In the front lines for progress, Selyn has created a range of kid’s educational toys to celebrate Pride which is held annually in the month of June worldwide. With many mainstream businesses slow to embrace diversity, culture or “risky” projects, Selyn has turned the tables and transformed their range of “diversity dolls” to represent the rainbow families, a series of dolls that can be utilised to educate children about the diverse family structures within LGBTIQ+ communities around the world. Apart from that, in their continuous efforts to promote diversity and equality in the workforce, Selyn has partnered with EQUAL GROUND to launch The PIN IT WITH PRIDE partnership, where they have created a rainbow flower pin made from 100% handloom fabric by Selyns artisans. Equal Ground is a non-profit organisation seeking economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning/Queer (LGBTIQ) community of Sri Lanka. Working with Equal Ground, Seyln hopes the Pin It With Pride campaign hopes to raise further awareness, educate and support the LGBTIQ+ cause in Sri Lanka.

 

UND will not only ensure that staff of Selyn will receive “Diversity in Workforce” training but profits from the sale of the rainbow flower pins and the extended Pride collection will go towards supporting the continuous work and advocacy of EQUAL GROUND. A keen advocate of many social issues, Director Business Development Selyna Peiris says “we may not be able to change discriminatory laws and practices, but we can use our product to create impact. We can also take the necessary steps to educate our staff, support and collaborate with like-minded passionate organisations making a difference and hopefully be a source of inspiration for others. If we can stand by our LGBTIQ+ staff and community allies then others should too!”.

 

Speaking on the partnership Equal Ground founder and activist Rosanna Flamer Caldera says “We’ve come a long way in terms of LGBTIQ+ rights and awareness in Sri Lanka but we still have a long way to go! Industry partnerships, especially those with partners that work across rural areas and outside of big cities are a good way to help spread awareness and education. We are therefore delighted that Selyn has joined hands with us for Pride and will continue after that with instilling diversity and inclusion in their workplace!”.

 

I think it was less about “coming up” with something and more about proactively standing up to voice and advocate for those without one. This has always been in Selyn’s DNA ever since the brand started 30 years ago; it was my mother’s vision to ensure that rural women were acknowledged for their role in their community and homes.  It is also my opinion that as a business we need to stand up for what is right as we have the independence to do so and the ability to influence and change trends. Our “Selyn Play” collections, which are largely exported, hosts a wide range of educational toys which are created to promote diversity and respect for others. 

 

So to celebrate Pride, we dedicated a series to represent what we call the rainbow families, a series of dolls that can be utilised to educate children about the diverse family structures within LGBTIQ+ communities around the world.  We did this because we felt that now more than ever the LGBTIQ+ community, who are among our own networks here in Sri Lanka, needs awareness and support.   That’s where the partnership with EQUAL GROUND came in, first by providing awareness training of our management and staff but also by leading as an example for other companies and enterprise to follow. We’ve also committed to share a % of the profit of sales of this collection to EQUAL GROUND to continue supporting the important work that they do across society. 

 

We’re living in a time where human rights belong to all and everyone has the right to love who they love and be who they are - and that’s what matters. Actually part of our social problems come from the fact that topics are “hidden” and not spoken about. We saw a similar concern with our reusable menstrual pad, people told us we were crazy and no one would want to buy it. To date, we are selling loads of pads which is funding our project to deliver pad packs and awareness to those communities who need it and also exporting to the UK. We need to do what it takes, fearlessness, to change attitudes around us. I certainly don’t expect things to switch overnight, but acknowledging and respecting that our society is made up of diversity and is something to be respected and celebrated will only bring us all closer together. I’m sure our loyal customers would be very supportive and even proud of our initiatives!

 

These toys are more than just LGBTIQ+, they are about diversity. We know that the modern family is made up of single parents, divorced parents, parents of different backgrounds, culture and family structure that’s why we felt a need to develop a line of toys within the Selyn PLAY collection that everyone can identify with, that makes feeling or being different normal and ok. We’ve had such a great response from the international clients and we’re excited to see how our local market takes to it. We know it might not be for everyone, but we also know that times are changing and there’s nothing wrong with being who you want to be. In fact, being a mother of a young daughter,  I am conscious of how our perceptions can inhibit a child.  I am constantly on the lookout for toys or activities which can break my perceptions and also help me take my child on a journey to respect diversity.

 

This collection, as with all our items, is made from 100% handloom cotton textiles certified in compliance with Fairtrade and PETA guidelines and standards. This means everything from how the material is sourced, dyed, developed and produced is underpinned by ethical and sustainable practices.