{"id":530,"date":"2012-05-02T17:58:57","date_gmt":"2012-05-02T21:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.glso.org\/enews\/?p=530"},"modified":"2012-05-31T23:44:40","modified_gmt":"2012-06-01T03:44:40","slug":"local-business-owner-shocked-at-discrimination-sponsors-pride-festival-t-shirts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glso.org\/enews\/2012\/05\/local-business-owner-shocked-at-discrimination-sponsors-pride-festival-t-shirts\/","title":{"rendered":"LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER SHOCKED AT DISCRIMINATION; SPONSORS PRIDE FESTIVAL T-SHIRTS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>\u201cWe need to fix this,\u201d was the reaction of Chris Swain, Senior Accounts Manager of Cincy Apparel, upon learning of Hands On Originals refusal to print t-shirts for this year\u2019s Lexington Pride Festival, scheduled for downtown Lexington on June 30.\u201cI was completely shocked that Hands On Originals would discriminate against anyone, let alone a festival that celebrates diversity.\u201d said Swain. \u201c As business professionals, we have no right to judge our clients. My job is to provide a service for the community.\u201dThe Lexington Pride Festival, which regularly draws crowds upwards of 10,000 people, began in 2008 as a means to celebrate diversity in Central and Eastern Kentucky.\u00a0 Participants from all over the state and surrounding areas have the opportunity to purchase merchandise, listen to singers and songwriters, view and read art and literature and interact with members of the LGBT community.\u00a0\u00a0 The festival also gives local businesses the opportunity to sell their goods and services by manning booths, advertising in promotional materials or sponsoring the festival itself.\u00a0 Over the fie year history, more than 150 local businesses have participated.In mid-March, Hands On Originals, after initially quoting a price for the t-shirt print job, told a representative of the Lexington Pride Festival they would not print the t-shirts based on religious beliefs stating the festival\u2019s message would clash with the company\u2019s Christian based values.Following this, on March 25th, the GLSO board met in emergency session and agreed to file a complaint with the HRC under the Lexington Fairness Ordinance.\u00a0 The case is pending. \u201cI felt like Cincy Apparel should not only apologize for such a discriminatory act by our competitor, but to help right this wrong by giving what we can.\u201d added Swain.The initial run of 500 t-shirts is being printed at no cost by Cincy Apparel, who would otherwise charge around $3000 for such an order. \u201cWe felt the need to make a serious stand against discrimination. The money we lose on this project is nothing compared to the propagation of hate that Hands On Originals has conveyed by refusing to deal with an organization that helps the community strive.\u201dGLSO Board President Aaron Baker said the committee received numerous offers to print the t-shirts at dis-counted prices.”One of the unintended consequences of the ongoing situation with Hands On Originals refusing to print the t-shirts for our Pride Festival is the out-pouring of support we’ve seen from the community. We’ve had nearly a dozen t-shirt printing companies, both local and national, contact us to say that they would be happy to print our t-shirts for the Pride Festival, and that they do not discriminate. It is heartening to see that there are businesses who recognize that discrimination just isn’t good business, and that the GLBT community’s dollars are just as green as anyone else’s.”Swain took it upon himself to learn more about the festival and its sponsoring organization.\u201cAfter participating in a recent meeting with GLSO and discussing their needs, I felt even more confident that the choice to sponsor this event was a good one. GLSO strives to serve their community with essential services, and we couldn\u2019t be more proud to work with such a great organization.\u201d said Swain.The Lexington Pride Festival will take place, rain or shine, this June 30, 2012, beginning at 11 a.m. in down-town Lexington at the Courthouse Square.\u00a0 The festival\u2019s message of valuing diversity among people will be on display everywhere and especially on the t-shirts sponsored by Cincy Apparel.\u201cGive love and be tolerant of every-one. These are the principles our business was founded upon and we continue to practice them every day.\u201d\u00a0 Said Swain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cWe need to fix this,\u201d was the reaction of Chris Swain, Senior Accounts Manager of Cincy Apparel, upon learning of Hands On Originals refusal to print t-shirts for this year\u2019s Lexington Pride Festival, scheduled for downtown Lexington on June 30.\u201cI…<\/p>\n

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