This started out as just a simple task to create a PINK T-shirt for myself. A cool PINK T-shirt for “Pink T-Shirt Day”.
I wanted to create myself a t-shirt that was “purpose built” and at the same time, was flexible enough to be worn all the time, any time or any where. The last place I wanted my PINK T-shirt to be, was the bottom of a drawer.
What Is Pink Shirt Day
On the last Wednesday of the last week of February we celebrate #PINKSHIRTDAY; which commemorates the special day in 2007 when 2 high school students in Nova Scotia, Canada, took action to raise awareness and put a stop to the bullying of one of their classmates that wanted to simply wear the colour "pink" to school one day.
Those 2 classmates organized a "PINK SHIRT DAY". Everyone wore PINK to show the bullies that there are a lot more PINK shirts than there are bullies.
[ SHOP PINK - FOLLOW PINK ]
On Wednesday We Wear Pink
Pop Culture or Cult Following; the "On Wednesday We Wear Pink" is a powerful meme for folks that have a special love for the film production of "Mean Girls". We also wear PINK on Wednesday as a constant reminder that bullying is not cool any day of the week.
Kindness is ONE-SIZE fits all!
[ SHOP PINK - FOLLOW PINK ]
The colour PINK represents so much for myself as a gay man and as a person of the Queer Population.
I was also bullied by my classmates and even teachers, when I wore a pink sweater in junior high. The origin of “Pink Shirt Day” really hit home for me; sadly, I did not have anyone in my corner back then.
Today, this is my way to stand in the corner for those that do not have someone.
For a number of years, my best friend and I would “run” in the Pride and Remembrance Run here in Toronto. Over that time I accumulated a handful of race t-shirts that never got worn.
From a sustainability perspective, that really bothered me. Knowing that 1 in 5 of the garments found in landfills have never been worn, I started to think about how many of those are race or fund raising t-shirts.
Taking inspiration from “awareness ribbons” the idea grew from there. Just about every colour I could find is now part of The PINK Collection.
Every colour to represent any team, any time. Every colour to represent any charity event you are going to be heading to.
A more sustainable solution yes. Also a great way to bring more people together and be a team of colour. A stronger team of colour!
When I was a kid and there was charity work to be done, or some form of outreach being done from “the church”, we always had to wear “name tags/stickers/badges”.
Looking back, I feel that this only created a further divide by separating us from those we were there to “reach out to”.
The name of the colour is the star, here in the PINK Collection, because that colour is the force that is meant to unite people, focus our energies to achieving a common goal against a common struggle.
My hope is that this encourages the focus to the actions that effect change; because those actions are possible by all of us.
The Collection
-
Progress Pride Pixel Camouflage Flip-Flops
$28.00Select optionsMotivated by my UNDER COVER IN PLAIN SIGHT project, I designed this camouflage pattern using the colours of the Pride Progress flag.
Creating a congregation of colour which I feel offers a more accurate representation of queer folks as an interwoven population of communities.
And...in addition to being a pretty attractive & unique pair of flip flops, these are also;
- super comfortable
- durable
- versatile
- great for the BBQ party, shower, gym or pool deck
- more details below
-
Progress Pride 2022 Pixel Camouflage
$52.00Select optionsCelebrate all the colours of Pride!
- 100% pre-shrunk combed, ring-spun cotton
- super soft
- ideal for layering
- no-tag design
- side seam
- gender fluid fit, consult size guide
-
Gay as F*ck
$52.00Select optionsSay it LOUD and SAY it PROUD.
Say it loud enough so they can hear you all the way in Florida!
- 100% pre-shrunk combed, ring-spun cotton
- super soft
- ideal for layering
- no-tag design
- side seam
- gender fluid fit, consult size guide
-
Gay As F*ck (Pink)
$52.00Select optionsSay it LOUD and SAY it PROUD.
Say it loud enough so they can hear you all the way in Florida!
- 100% pre-shrunk combed, ring-spun cotton
- super soft
- ideal for layering
- no-tag design
- side seam
- gender fluid fit, consult size guide
-
PINK The Sequel Mug
$21.00Add to cartStart your day off with a big mug of KINDNESS
- 11oz or 325ml of steamy hot goodness
- vibrant crisp colours with a glossy finish
- dishwasher and microwave safe
- blow on your wine - people will still think it's coffee
- buy 2 or more and save
- shipping included
-
PINK Hoodie
$85.00Select optionsWELCOME TO PINK
PINK is a collection focused on encouraging us as humans to stop and "put kindness first" in everything we all do. A simple step of kindness creates a better space for all of us. Spread kindness and say no to bullying, discrimination, hate. Kindness is "One Size Fits All".
I invite you to learn more about The PINK Collection here.
The PINK Heritage Hoodie feels like a big cozy hug.
For the month of January, $10 from the sale of each PINK Heritage Hoodie will be set aside for our PINK outreach.
The extra $5 will be donated to our local animal rescue in downtown Toronto.
- 100% cotton face
- matching drawstring
- 3 panel hood
- large front pocket
- cotton/poly blend
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PINK Original Mug
$21.00Add to cartStart your day off with a big mug of KINDNESS
WELCOME TO PINK
PINK is a collection focused on encouraging us as humans to stop and "put kindness first" in everything we all do. A simple step of kindness creates a better space for all of us. Spread kindness and say no to bullying, discrimination, hate. Kindness is "One Size Fits All".
I invite you to learn more about The PINK Collection here.
