Rainbow Capitalism Has Run Dry for Brands, At Least for Now
Thu, Jun. 25, 2026
By Eric Yaverbaum
Many brands have scaled back their Pride marketing due to a fear of consumer backlash as well as reputational and financial risk. However, this is far from the end of brands celebrating Pride, and those that continue to do so are showing their true colors.

LLYC has prepared a comprehensive must-read report on the rise of “Rainbow Ghosting” which it defines as the progressive withdrawal of public support for diversity... Success of the US men's World Cup team highlights the benefits of a welcoming immigration policy... Omnicom develops system to help marketers decide which sports fans to connect with.
As communicators, we must be both cognizant of the challenges of educating the public about LGBTQ lives and focused on the reality of what Pride really is, what it means and why it’s more important than ever in times of increasing difficulty and discord.
Trump Media & Technology Group is discussing a spin-off of the Truth Social platform following the expected closing of its $6B merger deal with TAE Technologies... Condé Nast sells off Them, the digital LGBTQ-focused platform it launched in 2017, to Equalpride, publisher of Out, The Advocate, Out Traveler, Health PLUS Wellness and Pride.com... CBS News has parted ways with longevity influencer Peter Attia, one of the 19 contributors that editor-in-chief Bari Weiss brought on as part of her plan to present a wider variety of voices on the platform.
The current assaults on LGBTQ rights make it essential that communicators ensure they are fluent in the fight against those assaults. LGBTQ people—including the people you work with and your friends—need to step up the fight for our rights. And your clients—companies, organizations, nonprofits, advocates, and others—are going to be thrust into the middle of this fight whether they want to be or not.
Now more than ever, companies must recognize that allyship can’t be seasonal. Backing away from LGBTQ+ inclusion during Pride Month can cause more long-term damage than any short-term political blowback.
Media coverage is always a good way to shine a light on how our nation's resources are being used to persecute people abroad.
After the rainbow-colored logos and Pride flag-bedecked websites disappear at the end of this month, we must remember that Pride is year-round. Now is no time to disengage. In fact, the opposite is true: 2024 should be the Year of the LGBTQ Ally.
LGBTQ+ representation in communications is getting better, but many brands are still lagging when it comes to making a year-round commitment, according to a report from WPP Unite.
To effectively connect with the LGBTQ+ community, agencies need to build cultures that create equity-minded teams and bring that mindset to the work they deliver for clients.
Being your authentic self might come with some risks, but it can also spur careers and brands to greater success.
An ever-larger number of companies and organizations are using Pride Month to proclaim how LGBTQ-friendly or supportive they are—but how can ethical companies or organizations really show their commitment to meeting the needs and expectations of LGBTQ audiences?
There are ways that we as communicators can work to prevent backsliding on the deeply important issue of LGBTQ+ rights. Here are five of them.
The economic comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be led by the LGBTQ consumer.
An overwhelming majority of LGBTQ consumers believe supporting brands that make an effort to reach out and support the LGBTQ community is now more important than ever.
It’s vital that organizations show their support not only during Pride month but year-round. Guaranteeing an individual that they won’t be fired isn’t enough. Here are a few tips for continually celebrating Pride in the workplace. 



















