In early March 2025, Jesse Lipscombe, a Vancouver-based actor, activist, and author, discovered that his “rainbros” design, intended to promote LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, had been replicated and sold online without his permission. The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by creators in protecting their intellectual property, as well as the potential for exploitation within charitable fundraising.

Lipscombe, known for his “Make it Awkward” campaign, created the Rainbros collection to foster safe spaces for individuals of diverse sexualities and gender identities. The clothing line serves as a visible symbol of allyship, especially for straight men, in response to rising anti-trans rhetoric and hate speech. “In the last six months ther’s been an increase in anti-trans rhetoric and hate speech,” Lipscombe stated, emphasizing the need for straight allies to “fill a lane” and visibly demonstrate their support.

The shirts function similarly to the Block Parent program, where a sticker in a window signals a safe haven. Lipscombe explained,”You saw a sticker in a window and you knew that was a safe place to go,” noting that groups of straight men are not always perceived as safe by the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The Rainbros initiative aims to change that perception, assuring, “I know a lot of straight folks who are on board to ensure it’s safe.”

Beyond its symbolic value, the Rainbros clothing line also serves as a fundraiser for Vancouver’s Qmunity charity, which supports queer, trans, and two-spirit individuals. This charitable aspect became central to Lipscombe’s concern when he discovered the unauthorized replication of his design.

The online retailer, Fanaticity.com, (unrelated to the larger sports merchandise company Fanatics) allegedly copied Lipscombe’s design, including the font and colors, and advertised the shirts as supporting the “Rainbros Foundation.” The advertisement claimed, “The Rainbros Straight Up Support Shirt goes beyond fashion and empowers you to make a difference. Each purchase directly supports the Rainbros Foundation, an association dedicated to promoting inclusivity and acceptance for individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+.”

Though, no such “Rainbros Foundation” appears to exist. This alleged misrepresentation of charitable donations deeply troubled Lipscombe. “I don’t care if everyone and their dog rips off the shirt,” Lipscombe explained.

The Broader Context: Protecting LGBTQIA+ Rights in the U.S.

The Rainbros incident underscores a critical issue in the United States: the vulnerability of LGBTQIA+ initiatives to exploitation. While the U.S. has made strides in LGBTQIA+ rights, including the landmark Supreme Court decision in *Bostock v. Clayton County* that protects LGBTQIA+ employees from discrimination, challenges persist. These challenges include legislative attacks on transgender rights, particularly targeting transgender youth, and the prevalence of hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ individuals.

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity continue to be a critically important concern. In 2022, over 1,700 hate crime incidents were motivated by bias against sexual orientation, and over 300 were motivated by bias against gender identity. These statistics highlight the ongoing need for visible allyship and support for LGBTQIA+ communities, making initiatives like Rainbros all the more vital.

The exploitation of charitable intentions, as alleged in the Rainbros case, directly undermines the ability of legitimate LGBTQIA+ organizations to raise funds and provide essential services. These services include crisis intervention, mental health support, legal assistance, and advocacy for policy changes. When consumers are misled into believing their purchases support a nonexistent charity, it erodes trust and discourages genuine donations.

This situation is further elaborate by the patchwork of state and federal laws governing charitable solicitations. While the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has the authority to investigate and prosecute deceptive charitable fundraising practices, enforcement can be challenging, particularly when online retailers operate across state lines or internationally. individual states also have their own regulations, but these vary widely in scope and effectiveness.

Practical Applications: How to Support LGBTQIA+ Causes Responsibly

Given the potential for exploitation, it’s crucial for individuals to exercise due diligence when supporting LGBTQIA+ causes. Here are some practical steps to ensure your donations are making a genuine impact:

• Verify the legitimacy of the organization: Use resources such as Charity Navigator or GuideStar to assess the organization’s financial health, transparency practices, and impact.These platforms provide detailed data on registered charities, including their mission, programs, and financial statements.
• Research the organization’s mission: Understand exactly what the charity does, its programs, and how it delivers on its mission. Look for specific details about their activities and the populations they serve. Avoid organizations that make vague claims without providing concrete examples of their work.
• Be wary of vague claims: avoid organizations that make broad promises without providing specific details about their impact. Legitimate charities are obvious about their programs and outcomes.
• Ask questions: Contact the organization directly to ask about its programs, finances, fundraising methods, and any other concerns. A reputable charity will be happy to answer your questions and provide additional information.
• Consider making direct donations: When purchasing products advertised as supporting a charity, donating directly usually ensures that the money directly supports the charity. This eliminates the risk of the retailer taking a cut or misrepresenting the donation amount.

For example, rather of buying a “charity” t-shirt from an unknown online retailer, consider donating directly to well-established LGBTQIA+ organizations such as The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people, or Lambda Legal, which advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights through litigation and policy advocacy.

