Say Gay
VC is proud to release a new Conversation Starters collection, SAY GAY. The design was created by artist and community organizer, Layne Scherer. The following are Layne's reflections on the design and SAY GAY.
The first months of 2022 have seen the introduction of a number of anti-gay and anti-trans legislation that would negatively affect LGBTQIA+ youth and their families across the U.S. The "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida bans public school teachers from holding classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity.
Creating the SAY GAY print was a way to voice my dissent against these laws, as well as the dehumanizing values that back them up.
Meanwhile, Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, sent a directive to lawmakers to have gender-affirming medical treaments to transgender youths considered "child abuse" under state law. Idaho and Alabama also have laws that criminalize gender-affirming medical treatment of transgender youth, and they have imposed penalties against doctors who provide care for young transgender people.
For me, creating the SAY GAY print was a way to voice my dissent against these laws, as well as the dehumanizing values that back them up. These actions, along with many others that are cropping up across the country, threaten the health, well-being, and safety of some of the most vulnerable groups in our country and the world.
I believe it is important to share my queer identity and my support of others in the LGBTQIA+ community with pride. The ability to show up as our truest, most authentic selves is a fundamental right, and this piece is a show of support to all of those who are fighting to keep it.
What's happening in your state?
Equality Federation's state legislation tracker
American Civil Liberties Union's LGBTQ news page
Human Rights Campaign LGBTQ+ laws and legislation page
About the Art
The original art was created as lino block prints. Layne takes a piece of linoleum and carve out the mirror-reverse image that she wants to print. Then she rolls ink on top of the block (which is essentially a stamp), and then transfers to paper.
Wear the Gear; Start a Conversation
Shop the SAY GAY collection and start a conversation with your friends, teammates, kids, colleagues or strangers.
VC and Layne have donated $500 to the Trans Youth Equality Foundation to celebrate the launch of this design, and 15% of all revenue generated from this design will also be donated to the Trans Youth Equality Foundation.