> There are so many conversations I’ve had with gay people who express the opinion that meaningless platitudes don’t help them at all.

Because the opinion of the few gay people that agree with you automatically means all gay people agree. I AM part of the LGBTQ community and seeing shit like that means something to me.

> You know what’s privileged? Putting up a decoration and thinking it’s a bold stance. Bet you wouldn’t be so keen on flying those flags if you lived someone it would make you and your home a target for violence

I don’t give a fuck what you think I’d do. Just like I don’t care how condescending you are about people who “don’t do enough.” You can sit and whine about whatever you want, that doesn’t change anything I’ve said. You ignored half my comment and acted like you made some sort of huge gotcha point against me, and your entire opinion is “publicly expressing support for a disadvantaged community is a meaningless gesture” which is genuinely insane.

> Getting into numerous fist fights over my life to defend queer people from attackers.

Not that I don’t believe you, but I don’t believe you.

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.

You guys find a way to be cynical about everything. People bought armbands to express the fact that they support for the LGBTQ community, and you guys are complaining about it. It must suck to be live life like that.