Last month, an online store that nobody had ever heard of made the best PR move they’d ever come up with, and started selling a muscle shirt that read “NO FATS NO FEMS” in big, block letters. If you’ve been paying any attention to what I’m doing here, you can imagine my thoughts on somebody who would define themselves in such a shallow and narrow manner, and then be so pleased about that sad ditch they’d dug for themselves that they wanted to spend TWENTY EIGHT AMERICAN CASH MONEY DOLLARS (plus shipping) to advertise it to others.
I’m not here to tell you what you should be into, or that you gotta like all the things. That’s not ever the point. Like what you like!
But the point is that words and ideas like this have consequences. You’re not dismissing “fats” and “fems” on an island all by yourself. You’re saying that (and really saying more important things about yourself, tbqh) people you think fall into these categories are beneath you. Less than you. And if you’re doing it on a hook up app or with a shitty muscle shirt, you’re saying it directly to those people. And
Enter hookup app, Jack’d:
WORDS MATTER.
“Gay men are three times as likely to have an eating disorder, twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and suffer a suicide rate double those of other men. Words matter. They have consequences. That is why we were disheartened to see Marek + Richard perpetuate the toxic put-down, ‘No Fats No Fems,’ in their new line of apparel.
As the youngest, and most diverse community of gay men around the world, we see it as our responsibility to create a safe space to connect, and empower our generation to stamp out exclusionary phrases from our vocabulary once and for all.
We appreciate the conversation this has sparked, but retroactive satire is not enough. All proceeds from our new #NoBulliesNoBigots apparel will go to support The Trevor Project, an organization focused on suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. For every purchase, Jack’d will commit a dollar-for-dollar matching donation.”
They made a better shirt!
Russell Horsey, who is the social media coordinator for Jack’d (on the left up there in the pic), explained his involvement with the #NoBulliesNoBigots campaign:
“As the social media person for Jack’d, it was important for me to be a part of this campaign to show that words matter and how you express your preferences is important. Sometimes we forget that there are real people behind the grids of guys, and we should all strive to be more mindful of how we portray ourselves. “
MP Campos (on the right with the blue hair), the marketing and jr. graphic designer guy for Jack’d added:
“Having had first-hand experience with the effects of negative speech and shaming, this campaign really hits close to home. As a community, it is imperative that we be inclusive and accountable for our actions. It’s time we throw less shade and shine more light.”
Words Matter. All proceeds go to support @TrevorProject w/matching donation. #ChangeTheGame https://t.co/0OBKsnVQrC pic.twitter.com/wIogjtHTrm
— jackd (@jackd) May 12, 2016
Every order gets a dollar for dollar match in donation to the Trevor Project, who does incredible work with crisis intervention and suicide prevention in the LGBT community. I encourage you to go check out the Zazzle page for this shirt and even if you’re not gonna wear it yourself, maybe grabbing one as a gift for someone you know, just because this is a real and important cause.
Nice job, guys.
– tyler
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