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As you’re gearing up for that love-it or hate-it holiday, Valentine’s Day, we wanted to introduce you to (or remind you about) Revel & Riot, an awesome company that has updated the world of symbols and products for the LGBTQ (and supportive) community.
Just in time for V-day, they are now selling these greeting cards, because “all the usual commercialism, LGBTQ exclusion and overt heterosexism tend to make this a less-favored holiday by LGBTQ people.” That’s not all! Revel & Riot will also donate $1 from every pack sold to the Ali Forney Center, an organization that supports LGBTQ homeless youth in New York City.
Not only will you be handing out the coolest cards of all, you’re helping out homeless LGBTQ kids in the process. Purchase a pack (or more!) of 10 cards for $15 here.
Revel & Riot offers so much more than greeting cards, so while you’re buying a pack, be sure to check out their other cool products like the “God Hates Bags” tote, browse through the resource section for a handy collection of information on trans health, community organizations, suicide prevention, coming out and more. They also have a very nice news section broken down into Revel and Riot categories, as well as a short history of LGBTQ symbolism and art.
We’ve included a note from founders EE Storey and Sarah Fobes from the About section of the Revel & Riot website because we think what they do is super fantastic. Check it out below:
The primary objective of Revel & Riot is to promote LGBTQ rights, awareness and equality through new media, graphics, writing, and products on the Internet.
The most prominent gay graphics (the rainbow flag and pink triangle) are classic standards, though we have barely taken them beyond the confines of their own geometry since the late 1970s. Revel & Riot aims to create art that challenges (and respectfully updates) the narrow field of LGBTQ merchandising and adds to the domain of LGBTQ art and design. The struggles of LGBTQ people today encompass countless intersecting and overlapping issues and oppressions (marriage equality, hate crimes, HIV/AIDS, feminism, poverty, suicide, the rise of religious fundamentalism, transphobia, racism, immigration equality, etc). We believe that it is crucial to acknowledge, respect and build community around these overlapping and parallel struggles and to fight against all forms of oppression. As LGBTQ visibility grows, so does the discernible diversity of our movement. LGBTQ people and allies of all ages, cultures, gender expressions and backgrounds seek art and ideas that reflect the fluidity and evolution of their struggles and their style.
Revel & Riot aims to be as inclusive and creative as possible. As the merchandise line expands, so will the diversity of our concepts and campaigns. We assume that every LGBTQ person and ally will respond differently to our products and content. We see beauty and possibilities in these differences. We hope that this draws people to Revel & Riot and that our involvement, conversation and support is reciprocated.
While merchandising is a significant part of our business, Revel & Riot also provides comprehensive news coverage and extensive resource listings, with a focus on fund-raising and community building. A percentage of all merchandise sales go to LGBTQ organizations and campaigns. Our resource listing is an attempt to make the search for LGBTQ websites and organizations fast and easy, as well as free of hateful propaganda, dead links and outdated information. It is a work in progress and we invite our users to contact us with useful additions to our listings.
The duality of LGBTQ life inspires the company approach, as well as the format of the news portion of our site. Revel and riot; parade and protest; joyful and incensed – we celebrate love and life, yet none of us are untouched by frustrating, painful, and often terrifying homophobia, transphobia, hate, ignorance and violence. In our reporting we make a distinction between ‘revel’ topics (i.e. parties, parades, festivals, art, music, pop culture, legal battles won, inspiring stories) and ‘riot’ topics (i.e. exposing homophobes, protests, campaigns, suicides, hate crimes, topics that call us to action) to emphasize these contrasts and draw attention to the continued need for social activism. Revel & Riot aims to be a living collection of LGBTQ inspiration in the fight against all forms of oppression.
Thank you,
ee storey, founder
sarah fobes, founder
