In this Issue:
The Ridiculousness of Rainbow Capitalism by Rory Smith and Mattie Limas
Queer Do and Don't Watchlist by Ben Mach and Mattie Limas
Linked Pride Resources cultivated by Jackie Jimenez
Pride Playlist curated by the FTM Team
The Ridiculousness of Rainbow Capitalism
by Rory Smith with contributions from Mattie Limas
One of the 2021 Pride season’s buzziest terms on social media has been “rainbow capitalism,” also known as rainbow-washing, and for good reason. This phenomenon marks the tendency of large corporations and brands to use queer aesthetics and rainbow flags as marketing tools, often accompanied by vague slogans of celebration and acceptance.
What has resulted is some of the most atrociously designed marketing campaigns that could not be more transparent about their efforts to profit off of queer struggles. In recent years, members of the queer community have become increasingly aware of the superficiality of these campaigns. It has become somewhat of a tradition to make memes of them, as in the case with Dorian Electra’s recent Instagram post:
As hilarious as it is to paint brands such as Chick-Fil-A, InfoWars, and the CIA with a rainbow, it points out the more sinister aspect of this phenomenon. In a time when accountability is being asked of everyone, brands are finding that it is easier to escape criticism when they change the colors of the brand logo whenever an awareness month comes around. A superficial paint job manages to deter some consumers from investigating whether or not the brand actually supports and sends proceeds to activist organizations. It has become so common that to not change a logo brings more attention than changing it.
With all this pressure, even brands like Red Lobster feel like they need to take a stand:
While visibility and representation for the LGBTQ+ community are sought after, the co-opting of the queer experience, and indeed, the queer struggle, by large companies to sell more products is definitely Not It. Case in point: a recent study found that 25 large corporations, including Comcast, CVS, Walmart, and AT&T, that advertised their support of LGBTQ+ communities during Pride also donated over $10 million to anti-LGBTQ+ politicians over the past two years. The evidence is all there to suggest that corporations…don’t actually care, like at all. Are we shocked? Queer people represent nothing more to big businesses than another demographic to pander to.
While it’s alright to buy some rainbow merch and celebrate Pride in whatever way feels affirming and fun, it’s also important to remember that capitalist and consumerist interests do not represent the queer community at large. Many people in our community are economically disadvantaged, unemployed, and homeless, directly because of anti-LGBT politicians blocking important civil rights protections for queer and trans people. So for these corporations to donate to homophobic and transphobic politicians, and then turn around and try to sell rainbow products or Tweet about equality truly feels like a slap in the face. Instead of feeling warm and fuzzy towards a store or a bank because they made a rainbow logo for one month, more of us need to direct that energy within the community instead of outside through mutual aid.
During June, we must remember that Pride will first and foremost be a protest. No one threw a Cheddar Bay Biscuit at Stonewall. Donating directly to queer and trans folks in need will do more for the community than any corporation is willing or capable of doing.
Here are some donation/mutual aid resources to reference, organizations working for the community not only during Pride month but year-round:
Black Trans Advocacy Coalition - https://blacktrans.org
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts - https://www.btfacollective.org
The Okra Project - https://www.theokraproject.com
Sylvia Rivera Law Project - https://srlp.org/get-involved/donate/
The Audre Lorde Project - https://alp.org
List of LGBTQ funding projects in different areas: https://lgbtfunders.org/covid-19-response/
Queer Do and Don't Watchlist
by Ben Mach and Mattie Limas
Pride Month is here and with it comes a slew of queer media to watch. In the case with all media, there is gonna be the good, the bad, and the mind-bogglingly offensive. Below, we have compiled a Do and Don’t Watchlist with some of the shows that members of Feminist Theatre Makers have enjoyed, or not enjoyed. So...enjoy!
Q-Force:
When we asked for representation, we didn’t mean this:
Q-Force is an animated series that revolves around premise of the first queer spy group ever formed; it is set to come out on September 2nd on Netflix. The show is written by and casts many LGBTQ+ artists like Sean Hayes, who was in Will and Grace. With the official trailer being released on June 23rd, the show has received backflash from the queer community.
