The Empty Chairs

As I mentioned in my previous post, Pride Goeth Before the Shawl is this year’s Pride month fundraising pattern. Proceeds from its sale all through the month of June will be divided up between the Human Rights Campaign, the Trevor Project, and Knit the Rainbow.

Why these three organizations? They are each doing something important for the LGBTQIA+ community, and a lot of people I love are part of that community.

The Human Rights Campaign is fighting legal and political battles to secure the same rights for our LGBTQIA+ siblings that we cis straight people have always enjoyed automatically. We know there are many places in America today where those rights are being attacked and eroded.

The Trevor Project is a suicide hotline that specializes in LGBTQIA+ youth, who are at a much higher suicide risk than cis straight teens. One in four LGBTQIA+ teens have attempted suicide at some point, and almost half have considered it. Those are shattering numbers. There are empty chairs in this picture, and that’s no accident. Our family lost a beloved trans teen to suicide a few years back and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t hurt with that loss.

Knit the Rainbow is new to my list of charities this year, but I was glad to learn of the good work they do, collecting and distributing handknit and hand-crocheted items to homeless LGBTQIA+ youth in New York City and Chicago. Knowing that someone cares is a powerful gift. You can learn more about Knit the Rainbow in the video podcast episode I did with its founder, Austin Rivers, here.

You can purchase the Pride Goeth Before the Shawl pattern on my Ravelry or Payhip stores. If the pattern is not to your taste, I hope you’ll consider making a donation directly to one or all three of these organizations. Thank you!