Pride?

Still in the midst of Covid, Pride was not very visible this month. But what was visible was a large number of corporations, state bodies and organisations who had all put rainbow flags on their logos and decked out the outside of their (still largely empty?) offices. I found myself sceptical. How much do these entities really support LGBTQI+ people? In tangible ways and all year round, not just during Pride month?

Arthur Cox. Not particularly known for its support of LGBTQI+ people.

A Pride flag flying high above the Deloitte offices on Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin.

Permanent TSB getting in on the act.

At least this is a local restaurant, and it had made a fairly serious effort in flag terms.

Notice the logo of IDA Ireland, here on Hatch Street.

This gaily bedecked building is the Dublin Metropolitan Regional Headquarters of the Gardaí. Considering the controversy around police participation in recent Pride parades in Ireland, interesting to see this.

It was also noticeable that most of the corporate and state bodies were flying the Progress Pride flag, which includes black and brown stripes to represent LGBT+ people of colour, and pink, light blue and white stripes to represent trans people. Good to see, but again one wonders how supportive of these marginalised groups any of these organisations are in practice.

I'm happy to see the Pride flag raising awareness in public spaces around Dublin. Here's hoping it doesn't remain as rainbow-washing but actually signals substantive work going on within these buildings and organisations to increase tolerance, support, inclusion and leadership of and by the LGBTQI+ community in every aspect of public, business and economic life.