The main critique from the community is that the show reinforces many offensive stereotypes of LGBTQ+ people. The show features a character named “Twink,” which is a reference to the thin, hairless body type that is mainly used within gay circles. The character embodies the effeminate and hypersexualized stereotype of cisgender gay men. With half the jokes in the trailer having underlying sexual innuendos, there is no question that they are relying on queer stereotypes as the main punchline. It may be possible that the show is better than it presents itself to be, but it is likely that the series will join the merry band of mediocre adult animated sitcoms.
Another critique is that the show stars mainly white, cisgender men. Out of the eight characters, only three aren’t cisgender men; Wanda Sykes, Patti Harrison, and Laurie Metcalf. And despite the cast containing mostly queer artists, the only non-cisgender gay male artists on the show are Wanda Sykes and Patti Harrison. This has led to the tokenization of Wanda Sykes as the diversity on the show.
The trailer is clearly lacking intersectionality and is pandering towards the white gays/gaze. The trailer does not accurately represent the diversity in the LGBTQ+ community. However, we must remember that what was released was only a trailer and that what was shown may not represent the final product.
The series will be available to stream on Netflix.
Veneno:
The groundbreaking HBO series Veneno, based on the biography of Spanish trans icon Christina “La Veneno” Ortiz, is a must watch. The eight-episode series follows her rise and fall from stardom, all while including the largest cast of trans women in the history of Spanish television. This series is one of the best examples of well-done queer representation. Witnessing young Christina bloom peacock feathers as she defiantly wears a Catechism robe fashioned into a dress, a group of older trans women cooking and laughing together, or the real-time transition of actress Lola Rodríguez (who plays Valeria Vegas) are gifts in their own right. But also, in a time when queer media is saturated in violence and pain, these moments are a testament to the transgressive power of queer joy.
The series is available to stream on HBO Max.
Disclosure:
The Netflix Original Documentary Disclosure offers an unprecedented look at the types of representation that trans women have been given in the entertainment industry. The documentary’s cast of leading trans thinkers and creatives - of which include talents like Laverne Cox, MJ Rodriguez, and Alexandra Billings - share their thoughts on the legacy of trans characters in Hollywood.
With shows like Veneno and Pose garnering world-wide adoration, it is an exciting time for trans representation. However, Disclosure reminds us to stay critical of all media, especially queer media.
The film is available to stream on Netflix.
Steven Universe:
Who says cartoons are only for kids? In the span of five seasons, a movie, and a spin off series, Steven Universe has forever changed the landscape of children’s television. Centering on a magic boy with gem powers who unknowingly inherits the responsibility of puting peace to an intergalactic war, the show manages to include queer weddings, polyamory, and gender non-binary characters. Two years after it has concluded, Steven Universe leaves behind a legacy of addressing themes that have never been adequately covered in children’s media.
Despite being a show for children, Steven Universe does expand upon adult themes. Steven Universe: The Movie, for example, addresses abandonment, trauma, and need for stability. When the Spinel, the playmate of Steven’s mother, comes to earth to exact revenge on Steven, the Crystal Gems are forced to reckon with their leader’s dark history.
Overall, Steven Universe does a great job at introducing queer culture to those new to it. The show features many dynamic characters with different flaws and growth that just happen to be queer. These characters are so human and relatable, despite being aliens from thousands of years ago. It is a show that many can come back to and appreciate.
The series is available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Pride Resources
Cultivated by Jackie Jimenez
Removed from the glitz and glam, Pride is a time for us all to remember that the LGBTQIA+ community continues to face discrimination and violence. We must always do our part to secure the safety and liberation of our queer family across the nation. Below, we have compiled a list of organizations that you should give your time and money to.
The team at FTM has also made a super spicy Pride playlist that will get you hyped and ready to go clubbing, marching, and protesting:
Speaking of protest, a portion of the FTM team will be heading to the Queer Liberation Now protest today. Details are listed below:
If you plan on going, don't be afraid to say hello. Happy Pride!