COS team members Sofiya Tymofeyeva (left) and Allister Tran (right). Images by Derya Parlak.
COS has launched an instore campaign to collect donations for OutLine, a national service that helps LGBTIQ+ New Zealanders access support, information and a sense of community. Until Sunday 23 May you can make a donation at any COS store in New Zealand with a Pride special edition repurposed cotton tote bag given out with each donation of $30 and above, while stocks last. The tote is a great way to give new life to leftover fabric, as it’s made from excess cotton unused by other COS designs. It’s durable, designed to last and 100% recyclable.
“OutLine is delighted to collaborate with COS as this is an exciting opportunity for us to reach a new audience using new avenues,” says Aych McArdle, They/Them, Co-Chairperson at OutLine NZ. “Our goal has always been to make sure everybody knows where OutLine is if they need to reach out. We’re so glad to work with organisations that support our rainbow mahi.”
With the intention of supporting and inspiring the community, COS asked some of their own team and OutLine staff to share their personal accounts on “What does pride mean to you?” – those stories will be published across the brand’s digital channels during the campaign:
“Pride is about protest, agitation, and advocacy, it challenges institutions, people, and spaces. Pride is seeking out, creating, and most importantly caring for the community. It is creating a home together, a space to breathe, room to flourish and thrive, in a society that was not built with us in mind. Pride also contributes to other LGBTIQ+ peoples’ ability to thrive, knowing this does not diminish our own.” — Cam Yates (they/them), Staff Member of OutLine
“For me, pride has been about going back to my roots and educating my family, friends from my homeland, and even a stranger about the importance of appreciating love as not just one singular form – it can be mended into something unique to each being, their life, choices, and experiences.” — Sofiya Tymofeyeva, (she/her), Store Associate at COS Auckland
“Pride is the beautiful and honest journeys we all go through that lead to growth and healing. It is the allyship we have for one another, sharing our unique experiences that help shape and shift society and culture. That our stories will inspire and pave the way for future generations.” — Allister Tran (he/him), Visual Merchandiser at COS Auckland
OutLine is an all-ages rainbow mental health organisation providing support to the rainbow community, their friends, Whānau, and others in need of assistance. The services they provide are nationwide, free and confidential, with an 0800 support line for people who want to speak to a trained volunteer from the rainbow community. OutLine also provide face-to-face specialist rainbow counselling and an Auckland based trans and non-binary peer support service.
Proceeds from the COS × OutLine campaign will be used to subsidise rainbow specialist counselling sessions for those who require financial assistance and provide training and regular supervision for our volunteer call takers.
Cam Yates, staff member of OutLine (left), and the COS tote in support of OutLine (right).
Images by Derya Parlak.