Clothes for a Cause: Human Rights Campaign
Disclaimer: Here at CF, we love hearing your opinions and believe in political objectivity, so please note that the following article is not meant to be a political opinion piece. Rather, its purpose is to shine light on an organization that is participating in fashion for a cause, and to inform those who have seen Prop 8 on the news and are interested in learning more.
For this week’s “Clothes for a Cause,” I wanted to cover an issue — albeit, a pretty controversial one — that has been in the news a lot lately. Last week, California ruled Prop 8 unconstitutional, therefore lifting the state’s ban on gay marriage. Of course, this is a huge step forward for gay rights.
The organization I have chosen to highlight for this piece, the Human Rights Campaign, is one of the oldest organizations, founded in 1980, that solely focuses on promoting equal rights for LGBT individuals. The Campaign works to educate and inform the public, as well as lobby the government, in hopes of implementing changes to help the LGBT community reach their goal of equal rights.
Since the overturn of Prop 8 — whether you support it or not — is certainly going to make history, it’s definitely important to educate yourself on this monumental change. Checking out the HRC can help you learn about the history leading up to the moment, as well as the organization’s goals for the future.
The HRC’s Fashionable Friends
The HRC’s work has garnered the attention of fashion heavyweights such as American Apparel, Kenneth Cole, and Alex & Chloe. These labels have created special pieces for the HRC to help promote their cause. Below, I’ve included some of my favorite pieces, but you can shop the entire HRC store, which includes clothing, jewelry, and other items for both men and women, here.
All pieces from HRC.com
I love me some American Apparel basics, and this “Legalize Gay” tee shirt not only looks seriously comfy, but promotes the HRC’s mission as well. The navy color is also great since it is unisex!
As I noted in my first “Clothes for a Cause” article, Kenneth Cole is one of the most politically active designers out there today, so it is no surprise that he designed a shirt for this hot-button issue. His take on classic American propaganda has a cool, satiric sort of feel and like the American Apparel tee above, is definitely something that can be worn by men or women.
My absolute favorite item sold on the HRC site is definitely this Alex & Chloe necklace, which I think gives a great pop art twist to any outfit and will match with literally anything. The design is so interesting and while I love it in necklace form, it is also available printed on tees and hoodies.
What Do You Think?
What was your reaction to this historic court decision? Have you heard of the HRC before? Is this an organization you’d be interested in getting involved in? Which of the pieces are your favorites? Let us know!
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Posted on on August 13, 2010 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: Alex & Chloe, American Apparel, Clothes for a Cause, Gay rights, Human Rights Campaign, Kenneth Cole, Prop 8
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Heather
It blows my mind that gay marriage is even still an issue in America, a country that toots it’s own horn too loudly about being free and equal. If you’re against gay marriage keep it to yourself. What difference does it make to you who someone wants to get married to?
Leslie
I love those two shirts and the necklace, but my since school probably won’t, I’ll just spring for the necklace.
A
Love the first shirt, I’d totally wear it. I agree with Heather in just sheer absurdity as to why gay marriage is even an issue. How does someone else’ marriage effect you, it just makes no sense. I think its beyond ridiculous that prop 8 was dismissed because another piece of paper said so, I figured it should be human and our humanity that can realize that banning gay marriage is pure cruelty.
rach
While I am not personally against people marrying whomever they chose (their business, not mine) and I love to see fashion supporting a cause, I do think your post left out key points as to why the overturning Prop 8 is an issue to some people, and it has nothing to do with the actual issue it represents, but with judicial supremacy vs voting power of the people. I would be totally fine with the people of Cali voting pro gay marriage. I am not fine with a judge deciding to overturn popular vote because it sets a legal precedent that you can bet the courts will use again – the precedent of a judge having the power to negate the votes of seven million people. :/ Imagine that power applied in the reverse, or to other causes you may not agree with, and I think you’ll see why its an issue. However, instead of a judicial overturn, I would be in favor of Prop 8 going back through the voting system and legal process. So…I would be very pro a shirt campaign that encouraged us to stand by our Constitutional rights as voting Americans…..but that’s just my opinion. ;)
Rin
I would never wear anything with my personal beliefs on it. Look at all the emotions it recalls in the comments! At my college and in my town, people would definitely come up to me to argue and make comments. Plus, there are definitely situations where it is inappropriate.
Faith
How are you going to say “If you’re against gay marriage keep it to yourself.” What if I say “If you’re for gay marriage keep that to yourself.” Then I would be the “bad guy”. Everyone is allowed to express how they feel. Sheesh…
Anyways to answer your What do You Think Questions:
…Aren’t America’s laws founded on Christian principles…
No.
No.
None.
Zephyr - CF Editor
Hey guys,
Just wanted to step in here before things got too heated. As we mentioned in the disclaimer, this post wasn’t meant as political commentary or opinion in any way, so please keep that in mind when commenting. I know there are lots of strong opinions out there on both sides of the issue, but no matter where you stand on this, it’s essential that you be respectful to others who may feel differently when commenting here.
