George beats the Lockdown blues – with Pride

Lockdown proved so dull for a Brighton economics student that he turned his hand to designing T-shirts to support his local Pride events and a mental health charity.

George Gibbens, Economics student and freelance designer

George Gibbens, studying BSc(Hons) Economics at the University of Brighton, said: “Being at home for so long was getting boring. I usually design a Pride logo for my freelance business anyway so I thought I’d spend some time working on T-shirt designs.”

The 19-year-old’s ‘Stand with Pride’ tops are being readied for the August Pride month and although his local Swindon & Wiltshire Pride and Oxford Pride have been postponed their events to 2021 due to the coronavirus, George said : “We can still wear the shirts now and make young people aware that they are not alone and there is support there for them.

“Without Pride many will be isolated and in potentially negative spaces. It is unfair to go through something as complicated as finding your sexuality alone. It is a confusing journey. Pride, and standing with pride, is a message to allies and members of the LGBTQ+ Community alike that you can be who you want to be with pride.

“You can ask for help and I think most importantly, know that you are not alone.”

As well as raising money for Pride, 5% of the production cost is being donated by the makers, Print Social, to George’s chosen charity, Mental Health UK.

For more information on the T-shirts click here