Do You Have Spirit?

On October 15th, if you see people decked out in purple on social media: there’s a reason. October 15th is the fifth annual Spirit Day. The event, which focuses on fighting LGBT bullying, was started by teenager Brittany McMillan.

“I started it in 2010 after hearing the devastating news about the deaths of several LGBT teens. I was so upset. I knew I had to do something. As a young person myself, I know how hard it can be for LGBT youth at school, on the playground, and in their neighborhoods. More than half of LGBT students say they feel unsafe because of who they are or who they love. That’s just not okay,” McMillan says. She has partnered with GLAAD who, “worked to involve millions of teachers, workplaces, celebrities, media outlets and students in going purple on social media or wearing purple, a color that symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag.”

So how do you show your spirit? It’s easy. Visit the site and pledge to go purple!

Who says you can’t send a card on Spirit Day? Nobody that’s who! And we’ve got good ones.

Monday Meme: Pushed

Love needs a little a push every now and then and no one knew more about exciting love tales than author Jackie Collins. Collins lost her struggle with cancer yesterday and we thought we’d pay tribute. After all, Collins was writing about gay scandals, lesbian sex and same-sex relationships long before Orange is the New Black hit the airwaves. Brava Jackie, you grand dame of guilty pleasures.

Rainbow Doritos Debut In Support of LGBT Youth

ece1e441e73806c987dc8444c014cc793cfe5ba7 Over the years, we’ve seen everything from cookies to beer don the rainbow colors in honor of gay pride. This week, Doritos hopped on the bandwagon with the tagline, “There’s nothing bolder than being yourself” along with new limited-edition Doritos decked out in rainbow colors. But it’s all for a great cause. The festive chips can be yours if you make a donation of $10 or more to the It Gets Better Project, a non-profit devoted to improving the lives of LGBT youth. According to the Advocate, “With each donation, the Pepsico-owned food company Frito-Lay will ship you one bag of Doritos Rainbows chips from its limited supply. Doritos also encourages donors to share how it gets #BoldAndBetter on social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter.” The chips will not be sold in stores and are expected to sell out as limited edition food items are hotly sought after items.

“Time and again, our consumers have shown us, there really is nothing bolder than being true to yourself and living life to the fullest,” Ram Krishnan, chief marketing officer for Frito-Lay said in a statement. “With Doritos Rainbows chips, we’re bringing an entirely new product experience to our consumers to show our commitment toward equal rights for the LGBT community and celebrate humanity without exception.”

Fall Weddings? We’ve Got You Covered!

Due to the cooler weather and cheaper flights, fall weddings have exploded over the last two decades. According to the Knot, September and October are two of the most popular months to get hitched in the United States. Are your trendy friends walking down the aisle this fall? Still looking for a great card for this special couple? Don’t worry. We can help with that!

Each of our cards is printed on a high-quality cardstock with stunning black and white photos featuring same-sex couples in love while the inside has an inspirational quote about love. And many of them have wedding-themed images!

Whether your international, a shopper who’d rather get them from a neighborhood card store or someone who loves to do everything online, buying Proudly Yours cards has never been easier.

Monday Meme: Labels

At September 07, 2015
By danmclellan
In Fun, Monday Meme, Quote of the day, Quote of the Gay
1

What with the US Open happening this holiday weekend, we thought we’d look towards the world of tennis for our Monday Meme and who’s more amazing than Martina Navratilova? In fact, by winning the US Open in 1983, Navratilova created a career Grand Slam and became only the seventh female player to do so. Martina has long been an advocate for LGBT rights and blazed a trail for gay athletes when she came out in the early 1980’s. Plus, the message of her quote is one we wholeheartedly agree with.

For great cards for any occasion, check out our online shop!

Supreme Court Rules Against Anti-Gay Marriage Clerk

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled against the Kentucky county clerk who has refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses. The clerk arrived at work Tuesday morning to face her moment of truth.

According to the Washington Times, “Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis will have to choose whether to issue marriage licenses, defying her Christian conviction, or continue to refuse them, defying a federal judge who could pummel her with fines or order that she be hauled off to jail.” The latest reports say that Davis is, as of this afternoon still denying, marriage certificates. Several denied couples have now filed lawsuits against Davis. Lawyers for the defendants are asking, “Since Defendant Davis continues to collect compensation from the Commonwealth for duties she fails to perform, impose financial penalties sufficiently serious and increasingly onerous” to “compel her immediate compliance without delay.”

Davis cannot be fired from her $80,000 a year job because she is an elected official. A proposed impeachment couldn’t happen until the Legislature’s regular session next year. Legal action against Davis, however, including arrest could happen as soon as today.

Openly Gay Author Oliver Sacks Dead at 82

Sad news this weekend when word came that openly gay author and renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks had passed away at the age of 82. Sacks came out as gay in 2015 in his autobiography On the Move: A life.

The British writer is perhaps best known for his work Awakenings which was later turned into an acclaimed film with Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams. Last winter, Sacks revealed that an earlier case of melanoma in his eye had spread to his liver and was in the late stages of terminal cancer. Of the cancer Sacks wrote, “A month ago, I felt that I was in good health, even robust health. At 81, I still swim a mile a day. But my luck has run out – a few weeks ago I learned that I have multiple metastases in the liver.”

Sacks gained notoriety for a series of books which profiled rare medical conditions including Awakenings which was based on his work with patients treated with a drug that woke them up after years of being catatonic.

Cyndi Lauper’s Residence for Homeless LGBT Youth Celebrates 4 Years

Pop music legend Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Residence in Harlem, N.Y. is celebrating a major milestone this fall. The residence, which serves as a shelter for homeless LGBT youth, opened its doors for the first time in September 2011. According to Towleroad:

Lauper’s 30-bed housing facility was designed for youth 18-24 and comes with indoor and outdoor community spaces and created with energy efficiency in mind. Residents do have to pay rent, but the rent is adjusted to the residents’ income level; counseling and job placement services are also available on the premises to assist residents.

Lauper, a longtime LGBT activist, appeared before a Senate subcommittee on Capitol Hill earlier this year discussing efforts on alleviating homelessness among LGBT youth and addressing factors that lead to LGBT homeless.

Monday Meme: Trees

At August 24, 2015
By danmclellan
In Monday Meme, Quotations, Quote of the day, Quote of the Gay
0

Cuban writer, gay activist, playwright and vocal critic of the Cuban government, Reinaldo Arenas lead a life so inspiring, it was turned into an acclaimed film in 2000 with Javier Bardem. Arenas committed suicide after suffering with AIDS in 1987 but his legacy of courage lives on. We’re celebrating the man and all who are willing to climb trees with today’s meme.

Get inspired by our whole line of cards here.

Gay Rugby Star Says Support Has Been “Overwhelming”

The world of professional sports has been slower to embrace openly gay athletes but thanks to courageous folks like rugby player Keegan Hirst, that might be changing. Hirst, the Batley Bulldogs captain recently became “the first professional rugby league player to come out publicly as gay, is speaking out about the positive reactions he’s received from teammates and those on social media since his revelation,” according to Towleroad News.

In an interview with BBC 2’s Naga Munchetty, Hirst said:

I told two of my close teammates first and they were both fantastic and took it really well. One of them said he knew all along. Really supportive. Got behind me 100%. And then of course when it got filtered out to the rest of the team and coaching staff, nothing but positive messages. It’s really, really overwhelming.

In the interview, Hirst shared why he decided to come out now, how his wife took the news, when he realized he was gay, and whether he sees himself as a crusader for a cause.

“I suppose it’ll break down stereotypes. And that can only be a good thing. I’m just trying to get that message across. It’s okay.”