but not re Garda participation.

baby and crumble

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Pride used to be a community. Now its just a big commercial advertisement.

I know i'm slightly going back on what i said, but maybe that's ok? We can't keep anything 'how it was'. I mean I look back somewhat fondly on the days of being a queer in the early 2000's when Pride was small and everybody knew everybody and it felt like a cool 'secret'. Now it doesn't. But honestly I'll happily swap that for being able to marry the woman I love and be visibly supported by my employer (who is a tiny charity, btw, but my sexuality and/or gender presentation has never been an issue).

Dial Hard

baby and crumble wrote: »

Likewise the straight women (and it's usually cishet women) who think it's GREAT CRAIC to go to Pride with their GBF but then freak out when a lesbian asks them out, or they sit in the George laughing at us butches. THAT'S really ****ty.

I have a genuine question about a concern I have around this - I'm a straight woman who has been asked to take part in the parade by a friend whose company is entering a float. I've said yes and would love to do it but I am a bit concerned about whether I have any business being there. I consider myself a steadfast ally but the last thing I want to do is be seen as bandwagon-hopping or worse, as some kind of voyeuristic event tourist. I keep thinking of Panti's Facebook post a couple of years back basically asking straight people to please stop treating her bar as some kind of gay petting zoo.

I guess what I'm asking is if it's in poor taste for me to participate at all? And just to clarify I would never in a million years behave the way you've described above, that's piss-poor behaviour on any day of the year.

Thanks

Stop moaning ffs

Dial Hard wrote: »

I have a genuine question about a concern I have around this - I'm a straight woman who has been asked to take part in the parade by a friend whose company is entering a float. I've said yes and would love to do it but I am a bit concerned about whether I have any business being there. I consider myself a steadfast ally but the last thing I want to do is be seen as bandwagon-hopping or worse, as some kind of voyeuristic event tourist. I keep thinking of Panti's Facebook post a couple of years back basically asking straight people to please stop treating her bar as some kind of gay petting zoo.

I guess what I'm asking is if it's in poor taste for me to participate at all? And just to clarify I would never in a million years behave the way you've described above, that's piss-poor behaviour on any day of the year.

Thanks

Ah no. Go along and take part. Inclusivity is at the heart of it all. Nobody would have a problem with you doing that. We still need all the allies we can get
The more straight friends come along and take part the better I reckon.

baby and crumble

The simple fact that you've thought about this means you 100% should be there.

Pride is not exclusive, nor should it ever be - having supportive allies who are there to enjoy the day and take part in something that's important to their friends and family is so important. I guess a sort of comparison might be getting invited to a friends wedding but having zero cop-on that the day isn't about you as a guest. You're invited and happily so but don't be a bitch and wear a white dress, you know? That make sense?

My point was simply that there can be a level of disconnect between some folks who aren't part of the community. It's perpetuated a lot by the whole 'sassy gay best friend' trope that gets pedaled around. I personally find it happens most with teenaged girls (who can be forgiven since we're all selfish assholes as teenagers) and women in their 40's+ who think it's WILD to go to a gay bar. It's not exclusive to Pride, at all. I see it in bars all the time. I have friends who have been yelled at by straight women who they hit on in a gay bar - "God no, I'm not gay, why do I look like a man HAHAHAHAHAAH gross!".

Is it not lgtb staff members from those Firm's that are driving their participation?
And does that not indicate an acceptance and pride in the orientation of those firm's staff members?

Pride and normalisation is the goal, this is what it looks like

Stop moaning ffs

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Is it not lgtb staff members from those Firm's that are driving their participation?
And does that not indicate an acceptance and pride in the orientation of those firm's staff members?

Pride and normalisation is the goal, this is what it looks like

I don’t think I agree. Hi jacking what is effectively still a political protest and civil rights movement at its core, is kind of bad look.
Who are they selling this to is what I always wonder? I’m not even sure who it’s aimed at.

L1011

Stop moaning ffs wrote: »

I didn’t know that thank you.

The thing is maybe their presence was a lot more subtle then? I don’t remember anything like the Overbearing corporate presence we have now and the past couple of years.

There might have been one bus/float and a few marchers for each of them. Google now has people throughout the entire sodding parade normally as well as multiple vehicles with sub-brands (Android, Youtube etc).

Annasopra

Dial Hard wrote: »

I have a genuine question about a concern I have around this - I'm a straight woman who has been asked to take part in the parade by a friend whose company is entering a float. I've said yes and would love to do it but I am a bit concerned about whether I have any business being there. I consider myself a steadfast ally but the last thing I want to do is be seen as bandwagon-hopping or worse, as some kind of voyeuristic event tourist. I keep thinking of Panti's Facebook post a couple of years back basically asking straight people to please stop treating her bar as some kind of gay petting zoo.

I guess what I'm asking is if it's in poor taste for me to participate at all? And just to clarify I would never in a million years behave the way you've described above, that's piss-poor behaviour on any day of the year.

Thanks

Definitely take part. You have a good attitude to start with.

Annasopra

Deleted User wrote: »

Is it not lgtb staff members from those Firm's that are driving their participation?
And does that not indicate an acceptance and pride in the orientation of those firm's staff members?

Pride and normalisation is the goal, this is what it looks like

No it isnt always lgbt staff members driving it. In a lot of cases it's HR and PR execs who want to be trendy.

wiggle16

Dial Hard wrote: »

I have a genuine question about a concern I have around this - I'm a straight woman who has been asked to take part in the parade by a friend whose company is entering a float. I've said yes and would love to do it but I am a bit concerned about whether I have any business being there. I consider myself a steadfast ally but the last thing I want to do is be seen as bandwagon-hopping or worse, as some kind of voyeuristic event tourist. I keep thinking of Panti's Facebook post a couple of years back basically asking straight people to please stop treating her bar as some kind of gay petting zoo.

