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Pride Tank Top & Cropped Joggers: Love Is A Verb

Pride Tank, cropped joggers, wedge sandals, kimono

Yes, this is a fashion blog and I am a fashion blogger. But that’s not all that I am…

THE STORY

…I’m also the mother of a gay son. Two gay sons actually because I love my boy’s fiance like he is my own. The fact that my son is gay does not define who he is. It is simply one aspect that is part of a wonderful human being. A human being whom I love with every piece of my heart and soul. I have known that he was gay ever since he was a tiny little person; probably before he knew. And do you know what? That was an irrelevant detail to those of us who love him. It was as irrelevant as it is that my other children are straight. It was not his choice to be gay, it was simply part of who he was at birth. And no. That is not open for debate.

Obviously, the impetus behind this post is Orlando. I do not have the words to impart to you the sadness I feel in my heart. All senseless acts of terrorism and mass killings force us to pause and feel pain, sadness and hurt for those affected. Because truly, when something like this occurs it affects the entire human race. But when one of these heinous and deplorable acts, for any number of reasons, hits closer to home the sadness we feel is deeper. Such is the case for Orlando with me. Each and every one of the victims was someone’s son or daughter. Someone’s son or daughter who was simply living their life. Someone’s son or daughter who left home that night to simply have a fun evening with friends. Someone’s son or daughter who simply wanted to love who they were born to love. And now they are simply gone. Because of the hatred and ugliness of one individual. Because of intolerance to differences that are inherent to the human experience.

The night after the shooting, on his show, Stephen Colbert said that our responses to tragedies such as this have become scripted; we know what the president will say, what both political parties will say, what the gun manufacturers will say.  He said, and I quote, “It’s easy, it’s almost tempting to be paralyzed by such a monstrously hateful act. To despair and say, ‘Well, that’s the way the world is now. Well, I don’t know what to do,” Colbert said. “But I do know that despair is a victory for hate. Hate wants us to be too weak to change anything. Now, these people in Orlando were apparently targeted because of who they love. And there have been outpourings of love throughout the country and around the world. Love in response to hate. Love does not despair. Love makes us strong. Love gives us the courage to act. Love gives us hope that change is possible. Love allows us to change the script. So, love your country. Love your family, love the families of the victims of the people of Orlando, but let us remember that love is a verb and ‘to love’ means to do something.” Powerful words don’t you think?

When thinking about what it is that we, as individuals, can do it seems an overwhelming and impossible task. But then I realized, that while it may just be one drop in the bucket, by simply advocating for tolerance and acceptance of others and their differences no matter what those differences may be we are doing something. If something I say gives even one person pause for thought, then perhaps I have made a difference. I have done something. If each and every one of us steps up and speaks up when we witness bigotry, racism, homophobia, bullying…then our one voice becomes an entire chorus of voices; an entire chorus of voices that demands to be heard. And that is how we, as individuals, can use love as a verb.

THE OUTFIT

Quite honestly, the outfit isn’t the focal point of today’s post. The message is. And my pride tank top that I purchased from the Human Rights Campaign says it all without saying a word. I wear it often, and dare I say, I wear it with pride. I kept it simple by pairing it with cropped joggers and a pair of wedge sandals. And as I’ve said before, a kimono pretty much fancies up anything.

THE TIP

No style tip today, but a tip nonetheless. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, be bold. Be outspoken. Be brave. Be the difference in the world.

THE LINK UPS

Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…

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Pride Tank Top: Human Rights Campaign;  Joggers: Similar;  Sandals: JustFab (Similar);  Kimono: Thrifted (Similar)

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Tara
8 years ago

Well said…such a sad, sad situation…this needs to stop!

Erin Haight
8 years ago

LOVE IT! Love YOU! Love your son!!! My god doesn’t judge…..thank you for your beautiful words.

Suzanne
8 years ago

Powerful post and words.

bisous
Suzanne

Jaymie Ashcraft
8 years ago

Love this post!!!
Jaymie

Janice Stanford
Janice Stanford
8 years ago

Thank you for such a heart-felt post! You are lucky to have so much love in your life; so are your sons. I wish more people would cherish it because God knows we are not here long enough as it is. Love, love, love!

