With the recent sweep of anti-LGBTQ legislation, it is more important than ever this Pride Month to highlight, amplify, and celebrate queer voices and initiatives. There are several ways to get involved and be an ally, and organizations like the KindRED Pride Foundation want people to show their support.
The nonprofit, which was inspired by the desire to expand the magic created by those who bravely participated in the original Gay and Lesbian Day at Magic Kingdom over 30 years ago, is launching a global movement for the first Saturday of June each year where all LGBTQ individuals and allies wear a red shirt not only in celebration of Pride Month, but as well as a message of “KindRED” spirit.
Their mission is to get 1 million people around the world to wear red on the first Saturday of Pride Month.
“We want to honor the courage of the cast members who risked their careers by expressing their kindred spirits over 30 years ago and to honor all the LGBTQ visitors from around the world who have brought their own ‘Magic’ to the Magic Kingdom each year,” KindRED Pride Foundation Vice President and Co-Founder Alison Burgos says.
The link between red and Pride originated in 1991 when Disney cast members and central Florida‘s LGBTQ community decided to meet socially on the first Saturday in June in front of the Castle at Magic Kingdom. They wore red T-shirts as an expression of Pride and to identify their “kindred spirits” since they had only met on a bulletin board and never in person.
“Red is also the first color of the rainbow flag and stands as a symbol of life and passion,” Burgos states.
By launching this global solidarity movement, Burgos hopes to build connections with LGBTQ communities and allies that believe in diversity, inclusion, equality, safe expression, and kindness.
The KindRED Pride Foundation is inviting people throughout the world to organically join the movement by posting an image and/or video of themselves wearing red using the hashtags #REDshirtchallenge, #TaketheREDshirtchallenge and #RSPD.
Stay up-to-date and connect with the KindRED Pride Foundation by following them on Facebook and Instagram @kindredpride, or visit kindredpride.org.
Photos courtesy of KindRED Pride Foundation