I guess what I'm asking is if it's in poor taste for me to participate at all? And just to clarify I would never in a million years behave the way you've described above, that's piss-poor behaviour on any day of the year.

Thanks

Absolutely take part, Dial. It's not in poor taste at all, the last thing Pride is about is exclusion! You should definitely take part if you want to

I'm a public servant and my dept has been sending emails around since March looking for people to take part as the higher-ups want us to have a float in the parade, and they have nothing to gain, really, in doing so. I think a lot of people just genuinely like the idea of Pride and want to take part and enjoy it.

I think with companies there is definitely a huge element of bandwagoning but that's to be expected wherever there is money to be made, and Pride is ripe for it, what with being bold and colourful and all. There's also an element of wanting to be seen to be inclusive... I don't think there's any harm in that in and of itself, apart from being a little redundant.
Ultimately it is impossible to tell whether a business that is getting involved in Pride is doing so because the owner(s) genuinely want to show support or because they want to make money... and there is no reason why they cannot do both, to be fair. I suppose it's just the extent to which it's been commercialised which is a bit crass.

I've never been into Pride myself, this is the first year I will be anywhere near the parade, but I don't see it as a strictly LGBT+ thing anymore. I think it belongs to everyone who wants to take part.

wiggle16

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

No it isnt always lgbt staff members driving it. In a lot of cases it's HR and PR execs who want to be trendy.

I would say in the vast majority of cases it's HR and PR rather than lgbt staff!

Stop moaning ffs

To be fair it’s as much a celebration for everyone now and rightly so.

We didn’t get to 62% of the vote on our own.

Anyone who wants to go shouldn’t feel excluded or they have no place there at all. Quite the opposite.

mikemac2

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Is it not lgtb staff members from those Firm's that are driving their participation?
And does that not indicate an acceptance and pride in the orientation of those firm's staff members?

The people on the Diversity committees are the same people on every committee. There is a committee for everything. Well there is no men’s committee but they are allowed joined the women’s. I was under the impression that committee gives advice to new parents

People don’t join for a noble crusade but more for something to do. Being cynical you could also say HR need these committees to get into “best place to work” competitions

Holding up picture frames declaring you are a straight ally and giving us rainbow lanyards and putting posters around the place

Having committees in Citibank didn’t save some people from bullying or compulsory redundancy

Stop moaning ffs

Just reading that for the first time, the GAA wil be taking part in Pride with 100 members in their county colours marching in the parade.

That’s a brilliant development. More of this please.

bicloset

Folks only getting back to this now.

To this poster who asked should they attend or not. Please do. Your sincerity and honesty is the type of straight allies the LGBT community need. I only attended 1 pride and it was so humbling seeing all the families and young kids out normalising LGBT for them. This is how we change society by embracing our young.

On Tuesday I was in Dublin city for the day. It was honestly unreal the amount of places selling pride stuff. I may have been cynical about places putting up punting etc but in reality there is still alot of pubs and bars who didnt put up anything.

In fairness, it it these businesses only real chance all year to throw a nod of support to the LGBT community and say they are non discriminantory so they are taking that opportunity. I even seen some small businesses like an opticians and bakery who in reality had small windows done out but fair play to them, they won't have any direct business uptake over the weekend but they are just showing their support which is humbling.

On another note (and this was what prompted me to write the post) was I got an Instagram promoted add with directions to our local ulster bank selling the wee bear for pride in aid of Belongto. Cynical me thought there is no way they are for sale in my local town and this is just Ulster Bank pumping out marketing. Low and behold didnt our branch have 3 big Belongto posters in the window and I even went into the bank to check and there was the badges up on the counter for sale (not sure how many sold now!)

Also this evening in doing some shopping in Tesco and the 3 charities where you put the blue disks into. 1 was for a local school and another for an old age social club in the area whilst the 3rd was for Belongto.

I guess my point is these companies are only really doing good work if their money being spent on the cause is rolled out nationally and not just kept in Dublin. Fair play to Ulster Bank and Tesco. I would say nobody in my town has heard of Belongto but this is how people start getting exposed.

Have a nice Pride folks in whatever ye celebrate

J_E

mikemac2 wrote: »

The people on the Diversity committees are the same people on every committee. There is a committee for everything. Well there is no men’s committee but they are allowed joined the women’s. I was under the impression that committee gives advice to new parents

People don’t join for a noble crusade but more for something to do. Being cynical you could also say HR need these committees to get into “best place to work” competitions

Holding up picture frames declaring you are a straight ally and giving us rainbow lanyards and putting posters around the place

Having committees in Citibank didn’t save some people from bullying or compulsory redundancy

Stop this. This is whinging for no good reason. You have no idea the impact this visibility has on younger people who are unaware of queer politics and radical anti-capitalist goings on, and why should they. These groups are creating an unbelievable positive display of a country that backs and supports their people. Of course there are still rights challenges to be won, but how can you sit here and type away a whole movement? Why can't people enjoy this one day for what it is? This is now a Pride for everyone, like it or not. Go ahead and push for new changes, but can you hold off the keyboard conquests for one day of the year and perhaps bring up these issues other times in the year when it isn't as convenient?

If Tesco doing Pride sponsorships makes one confused young person feel like they might have a place in the world after all, we all win.