Famous figures including Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and HRC’s Chad Griffin have worn the now famous rainbow-colored ribbon, now the Dissent Pin Company has partnered with the Orlando Ribbon Project to create enamel versions of the ribbons that traveled the world in memory of the 49 lives lost at Pulse Orlando.
“Its been rather amazing watching the project grow from just a handful of fabric ribbons for volunteers to a worldwide symbol of love and hope,” says founder of the Orlando Ribbon Project, Ben Johansen.
Over 300 enamel pins have been sold in the first weekend they were on sale. Those 300 pins join the more than 750,00 ribbons that have already been made since the project’s beginning.
“My goal is to make 1 million fabric ribbons, and I’m at just over 760,000,” says Johansen. “I will keep my promise.”
The new enamel pins cost $14.95 each with the cost per pin decreasing with the more pins you buy. Half of all sales of the rainbow ribbon pins will go to benefit The LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. The Dissent Pin Company donated $170,936 in 2018 towards organizations like The Center through sales of charity pins.
The Dissent Pin Company selects one or two projects each year and helps them with their mission by creating enamel pins. This year, the Orlando Ribbon Project was chosen.
“I think the Ribbon Project is important because it’s more than just wearing a rainbow ribbon,” says The Center’s Executive Director George Wallace. “I wear mine to remind people that we will never forget the 49 lives lost at Pulse. I’m very thankful that Dissent Pins chose The Center as their beneficiary.”
The pins are made to order and can be purchased by clicking here.
“Receiving notes, letters, emails, tweets from around the world that they have received one, and they think of Orlando. That is the best feeling. To know that we can touch people with love and hope that we have never met, that’s something to me,” says Johansen. “We all have to do what we need to, to make this world a better place. We all live in a time where there is hate everywhere, and if someone can smile and think positive thoughts when they see an Orlando Ribbon, that makes it all worth it.”
