Washington Gas Adds Rainbow Washing to Their Long List of Corporate Lies

There is no #PeaceLoveRevolution until Washington Gas stops pumping toxic methane gas into our homes and our community

Washington, DC – This past weekend, Washington Gas was a sponsor for DC’s Capital Pride, the latest stunt in their greenwashed PR scheme meant to deceive and deflect from their role in fueling the climate crisis and harming us all, especially marginalized communities.

Jade Olson, Press Spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion DC, released the following statement:

“Washington Gas’ sponsorship of DC’s Pride celebration is corporate hypocrisy at its finest. At the same time that Washington Gas walked through the parade waving rainbow flags, they were also pumping toxic methane gas throughout the city, fueling the climate crisis that disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ+ community. Washington Gas, a corporation responsible for polluting our air and damaging our health, cannot claim to support the very community their business harms.”

“LGBTQ+ communities are more likely to be exposed to toxic pollution both inside and outside of their homes compared to non-LGBTQ+ communities, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases despite increased challenges in accessing health care. This is linked to queer communities’ housing situation: they have higher poverty rates and are more likely to be houseless than non-LGBTQ+ people due to stigma and discrimination. This also makes this community more vulnerable to extreme weather events – such as last week’s awful wildfire air quality – that are only going to become more frequent and extreme thanks to climate change caused by Washington Gas and other corporations’ burning of fossil fuels.”

“If Washington Gas truly wants to support Pride, they must recognize their complicity in harming the community they claim to support, and they must stop pumping a toxic gas into our city that only furthers harm on a community already facing attacks on their lives from across the country.”

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