In many countries some stores put up the infamous rainbow flag on the front window. They say it's there to signal that they are "inclusive" and "welcoming" and a "safe place" for all people.
The irony is that actually it signals the exact opposite.
Do you know what signals a store being truly and genuinely inclusive and welcoming of everybody? Not putting any sort of political symbolism anywhere. That's what.
Not having any sort of political messaging signals "we literally do not care who you are, what you think, what goes inside your head, what you do, who you choose to be with, who you support, what your political views are, who you vote for. Everybody is welcome equally without question. Everybody is a welcome customer. We do not discriminate against anybody. This is just a shop, you are a customer, we sell you stuff, that's it. We literally do not care about any politics or anything."
In contrast, having the rainbow flag prominently displayed on the front window means "we are politically biased and actually care about who you are, what you think, what your preferences are, what your political opinions are, who you support. There is a segment of the population that is not welcome and we would prefer if they didn't enter our store at all. If it were up to us, and the law allowed it, we would outright ban them and kick them out if they enter. Or, at a very minimum, our attitude towards them would be much, much colder and hostile than towards the rest, and we would really prefer if they do their business and leave as quickly as possible."
In other words, what that flag signals is "if you belong to a certain part of the political compass, you are not welcome here. We would prefer it if you didn't come in."
In other words, it signals the exact opposite of what they claim it does.
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