Household debating displaying Pride Flag on small business.
Since forever I've always wanted to own my own place and run a small business with LGBT Pride and solidarity. Having something which is yours is hard in this economy. Well, finally I have it, because my boyfriend and his straight brother share. Neither of them want me to display the Pride Flag on the business and both of them have a rightful say. One thought is that the flag is bad for business, putting off some customers, and that many people will misread the meaning behind displaying LGBT Pride. I think their concerns are flat out wrong, that it doesn't matter if people don't know why business owners have to display the "gay flag," that I don't really want to make a MAGA hangout, that we live near one of the cities in our state with the most Pride and I am well networked with the local LGBTQ community. I think having the flag will help more business than it discourages. Supporting progressive communities and causes is a fundamental aspect of my business and person, but out of concern and an in my opinion misguided drive for income I'm being told so forward with a Pride Flag in a community where many businesses have Pride Flags. One suggestion I have is that if we are gay and selling our products to MAGA because they don't know we are gay we are taking money away from MAGA, but I feel that in-the-closet mindset is weak because a small business can be captured by their customers who then drive away other customers and then it's back to how things were before where I was working for homophobes and I don't know where my allies are. I guess I need advice and data which supports my position. I don't just want a business that makes me lots and lots of money. I basically want Toad Hall or Stonewall Inn, where local LGBTQ people can be included, hang out and meet without MAGA prying in and we can support each other and maybe even get political. On top of money I want my business to bring my community, lifestyle, and relationships. The straight guy doesn't understand, he doesn't need this like I do. Maybe he would only understand money, I don't know. If I can help queer people feel less lonely that is profit for me. I'm frustrated.