to allow them to find how they fit in this world and not make them micro versions of themselves. “Kids are now teaching their parents about sexual orientation and gender. Kids are teaching up instead of parents teaching down.” Expanding his philosophy into the Metaverse, Smith’s next big enterprise is to launch the Phluid City. The idea behind this is to replicate a store to promote gender-free clothing and create a safe community space for LGBTQ+ people along with their families and friends. “My goal is to lead with the community. Many retailers are not getting successful because they’re trying to sell a product when I, instead, like to build trust first and a meaningful relationship with the community.” Fashion has the power to promote greater acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences and can create a more accepting and inclusive culture. With its commitment to social justice, the Phluid Project is not only revolutionizing the fashion industry but also inspiring individuals worldwide to take a stand for their future.
Statistically, about 60% of Gen Zers shop across gender lines. They only buy what they like and don’t care about the boys’ or girls’ section. And more and more parents are trying to raise children and not just put boys in blue and girls in pink. If only parents could free their children and themselves from what society says they’re supposed to be. From an educational standpoint, Smith believes a parent’s responsibility is to give kids an opportunity, and exposure to as much as possible, to create empathy and understanding, but also
equality. “We celebrate these heroes and every other human fighting against oppression and understanding the urgency to act now,” Smith said on a Zoom call. Artists featured: Antonia Otoya (She/ He/They), Colombian Indigenous muralist Daniel Skripnik (he/him), Ukrainian LGBTQ+ artist/activist Afolabi Oluwafemi, Nigerian visual artist Ghazal Foroutan (She/Her), Iranian graphic designer and educator Katy Riley (she/her) Body Positive/Fat artist.
THEPHLUIDPROJECT.COM LINKTR.EE/THEPHLUIDPROJECT @THEPHLUIDPROJECT @ROBGARRETTSMITH @STELLAPOLYZOIDOU @STERJIANNI
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