WASHINGTON - Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced that it’s once again teaming up with famed designer and activist Kenneth Cole for a brand new limited-edition tie to help promote LGBT equality. The release of the unique design also coincides with HRC’s push for the Equality Act, a landmark federal bill that would address the lack of clear, fully-inclusive federal non-discrimination protections for LGBT Americans.

“Since we first partnered with Kenneth Cole in 2009, there has been significant progress in the fight for LGBT equality across the country,” said HRC Creative Director Don Kiser.  “But despite our nation’s marriage equality victory at the Supreme Court in June, countless LGBT Americans still face inequality in their daily lives and remain at risk of unacceptable discrimination.  We are honored that Kenneth Cole is once again standing with us as we continue to fight for full LGBT equality.”

“Despite all of the groundbreaking progress the Human Rights Campaign and its partners have made for the LGBT community, the fight for LGBT civil rights is far from over,” said Kenneth Cole. “We will continue to advocate for the rights of ALL people and are proud to once again partner with the Human Rights Campaign to ensure all loose ends are tied.”

In 31 states across the country, LGBT Americans can get legally married but remain at risk of losing their job or being denied services for who they are and whom they love. The Equality Act would provide basic protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, access to public spaces, and other important areas of their daily lives.  In March, HRC polling found that nearly two-thirds of LGBT people have experienced discrimination in their lifetime.

Designed by Kenneth Cole, the tie features the equality sign embroidered near the lower, left edge, as a bold symbol of support of equal rights for all. Offered in either black or grey, the tie retails for $55 and will be available on http://www.hrc.org/shop and in HRC stores in Provincetown, MA, and San Francisco, CA.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Kenneth Cole is an American designer, social activist, and visionary who believes business and philanthropy are interdependent. His global company, Kenneth Cole Productions, creates modern, functional, clothing, shoes, and accessories for inspirational urban lifestyles under the brand names Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction and Unlisted, as well as footwear under the name Gentle Souls. The company has also granted a wide variety of third party licenses for the production of men’s and women's apparel, fragrances, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and several other accessory categories, including children’s footwear. The company's products are distributed through department stores, better specialty stores, company-owned retail stores and its e-commerce website.   Over 30 years ago, Kenneth Cole leveraged his passion and unique brand platform to make a meaningful impact on people’s wardrobes, as well as communities in need. He did what others didn’t and said what others wouldn’t.  Today, The Kenneth Cole Foundation remains committed to helping communities in need by supporting Collective Health, Civil Liberties, and Artistic Activism.

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