As Pride month comes to a close, it’s hard not to notice that some corporations’ support for LGBTQ+ rights seems more performative than genuine. Take Booz Allen Hamilton, Delta Airlines, MasterCard, and Target as examples.
These companies have all publicly expressed their support for the LGBTQ+ community by sponsoring Pride events or displaying rainbow flags in their stores. But what’s really going on behind the scenes? A closer look reveals that some of these same corporations are actually contributing to politicians who have a history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights.
For instance, Booz Allen Hamilton has donated to Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), who previously opposed marriage equality but then suddenly shifted his stance after his district was redrawn to include Palm Springs, the city with the largest LGBTQ+ population per capita in the US. However, more recently he voted for a bill that would force schools to out transgender students.
Similarly, Delta Airlines and MasterCard have contributed to politicians who have supported legislation that targets transgender people or removes protections from those experiencing homelessness. Target has even pulled back on its Pride merchandise after facing conservative backlash over items like bathing suits for transgender individuals.
It’s not hard to see why some critics are skeptical about the sincerity of these corporations’ support for LGBTQ+ rights. As Michelson, a spokesperson for OpenSecrets, notes: “Every June, every corporation, every politician wants to say ‘I’m supportive of LGBTQ rights.’ Maybe you never hear anything from them about issues facing the community the rest of the year.”
This phenomenon is not new; corporations have long been accused of using their support for Pride events as a way to boost their public image and curry favor with customers who are sympathetic to LGBTQ+ causes. But in today’s political climate, where politicians’ views on LGBTQ+ rights can shift dramatically depending on the audience or constituency they’re trying to appeal to, it’s more important than ever that we scrutinize these corporations’ actions behind the scenes.
After all, as Michelson points out: “The support of corporate America is not without its own issues.”