As Pride Month comes to a close, We linked up with Will Martin, a board member at Charlotte Pride, to understand more about the values at the heart of Pride, and we couldn’t help but notice some striking parallels with the SUV. The SUV might just be the automotive embodiment of those values, as freedom of expression, resilience, and challenging stereotypes mean almost the same thing in both the LGBTQ+ experience and the SUV world.
Freedom of Expression: Loud, Unapologetic
Pride isn’t quiet, and neither are SUVs. SUVs never really fit the traditional idea of what a car should be. They were too big, too bold, too in-between. But over time, they embraced their identity, unapologetically standing out, until they became the dominant force on our roads. That arc mirrors Pride’s ongoing fight for visibility and the right not to “fit in.”
Speaking with Will, he explained:
“Freedom of expression for me is really the feeling of safety and security in knowing that I am safe to be who I am and true to myself and know that I have people that have my back.”
SUVs Conquer Terrains. So Does Pride
SUVs are built for the journey. They’re workhorses, people movers, and adventure partners. Whether it’s crossing rivers, powering through forests, or scaling rocky paths, SUVs are made to push through.The LGBTQ+ community has demonstrated a similar resilience, navigating obstacles, enduring resistance, and pressing forward through difficult terrain.
Will shared that:
“Resilience deeply resonates with the LGBTQ+ community! We have a long history of navigating & overcoming adversity. We have had to adapt and we continue to thrive despite facing discrimination, rejection from friends and family, and stigma.”
Space for All
SUVs defy neat categories. Built for space, flexibility, and inclusion, an SUV can mean different things to different people. It could mean utility and comfort, power and poise, rugged and stylish, masculine and feminine.
Explaining the importance of challenging labels and how Pride creates room for diversity, Will said:
“Stereotyping results in unfair judgments and discrimination based on people’s perceived affiliation rather than individual characteristics. Pride helps by increasing visibility and representation, providing education and empathy, building community and solidarity between LGBTQ plus and their allies, and providing advocacy and social change.”
A Tale of Challenges and Victories
SUVs still face their fair share of critics today, but their success is undeniable. They’ve grown to become the most popular vehicle segment, loved by families, adventurers, and individuals seeking connection on the road. Similarly, the Pride community continues to face challenges, but it has also celebrated meaningful victories along the way.
On challenges, Will said:
“Discrimination and stigma still affect LGBTQ+ people in areas such as housing, employment, and healthcare. Also, proposed legislation impacting LGBTQ+ rights contribute to feelings of vulnerability and affect access to services.”
However, there’s also progress, especially in Charlotte.
“Thankfully I’m in an area that has many organizations that offer support and advocacy within our community. Organizations like Charlotte Pride work to increase LGBTQ+ visibility through events and initiatives. The passage of a nondiscrimination ordinance in Charlotte signifies a step towards greater protection for LGBTQ+ individuals in employment and public accommodations. The election of openly LGBTQ+ individuals to City Council demonstrates growing political acceptance. We also have many organizations and initiatives that aim to create safe spaces and offer support services to address the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community.”
At Global SUV, we believe there’s pride in being seen. And we commend the strength of everyone fighting against the odds to remain visible, valued, and heard.
Gabriel Olakunori
Gabriel likes to (blindly) argue that SUVs are part of nature, and he might just have a point when you're walking in the snow, crossing bone-dry deserts, gliding down splendid park-like boulevards, or navigating rocky roads. He has over seven years of experience writing across a broad spectrum of topics, many within the automotive industry. If he is not at the desk w̶r̶i̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun, he is at the wheel d̶r̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun. Either way, the road leads to the same destination: bliss. Gabriel loves SUVs for their all-inclusiveness, but he cannot turn down an offer to drive or write about any vehicle.
