OPINION Ugla Stefanía writes about the backlash against rainbow flags, and how manufactured outrage is used to challenge queer visibility, test the limits of public discourse, and push back against basic human rights.
Expressing disdain towards rainbow flags is a tradition as old as the flag – and many conservatives, religious leaders and those with hatred towards queer people seem to have made it their pastime to oppose it. Many have even outrightly banned it from being displayed in public spaces, including countries like Poland, Russia, and certain parts of the UK and the US.
Most recently an Icelandic politician joined this otherwise dry crowd of people who seem to have made it their life mission to get upset about everything, and complain when others want to treat minorities nicely and welcome them to their spaces. The deep irony here is that they claim those fighting for human rights are “sensitive” and “easily offended” – while the sight of a flag sends them into a frothing rage.
Many might claim they don’t want “political symbols” to be displayed in schools or public services, but the only people making them political are those who complain and actively make life harder for queer people. They literally are the reason the flag is being displayed in the first place – because there is clearly still opposition to having a reminder that public spaces and schools are meant to be safe for queer people.
Displaying a rainbow flag is a simple reminder that we want spaces to feel safe for queer people, and doing so in schools is to remind people that queer youth exist and they deserve to feel safe and supported.
Displaying a rainbow flag is a simple reminder that we want spaces to feel safe for queer people, and doing so in schools is to remind people that queer youth exist and they deserve to feel safe and supported. Previous generations never got this support, and were instead made to feel shame about who they are.
So to make sure that doesn’t happen, many places display rainbow flags and have open conversations around queer issues – to lift that shame. Queer people shouldn’t have to feel shame about who they are – the shame belongs to people who would rather we were invisible, hidden and suppressed.
But thankfully the response in Iceland has been quite clear: the rainbow flag belongs in public spaces, in schools and everywhere. But the damage has still been done, and by moving the discourse to this place, it fuels those who have embraced bigotry, prejudice and hatred.
Because there is an ulterior and much more sinister motive behind an outrage like this. It’s to appeal to a loud minority of people, to sow seeds, test the limits, and slowly but surely move the boundaries of how far discourse can go in opposing human rights.
And then when the response against you isn’t positive – they paint themselves as the victim. This method is called DARVO – deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender. It’s used to avoid accountability for what you have said and done, and sadly often works within politics.
The question is: are we going to allow extremism to continue to divide us, fuel hatred and polarisation – or are we going to stay firm that we want Iceland to be a place where where we value diversity, freedom and basic human dignity?
It’s a political tool that many are well versed in, and one that certain politicians apparently are going to make their legacy in politics. I just wish there weren’t so many people who actually bought into it. We’ve all seen what happens when people buy into extremism – and start to oppose symbols of freedom, inclusion and equality.
We as a country are at a crossroads that many have been at before. The question is: are we going to allow extremism to continue to divide us, fuel hatred and polarisation – or are we going to stay firm that we want Iceland to be a place where people are free to be who they are, and where we value diversity, freedom and basic human dignity?
I know what sort of a country I want to live in. Do you?