As a brand, Revolteur Clothing strives to ensure that our brand represents our values of equality, diversity and inclusivity since these values are what make humanity so unique and amazing.
However, although many of us, myself included, say we espouse these values, our actions sometimes do not line up with the our claims. This is true when it comes to valuing and including those who are within the LGBTQQIP2SAA community.
Speaking from a place of honesty, I am fortunate to have had friends and work colleagues, whose character and principles help me confront my homophobic biases and learn to value them for who they are as people regardless of sexual orientation. And as I have continued to grow and mature, I have come to be grateful to my friends who helped challenge my views even though it was uncomfortable.
With that said, I want to implore each and everyone to take time to extend an open hand of support to our friends and family within the LGBTQQIP2SAA community rather than a closed fist of oppression.
We must remember that many members of the LGBTQQQIP2SAA community fought for against social injustice, racism and inequality during the civil rights era. Many of them were willing to fight against oppression even when, they themselves were despised.
The world owes the those within the LGBTQQIP2SAA Community a debt of gratitude for their tireless fight against the ravages of the AIDS epidemic even when governments were apathetic and did not want to do anything. If it were not for their determination, scientific breakthroughs in medicine would not have come about as quick as they did to prevent AIDS from becoming the death sentence it once was, especially within Third World countries.
In addition to their fight for equality on the social and political front, we must also appreciate the contributions that the LGBTQQIP2SAA community have made towards the betterment of the world in politics, law, science, medicine and every other walk of life.
So let us take the time to embrace rather than push away and engage rather than deny. Let us choose to build together, no matter our orientation, to truly have a just and fairer city, country and world. Let us choose to push back bigotry and remember that an Injustice to some is an Injustice to all.
Ryan Elcock