BY BTL STAFF
Updated Friday, Dec. 16
Love and Pride, an online business founded to promote education and better understanding of the LGBTQ community, responded to an attack by the anti-LGBT group One Million Moms – related to their recent new expansion of their consumer reach and their support of the LGBTQ community.
One Million Moms, an anti-LGBTQ group that is part of the American Family Association, has attacked Love and Pride in a post on their web site, seen here.
The American Family Association has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
"I was shocked and saddened when our Love and Pride collection, available online and now at a major retailer, was attacked by the so-called One Million Moms, part of the hate group The American Family Association. As a jeweler and LGBTQ ally for many years, this is the first time we have been targeted in such a manner. I am heartened by the support and positive attention we have seen online and privately from consumers across the country," said Udi Behr, Loveandpride.com founder and designer.
Behr continued: "Our Love and Pride collection has always been about love, peace, hope, pride and equality and their goal has always been to bring people together. Our support of organizations like the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Marriage Equality/USA and the Human Rights Campaign is part of that vision.
"In fact, I currently have a collection of jewelry from Israel celebrating Christianity and history, a collection in another major mall chain celebrating the inner beauty of women, and a collection I been working on for 12 years that celebrates equality for LGBTQ people.
"I do not do this as a political statement but as an artist and designer who cares about our world, cares about all people and wants to promote love and beauty. If you do not agree with that vision, don't buy my jewelry. But there is no need to reacts with hate or boycotts.
"For me, jewelry is and always will be meant as a way to commemorate beautiful moments in our lives and a way to express love and affection. The response by One Million Moms is hateful and divisive. Now, more than ever, we must work for a world that has less division and more love, respects diversity and allows all people to express their love for each other."
Love and Pride has enjoyed strategic partnerships over the years with many companies, ranging from Fred Segal to Saks 5th Avenue and worked with television programs like The L word and Queer as Folk Show. The company is also in the midst of an expansion as an e-commerce brand to become a multichannel content-driven marketplace for LGBTQ people and their allies.
Original Story:
In their latest anti-LGBT crusade, One Million Moms targeted Zales Jewelers for releasing a "Love and Pride" collection and an advertisement depicting two women getting married, according to a South Florida Gay News report.
"Zales is using public airwaves to subject families to the decay of morals and values, and belittle the sanctity of marriage in an attempt to redefine marriage," OMM wrote in a blog post. "Even though homosexuality is unnatural, this advertisement is pushing the LGBTQ agenda."
In the post, titled "Zales Attempts to Normalize Sin," OMM suggests that Zales "should be ashamed" for "glorifying sin," claiming "it is not a retailer's job to introduce so called 'social issues' such as this to our children."
In the past, OMM has spoken out against H&M, Mattel and Cheerios for their LGBT-inclusive practices. Most recently, they are campaigning against Target for allowing "men entering women's restrooms," referring to allowing transgender persons to have access to whichever bathrooms they identify with.
"Millions of Americans strongly believe marriage should be between one man and one woman," they wrote. "It is obvious that Zales would rather take sides than remain neutral in the culture war."
OMM encourages readers to stop shopping at Zales and to reach out and urge the company to take the commercial down.
