Tony Perkins #homophobia #wingnut #transphobia washingtonstand.com
There’s something different about this June. There are fewer rainbows. No, I’m not talking about the sign of God’s covenant that appears in the sky after a storm. I’m talking about the rainbow flag that has become the symbol of Pride Month.
For years, June brought a predictable wave of corporate logos, advertising campaigns, themed merchandise, and public celebrations. Parents learned to pay closer attention to commercials in family programming, sports fans grew accustomed to Pride-themed uniforms and promotions, and many city streets became venues for often indecent displays at Pride parades.
This year is noticeably different. The symbols are not gone, but they are far less prominent. It’s premature to say Pride has fallen, but it is fair to say the appeal of Pride Month has faded.
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Here is why I believe this is more than a passing fad: corporate leaders and elected officials are responding to the people. For several years, parents refused to back down. They attended school board and city council meetings, despite being called domestic terrorists. They opposed policies involving boys in girls’ sports and mixed-sex bathrooms and locker rooms, and in many cases ran for office themselves. Across the country, they won seats, changed policies, and reshaped local government.
There are fewer rainbows this June. That alone does not mean the cultural debate is over. But it does suggest that millions of Americans who refused to surrender their convictions are beginning to see the impact of their perseverance. Parents and patriots are prevailing not through outrage, but through persistence.