Stop Hatred Embrace Diversity!
The S.H.E.D. Project!
The SHED Project (aka The Purple Ribbon Project) was started one night after hearing about a gay Rutgers University student's suicide, several suicides by gay youth across the country, and two separate hate crime attacks on gay men in New York City, all within a span of about two to three weeks. I was so outraged to say the least that I knew I had to do something.
As I was standing in the 42nd street subway station waiting for an uptown train to take me to work, a succinct phrase came to me that summed up exactly what I wanted to say: "Stop Hate Embrace Diversity!" It was simple, to the point, and instantly became my "signature" on my outgoing e-mails. A day or two later while at work, I remembered seeing two friend's Facebook pages earlier that day. Mike changed his profile picture to a purple hue, and Jim's talked of wearing purple as an outward sign to honor those who took their lives after being bullied and tortured for one too many times. As I thought more and more about this, the idea for The S.H.E.D. Project was born.
I am trying to educate others that whether or not you think this is a choice, LGBT youth are at risk and killing themselves because of it. Something can be done, something must be done. We can start by wearing a purple ribbon lapel pin or wristband (now available under the merchandise tab) and start telling our sons, daughters, cousins, spouses, friends, family, and anyone else that will listen that when we wear the purple ribbon, we embrace diversity and we are open to what is different than we are. We will teach others that it is okay if you date boys, if you date girls, or if you question who you are. It will take time, and so we will start small and early. It is an investment in the future, but it is one that needs to be made now more than ever. If one life is less bullied and saved from suicide by knowing someone out there loves them, then I did what I was called to do.
Thanks for your support. Thanks for visiting this page. Please take the pledge, pass the word, and wear something purple with pride!
Follow on Twitter: @SHEDproject
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SHEDproject
Email: info@theshedproject.org
As I was standing in the 42nd street subway station waiting for an uptown train to take me to work, a succinct phrase came to me that summed up exactly what I wanted to say: "Stop Hate Embrace Diversity!" It was simple, to the point, and instantly became my "signature" on my outgoing e-mails. A day or two later while at work, I remembered seeing two friend's Facebook pages earlier that day. Mike changed his profile picture to a purple hue, and Jim's talked of wearing purple as an outward sign to honor those who took their lives after being bullied and tortured for one too many times. As I thought more and more about this, the idea for The S.H.E.D. Project was born.
I am trying to educate others that whether or not you think this is a choice, LGBT youth are at risk and killing themselves because of it. Something can be done, something must be done. We can start by wearing a purple ribbon lapel pin or wristband (now available under the merchandise tab) and start telling our sons, daughters, cousins, spouses, friends, family, and anyone else that will listen that when we wear the purple ribbon, we embrace diversity and we are open to what is different than we are. We will teach others that it is okay if you date boys, if you date girls, or if you question who you are. It will take time, and so we will start small and early. It is an investment in the future, but it is one that needs to be made now more than ever. If one life is less bullied and saved from suicide by knowing someone out there loves them, then I did what I was called to do.
Thanks for your support. Thanks for visiting this page. Please take the pledge, pass the word, and wear something purple with pride!
Follow on Twitter: @SHEDproject
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SHEDproject
Email: info@theshedproject.org