- 11oz or 325ml of steamy hot goodness
- vibrant crisp colours with a glossy finish
- dishwasher and microwave safe
- blow on your wine - people will still think it's coffee
- buy 2 or more and save
- shipping included
-
Pink Digital Pixel Camo Flip Flops
$28.00Select optionsPride in Pink
And...in addition to being a pretty attractive & unique pair of flip flops, these are also;
- super comfortable
- durable
- versatile
- great for the BBQ party, shower, gym or pool deck
- more details below
-
PINK T-Shirt (Tailored)
$43.00Select options- 100% combed ring-spun cotton
- classic semi-contoured silhouette
- side seam & shoulder to shoulder taping
- seamed collarette
- cozy and comfortable
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PURPLE by PINK
$52.00Select optionsOn top of being a beacon of kindness as part of the PINK COLLECTION, PURPLE by PINK makes sure you are also ready to team up and represent and raise awareness for; Alzheimer’s Disease, Epilepsy, Lupus, Colitis, Crohn’s, Eating Disorders, Thyroid cancer, Pancreatic cancer.
Let’s also mention that PURPLE also represents the fight against animal abuse and domestic violence.
WELCOME TO PINK
PINK is a collection focused on encouraging us as humans to stop and "put kindness first" in everything we all do. A simple step of kindness creates a better space for all of us. Spread kindness and say no to bullying, discrimination, hate. Kindness is "One Size Fits All".
I invite you to learn more about The PINK Collection here.
- super soft and pre-shrunk
- ideal for layering
- NO-TAG design, care instructions printed directly on garment
-
ORANGE T-SHIRT
$52.00Select optionsORANGE by PINK
Every Child Matters is just the minimum or the default, and the fact that we need to be reminded of this should be embarrassing. What we should be saying, believing, practising and living is that; EVERY CHILD SHOULD FLOURISH.
There are many reasons to wear ORANGE to show support, understanding, honour, patience and kindness. Be sure to stand and represent on Orange Shirt Day.
I wear ORANGE for a couple reasons; how about you?
Have your PINK Collection Orange shirt ready to represent also for all those that have been touched by; Truth & Reconciliation Day, Leukemia, Kidney Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, ADHD, COPD, Cultural Diversity, Self Injury awareness and many more.
WELCOME TO PINK
PINK is a collection focused on encouraging us as humans to stop and "put kindness first" in everything we all do. A simple step of kindness creates a better space for all of us. Spread kindness and say no to bullying, discrimination, hate. Kindness is "One Size Fits All".
I invite you to learn more about The PINK Collection here.
Here are just a few more reasons why you will fall in love with this t-shirt;
- super soft
- feels like your favourite t-shirt from the first moment you put it on
- ideal for layering
- pre-shrunk, side seamed
- NO-TAG design; care instructions printed directly on garment
- fabric blends will vary please look below for blend combinations
-
RED T-SHIRT
$52.00Select optionsTHE PERFECT RED T-SHIRT
– This is NOT ‘the red shirt’ you are thinking of…
Why do you wear RED?
The RED AIDS Ribbon is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable of all Awareness Ribbons.
But, did you know that AIDS and HIV awareness shares red with other outreach and awareness programs for; Heart Disease, Stroke, Hemophilia, High Blood Pressure, Heart Defects, Heart Failure and more.
WELCOME TO PINK
PINK is a collection focused on encouraging us as humans to stop and "put kindness first" in everything we all do. A simple step of kindness creates a better space for all of us. Spread kindness and say no to bullying, discrimination, hate. Kindness is "One Size Fits All".
I invite you to learn more about The PINK Collection here.
Here are just a few more reasons why you will fall in love with this t-shirt;
- super soft
- feels like your favourite t-shirt from the first moment you put it on
- ideal for layering
- pre-shrunk, side seamed
- NO-TAG design; care instructions printed directly on garment
- fabric blends will vary please look below for blend combinations
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How PINK Works at TURNIP TEEZ
100% off the profits from this t-shirt get put to good use.
Firstly, you are helping me keep this project going. Since being classified as disabled and losing my career, living on my fixed and reduced income I don’t have a log of wiggle room for extra projects, but this is a project that is too important for me to not do it. Thank you.
There are 2 other projects that are very close to me that will benefit from the proceeds of The PINK Collection; The 519 Community Centre in Toronto, Canada as well as Liam’s Project in San Francisco.
The 519 Community Centre
The “519” as we call it is very important to me because it was very important to my very close friend Paul Kivisto; who lost his life to suicide in April of 2015.
Paul was very active in and around Toronto and part of a couple organizations that used The 519 Community Centre for activities.
A portion of all PINK t-shirt profits will be donated in his name to The 519 Community Centre.
We wear GREEN by PINK because Mental Health Matters.
Liam’s Project – this is not an official organization or program, but a really remarkable person in my life that has become as close to me as one can get without it being creepy!
Liam also is no stranger to struggle, pain and suffering.
While Liam fights his own struggles with terminal cancer and Parkinson’s disease, works full time as the Chief Nurse (LRN) in a very busy Emergency Department (currently on leave due to the decline in his health), he takes time on his days off, money out of his own pocket to buy; underwear, socks, sleeping bags, toiletries, tote bags, medical supplies, gift cards for food.
Liam then heads out to offer care and distribute what he has, to those that society has discarded.
A portion of all The PINK Collection profits will be donated to this project. If you would like to reach out to Liam; feel free to send a message via our Contact page.
TRIVIA BIT:
Liam is Riley’s Doggo Dad. Riley was my recent inspiration for the WOOF Series of t-shirts – and recently (March 2022) Riley achieved status as a SUPPORT DOGGO – and she now accompanies Liam on his chemotherapy treatment visits and gives some love and support to the other patients receiving their treatments.
