Toronto - This week, the world’s first and only ‘gay’ object – a sweater knit from the
donated hair of more than 100 LGBT people – makes its debut during Toronto
Fashion Week. Appearing ahead of this
summer’s upcoming Pride Week celebrations in Toronto, New York, San Francisco
and London, The Gay Sweater was created to make people everywhere understand
that it is incorrect and offensive to use language like ‘that’s so gay’ to
negatively describe something.
#TheGaySweater also aims to raise awareness of the detrimental effects
that such misuse of the word ‘gay’ has on LGBT youth. The project is an
initiative of The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD).
“The idea for the sweater was born from a desire to educate and
encourage everyone to use ‘gay’ the correct way,” said Jeremy Dias, director of
the CCGSD. “We want the conversation that surrounds the gay sweater to inspire
those who are using ‘gay’ in a detrimental way to both realize the negative
impact their words and actions are having and change their behaviour.”
Along with the sweater, a short film at thegaysweater.ccgsd-ccdgs.org
gives voice to youth who have been impacted by the derogatory use of the word
‘gay’ and showcases the process that went into creating the one-of-a-kind
sweater. Using the sweater and the film, the CCGSD is hoping to start a
much-needed conversation that encourages everyone to think before they use
hurtful words like ‘gay’ in a negative way.
Readers can follow that conversation and all sweater-related content on
the website and by searching the hashtag #TheGaySweater.
Stylist Jennifer McConville of CBC News Now styled models wearing the
sweater at David Pecaut Square.
About The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual
Diversity
The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD)
intersectionally promotes diversity in gender identity, gender expression, and
romantic and/or sexual orientation in all its forms on a national level through
services in the areas of education, health, and advocacy. What began as Jer’s
Vision in 2005, the newly named CCGSD uses resources and programming to uplift
gender and sexual minorities, as well as give the tools to wider populations in
building allyship.
As a leader in anti-discrimination work, CCGSD runs programming all over
Canada and the United States, reaching 250,000 people annually. The CCGSD is
also a proud leader in the International Day of Pink (DayOfPink.org) engaging
millions of people in wearing pink and to run programs that stand up to
bullying. Find out more about CCGSD, the International Day of Pink and get
involved in making your community a safer and more diverse place at http://ccgsd-ccdgs.org/.