Camino: Passionately Proud
In support of the LGBTQ+ and trans communities, Kiva is donating $100,000 this year to impactful charitable organizations. Article contributed by Kiva Confections.
2022 marks the fifth year of Camino 'Proud' gummies release. In support of the LGBTQ+ and trans communities, Kiva is donating $100,000 this year to these impactful charitable organizations: FOLX HRT Care Fund in partnership with the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition (BTAC), Transgender Law Center in Oakland, the Los Angeles LGBT Center for their Center's Transgender Economic Empowerment Project (TEEP), and GLAAD.
Supporters of the LGBTQ+ Community
You may notice that Kiva has chosen to focus our support primarily on the trans community. According to Forbes in Nov. 2021, “The trans community only receives $.04 of every $100 awarded to LGBTQ causes.” While all LGBTQ+ people continue to face discrimination, trans people are particularly socio-economically disadvantaged. It’s no secret that the trans community is facing an epidemic of violence. More anti-trans bills were passed in 2021 than in any other year; According to the Freedom for All Americans’ legislation tracker, there are more states in our country currently considering anti-trans legislation than those that aren’t. For these reasons, Kiva has decided to focus the majority of its donations on trans-specific organizations that are making a profound impact on this underserved community. We feel that making a difference in trans lives is imperative at this pivotal moment in history.
Speaking of history, there is some gravity behind our packaging design this year we would love to share. Whereas previous year’s Camino Proud packaging focused on the celebratory aspects of Pride and the LGBTQ+ community's legacy of marches, parades, and protests (respectively), this year we’ve chosen to feature a Bay Area landmark, The Pink Triangle. Since 1996, this symbol has been erected during Pride weekend atop San Francisco’s Twin Peaks. Nearly an acre in size, it can be seen for 20 miles- an education and a remembrance for all to see. According to the official Pink Triangle website, “The Pink Triangle is one of history's reminders of hate and intolerance, and part of appreciating and celebrating where we are today for Pride Weekend is understanding where we have been.”
Now recognized worldwide as a symbol of power and pride, the pink triangle was originally intended as a badge of shame in Nazi Germany, where some 100,000 homosexuals were arrested during the 1930s. According to Wikipedia, “Homosexuals were viewed as failing in their duty to procreate and reproduce for the Aryan nation. Gay men who would not change or feign a change in their sexual orientation were sent to concentration camps.” There, these men were forced to wear downward-pointing pink triangle badges to label and persecute them. In the 1970s, activists (including post-war Germany’s first gay rights organization) reclaimed and subverted the symbol, turning it into an emblem of liberation.
Pink Triangle Raising Awareness
Today, the Pink Triangle brings attention to the past persecution of those in the LGBTQ+ community and reminds us to ensure that it never happens again. It is our hope that in seeing this symbol on our packaging, the community understands that even though adversity and persecution continue, so many of us allies see you, accept you, and stand with you. If you’d like to join us in making a meaningful contribution to organizations that are making a difference, here are direct links to their donation pages:
FOLX HRT Care Fund in partnership with the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition Transgender Law Center Los Angeles LGBT Center GLAAD
DISCLAIMER: THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.
All information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other materials contained on this site are for informational purposes only. No text, graphics, images or other materials on this site are intended to be professional medical advice or a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional medical advice because of something you have viewed on this site.