Why is LGBT engagement important?
LGBT people are dedicated to our divas. We feel obliged to our politicians. We stand by who we are, but the most important thing is LGBT commitment to our LGBT community.
LGBT commitment outspoken and proud
There is DL for Down Low. DIY for Do It Yourself. There is DSL for Digital Subscriber Line and DS for Direct Support. Then there is the D for Dedication in PRIDE. As we continue our PRIDE theme this Pride Month, we turn to the letter D for Dedication.
Engagement makes us think about the current tone of the country. Since the election, perhaps even before, the queer community has felt stressed and anxious. Although we have much to worry about no matter who the president is, it is our commitment, in good times and bad, that has made us resilient and contributed to the progress of our community.
Here are three ways to stay true to our cause in both difficult and prosperous times.
Don’t be distracted by the wagging dogs
I’m trying to interpret “covfefe” and am, although not really, surprised that queer people aren’t included in the 2020 US Census. These and other disco balls do not serve our community. They do not help our community or any other community.
There are real problems in this country, even around the world, for the queer community. They deserve the commitment of those of us who stand on the shoulders of giants. From Stonewall to Russia, from Orlando to the Middle East, we owe it to those who came before us and those who will follow to stay true to the cause and not be distracted by click-bait.
Hear what queer money is and why it matters:
Spend your money in strange ways
We seem to be in endless campaign mode. Even before President Trump’s inauguration ended, there were whispers of “Will she or won’t she again” and “Will he ever?” Hopefully we still have a way to go before we have to endure another round of countless and confusing debates. And while it’s true that our votes in local and state elections impact our daily lives more than national elections, we can vote every single day of the year by dedicating our pink dollars to LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly businesses.
If possible, spend your money on LGBT businesses. Many cities across the country have queer or pink directories listing numerous products and services from LGBT entrepreneurs. Many LGBT businesses are certified by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to stand out from the larger companies and get our attention. Let’s give it to them.
If there isn’t an LGBT business that meets your needs, this may be a sign for you to start a business yourself. We strongly represented for more LGBT entrepreneurs. The more influence we have in the private sector and the more value we create for our local communities, the more influence we have to advance the rights of queer people and other marginalized groups. If becoming an entrepreneur seems daunting, there are resources like LGBTQ Entrepreneurs that can help you.
If spending at LGBT businesses isn’t possible, spend your money at businesses dedicated to supporting the queer community when possible. Finding an LGBT-owned shoe company can be difficult. Therefore, consider buying your running and everyday shoes from Nike and Converse (Nike owns Converse). Both companies released a Pride series in 2017 that featured rainbows on their running shoes and eponymous Chuck Taylors.
All proceeds from the Converse Pride Collection go to supporting LGBT organizations, and that is the value of supporting those who support us.
Give something back to your queer community
While we’re on the topic of donations, who should be more committed to giving to the queer community than queer people? One of the reasons we promote financial responsibility within the queer community is because Our community still needs to fight for our rights. We have not yet achieved full equality, and for better or worse, this fight requires time and money.
When we’re in debt, experiencing financial insecurity, or spending our money unconsciously, we don’t have the time or money to donate to charities and initiatives that are meant to help us. It’s great that we can count on our allies to support us, and there have been many great allies, but we definitely need to do our part.
So stay true to your pride long after the festivals are over, the floats are dismantled, and Pride Month comes to an end. Know that every day is an opportunity to make a difference and that quiet gestures are sometimes more effective than large parades.
Here are more tools to help you take pride in your money: