This week I talked with Alison Burgos, Co-Founder & Vice President of the KindRED Pride Foundation about the launch of “Red Shirt Pride Day” a global movement on the first Saturday of June to get a million LGBTQ individuals & allies to wear a red shirt not only in celebration of Pride Month but as a message of “KindRED” spirit in these challenging times. The link between red & Pride originated in 1991 when Disney cast members & the Central Florida LGBTQ 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 & to identify their “kindred spirits” since they had never met in person. “Gay Disney” flourished & 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. The LGBTQ community responded in droves & year after year have journeyed to Disney World Resorts from around the world. Burgos hopes to start a yearly worldwide tradition with Red Shirt Pride Day building connections with LGBTQ communities & allies around the world as a sign of solidarity for those who believe in diversity, inclusion, equality, safe expression & kindness. The KindRED Pride Foundation will inaugurate its Red Shirt Campaign at the official kickoff of Pride Cup the annual LGBTQ multi-sport competition held during Gay Disney weekend that takes place June 1st to June 4th in Orlando, Florida. I talked to Alison about what she hopes to accomplish with Red Shirt Pride Day & her spin on our LGBTQ issues.
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