At the Gay Games in Chicago this year, expect to see One Human Family stickers and glow-in-the-dark wristbands everywhere, leaving one question: What is it all about?
According to an organization press release, One Human Family is a GLBT-based, volunteer non-profit group that promotes the unity and equality of all people worldwide. The concept got started in Key West, Fla., when artist and founder J.T. Thompson coined the phrase and began printing free stickers. The message became so widely known that the Key West City Commission made ‘One Human Family’ the island’s official philosophy in October of 2000. Since then, over 650,000 free stickers have been distributed globally, from Tibet to Pago Pago.
Key West’s philosophy resonated at the 2002 Gay Games in Sydney, where 50,000 free stickers and crates of free One Human Family T-shirts were given out to Gay Games attendees. This year, One Human Family will distribute 50,000 free stickers, 15,000 free silicone wristbands and boxes of free T-shirts to Chicago Gay Games attendees.
Thompson and his partner, Gregory Wilson, will be distributing free One Human Family stickers and wristbands at the Expo in the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan, from July 14-17. Moreover, the items will be available at the Gay Games storefront, 913 W. Belmont, on July 15-22.