The political and creative realms have long overlapped.
From propaganda posters to films glorifying the military, we have seen time and time again how art is used to shape social perception. Social activist movements have historically coincided with artistic expressions of the implications of bigotry.
From the 1960s to the late 1980s, the Western world saw a surge of queer creativity and beauty against the heteronormativity and homophobia of the time.
This powerful imagery served as an uncomfortable reminder of a horrific historical event, linking the past to the then present. It helped to challenge ignorant claims that AIDS was just a disease affecting only gay people and therefore unworthy of care.
Gillbert Baker, a leading artist and activist in the 1970s, sought to remake a symbol for LGBTQ+ people that invoked celebration and positivity for the future rather than a depiction of a dark chapter in history. queer.
Rainbow Flag imagery commonly associated with the LGBTQ+ community was initially inspired by the powerful symbols of identity and freedom in national flags as queer people challenged heteronormativity. Baker felt it provided rioters and protesters on the front lines of the gay liberation movement with a necessary identifier of liberation, hope and prosperity.
The “Kissing Doesn’t Kill, Greed and Indifference Do” bus poster from ACT UP, another AIDS activism organization, is another powerful statement.
Featuring a lesbian, gay and straight couple, the poster aimed to show how corporate greed, government inaction and public indifference have exacerbated the AIDS crisis. The inclusion of a hetero couple alongside homosexuals unites all those who are in a relationship to mobilize against this disease which does not care about your sexual orientation.
As we now see Fortune 500 companies slap rainbows on their logos in honor of Pride Month, we need to know who it’s for and how it’s helping them profit.
Pride is a time for celebration and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community, not a time to capitalize on in the name of fake solidarity in hopes of boosting sales.
As you watch the pride and enjoy the celebration of community, it’s important to remember how we got to where we are today. Our freedoms rest directly on the backs of artists and activists who use their creative talents as calls to action.
