Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels
Last year’s protests and controversy around corporate sponsorship of many Pride events got me thinking about not only corporate money at Pride, but money in the LGBT community in general. Pride can be motivating, exhilarating, and even inspiring. Unfortunately, I’ve learned it can also be a reminder for many within our community of the sharp differences we face when it comes to income inequality within the LGBT community.
It’s common these days to see LGBT people portrayed as affluent in movies, television dramas, and other media. Think of characters like Will on Will & Grace, or Mitch and Cam on Modern Family, of the three gay male roles, two are portrayed as attorneys which many perceive as high income in our society. Many gay rags such as the Advocate and Out are laden with ads pitching expensive clothing, accessories, and travel. Pride destinations also sell VIP packages and expensive add-ons that many in the community simply cannot afford.
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels
Don’t get me wrong, there are those in the community that have done very well for themselves. But the myth of six-figure DINCs with designer pets living in tony zip codes still persists. Don’t just take my word for it, dig into the article, There’s a Lot of Money at Pride, but Not Necessarily in LGBT Pockets from the Daily Beast in 2018 for a deeper perspective. Want more stats? Check out the Williams Institute report (PDF) from 2013 cited in the article. Admittedly, that report is older, but there are few resources available. However, a newer report, Intersecting Injustice: A National Call to Action (PDF) from 2018 doesn’t show much change.
Let’s turn this positive! In my own way of helping, I’m going to offer tips for Pride month over the next few #TalkToMeTuesday blog posts to help remedy this situation. Anyone, of any income level, can improve their financial health and well-being with some work. It does take persistence, time, and even sacrifice, but we all have it within ourselves to improve.
As an independent Certified Financial Planner™, I can help you focus on your finances month-to-month and not just during Pride. Contact me and let’s get started. #talktometuesday #getstarted #HowIcanHelpYou #GetHelp #Hireaplanner #Pride #Pride2019 #CFPPro #savemoney #LGBTQ #QueerMoney