# My Facebook page is full of pink squares **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 26, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018 "2013-03-26T16:43:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/101 "2013-03-28T03:39:58Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > I’m generally opposed to slacktivism, but I’m participating in this. I want those on my list who are opposed to gay marriage to realise how widespread support for it really is. I also want my GLBT friends to know I feel strongly about this issue, and to see how widespread support for it is. I don’t believe my FB icon will make a difference to the outcome; this is just a show of numbers for the consideration of those opposed to GLBT equality. I like to think it reinforces the message that history will judge them harshly. Yes, this. And also I posted this one because I _didn’t_ see a single “Make this your profile pic…87% of people won’t make this their profile pic because they rape puppies” dares that accompany the never ending Autism Awareness Month and World Cancer Day that seem to be year round now. I just saw an icon, understood immediately what it signified, and I liked it, so I used it. If it doesn’t sound too hipster - there was only one red equality sign on my Newsfeed when I changed mine. I’m not cool, I have insomnia… ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/102 "2013-03-28T13:03:40Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > So lets get this straight. You don’t support closet supporters, or cowards, as you call them. You’re not even friends with them. But you demonize people who are doing something supportive in the most visible way possible. I guess you’re hard to please. She hates people who do nothing. She hates people who do something and don’t talk about it. She hates people who do something and talk about it. That’s pretty much all we need to know about her. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/103 "2013-03-28T13:13:14Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Depends on values of “very supported.” It’s still quite a divisive issue, only in the last year or two has it finally crossed the threshold where a slim majority of Americans support it rather than are against it. It’s actually quite amazing for me to see how much attitudes have changed from even 10 years ago. This. I’ve been here for about 10 years now and the Dope was pretty much the only place I ever heard gay marriage talk at the time. If you read Scalia’s dissent in Lawrence v. Texas it pretty much boils down to, “hey, if we can’t make buttsecks illegal, then we don’t have any basis for barring gay marriage!” and the clear implication was that gay marriage was such a loopy idea that nobody would ever seriously consider. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/104 "2013-03-28T20:29:44Z")
I don’t feel that my opinion on the matter is really the business of all my friends, family, and vague acquaintances. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/105 "2013-03-28T20:47:23Z")
I like it. And I think it does do something. Unlike other “big” issues, gay rights is almost an entirely an issue of convincing people. If you convinced every person that Global Warming is a problem we need to solve, you still haven’t solved global warming. If you convince lots of people that breast cancer is a problem (which isn’t exactly hard to do, its not like there is a “pro-cancer” camp out there), there will still be breast cancer. But if most of the population think gays should have equal rights, that’s pretty much guaranteed that they will get equal rights. There isn’t really any heavy lifting to do apart from convince people. And social pressure is a pretty good way to convince people. So when someone turns on facebook and sees a clear indication that most of their friends support equal rights, I think it is an effective way to push towards equality. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/106 "2013-03-28T20:55:07Z")
I said: Would you walk through a busy mall or down a busy street wearing a t-shirt that says “Marriage equality for all”? > [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > … I figure people already know I wasn’t raised in a damn barn and can figure it out for themselves. I think this may be the difference between those who think it slacktivism and those who don’t. I live in an area where I would be a bit worried to wear such a t-shirt to a mall or busy street unless it was in a fairly liberal area. I wouldn’t expect to actually be hurt, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I got harassed either. But then, I live in an area where there are a lot of people who were raised in a barn… ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/107 "2013-03-28T20:59:22Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > I said: Would you walk through a busy mall or down a busy street wearing a t-shirt that says “Marriage equality for all”? I would, but not in those colors. ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/108 "2013-03-29T00:07:40Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > I said: Would you walk through a busy mall or down a busy street wearing a t-shirt that says “Marriage equality for all”? My brother-in-law works for a screen printer. They made up some of the “pink square” shirts, which my sister and b-i-l modeled on their facebook pages. The shop is selling them for $10 each. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/109 "2013-03-29T01:01:30Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > I said: Would you walk through a busy mall or down a busy street wearing a t-shirt that says “Marriage equality for all”? And I said: Yes, if I had such a shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/110 "2013-03-29T01:02:54Z")
My cousin got an equal sign tattoo on his arm today. Thankfully it’s not Valentine’s Day colored but rather blue and yellow. But it’s as wide as his arm! I can understand why he might have done it: he changed his Facebook profile pic, and one of his (now ex-)friends said basically “I didn’t know you were gay, nttawwt, I just had no idea” and couldn’t be persuaded no matter he said that many straight allies also have an equal sign pic. Then again, it’s win-win: either it’s making a statement, or 20 years from now it might no longer be needed, which is also a good thing. Oh, and I also think it’s real, rather than a temporary. The reason: he posted a pic of himself with it. He’s not smiling. Probably in pain. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/111 "2013-03-29T01:32:14Z")
Except for my actual family most of my FB friends could be characterized as western rednecks. I never “like” anything about Jesus or cancer or if you have a sister who is your best friend or freedom or veterans hugging their dogs or anything else they post. Nor do I read the rightwing lie-tirades they link to. Yes, I changed my profile picture. For the first time. I never, and I mean ever, post anything political or leftwing on FB, because I know it is enraging to many people I know, and I don’t see the point. But this is important enough to stick my neck out. Arguing about whether it is slacktivism or not is petty. This is exactly how people’s minds are changed – a personal connection to someone who has a different opinion than the one they’ve always heard around them. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/112 "2013-03-29T02:01:13Z")
See the thing is, it isn’t a left wing versus right wing thing. Like I said, friends and family of mine who hate Democrats, Obama, and taxes ( 😉 ) are posting the red/pink equals signs. I am hoping this means marriage equality is something that transcends party lines at least partially. ---
**Author:** ![Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/113 "2013-03-29T02:55:24Z")
I don’t think changing your profile pic is slacktivism, but I do think there are a lot of people who changed it and thing that doing so is making a measurable impact. That said, I’m sure there are people who have no illusions about the effect it has. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/114 "2013-03-29T12:57:45Z")
After being told that gay friends were actually touched at the sight of profile pic after profile pic being changed in support, I changed both my mind and my profile pic. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/115 "2013-03-29T13:15:52Z")
I didn’t change my profile pic, can’t get it to work. I did post the pic in my time line. One person copied it, another person liked it, and one other person (not a Catholic) posted the new Popes statement on SSM. I also got an invite to join ‘Gods Word of the Day’ or something like that. Don’t know if that was a coincidence. I got more response to the apple pie recipe. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/116 "2013-03-29T17:22:49Z")
[Here](http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/psysociety/2013/03/28/marriage-equality-and-social-proof/) is an interesting article about it. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/117 "2013-03-29T19:10:27Z")
I… kinda missed the boat because I hadn’t logged into Facebook in a couple of weeks. This is a war that will only be won by changing people’s attitudes, and changing attitudes is often about exposure. Drip, drip, drip. We can win this. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/118 "2013-03-29T22:14:05Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > [Here](http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/psysociety/2013/03/28/marriage-equality-and-social-proof/) is an interesting article about it. Thanks for that. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/119 "2013-03-30T22:50:24Z")
Interesting [Huffington Post article](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/29/red-equal-sign-facebook_n_2980489.html) w/FB data assemblage into a map possibly showing participation by county in the US. Not a lot of earthshattering news there, but, y’know, interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018/120 "2013-03-31T05:32:06Z")
[Changing your profile pic may actually have an effect on public opinion.](http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/psysociety/2013/03/28/marriage-equality-and-social-proof/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-facebook-page-is-full-of-pink-squares/654018.md?page=5)