KindRED Pride Press Release – April 2023

KindRED PRIDE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW GLOBAL TRADITION: “RED SHIRT PRIDE DAY” 

AN ANNUAL RENDEZVOUS FOR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES & ALLIES AROUND THE WORLD TO WEAR RED THE FIRST SATURDAY OF PRIDE MONTH

Orlando, FL – The KindRED Pride Foundation is launching a global movement for the first Saturday of June each year where all LGBTQ+ individuals and allies wear a RED Shirt not only in celebration of Pride Month but as well as a message of “KindRED” spirit.

The link between red and Pride originated in 1991 when Disney cast members and the Central LGBT Community decided to meet socially on the first Saturday in June in front of the Castle at Magic Kingdom. They wore red t-shirts as an expression of pride and to identify their “kindred spirits” since they had only met on a bulletin board and never 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 Billy Looper, co-founder of the KindRED Pride Foundation

The movement was inspired by the so-called Moral Majority which staged a series of anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrations against the first Red Shirt Days at Disney World in Florida. 

Despite these challenges, Red Shirt Days 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 airplanes 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 Looper who hopes to start a yearly world-wide 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, Board Member of the KindRED Pride Foundation.

Engaging that connection and firing up that grassroot 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 their 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 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.

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 who 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.