There’s a way to have a mature discussion about a particular cause without belittling others or treating them like their opinions don’t matter. I’ll keep comments open on this for now, but if the discussion becomes a flaming contest, or you guys can’t handle discussing this in a respectful way, I’m going to turn commenting off.
One of my favorite things about CF is that we’re all part of this little online community, and we can all discuss things maturely, despite the fact that we’re a diverse bunch with different lifestyles and opinions! So let’s keep it that way.
Faith
Personally, I think it’s great. If it’s a cause you support, you should be proud to display it!
Paula
I love that you featured HRC!!! I definitely want a few of their shirts :)
Molly
I think it’s really interesting how much of a debate even a fashion article on this subject stirs up. I think a lot of people were against gay marriage because it changes the meaning of a legal commitment millions of others have taken, in its original form. To me, it’s sort of like changing the terms on a contract after you’ve signed it. That said, It’s difficult in a modern day and age to base Law solely on a single religions principles, it excludes all other religions, not to mention there are sections of christianity that allow gay priests. There are good arguments on both sides, but ultimately I feel people should be able to choose who they marry, regardless of their sex. I don’t mean this to offend anyone, but it’s a complex issue that is difficult to reach a consensus on. Rach also raised a good point, should a judge be able to overturn 7million people?
that said, I love the necklace, the two shirts would look horrid on me because they have round necks.
Great Article, it shows a lot of courage to post on something so controversial.
Carolyn
On the question of judicial decisions: judges are required by oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and to ensure that the states and local governments follow that constitution. That means that Chicago doesn’t have the right to ban handguns, because of the right to bare arms; it means California doesn’t have the right to deny its citizens “life, liberty or property” without due process (the grounds on which Prop 8 was overturned).
We have a democracy, but we have a constitutional democracy. That means that the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land, and any other laws must be in line with the Constitution. Judges are supposed to ensure that that happens. If an amendment to the federal constitution were passed, then that would affect the decision, but states cannot amend their constitutions in a way that contradicts the federal constitution.
Please note that it’s been a while since I brushed up on constitutional law, so I might be wrong about some of the details above, but I think that’s about right. If I’m totally off, I’m really sorry.
Anyway: thanks for posting something controversial. The shirts are cute, and more importantly, they’re not offensive (that is, they don’t insult people with the opposite view). So long as you keep the attitude positive around here, I’m thrilled with your decision to go a little more thought-provoking.
Melissa Rose
why should the majority vote on the rights of a minority?
peace & equality for everyone.
love that you featured the HRC!
Ali
I think it’s great that CF is putting up a piece that gets people talking – especially not in a derogatory sense. We are the next generation to deal with these issues, so it’s important that we learn to talk about them with an open mind. As a Californian and a strong supporter of the LGBTQIA community, I’m glad to see it here.
In regards to Rach’s comment about her concern (and many’s) being that a federal judge overthrew a popular vote, Carolyn’s right when she says that the court’s duty is to uphold the Constitution and the rights of the people, not what a majority may agree with.
Think about it: if the majority decided what happened to the minority, would segregation ever have ended in the South? It took multiple (highly debated) court cases, police escorts and a violent backlash before segregation ended. Brown v. Board of Education, McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents and numerous other cases and laws to end segregation. Without the court having this power, who knows how long the end of segregation and the victory of civil rights would have taken.
VICARIO/VICARIOPUSDAY/DON MOISÉS/MOISÉS IBRAHIM
COLEGIO RETAMAR: PAX IN AETERNUM, BUT WORK FOR PAX IN TERRA.
1. OPUS DEI has TALIBANIZED CHURCH and INVADED the VATICAN PLANET.
2. CATHOLIC SEX SCANDALS means that SATAN has arrived in the VATICAN.
3. The VATICAN PLANET has been hit by PRIEST HOMOSEXUAL PROSTITUTION.
4. The VATICAN PLANET and VILLA TEVERE PENTAGON share RESPONSABILITY.
5. CHURCH SLAVERY and OPUS DEI RADICALISM have given birth to LIBERALISM.
6. CATHOLICISM and OPUSDEISM have given birth and earth to PAEDOPHILIA.
7. FAITH on REASON has become a TREASON and takes part in WARS on ERROR.
8. OPUS DEI and CHURCH SPIRITUAL YIHADST TERRORISM drives yo NOWHERE.
9. The VATICAN and the OPUS DEI WALLS are too THICK, but TRUTH is so CLEAR.
10. YOU have to LIVE and SEE, TOUCH and FEEL, DO and LEARN, MAKE and TEACH.
11. LOVE is a UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE and SEX has no SEX, GENDER, AGE, or RACE.
12. What would POOR CHRIST do at the LAST TIMES of CHURCH and OPUSDEISM ?
VICARIO/VICARIOPUSDAY/VICARIOPUSDEI/VICARIOPUSECTDEI/VICARIOPUSEXDEI/DON MOISÉS/MOISÉS IBRAHIM: EX OPUS DEI SUPERNUMERARY and EX EDUCADOR of distinguisged school, COLEGIO RETAMAR, in MADRID, for THIRTY THREE YEARS. GLORY TO GOD in HEAVEN and DAMN on SPIRITUAL