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I think if you had asked me seven years ago if I'd ever be writing this I would probably tell you YES! (YAAAAASSS wasn't a thing back then but if it was...I would probably say that). I never knew HOW this was all going to work out but I always knew in my heart it would. But I think in order for you to understand where I am at and where I am going it's important to take you back in time real quick...
Seven years ago I was just a senior at Boston College trying to make it in the world of club dj-ing and wondering how in the hell "DJ SEAN" would ever catch on. I was living in the shadows of not only my also well known ex...but the very difficult task of breaking into the entertainment industry...then something happened. Through a very fortunate series of events Glitter became a thing. Don't ask me how...because for the life of me I still have no idea...but it did...and I ran with it...out the closet and down the hallway. Before I knew it I was front and center in DJ booths of clubs and on stages doing things I never knew I was capable of. I was traveling the world and working tirelessly trying to balance ambition with respect while avoiding the nay-sayers that were around me everyday. It was incredible, scary, wonderful, stressful, and exciting all at the same time and remains that way today.
What started as a little bit of glitter for decoration evolved into a demand for more and more eccentric outfits. Why wouldn't I? If Glitter can get away with face paint, what's wrong with sequins jackets, wings, feathers, and just underwear? Oh the outfits...
Glitter became an unstoppable entertainment force whose only job was to make people stop, stare, laugh (either with or at me I really don't care) and enjoy themselves. Glitter went from being a DJ name, to a persona, to a brand and I'm incredibly excited to reveal the next evolution of the brand that many people thought was just a phase...
Today I am honored and humbled to announce the launch of PROUD by Glitter.
When I was first approached with the concept and asked what I thought the best product would be to start I needed to think...so I went home and sat down with my sister and opened up a bottle of wine and then it occurred to me...why not wine? Everyone loves wine! How hard could it be to design, license, bottle, and market wine? That was two years ago. Now, after countless meetings, sleepless nights, endless worry it wouldn't work and thanks to so many amazing people...PROUD WINE is here!
PROUD Wine is special for number of reasons...not just because my picture is on the bottle :)
It's called PROUD because of all the things that have ever been said to me about what I do (and trust me...there's been A LOT) the minute anyone in my life looks at me, the work I've done, and the person I've become and says "I'm proud of you"...I know I'll be OK.
I'm proud to have an amazing group of people at #TeamGlitter. You have been my family, my allies, my support and my ego check. You have helped me through some very dark times (wait for the book) and you have inspired me to achieve what I thought would be impossible.
I am very proud of all of you who are reading this right now. I'm proud to know you, to work with you, to be your friend, or to be someone you don't know and just stalk on social media...but in all seriousness I'm proud of who you are...and if no one has ever said that to you...I'm telling you right now.
If there are people, circumstances, or events in your life that you are proud of...this is to celebrate them.
I'm proud that a boy from Boston could garner the support of a local company like Boston Winery to have faith in this brand. If you don't know about them you need to check them out! They are no newbies to the game. They have successfully collaborated with brands like Shawn Thornton of the Boston Bruins and The Black Dog to create custom wines...so it's only fitting Glitter would be their next celebrity ambassador ;)
The wine is flippin delicious! If you think it was fun spending hours and hours sampling wine that you'd be confident enough to put your name and picture on... it was, who am I kidding? We chose organic blends instead of specific varietals because when I thought about it...a blend just makes more sense. Life is blended, love is blended, it's never just ONE type...why not drink something that blends with your life?
The picture featured was shared nationally as a symbol of Pride 2015 and even though you and I know it's me...this picture represents any person...in any city...standing tall above adversity and looking forward to the future.
Starting today until April 1, 2016, a portion of every single bottle sold will go directly to Victory Program's Boston Living Center. For those of you who don't know Victory Programs’ Boston Living Center (BLC) is a nonprofit community and resource center that fosters the wellness of all HIV positive people and responds to the changing needs of the HIV/AIDS community through education, treatment information and support services.
PROUD is going to focus on local non-profits specific to each market. So while today marks the Boston launch for a non-profit in MA, whatever market is next will have it's own beneficiary. In LA it could go to non-profits such as Equality California. In NYC, we'll work with places like the Trinity Place Shelter for Transgender youth, and in Ft. Lauderdale, I am hoping to work with places like SunServe, an LGBT mental health services organization. Each quarter will allow a new beneficiary and new pillar of need for the community to be addressed. What I love about this is that it doesn't matter where you live or what you do, you can make a change in the world, give back and enjoy something delicious to drink. I've never been able to do what I do without giving back...I've never had a platform as large as this to do so and while I don't know if every single person in the world will like it...I do know several things:
I know in my heart that PROUD will make a positive change. I know that it will give funds to build shelters and provide assistance to people on hard times. I know that it will assist in the research and eventual eradication of the HIV/AIDs epidemic which has claimed the lives of so many who paved the way... But my one true hope...the reason I keep going everyday even when I don't think I can...is that I know PROUD will work towards a world where no child will ever think of ending his/her life because they were teased, bullied, abused, or punished for being anything as beautiful as themselves. It's not going to happen overnight but if I can do any one of these things...then I will do all of them.
Well...that's it I guess! I very much appreciate you taking the time to read this...If you don't want to wait until PROUD hits stores in January you can visit the good folks at Boston Winery 26 Ericsson St in Dorchester! If you live out of MA, or love your online shopping, I would love for you to CLICK HERE TO BUY PROUD WINE and I thank you for being a part of my journey. It's been quite the ride and the best part is it's only just beginning. Have a Merry Christmas and cheers to a wonderful 2016!
Oh! I almost forgot one thing.....
#ItsGlitterBitch
