KindRED Pride Foundation Wants You to #FlockToFlorida for RED Shirt Pride Days

Have you ever considered wearing red for Pride? Well, the KindRED Foundation gives you the perfect reason, by launching a global social media campaign to counteract the travel advisory issued by Equality Florida Action, Inc. 

Years ago, the KindRED foundation launched a global movement for the first Saturday of each June each year, where members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies wear KindRED shirts to identify their kindred spirits at Gay Disney.

So, what’s the link between the color red and Pride? It all started in Florida in 1991 when Walt Disney cast members and the LGBTQ community of Central Florida met on the first day of June in front of the famous Magic Kingdom Castle. On this day, they decided to wear red t-shirts to identify their “kindred spirits” for Pride, since they were only names on a bulletin board until they met in person. 

“The KindRED Pride Foundation was inspired by the desire to expand the magic created by those who bravely participated in the original ‘Gay and Lesbian Day at Magic Kingdom,” says Alison Burgos, co-founder and Vice President of the KindRED Pride Foundation.  

She continues, “We want to honor the courage of the cast members who risked their careers by expressing their kindred spirits over 30 years ago and to honor all the LGBTQ+ visitors from around the world who have brought their own ‘Magic’ to Magic Kingdom each year.”

“Gay Disney” flourished and quickly grew to be one of the largest LGBTQ+ annual gatherings in the world. The growth was in part the result of the national exposure brought on by the protests of far-right groups threatening to boycott. With airplane banners flying overhead until 2013, the LGBTQ+ community responded in droves and year after year journeyed to Disney World Resorts from around the world.

“Red is also the first color of the rainbow flag and stands as a symbol of life and passion,” says Burgos who hopes to start a yearly worldwide tradition to build connections with LGBTQ+ communities and allies around the world – a sign of solidarity for those that believe in diversity, inclusion, equality, safe expression, and kindness.

“What better way to kick off Pride Month than people around the world wearing RED as a celebration of life in all of its different colors, shapes, sizes, genders, orientations, nationalities, ages, abilities, and status,” says Tom Christ, Co-Founder and Board Member of the KindRED Pride Foundation.

Engaging that connection and firing up that grassroots outreach via social media, the KindRED Pride Foundation is inviting people throughout the world to organically join the movement by posting an image and/or a video of themselves wearing red using the hashtags #REDshirtchallenge, #TaketheREDshirtchallenge, and #RSPD.

The first Saturday of June will now be RED Shirt Pride Day Around the World! The KindRED Pride Foundation will inaugurate its Red Shirt Campaign at the official kickoff of its very own Pride Cup. The Pride Cup is an annual LGBTQ+ multi-sport competition held during Gay Disney weekend – the first weekend in June in Orlando. With events welcoming all levels of athletes, the spirit of the competition is “Be Kind Champion” to coincide with the Pride Month celebration and RED Shirt Pride Days. Registration for The Pride Cup is open now.

Individuals, groups, and 501(c) (3) organizations can sign up at www.thepridecup.com. A handful of corporate sponsors are on board again this year to support The Pride Cup, including our sister publication, Gayming Magazine.

KindRED Pride Foundation says in its 180 different responses, “Let’s thank Disney by inviting your friends from around the world to join you in support by showing up and showing out at Gay Disney! Wear your RED and let’s flock to Disney for RED Shirt Pride Days – June 1 – 5!”

Learn more about RED Shirt Pride Day here: www.taketheredshirtchallenge.com

More About KindRED Pride Foundation

KindRED Pride Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to support the endeavors of like-minded charities for the education, promotion, and celebration of Diversity, Inclusion, Equality, Safe Expression, and Kindness. The organization is aligning with national, regional, and local non-profits that provide valuable resources to fight bullying, teen homelessness, HIV services, and legal/business/housing services to the LGBT+ community.

For more information, go to www.kindredpride.org.