For many years now, there has been a co-opting of the rainbow, and darn it, I’m tired of it. The rainbow is a beautiful phenomenon of nature after a rainstorm, next to a waterfall or in the splash of the backyard sprinklers on a lazy summer day.
It’s also the international symbol for alternative lifestyles.
I do not care if a man marries a man or a woman marries her ferret or any other sort of non-traditional relationship. I really don’t. Whatever floats your boat is good for you and I support your right to live your life according to your needs and choices.
But can someone explain to the LGBT that rainbows are also enjoyed by three year old little girls, middle aged women and people all around the world who are not homosexual? Back in the 70s and 80s you often saw rainbow stickers on cars – the ones like these:
They didn’t have a political meaning. They just meant that the person driving the car liked rainbows and was probably listening to Kermit the Frog as they cruised along in their VW. I had a rainbow sticker on my notebook for school and all it meant was that I liked rainbows. And Kermit the Frog.
These days, were I to display a rainbow of any sort on any part of my person, including a decal on my shirt, embroidery on my jeans, or on a hairbow, most people would think it’s a visual declaration of my sexual orientation. That upsets me. No one owns the trademark on a natural phenomenon and I don’t think it’s right that I deny myself beautiful images for fear of being classified as something or someone I’m not.
Can’t rainbows just be rainbows and leave it at that?
Notes from the Melody Maker 
Rainbows are also enjoyed by 4 year old boys. Burke loves them and wants a “monster truck/rain bow” themed birtday. My first thought was, “Not rainbows…” Ugh. His Papa would have a fit if I got him a shirt with a rainbow on it, but Burke would be in heaven…its pretty annoying. WE WANT OUR RAINBOW BACK!
I’m so old I never thought much about the rainbow designation except maybe in Palm Springs. And – – while we are at it, when did “gay” become a synonym for homo. I had a friend in grade school names Gay McKendrick. I wonder what she calls herself now! So, too with the designation queer, but then all those rainbow types are ODD.
Loving my rainbows (and Kermit!) My MIL used to try to set up my wonderful DH by telling girls he was so happy and gay. Well, he is, but not in the way the young ladies thought. Guess I should be happy her success rate was so low or he might have been snapped up before I came along.
I agree that rainbows are a symbol of nothing but natural beauty; A gorgeous arrangement of colors that should not be used as a label! I LOVE RAINBOWS!