We’re now just days away from June—the high holy month of corporate virtue signaling. That’s when every company under the sun suddenly remembers its “commitment to diversity,” rolls out rainbow-drenched logos, floods inboxes with smug emails, and engages in every imaginable form of performative wokeness. It’s not about inclusion—it’s about self-congratulation, and it’s exhausting. The same companies trying to be sensitive about Mother’s day and Father’s Day are all cheerfully assuming we’re just dying to be pummeled with LGBTQ propaganda.
I’m still holding out a sliver of hope that with Trump back in the White House and the public growing increasingly weary of DEI dogma and performative wokeness, we might see a toned-down version of corporate pride pandering this June. But let’s be honest—that’s probably wishful thinking. The flood of rainbow-themed emails, smug virtue-signaling, and identity-driven marketing is almost certainly on its way. All I want is the option to opt out of it.
And don’t tell me it’s impossible.
This year, I’ve already received multiple emails offering me the option to opt out of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day messages — two for Father’s Day, three for Mother’s Day. Apparently, these holidays are now considered potential emotional landmines that warrant corporate sensitivity protocols.
Here's are some examples of emails I received this year.
We understand that this time can be difficult for a variety of reasons.
Mother's Day is coming up, and we know it can be tough for some. Our campaign starts next week, but opting out is easy if you'd rather not hear about it.
For many, Father’s Day is a sensitive time, so we understand if you'd like to press pause on the reminders. If you would prefer to opt out of Father’s Day communications this season, just let us know by clicking here and we'll ensure you will not receive communications around Mother's Day this year.”
The thinking goes that certain reminders might cut too deep for some, even when they come dressed as harmless promotions. So now, in this era of curated sensitivities, we’re offered the digital equivalent of bubble wrap: a button to click, a chance to avoid the emotional weight of a subject line we probably weren’t going to open in the first place.
Fine. I get it. And I don’t doubt that some people appreciate the gesture. But if we’re handing out opt-out buttons like candy, can someone explain why I can’t be given the same option for pride month?
Where’s the respect for people who don’t want to be bombarded by leftist identity politics every time they open their inbox?
If we’re granting opt-outs for anyone who might be emotionally distressed by a reminder that Mother’s Day or Father’s Day exists, then surely we can spare a little consideration for those of us who don’t want our inboxes turned into a pride parade.
And that’s hardly the worst of it. If you subscribe to various streaming platforms, expect to see LGBTQ “content” promoted on each of them starting next week. And, even when you don’t watch that content, you have to deal with ads pushing the same agenda.
If corporations actually believed in respecting everyone’s triggers, preferences, or beliefs, they’d let us opt out of all of it. But they don’t. Because the same companies that tiptoe around Mother’s Day and Father’s Day will shove pride month in your face with zero regard for how you feel about it.
