PRIDE
A year ago, we decided that BIGLOVEBALL would participate in Vancouver’s 2016 Pride Parade. We had been sharing our giant symbol of inclusion and connection for more than 2 years, watching people from all over the world sidle up to BIGLOVEBALL while celebrating what and whom they love. This year we added 9 new shades to our line up and could not wait to roll them down our city streets celebrating all the colours of PRIDE. We had driven our 1969 Karmann Ghia all the way to California and back, hauling BIGLOVEBALL on top, as we stopped in every town. But this route along Vancouver’s Pride Parade route was her finest hour.
When we announced our participation on social media, a well intending friend suggested that in light of the recent acts of violence, such as the tragedy in Orlando, we might reconsider being so public with our message. Not for one second did we hesitate. Our belief is that, now more than ever, we all need to feel loved and connected.
So while planning our parade presentation, we shared an initiative that would allow us to epically engage as many as possible. We tore pages from old books and passed them out to the entire city. We asked that we all write the same message – YOU ARE LOVED. We then watched as individuals, families, coworkers and friends gathered around tables handwriting these personal messages to others. People from our city and beyond posted uplifting images in lieu of darker messages of fear. Claims of connection, insight and healing were shared with great emotion across social media, encouraging others to step up. YOU ARE LOVED notes were served with frittatas at local cafes, tied around streetside trees and shared cathartically at oceanside retreats.
On July 31st 2016, a beautiful Sunday morning, our big city became a neighbourhood. 28 of us proudly marched, danced and played with the crowds while handing out YOU ARE LOVED notes by the thousands. We boldly carried signs that read HAVE THE BALLS TO SHOW YOUR LOVE and COME OUT AND PLAY, flaunting our love light amongst 500,000 friends.
Thank you to all those who participated in writing YOU ARE LOVED notes and thank you to our friends who helped to personally deliver 50,000 of them to our city. And most of all, thank you to those who opened their hands and hearts to receive them.
So, on behalf of BIGLOVEBALL, Happy Pride! We know without doubt, we are all friends, we may have just not yet met.
XO
WENDY &
WILLIAM
So while planning our parade presentation, we shared an initiative that would allow us to epically engage as many as possible. We tore pages from old books and passed them out to the entire city. We asked that we all write the same message – YOU ARE LOVED. We then watched as individuals, families, coworkers and friends gathered around tables handwriting these personal messages to others. People from our city and beyond posted uplifting images in lieu of darker messages of fear. Claims of connection, insight and healing were shared with great emotion across social media, encouraging others to step up. YOU ARE LOVED notes were served with frittatas at local cafes, tied around streetside trees and shared cathartically at oceanside retreats.
On July 31st 2016, a beautiful Sunday morning, our big city became a neighbourhood. 28 of us proudly marched, danced and played with the crowds while handing out YOU ARE LOVED notes by the thousands. We boldly carried signs that read HAVE THE BALLS TO SHOW YOUR LOVE and COME OUT AND PLAY, flaunting our love light amongst 500,000 friends.
Thank you to all those who participated in writing YOU ARE LOVED notes and thank you to our friends who helped to personally deliver 50,000 of them to our city. And most of all, thank you to those who opened their hands and hearts to receive them.
So, on behalf of BIGLOVEBALL, Happy Pride! We know without doubt, we are all friends, we may have just not yet met.
