I’m sure you’re the most enthusiastic, hardworking activist for gay rights. I’d love to know what you’ve personally done to further equality on this planet that allows you to look down on everybody that publicly shows their support.

How’s this any different from hanging a pride flag outside of your house? It publicly shows that you value members of the LGBTQ, and in a lot of places that alone is a big deal. There are still parts of even western countries where being LGBTQ can put you at a huge risk, and so can supporting them.

And a lot of times, just the public support for these things can make all the difference. Imagine a gay person who feels alone because they were disowned by their family, or lost friends, or in a very unaccepting community seeing someone wearing these armbands. Do you think they’re going to think “they’re just supporting cynical capitalism” or are they going to feel welcomed and accepted?

There are so many interviews or clips of LGBTQ members explaining how it feels to see someone publicly supporting them, and how much it can lift them up when they feel like they don’t belong. But I guess some of us would rather pretend like that never happens, and that anything less than rioting and burning down buildings in the name of equality doesn’t accomplish anything.

Not only is the reality you live in a sad one, it’s also privileged. You’ve clearly never felt like you didn’t belong in a community that didn’t accept you before, because if you did, you’d understand the power of public statements like these.