Levi's Brand and GLSEN Give Everyone the Chance to Create Their Own Li

Create Your Own Respect-wear Campaign

Media Contact:

Kari Hudnell Senior Manager of Media Relations press@glsen.org 646-388-6575

Levi’s® Brand and GLSEN Give Everyone the Chance to Create Their Own Line of Clothing Showing Respect

“Create Your Own Respect-wear Campaign” Encourages LGBTQ Youth and Allies to Show Creativity and Diversity in Celebration of National Coming Out Day and GLSEN Respect Awards – Los Angeles

NEW YORK (October 11, 2016) – The Levi’s® brand and GLSEN, the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for all students, are giving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and their allies the chance to visibly show respect by creating their own “respect-wear.” By adding a GLSEN Respect patch or other design to their apparel, respect-wear creators can then share their creations on social media using the hashtag #GLSENinLevis for a chance to win their own custom GLSEN and Levi’s® trucker jacket, originally designed for GLSEN’s National Student Council.

Six student winners will be selected to receive a personalized GLSEN and Levi’s® trucker jacket, and their designs will be featured on the GLSEN Blog and social media. The campaign will run from National Coming Out Day on October 11 through the GLSEN Respect Awards – Los Angeles on October 21.

"I want to thank Levi’s so much for creating an original jacket that allows each of us to show our commitment to respect for all,” said Matt Nadel, a member of GLSEN’s National Student Council. “This unique respect-wear empowers all of us to be authentic, show support and come together for what we believe in.”

A limited quantity of GLSEN and Levi’s® respect-wear trucker jackets will also be available for purchase in the GLSEN store, with 100% of the sales going to support GLSEN’s work with students, educators and policymakers to improve school climates for all students.

“We’re proud to partner with the Levi’s® brand to provide an original and striking way for everyone to show their support for respect for all,” said GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard. “Our most recent report on student experience in U.S. schools found that the vast majority of middle and high school students know a classmate who is LGBTQ. By making their own respect-wear, students can show their commitment to the bedrock principle of respect for others in unique ways, and proudly ally themselves with the LGBTQ students who are currently being targeted by discriminatory and harmful legislation and school policies.”

“At Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.), we know apparel is more than just reflecting the current fashion. It’s a form of self-expression, and we believe our apparel is also a representation of our longstanding commitment toward making progress – as a business, a community, a culture. GLSEN’s Create Your Own Respect-wear Campaign aims to encourage our collective desire to be seen, to create, and to show respect for the diverse identities that make up our LGBTQ communities,” said Grant Barth, Levi’s® Chief Merchandising Officer. “As LS&Co. and GLSEN both champion the values of respect for all, we are honored to give young people the chance to show respect through what they wear and to support GLSEN’s mission of ensuring all students have access to safe and affirming schools.”

Photos by Wunmi Onibudo of GLSEN’s National Student Council wearing the custom trucker jackets are available here.

GLSEN has led the way on LGBTQ issues in K-12 education since 1990. Through ground-breaking original research, innovative program development, student leadership and educator training, community organizing, and targeted state and federal advocacy, GLSEN has seen the impact of its work with the development of educational resources, direct engagement of youth and educators, and national programs like GLSEN’s Day of Silence and GLSEN’s Ally Week.

 

About GLSEN

GLSEN champions safe and affirming schools for all students. We envision a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach tens of thousands of K-12 schools across the United States, and our network of chapters brings GLSEN’s expertise to their local communities. GLSEN's progress and impact have won support for our work at all levels of education in the United States and sparked an international movement to ensure equality for LGBTQ students and respect for all in schools. For more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, public education, research and educator training programs, please visit glsen.org

 

About the Levi’s® brand

The Levi’s® brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1873, Levi’s® jeans have become one of the most recognizable garments of clothing in the world – capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi’s® brand portfolio continues to evolve through a relentless pioneering and innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Our range of leading jeanswear and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style. For more information about the Levi’s® brand, its products and stores, please visit levi.com.