Happy Pride – Now Tell Me Why My Rent Costs More Than My Personality.
Pride gets more colourful every year, meanwhile the lives of many LGBTQ+ people get more expensive, arduous and isolated. For queer people, the cost-of-living crisis isn't just inflation, it is inflation plus discrimination in schools, at home, and work – it is violence plus a lack of human rights
By Chanelle Beatrice
It's Pride Month and, like every year, these big corporations robbing us have changed their logos. The rainbow merchandise has dropped, girlies – don't buy anything. Somewhere on your Instagram timeline, a social media manager is fighting for their life trying to make a bank or oil company seem queer friendly. Why? Because while all this performance is happening for marketing optics, LGBTQ+ people around the Global Majority are looking at grocery bills thinking, "How did I land in this mess?", while working their asses off, or quite frankly, not even being afforded a fair chance in the workplace.
Pride gets more colourful every year, meanwhile the lives of many LGBTQ+ people get more expensive, arduous and isolated. For queer people, the cost-of-living crisis isn't just inflation, it is inflation plus discrimination in schools, at home, and work – it is violence plus a lack of human rights – and let's not forget condemnation from the choir and congregation. To me, this all seems like quite a premium package. The combo meal – a double smash wagyu burger, with truffle fries and an Erewhon smoothie that nobody asked for.
Big corporations, political leaders, and the people in power already know that economic inequality doesn't magically disappear when someone slaps a rainbow on it, or fails to enact rights. So are we going to simply sit around and hope for gold at the end of a June rainbow?
The Rainbow Logo Won't Save You
No.
Visibility Doesn't Pay the Bills
People see thousands of queer communities gather for June to celebrate pride and assume – “Oh what struggle? The gays have the money to dress up in fancy clothes and parade on the streets and go to parties.” Quick fact check.
- LGBTQ+ communities can celebrate Pride and still struggle to pay rent.
- The gorrls can wave a flag, flick a fan, and still be underpaid at work – it's not rocket science.
- Pride parades can be filled with allies yet transgender people still face healthcare discrimination on Monday morning.
So, you see, it turns out visibility doesn't pay the bills. Shocking, right?
And the advice is always the same: "Just work harder." *Extended pause* Be for real, my guy. The reality is that many LGBTQ+ people are not being judged on qualifications but instead on someone's personal prejudice, whether it's religious or the good ole hate pack stemming from patriarchal upbringing and socialisation.
Be Yourself™ (Terms and Conditions Apply)
And if you're trans?
The barriers are often even worse.Trans people face higher unemployment , workplace discrimination, and economic insecurity worldwide. So when you see the random CEO on your social media feed in June saying “be yourself” just know it is coming with hidden fees. Funny – not funny – how someone's identity can determine their worth and access to a decent quality of life.
Rainbow Capitalism Won't Cover Your Healthcare
Then there's healthcare. Because nothing says "equal rights" quite like having to wonder whether your doctor, insurance provider, or government sees you as a human being. For many LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people, healthcare can be harder to access, more expensive, or simply hostile. This is low-key fascinating because every politician suddenly becomes a healthcare expert the moment a trans person needs treatment.
Economic Justice Is a Pride Issue
Bigotry isn't just cruel, it is economically devastating and it is high time we do better to ensure economic justice for LGBTQ+ people. Politicians are not in your parliaments or senates for free, they are there to work for you. The voice of many cannot be ignored.
Show Inequality the Red Card
On July 4, thousands of people around the world are commemorating Global Day to Fight Inequality, and the struggles of queer people must be heard, they must be addressed. This Pride Month, during the World Cup, we are throwing out our Red cards to the distrust and continuous economic disadvantages faced by LGBTQ+ people around the world at the hands of leaders, corporations and institutions who perpetuate violence and discrimination. Join us on July 4. Share your demands for economic justice where you live, check whether your community has an in-person activity, and tag us with your actions Find out if you @fightinequality using #GDFI2026. Let your actions be loud and clear, it’s your PRIDE.