We’re so excited to kick-off Pride month with Treetopia to celebrate with the LGBTQ community in the most colorful way! Each week, our blogger friends will post a rainbow wreath creation and share a bit about themselves and their involvement in the community on their blog.
It was a struggle to be in the closet growing up on Long Island and Maryland. It can be and it was an extremely isolating time of our lives. Although we didn’t grow up together, it’s interesting that we both had similar experiences. We were both bullied. It was scary and lonely until we found strength in the theatre community. Theatre saved us, it was an environment that allowed us to be who we were and embraced us for our differences. Luckily, we both come from accepting families but it took some time to feel comfortable in our own skin and couldn’t have done it without all the support that we had.
So many people live fearless lives after having to grow up struggling with acceptance within themselves and with others. It’s important to have people in your life you can relate to, rely on and look up to. We looked for strength within our family, the theatre community and our favorite artists.
We didn’t know it then, but we grew up idolizing some of the biggest gay icons ever…so those icons were the inspiration of our wreath!
We wanted the wreath to be the star…it’s gorgeous! We tried multicolored lights and it was too busy for what we wanted so, we toned it down by color blocking the lights to mimic the layout of the wreath. We removed each bulb and grouped the same colors together. ROYGBIV!
We decided to keep our icons black and white…but every icon needs a little bling so, we added glitter accents to each and framed them with some foil paper. We hot glued floral wire to the back of each icon to easily attach them to the wreath.
Just be you and celebrate it!
Treetopia wants you to share your own stories about your own colorful experience! Use the hashtag #TreetopiaColorsOfLove for a chance to win $100 Treetopia gift card every week for the month of June and enter here! Just for spreading love!
Happy Pride!
11 comments
What a fabulous wreath, I love that you took the trouble to swap all the bulbs round – what dedication!
I had no idea that Angela Lansbury is a gay icon, somehow that totally got past me. (I’ve just googled it and am now fully informed)
You guys are just such a lovely couple, bizarrely because I don’t know you IRL, I feel so happy that you found each other.
Aw thanks, Julie! And thank you for always being so supportive! Can’t wait for the day we get to meet! Xoxo
I’m thinking for your next act, a teen idol wreath…that includes John Stamos. Reposted on Facebook @CoastalBohemian
Haha yessssss!
A fantabulous creation with attention to detail! I also was unaware of Angela being a gay icon. Thankfully I was never bullied, but a subtle physical deformity never escaped ridicule. Later in life, it was used to my advantage as I developed comeback lines. Being in band and theater was my forte, along with tennis and baseball. Going to college, I thought I could come out loud and proud at a large university, but my involvement in the university marching band made a large university seem so small as I ran into fellow band members everywhere…it seemed. The last 15 years of my life have been the greatest getting involved in many GLBT organizations and the UCC church, and ultimately marriage.
Steven! How wonderful! Even though it took a while, we’re so happy you found your community and family! Stay strong and keep spreading love!
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What a fabulous wreath! It’s so awesome that you two found each other after having similar life experiences. You both always look so happy in your photos and your zest for life shines through. And isn’t that what life should be all about? Finding our own happiness is a beautiful thing!
Oh my gosh! Thank you, Beverly! We’re lucky we found each other! Have a great weekend! Xoxo
Looks so fab. I feel guilty for thinking Rupal was Divine on the smaller phone picture I saw. Sorry Ru, take it as a compliment because Divine was pretty amazing.
Andrew and Dennis,
I don’t know all the people on your wreath. Who is the gentleman with the glasses and the one in the T-shirt? Everyone else is, and in no particular order, Cher, Bea Arthur, Madonna, Freddie Mercury, George Michael, Angela Lansbury, David Bowie, RuPaul, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, Judy Garland, and Diana Ross. Even if your wreath wasn’t for LGBTQ, it is covered with amazing people with amazing stories. Just found your blog today and will definitely be back.
Maureen