Samantha
8 years ago

A great message Debbie. There is too much hatred and phobia in the word. The hate-filled should be pitied, but can be dangerous too. Very dangerous. Often the tormented end up turning on others…blaming their own inadequacies (or problems) on other people/ groups of people. It disgusts me. I judge a person on face value, regardless of background, colour, sex, age or sexual preference. Being an arsehole is not dependant on these factors! I have met many arseholes in my life, most of them bigoted in one way or another…all of them self-righteous. The only thing we can do is… Read more »

Samantha
Reply to  Samantha
8 years ago

*to not too.

Michelle Mullin
Michelle Mullin
8 years ago

Just ordered my very own pride tank top. Thank you!

Kaylan
Kaylan
8 years ago

I am so proud and honored to know you and get to call you my aunt! It isn’t by blood or marriage but by a simple choice of the heart you and my mother made so long ago to be best friends. Thank you Aunt Debbie for saying what so many of us who love someone who is gay is feeling. Thank you for loving the world and for always teaching all of your children, myself included to love outloud with passion and grace. It is easy to sit behind a computer screen and read these words and think, “wow,… Read more »

Jodie filogomo
8 years ago

Amen Debbie!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

Whitney Nic James
8 years ago

Love the outfit, especially the meaning behind the tank. Very well stated…xo!

~Whitney

Fashionably Idu
Fashionably Idu
8 years ago

Very sad what went down in Florida. Hate so strong love didn’t stand a chance. Just for those moments though cos love ALWAYS wins. Thank you for putting drops in the love bucket with these powerful words. I know the style is far from the focus today but it’s cute regardless.

http://fashionablyidu.blogspot.com/

Ginger Wroot
8 years ago

What a perfect fashion post and I so appreciate your comments. I’m reading a fascinating and beautifully written book right now, “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin, written back in the 1950’s, about a love affair between two gay men. It’s amazing how far, and yet not so far, our world has come since that time. My college-aged daughter has friends her age who are gay, but who are still afraid to come out to their parents…your son is so fortunate to have you as his open-minded and yes, stylin’ mom! –Ginger
http://gingerwroot.com

Shelbee on the Edge
8 years ago

Debbie, I love your pride tank top because it represents everything you have said in this post. I agree with you wholeheartedly on all aspects and I applaud you for being bold. Bold with your words. And bold with your love. For that is where we need to focus our boldness. If we are bold about what and whom we love, won’t it start to make changes? I am not at all a religious person because I cannot agree with people who use the Bible to support their hatred and bigotry. Therefore, I choose to remove myself from that realm… Read more »

Shybiker
8 years ago

Good words. I saw that Colbert show, too, and liked how he said our responses have become rote. We need new and real action. Like the congressmen from Sandy Hook who are filibustering Congress right now. And teaching tolerance for those who are different.

Bettye Rainwater
8 years ago

“If something I say gives even one person pause for thought, then perhaps I have made a difference. I have done something. If each and every one of us steps up and speaks up when we witness bigotry, racism, homophobia, bullying…then our one voice becomes an entire chorus of voices; an entire chorus of voices that demands to be heard. And that is how we, as individuals, can use love as a verb.”

Amen, sister. xoxo

Charlotte Issyvoo
8 years ago

Thanks you so much for writing this. It sounds like you have a wonderful son and a wonderful son-in-law to be. I’ve been out since 1989 and this massacre in Orlando has hit me hard. I thought we were past having to be afraid to be ourselves but I was wrong. That’s been very painful to realize. I too chose to wear rainbows on Sunday. I didn’t know what else to do but, by Monday, I knew I needed to speak out, so. I wrote a post about homophobia and the Orlando horror. I know we don’t usually share posts… Read more »

Irene Papadopoulou
8 years ago

so casual and chic! I love your wedges
Irene
http://www.thedailylace.com

Rebecca
8 years ago

That’s a very inspiring post in the light of this sad Orlando situation – and love your show of support via that shirt!

Come check out how I wore ruffles for work & play at the blog – Happy Thursday!

Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

nicole
8 years ago

Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style.

Jess
8 years ago

Deb
Thank you for your powerful words and message Deb with your Pride shirt. I appreciated what you wrote.
thank you for linking up with turning heads tuesday
jess xx

Claire
8 years ago

It is so sad to hear about what happened 🙁 Love your pride top Debbie ..

Lovely outfit Debbie, I have some shoes just like yours..Thanks for linking up to the Wednesday blog hop

Laurie
8 years ago

Awesome post Debbie!

Happiness at Mid Life
8 years ago

Beautiful message Debbie!

Thank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you soon!

Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

Lisa Morin
8 years ago
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