As a young brand, we are not afraid to speak out on the world beyond skincare. We frequently use our platform to call out social injustice and important issues we feel passionately about. Bringing awareness to the safety of the LGBTQIA + community is one of them. Following a recent violent attack at a venue that served as a sanctuary for LGBTQIA+ people in Colorado Springs in America we’ve taken some time to reflect on what happened.
UpCircle has always supported the LGBTQIA+ community proudly, but the recent tragic events and the presence of LGBTQIA+ members within our team have been the catalyst for our most recent acts of support.
Founded in 2020 by Tanya Compas; an award-winning youth worker, Exist Loudly are a creative youth non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Black LGBTQ+ youth from London through spaces of joy, community, and care. Through creative intervention and digital storytelling, they create, curate and facilitate experiences for Black LGBTQ+ youth to build community, confidence and autonomy in spaces where they are free to EXIST LOUDLY.
For The Gworls are a Black, trans-led collective that curates parties to fundraise money to help Black transgender people pay for their rent, gender-affirming surgeries, smaller co-pays for medicines/doctor’s visits, and travel assistance. Asanni Armon; founder of For The Gworls sees the club as a safe haven for Black transgender people, and by extension, believe that it should be used as a tool to sustain Black trans livelihood.
Insight are a Ukrainian human rights public organization, which brings together lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people and the queer community. Their help to the LGBTQ+ community includes a host of support from providing education, psychological, legal, and medical assistance to transgender people in Ukraine and provide advice on issues related to transgender transition.
We hope our mission to create safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community will inspire others and other brands to do the same.
Love, Team UpCircle x
UpCircle has always supported the LGBTQIA+ community proudly, but the recent tragic events and the presence of LGBTQIA+ members within our team have been the catalyst for our most recent acts of support.
Our plan of action:
For a whole month starting on the 23rd of January 2023, UpCircle pledges to donate 1 pound, dollar, or euro per purchase for every Travel Bundle to three NGOs listed below to cover each region we have a website for. In addition, we will start developing monthly, long-term, virtual community meetings alongside NGOs and with LGBTQIA+ community members that are lacking access to intentional (safe and supportive) spaces. These meetings will be an opportunity to create and nurture a community, have fun, connect with others, and learn makeup and skincare techniques. We will be gifting products to our attendees and providing the opportunity to be amongst others and to simply have fun! We hope this develops an intentional space that constructs bridges between individuals that are seeking a queer “home” and a fun activity to brighten their day.Get to know our chosen NGOs…
UK: Exist Loudly CIC
Founded in 2020 by Tanya Compas; an award-winning youth worker, Exist Loudly are a creative youth non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Black LGBTQ+ youth from London through spaces of joy, community, and care. Through creative intervention and digital storytelling, they create, curate and facilitate experiences for Black LGBTQ+ youth to build community, confidence and autonomy in spaces where they are free to EXIST LOUDLY.
USA: For The Gworls
For The Gworls are a Black, trans-led collective that curates parties to fundraise money to help Black transgender people pay for their rent, gender-affirming surgeries, smaller co-pays for medicines/doctor’s visits, and travel assistance. Asanni Armon; founder of For The Gworls sees the club as a safe haven for Black transgender people, and by extension, believe that it should be used as a tool to sustain Black trans livelihood.
EU: Insight
Insight are a Ukrainian human rights public organization, which brings together lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people and the queer community. Their help to the LGBTQ+ community includes a host of support from providing education, psychological, legal, and medical assistance to transgender people in Ukraine and provide advice on issues related to transgender transition.
We hope our mission to create safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community will inspire others and other brands to do the same.
Love, Team UpCircle x