People walk in the street and they're like, this is who I am. I'm also proud of the people that show up every day, not just in June, but their sheer existence of showing up makes me proud to be part of this community. I can't think of any other community that's as welcoming and diverse as we are. If I was outside looking inside at the queer community, I would say, “wow, I wish I was part of that,” because we're amazing-we're lesbian, we’re gay, we’re bisexual, we’re intersex, we’re queer questioning, we're agender, asexual, two-spirit, we are sometimes no label, but we're accepting and welcoming to all folks of all ages, races, ethnicities. We're part of an amazing community of people that are part of the rainbow, so magnificent, so unique. For over 50 years, people have been fighting for our rights for our sexual orientation, our gender identity, for our existence, and proud of the fact that we can exist today based on who we love and how we identify. KB: Please quote that! Can that be our campaign next year?Ī: I’m available! Call in the next 5 minutes and you get a 5% discount! Throw in an extra pair of socks! V: That’s right, the pride collection for Happy Socks is available all year round.Ī: If I have to wear this shit every day, so do you! We’re all in this together! Slideshow Rob Smith, Laura Frisk, Aquaria, Julia Ring, Rodrigo Hyago, Kelly Barton It's not just one month of the year, Pride is 365 days of the year. I think it's important for brands like Happy Socks to sometimes just be quiet and let other people speak, so that's what you'll see from Happy Socks not only just the month of June, and that's one thing that we're really passionate about. KB: This isn’t our first rodeo! What pride is in 2022 is about allowing our platform to be used in a positive way, which we certainly have been doing, but a behind-the-scenes type of way.
V: Speaking of, are you wearing a pair of the Pride Happy Socks?Ī: Of course! We’re trying to get paid, hello! Having people like Rob and myself get to be a part of this fun campaign, and sharing where we're coming from in our backgrounds, it's getting to promote any sort of LGBTQIA+ talking point or issues, besides having two of the same socks. It's all about showing a little bit of pizzazz when you accessorize. No mixing and matching! It's all about having fun. V: How is Happy Socks approaching Pride month differently this year?Ī: Well now, they always make sure to put two of the same pair of socks in the box at the same time. My words are not always the best of the best, but hopefully, they mean something to someone.
It's just nice to get to be a face for so many people who might not ever have a face, might not ever have a voice. So when we were doing these little video segments, it was nice to have an opportunity to express myself and get interviewed about not necessarily what tour I'm going on next, or what my next thing is-y ou know they're not interviewing me about my new book coming out next month. I love promoting pride, I love getting to perform in front of people at events, I love getting to be in spaces that I’m usually not in all the time and getting to chitchat. V: Aquaria, how do you feel being one of the honorary guests for this pride collaboration?ĪQUARIA: Socks are one size fits all so that’s why I was the perfect fit! On a serious note, I love it. I’m really honored to be a part of this with Aquaria.
I think the beauty is that we are a really diverse, incredible community. On the other hand, I’m probably a bit more serious and a have a little bit more activist in me, but we all live under the queer umbrella. I appreciate Aquaria for who she is, and what she represents. We come from different places, but ultimately we have the same intent, the same interest, the same voice. I think that’s how the queer community is. Rob Smith: I didn’t have a choice! Actually, I think between Aquaria and myself, there’s a great balance between who we are as individuals, even our stories. It should be about having fun and showing your personality, and your creativity! Aquaria is the epitome of self-expression, owning who you are and feeling comfortable in your skin. Basically, our company started wanting to have color, creativity and self-expression, and allow that for everybody, not just a select few. Kelly Barton: It really comes down to self-expression and that's one of our number one values. Why was Aquaria the perfect face to represent the Happy Socks x The Phluid Project collaboration and host tonight’s event? V Magazine: Thank you for having us at the event! It’s been so much fun. V caught up with Happy Socks’ Kelly Barton, The Phluid Project’s Rob Smith, & Drag superstar Aquaria to discuss the campaign & the meaning of Pride in 2022.