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"It just looked like a bunch of kids having fun at a theme park, but at everyone else's expense." Yep, I hate to say it, but this is exactly how it is. Also, when you say rainbows have been used for nefarious purposes, do you mean rainbow capitalism?

I ask because the LGBT+ meaning of the rainbow is actually quite spiritual. Gilbert Baker, creator of the flag, assigned meanings to the following colors: hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit.

@cyberwitch Thanks for reading my piece. The use of the rainbow for LGBT is part of my issue I allude to which I may get around to articulating more of my views on one day. Lets just say I am all for individual rights and beliefs but question the strings that guide such movements and dictate mindsets. I was not aware of the spiritual aspect of the flag that you point out.

Another questionable use I had in mind was how the rainbow has been used to portray support of the NHS during Covid here in the UK, when, I suppose, it primarily comes from the Biblical portrayal of "God's promise". One might now struggle to wear rainbow colours these days without being assumed to be in support of either or both of these things, when perhaps they're not.

I see, understandable. I'd be interested in reading that post!

All I am willing to say on the matter is what I am very much in favour of reappropriating the rainbow for autistic pride as a symbol of the diversity of the spectrum. It always struck me odd that something that represents vibrance and diversity has been co-opted to literally celebrate sameness ("homo" literally means "same" in Greek).

@koshka Seconded! It also works because pretty much everyone has their own flag now, lol.

I use colour a lot in my art - I've not got around to posting much of it because I need my own computer. It might be interpreted as 'rainbow' by some, but it doesn't have any meaning behind it other than happiness, or a defence against darkness, stress and negativity.

@koshka To be fair, though, Baker picked the rainbow to represent homosexuality because his people needed a new inspiring symbol, and rainbows were associated with hippies and world peace at the time. Although I do wish the rainbow wasn't so widely associated with gay pride (despite being queer myself),

I don't see how it can't coexist with autism rainbow pride if we remember the difference: each stripe is a defined section on one flag, whereas the other has a full-on spectrum. ;)