Pinkwashing (LGBTQ)

Pinkwashing, also known as rainbow-washing, is the strategy of using messages that are superficially nice to the LGBTQ community for things that have little or nothing to do with LGBTQ equality or inclusion.

 Origin of the term 

In April 2010, Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (QUIT) in the Bay Area, used the phrase pinkwashing as a twist on greenwashing, a practice where companies claim to be eco-friendly in order to make profit. Dunya Alwan was at a talk with Ali Abunimah, editor of Electronic Intifada in 2010, when he said "We won't put up with Israel whitewashing or greenwashing" and she thought, "or pinkwashing!"

 Corporate marketing 
Pinkwashing in the United States, according to author Stephan Dahl from the University of Hull, is centered around pride merchandise created and sold by companies that do nothing for queer people.

 By country or region 

 Israel 

Pinkwashing can be seen as a fig leaf to cover up failures or atrocities under the guise of being "progressive".
 Ireland 
According to Professor of Gender and Women's Studies Eithne Luibhéid, Ireland used its 2015 same-sex marriage referendum, "to pinkwash its migration regimes, thereby naturalizing harsh policies that reproduce gendered, sexual, racial, economic, and geopolitical inequalities".

 Intersex movement 

In June 2016,  pointed to contradictory statements by Australian governments, suggesting that the dignity and rights of LGBT and intersex people are recognized while harmful practices on intersex children continued.

In August 2016,  described actions to promote equality or civil status legislation without action on banning "intersex genital mutilations" as a form of pinkwashing. The organization has previously pointed out government statements to UN Treaty Bodies that conflate intersex, transgender, and other LGBTI issues, instead of addressing harmful practices on infants.

 Related pages 
 Queerbaiting
 Rainbow capitalism

 References 

Category:Neologisms
Category:terminology
Category:Public relations
Category:Propaganda
Category:LGBT-related controversies
Category:Pages with unreviewed translations
Category:Public diplomacy of Israel