Wow, Pride 2020 couldn’t be more different than years past. That includes the first Pride, which was a riot! With COVID-19, in person gatherings and large parades are out, virtual celebrations are in. The recent Supreme Court ruling is cause for celebration and a bright spot in all of this year’s chaos. So, how are we doing in the LGBT community?
It’s common these days to see LGBT people portrayed as equal and affluent in movies, drama series, 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, cars, and travel. In normal years, Pride destinations sell VIP packages and expensive add-ons that many in the community simply cannot afford.
There are those in the community that have done very well for themselves, and 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 2014 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 me know if you find newer data.
Let’s turn this positive! In my own way of helping, I offer tips for Pride month in my #TalkToMeTuesday blog posts to help remedy this situation. Anyone, of any income level, can improve their financial health and well-being with some action. 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