Recent Developments and Further Inquiry

Following the finding of the alleged Rainbros scam, several consumer advocacy groups have called for increased scrutiny of online retailers that claim to support charitable causes. The FTC has also issued updated guidelines on charitable solicitations, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accuracy in advertising.

In a statement released earlier this week,the FTC warned consumers to be particularly cautious of online retailers that use generic or misleading language about their charitable affiliations.The agency also urged consumers to report any suspected scams to the FTC’s Complaint Assistant.

the Rainbros incident has also sparked a broader conversation about intellectual property rights and the need for stronger protections for creators. Several organizations, including the Authors Guild and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), have called on congress to pass legislation that would make it easier for creators to pursue legal action against infringers.

Jesse Lipscombe has stated that he is exploring legal options to protect his Rainbros design and prevent further unauthorized use. He has also launched a social media campaign to raise awareness about the alleged scam and encourage consumers to support legitimate LGBTQIA+ organizations.

Design Theft & Charity Scams: How Can LGBTQIA+ Allyship Be Protected?

The “Rainbros” incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within both intellectual property rights and charitable giving, particularly when intertwined with sensitive social causes like LGBTQIA+ allyship. The alleged actions of the online retailer not only infringe upon the creator’s rights but also exploit the goodwill of consumers who genuinely want to support the LGBTQIA+ community.

The creation of a false charitable association further compounds this ethical violation. The damage to the community is twofold: Firstly, it undermines the ability of legitimately supportive initiatives to raise funds for a cause. Secondly, such schemes erode trust. It discourages genuine donors and allies from supporting the cause. This betrayal can lead to cynicism and dishearten people who want to support the LGBTQIA+ cause.

Protecting Intellectual Property and supporting Causes responsibly

Senior Editor: Let’s discuss practical solutions. What steps can creators take to protect their intellectual property?

Dr.Sharma: Creators have several options:

• Copyright Registration: Registering the design with the relevant copyright office provides legal protection and can make it easier to take legal action against infringers.
• Trademark Protection: if the design includes a brand name or logo, securing a trademark is essential to prevent unauthorized use.
• Watermarking/Digital Rights Management (DRM): Add watermarks to the design to help deter unauthorized use.
• Monitoring: Regularly search online for unauthorized use of designs. There are services that can automate this process.
• Legal Counsel: Consult with an intellectual property attorney promptly if infringement is suspected.

Senior Editor: The article also emphasizes the importance of responsible charitable giving. How can individuals ensure their donations go to legitimate organizations?

dr. Sharma: Individuals can practice due diligence by following these steps:

• Verify the legitimacy of the organization: Use resources such as Charity Navigator [[2]] or GuideStar to assess the organization’s financial health, transparency practices, and impact.
• Research the organization’s mission: Understand exactly what the charity does, its programs, and how it delivers on its mission.
• Be wary of vague claims: Avoid organizations that make broad promises without providing specific details about their impact.
• Ask questions: Contact the organization directly to ask about its programs, finances, fund-raising methods, and any other concerns.
• Consider making direct donations: When purchasing products advertised as supporting a charity, donating directly usually ensures that the money directly supports the charity.

Senior Editor: The “Rainbros” incident raises concern about consumer protection. What are the key aspects and legal remedies associated with consumer protection in cases of misrepresentation of charitable affiliations?

Dr. Sharma: Consumer protection laws are designed to prevent businesses from engaging in deceptive advertising and misrepresentation of facts. In the United states, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a crucial role in ensuring accuracy in regards to charitable solicitations. If an organization falsely claims that a portion of its sales will be donated to a charity, it could be subject to FTC fines.Victims of such deceptive practices can, in certain specific cases, sue the offending company. The ability to bring a private action under consumer protection laws can be instrumental for seeking redress for deceptive business practices.

Senior Editor: What can individuals and the LGBTQIA+ community do to respond to these issues?

Dr. Sharma: It’s a combination of vigilance, advocacy, and collective action:

• Report Infringements: Alert the creator and any relevant charity or legal authorities if you find instances of intellectual property theft or fundraising scams.
• support genuine Causes: support reputable LGBTQIA+ organizations and creators.
• Spread Awareness: Educate others about intellectual property rights and responsible charitable giving.
• Amplify Voices: Advocate for stronger legal protections and enforcement against intellectual property theft and fraudulent fundraising practices.

Senior Editor: Dr. Sharma, thank you for sharing your expertise and insights. Your advice provides a roadmap for protecting intellectual property, supporting legitimate causes, and ensuring that the LGBTQIA+ community is not exploited.

Dr. Sharma: My pleasure. It’s essential to protect creators and the integrity of charitable initiatives.

senior editor: To our readers, let’s use these insights to engage and create a more mindful and supportive climate.What are your experiences supporting charitable causes responsibly? Share your thoughts and advice and let’s keep this conversation going.