Converse announces new partnership with 11-year-old gay child who is famous for dressing in drag and dancing in gay nightclubs

May 10, 2019 in News by RBN

Converse has announced a new partnership with 11-year-old Desmond Napoles — a self-identified gay child who dresses in drag and frequents gay nightclubs as Desmond is Amazing.
The new campaign, which includes five other models from within the LGBTQ community, was designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pride and features a new collection of footwear.

What are the details?

The site reads, “What started as a rebellious fight for equality has since grown into a loud, proud assertion of true self-expression. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pride with a glitter-dipped collection of parade-worthy sneakers, including our first-ever trans flag design. Because equal rights are for everyone.”
The brand explains that they are committed to “supporting movements for positive social change and amplifying youth voices as they spark progress to build the future they believe in.”
“Let’s spread a message of love together and shout a little louder,” the page adds.
Desmond’s shoes — low-top Chuck-style sneakers with a vivid rainbow design — retail for $95.
On Monday, the company tweeted, “We’re happy to launch our Pride Collection, partnering with six individuals connected to the LGBTQ+ community who show the power of expressing one’s true self.”

Converse

@Converse

We’re happy to launch our Pride Collection, partnering with six individuals connected to the LGBTQ+ community who show the power of expressing one’s true self. Contributions are supporting @ItGetsBetter @OutMetroWest & @FenwayHealth. https://bit.ly/2DQRgqF 

What else?

Desmond, who appeared on NBC’s “Today” in 2018, said that he began watching “RuPaul’s Drag Race” when he was just 3 years old.
Watching the drag queens perform, he said, changed his life, and he knew that he’d just watched a preview of his own future.
The child also says that he’s gay and has been “out” since birth.
His parents fully support his life choices, and encourage his performances.
“Drag is for anyone, no matter what sex, age, gender, identity, ability, or race,” Wendy Napoles, Desmond’s mother, told Pink News in 2018.