Diminished Pride

In an age when people who celebrate immorality are extolled and those who don't are labeled as intolerant, we must believe the Scriptures. What God calls sin, we should to - and we should be determined to call out sin, not because we're being judgmental, but because, as I've noted, the most loving thing you can do for a person is to point out his or her sin. 1st Corinthians 6 states:
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

At the end of June, WORLD Magazine declared:

This year, many corporations scaled back Pride Month advertising, merchandise, and community events in response to pressure from consumers and the Trump administration. Experts and insiders say the shift reflects a broader corporate pivot away from taking open stances on politically controversial topics, although many Fortune 500 companies may continue quietly supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

The article noted:

Merchandise displays at the Target in Johns Creek, Ga., this month featured American flag-inspired tank tops and baseball caps where, in recent years, customers may have instead encountered a rainbow flag–themed collection of cross-gender swimsuits. This year, shoppers looking for Pride Month merch would have had a harder time locating those items.

WORLD cited research from Gravity Research, stating, "...roughly 2 out of 5 corporations planned to reduce Pride Month engagement this year while zero respondents said they would increase it." Based on the article's reporting, it seems that after a increase in pandering to the LGBT crowd in the name of diversity during the early 2000's, the Dylan Mulvaney controversy brought the rush to diversity crashing down. As recently as 2021, "9 out of 10 major companies felt pressured to comment on social issues, up from 60% in 2016, according to the D.C.-based Public Affairs Council."

The article analyzed the Mulvaney effect:

Following a Bud Light boycott in 2023, prompted by the brand’s brief partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, parent company Anheuser-Busch may have lost as much as $1.4 billion in sales, according to some estimates.

When Target released its Pride Month collection in 2023, many conservative shoppers stopped buying from the retailer. In the second quarter of 2023, Target’s in-store and online sales dropped 5% and 10%, respectively. By that August, Target’s stock value had dropped 27% from the previous year.

Many executives now cite such consumer backlash as a reason for scaling back Pride Month engagement, according to the April report from Gravity Research.

The LGBT crowd has definitely overplayed its hand - and now it has been questioned whether or not the family-friendly Magnolia brand has sold out to a declining agenda by Chip and Joanna Gaines' decision to feature a same-sex couple on their latest television project; it's even been likened to a Dylan Mulvaney moment. 

But, the brainwashing of corporate America, albeit seemingly temporary, had led to greater acceptance of gay marriage and so-called "LGBT pride."  Now Americans need to be told that this was a passing fad - and the Church can double down on the Biblical truth of two genders and one type of "marriage."  There are even credible moves taking place to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell from 10 years ago - just 10 years ago.  Think about that. 

Now, the Church has to release itself from believing the lies that we should accept the LGBT lifestyle or affirm those who are intent to declare their same-sex attraction, without emphasizing the freedom that is offered through Jesus Christ.  In the name of "welcoming," we have to be careful not to affirm behavior that does not line up with Scripture.  Marriage is a basic building block of a healthy society, an institution ordained by God, and we must be vociferous champions of this incredible gift from God.