08/23/2012

Washington – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization is unveiling its newest collaboration with openly gay children’s book author and artist Todd Parr.  HRC and Parr are united in a mission to promote love, kindness, and equality- in the home, on the playground, and in our schools.

The “Be Who You Are Tee” cheerfully features several of well-known artist Todd Parr’s trademark characters and the positive message: “Be Who You Are.’ Parr, who previously designed the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools graphics and logo, is known for his kindhearted, reassuring children’s picture and story books.

“Welcoming Schools is about creating the nurturing and inclusive environments that Todd Parr’s illustrations represent,” said Kim Westheimer, Welcoming Schools Director.  “As kids across the country head back to school, we want them to feel that they and their families are respected for all the diversity they bring to their school communities.   We are honored to be able to present Todd Parr’s lively and original artwork as a symbol of the acceptance we want for all kids.

A project of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Welcoming Schools offers tools, lessons, and resources on embracing family diversity, avoiding gender stereotyping and ending bullying and name calling in elementary schools. With an LGBT-inclusive approach, Welcoming Schools provides administrators, educators, and parents the materials they need to create learning environments in which all students are welcomed and respected. To see some of these helpful resources and connect with Welcoming School’s national team of experts, visit the Welcoming Schools page: http://www.welcomingschools.org.  You can also join the Welcoming School community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WelcomingSchools.

Constructed of a cotton blend designed to hold up through multiple washings, these youth t-shirts are available in sizes XS-L. The limited-edition collaboration will be sold exclusively at HRC Stores in Provincetown, MA; San Francisco, CA; Palm Springs, CA; Washington, D.C.; and online at shop.hrc.org. Retailing for $19, 100 percent of net proceeds will go toward HRC's fight for LGBT equality. Also included with every “Be Who You Are” t-shirt sold is an exclusive Todd Parr ‘Welcoming Schools’ poster.

Download high resolution images by clicking on the images below.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.