If you've been here for any length of time, you already know how much I try to support folks in my community. Whether that's by buying furs directly from Indigenous trappers at a higher price than they can get at auction, donating products to events that benefit kids, cancer fundraisers and any sort of function that is working to remedy power imbalances, including Pride. I helped raise funds for a friend who was getting "top surgery" but the medical system considered it cosmetic so a GoFundMe was launched to help them pay those bills. Another time, I had a GoFundMe go viral because a friend with many kids had her ex husband do many awful things and those funds were used to pay bills and replace a refrigerator.

This time, I have someone close to me who has given me permission to share a little bit about their story to explain what the funds from these products will be used for. There is a man close to me in his 40s who recently phoned me and with urgency in his voice said, "Vanessa, I think I'm gay". With a smile on my face, I said, "I know" and proceeded to tell him that I was proud of him and that I was so glad that he felt safe enough to tell me. This person is someone who is very private and mostly lives a low-key and simple life. However, their circumstances don't include medical benefits to get the 1:1 therapy that they need to work through their coming-out process. I have created a new Pride collection that will be used to pay for their therapy. My goal is to raise enough funds to allow them to see their therapist every other week for a year. That's a target of just over $4200. Half of the value of every pride item will go into a designated account that is only for this person's therapy bills.

I will be as transparent as possible about how much is raised so that you can feel confident about how the money is being used. In the unlikely event that he needs to see the therapist for more than a year, we will do what we can to ensure that the funds are there. If he stops going and there are unused funds, the remainder will be donated to Pride Yukon.

There will be three releases in this collection. The first release is earrings and stretch bracelets. The earrings are our classic copper hoop with waxed wood beads and vinyl heishi beads making the signature Pride rainbow. The wood is offered in natural white, grey, and black. The bracelets are available in kids sizes as well as S-L. You can find them under the Pride tab or you can shop them at the link below.

I want to thank you for buying these items because they are going to a very good cause. The person you are supporting is a wonderful human who is loved very much. I'm so honoured to be able to play a part in their healing as they come out and learn to love their whole self. And you get to be part of that too. Thank you.