This story is part of the Portland Business Journal's Pride 2022 coverage. Click here to read more.
I was recently asked to describe my queer identity in three words.
I chose always be visible. I recognize the privilege I hold as a white, cis, and Queer woman, which gives me the ability to always be visible. I also recognize how powerful it is for others to see themselves in work, at the grocery, in media, and out in the world. Even before I came out to myself and my community, I worked in Queer organizations and supported Queer causes. I was visible even before I was out.
Being out, being Queer, and Pride in 2022 comes with somber undertones as we continue to fight for basic rights for our trans siblings and for our reproductive freedom. And I for one, am not looking forward to the corporatization of our identities and our rights this June.
I'm not looking forward to seeing almost every corporation on my LinkedIn feed with rainbow logos that don't mean much more than developing an employer brand. It is unfathomable that the visibility of Pride in corporate spaces is held in higher regard than the actual humans who make up the community.
And ironically enough, as someone who works on corporate branding and as a DEI practitioner, I've been reflecting a lot on the fact that Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) work that happens in corporate spaces are not transferring to our larger society. What if instead of investing time, money, and resources into creating a new branded rainbow logo corporations actually invested into the causes they say they support?
Would the "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida have passed? Would Alabama be able to produce the most restrictive health care laws in history for our trans community? Would the Supreme Court have been planning to strike down our access to abortions? Are we back at Stonewall, where it all started?
This might make my outlook seem bleak, but in fact, I am hopeful.
While I am confident in the fact that corporations won't save us, I know that community, connection, and mutual respect and empathy will. I am confident that our next generation of Queer activists and leaders are more emotionally intelligent, connected, and empathetic than any generation that has come before. I am confident that the more Queer our communities become, the more radically we will approach community development, mutual aid, and life. And the more visible we can all be.
Katy Byrtus (she/her), is workforce solutions partner at Cinder Staffing and community co-chair of the Technology Association of Oregon's Pride Community.
