Not Sorry Blog — pride is protest

Affirmations is a LGBTQ+ community center that was founded in 1989, their mission is to provide a welcoming space for everyone to express themselves as they please. All gender identities, sexual expressions and cultures are welcome and can find support, socialize, will feel safe and have unconditional acceptance. Affirmations is more than just a building, they are authentically bringing love, inclusivity, hope and dreams to their youth and seniors.

We are so excited to be teamed up with them & Gathering Coffee Co to donate profits from our Pride goods! Profits will go towards supporting this amazing community center and the great work they do.

Here's a bit of what they do:

Offer resources for the youth like development and leadership programs- where they help mold the youth into becoming young adults with skills such as resume writing , mental health, racism, and much more.

Affirmations Angels is a senior program that help with the needed care of individuals that were affected by the HIV.AIDS crisis in the late 90's. In partnership with SAGE, Affirmations Angels provides non-medical assistance such as transportation, grocery shopping, light meal prep and other daily needs to the often marginalized members of the community. With COVID taking place they have zoom meetings frequently to check in, stay connected and complete grocery deliveries. 

Affirmations also provides support and discussion groups. These are free and intended for anyone who needs support, connection and community. Some of the different groups they have are coming out discussions, disability, gentle yoga, LGBTQ+ parents, mens discussion, LGBTQ+ people of color, and transgender and nonbinary discussions. These are all held virtually at the moment and can be found on their website. 

Other services they have include inclusion training, advocacy and health & wellness. If you are looking to volunteer, support, give or donate to this amazing center that wants to help individuals thrive in life you can do so right on their website under the get involved and support tabs. 

"What is Juneteenth?"

Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrating the abolishment of slavery. It originated in Galveston, Texas in 1865 on June 19th. Federal troops arrived and declared that all slaves be freed. This happened nearly three years later after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Throughout this process the export of slaves from Africa to the United States ended.

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We are so happy to say that were featured on Seattle Gay News for being a LGBTQ small business! Seattle Gay News is one of the largest newspapers in the world catering to the LGBTQ community. The article says:

"If trendy Pride wear is what you're looking for but you're also environmentally conscious, then check out Not Sorry Goods [notsorrygoods.com]. Based in Detroit, this is a Black- and Latinx-owned business with a focus on sustainability. It offers a variety of Pride products made out of recycled materials, a cute black denim jacket with rainbow cursive writing on the back advocating for recycling, and perhaps best of all, a long-sleeved black crop top with the words "Queer Not Sorry" embroidered above the heart. The items at Not Sorry Goods are a bit more spendy than those at other online and local stores, but they're worth it for the good quality and recycled materials."

Thanks Lindsey Anderson for including us!

Check out our Pride Collection here. 

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In June of every year, Pride Month is celebrated by the LGBTQIA+ community across the country. While Pride is a celebration of visibility, equality, and self-affirmation; it is necessary to remember that Pride commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots. The first Pride was a protest against police brutality and oppression. 

On June 28, 1969, police officers raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. Gay bars were often raided, in which police harassed and arrested patrons based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. On this night, patrons fought back in what is now known as the Stonewall Uprising. The riot ignited on June 28 lasted throughout the night and for the next six days. While thousands of people joined in on the protests and riots, it is important to note that the uprising was led largely by trans people of color. Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, and Sylvia Rivera were all crucial to the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising and continued their activism for LGBTQ rights. 

The message "Pride is Protest" keeps us mindful of the movement's beginnings, but also maintains focus on present-day where queer folks - especially Black & Trans people - still regularly face discrimination in-person and online.

Our "Trans Rights are Human Rights" tee was made in response to the harmful legislation recently passed in Tennessee and Arkansas as well as anti-trans bills currently circulating in dozens of state legislatures across the country. Trans rights are under attack and these dangerous bills actively harm trans people! 

Click here to see the full list of anti-trans bills currently active in state legislatures across the country. Thirty-three states (including Michigan!) have introduced more than 100 bills that aim to curb the rights of transgender people across the country, with advocacy groups calling 2021 a record-breaking year for such legislation. 

ALL PROFITS from our "Pride is Protest" gear and "Trans Rights" tee will be donated to Go Affirmations to support the local trans & queer community in Metro Detroit. There are so many amazing queer organizations that are worthy of support - we recommend giving back to ones located in your community in any way you can. We appreciate your support and together we can make the change we want to see.