Rainbow Laces Campaign

 

As some of you will know, especially those who read this blog,  I wear Rainbow Laces in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign by Stonewall, to show that the LGBTQ Community can participate in sport, exercise etc.giving them the feeling like they belong, and are not an outsider. 

For a while now I have been thinking about how I can show my support at work for the campaign, when it would net be professional of me to wear rainbow coloured laces in my work shoes. Fortunately Stonewall have come up with the answer, and alongside the the rainbow coloured laces they also sell white and black laces, that come complete with a  charm, in the colours of the rainbow pride flag, and either the Stonewall icon, or Stonewall and the Stonewall icon on them. 

This is a brilliant idea and allows me to show my support for the Rainbow Laces campaign, while still wearing black laces in my work shoes,, along with a discreet Rainbow Laces charm, that does not stand out as much as multi-coloured Rainbow Laces.

I’m hoping that by wearing these laces, at work, along with a Progress Pride Flag pin badge,  I’m showing the world that

1. I’m part of the LGBTQ community
2. It’s ok to be a member of the LGBTQ community

I’m hoping that the more people that wear Rainbow Laces, especially during sport, the better, as this will show the world that you are welcome, belong here and that they support inclusion.  

LGBT Rights

Having recently seen all the press around the banning of conversion therapy for all LGBT+ individuals, I thought I would share how I am now, 19 months from my last blog post,  showing my support for LGBT+ rights.

I use a "man bag" and on the strap that is visible on the front I have 3 pin badges Each one has a meaning and I'll explain each one below.

Pride Roundel 

I use this to show the world that I am gay and take pride in who I am.

Come out for LGBT.

This is to show my continuing support for LGBT rights and Acceptance, and Stonewalls Come Out For LGBT. campaign.

Rainbow Laces

I wear Rainbow Laces and badge to show that I want to make sport everybody's game, rather than just a game for normal people.

Conversion Therapy Ban

I also believe there is no LGB without the T and fully support Stonewall's campaign calling for Conversion Therapy to be banned. In our modern society it should be made illegal, and when the government introduce a ban it should include Transgendered people as well as Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals.

Support for Stonewall & LGBT Rights

‪Recently I have made a couple of purchases from Stonewall in order to show my support for 2 of their campaigns.

So pleased that by wearing Rainbow Laces from Stonewall I’m supporting their Come Out Active for LGBT equality in sport campaign

Also by adding a Stonewall Come Out For LGBT pin badge to the others on my “man bag”  I’m showing my support for LGBT rights & acceptance.

I think it is very important now more than ever in light of recent events involving the LGBT community of which I’m a part off to show that I proudly support LGBT rights and acceptance along with equality in sport. It should not matter whether you are gay or straight, you should be accepted for who you are.

You may have also noticed a non gay pin badge at the bottom of those on my "man bag". This is a Clan Macintosh pin badge, to show that as a Ritchie I'm a part of  the Scottish Macintosh clan, an important part of my heritage.

If you would like to know what the other badges on my "man bag" mean to me have a look at this post.