Happy Corporate Virtue Signaling Month
The month of June represents many things. For kids, it’s the official start of summer vacation. For dads, Father’s Day, and for suburban neighborhoods, backyard barbecues. Additionally, it is “Pride” month for the LGBT community and its ever-growing list of letters and acronyms. If an extraterrestrial being were to visit the USA in June, they could easily think that the month is exclusively dedicated to pride based on the overwhelming amount of corporate virtue signaling from big multinational corporations and their shareholders, rivaling even the commercialization of Christmas in December.
As a conservative-libertarian, I want to be clear from the start that when it comes to matters of sexuality and personal expression among legal consenting adults, I take a more Libertarian stance. I believe that legal consenting adults should be free to express themselves however they wish without forcing their values and beliefs upon others, and this belief extends to religion as well.
However, my issue with June being entirely dedicated to “Pride” is that, at this point, it seems shallow and superficial, becoming another excuse for big business to say,
“We care… so long as you keep giving us money.”
It begs the question: Would these same companies even care about Pride month if they couldn’t monetize it? Anheuser-Busch’s recent campaign seems to indicate that the answer is a resounding no.
While I won’t dive further into the Bud Light controversy, as it has been extensively covered by media outlets and political pundits, I do want to point out that the backlash to Bud Light’s Dylan Mulveney campaign and the resulting plummeting sales for Anheuser-Busch’s entire beverage line indicate a general sense of virtue signaling branding fatigue across the political landscape in America.
It’s important to note that many individuals who identify as gay over the age of 30 seem to be over the prominence of Pride month. They express their weariness with its commercialization and perceive it as losing its original meaning and significance.
Considering these factors, it might be worth exploring the idea of having a pride week instead of a full month. This approach could still showcase the LGBT community and their achievements while allowing other aspects of the month of June to receive attention as well. This way, the celebration of pride wouldn’t overshadow other important events and milestones occurring during the same period.
Pride month has undoubtedly played a vital role in raising awareness about the struggles and accomplishments of the LGBT community. It has helped foster conversations about equality, acceptance, and the importance of diversity. However, it is essential to recognize that societal dynamics change over time, and what may have once been a powerful and necessary movement can evolve into something that requires reevaluation.
From a conservative-libertarian point of view, it is crucial to strike a balance between personal freedom and societal harmony. Respecting the rights of individuals to express themselves while considering the broader societal implications is a complex challenge. Finding this balance will allow for a more nuanced and inclusive conversation about Pride month that goes beyond superficial virtue signaling.
As we navigate the future, it is essential to approach discussions about Pride month with an open mind, considering different perspectives and striving for genuine understanding. Only through respectful dialogue and mutual respect can we hope to find common ground and promote a society where individual liberties and collective well-being coexist harmoniously.
Sam Whitfield 