Why? . . . because we can – we’re gay! We thought you knew that already. Seriously, we plan to challenge the preconceived notions about gay men held by society. We produce this gathering of men to capture the attention of the press and television by recruiting leaders who will break the ‘gay stereotype’ by just being themselves. Here’s our pitch: “Get real . . . it’s ok to be gay.”
We believe that the PINK BRACELET
represents an expression that is bubbling up into consciousness right now in more progressive societies – an idea seeking an outlet. Once enough people are conscious of the fact that “It’s OK to be gay” – then we believe there will be a tipping point of change . . . based on the “100th Monkey Concept” expressed by Telhiard in the 1950’s. (see my comment on this blog entry).
How? We offer you an action point, which is to donate a minimum of $5 to the PINK BRACELET CAMPAIGN, managed by the volunteers of the Noble Beast Foundation. We will send you the PINK BRACELET in a gift envelope specially designed by one of our supporting artists. There will also be a ‘suitable for framing’ Certificate naming you as a “Noble Beast.” We ask that you wear the PINK BRACELET
When? By wearing the PINK BRACELET, you are proclaiming that “It’s OK to be gay” every time someone asks you why you are wearing it, you can make that statement if you choose to do so. Just by wearing the PINK BRACELET, you remind yourself that it is ok to be gay . . . and if you are gay, then it will be a constant reminder that you are great just the way you are! We know that internalized homophobia is one of the most damaging and limiting restraints we place on ourselves. So you can wear the PINK BRACELET for your own benefit as well as a way to change the way society ‘sees’ gay people.
You don’t even have to be gay to wear the PINK BRACELET
Order your PINK BRACELET today online at www.MrGayCompetition.com – go to the Merchandise page and use either PayPal or your credit card to make your donation. We will put a PINK BRACELET in the mail to you in the special envelope. You might consider buying several and giving them to your friends who support the idea that it is time to 'get real . . . it’s ok to be gay.' Can you think of friends or family who might support that idea?
When you have your PINK BRACELET on – please feel free to send us a photo of you wearing the PINK BRACELET either as an individual expressing your belief or as a group in any location where you are creating a safe zone for people who may be fearful. Recognizable locations (the Golden Gate Bridge, Sydney Opera House, in front of BIG BEN, the Eiffel Tower, Disneyland, the Pyramids in Egypt or at the Rock of Gibraltar are a few examples of great locations), but what we want to promote is acceptance everywhere . . . we will post as many photos on our website along with your stories of what happens when people ask, or talk with you about the PINK BRACELET as we can.
All PHOTOS courtesy of photographer Donny Vasquez - thank you, Donny!!
3 comments:
The reference I mentioned in this post regarding Pierre Telhiard Chardin's theory about the "100th Monkey" ... refers to the concept that when the 100th Monkey learns something, that knowledge will move through the collective consciousness and impact all of society, even people (or monkeys) who have not had a direct association with the people who 'know' the new way.
This theory was developed from a study of monkeys on Japanese islands in the 1950's. It was observed that a group of monkeys on an isolated island would learn a technique (washing fruit)from their leaders and, once 100 monkeys knew that new technique, the same process would pop up in monkey populations on unconnected islands. Other monkey populations on separate islands would be observed doing the same thing even though they had no direct contact or opportunity to observe and learn that action.
Don Spradlin is DeweyDon
I would like to think you for the "Its OK to be Gay" campaign.
I would like to relay my story. I was married for ten years before it all fell apart after my return from Afghanistan with the National Guard and my desire to no longer be involved in politics, a life long goal of mine. I felt that if I wasn't going to be in politics (gay and politics don't mix in my small conservative state) why continue to be something I wasn't. By that time I had come to see being gay not as a person that engaged in illegal and sinful acts but instead as simply a label that described who I am as much as I am left handed, Caucasian and American. None of these things I chose but all of which affected me to make me the unique person that I proud of being.
I only came out three years ago at the age of 34. Another additional reasons I did not come out until then was that I joined the National Guard in a small conservative state at 17 years of age and have remained in the National Guard ever since, raising to the rank of Major. After I came out, I left my home state and one of the main reasons for that was that I could live as an openly gay man while not being afraid of accidentally "telling" the National Guard by living as a gay man in a very very small state.
I understand what it means to not think it is OK to be gay. Please be sure the I will proudly wear the pink bracelet to let everyone know that I know believe “It is OK to be gay.”
Hello I love your blog.
I spoke about your pink bracelet to my visitors.
Woudl you be ok to exchange links between our blogs?
We edit major gay blogs
www.restoringlove.com
http://www.mrgayspeaks.blogspot.com/
www.theunderwearpower.com
kisses
erik
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