Robin L Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 So fellow member brought up the idea of having a free hugs group at WorldPride. With everyone wearing t-shirts or signs with FREE HUGS written on it. Thoughts, anyone? DISCLAIMER: I will not be at WP 1 Link to post Share on other sites
iamphoenixfire Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Well, I think it's awesome. However, some people don't like hugs. But, save that, I think it's a pretty great idea. Link to post Share on other sites
Dirge Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Sounds like a great idea, though I'll admit, I would not be likely to participate. The first time someone approached me, smiling, arms spread, I would probably flee the city. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Notte stellata Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 I'm not sure if I can make it to WP, but if I can, I'll definitely join this! I've offered free hugs before and enjoyed the experience very much. Regarding the previous two posters' concerns, this group should only be for people who are comfortable offering free hugs, and we should let people approach us, so people who don't want hugs won't be pressured to do so or have a panic attack. :P 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Kagon Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 I may or may not be at WP - several factors including whether or not I get time off work and a passport will yet determine that. But - I agree with the sentiments above; great idea...so long as participation is optional. I'm barely comfortable hugging family members, let alone random strangers. Link to post Share on other sites
Robin L Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 Well, yes. Participation is optional and voluntary! Maybe I didn't make that clear. I am thinking a small group of around 4-8 people, and meet at a specific time and place. Link to post Share on other sites
Zash Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 As one of the people who don't like being hugged, as long as it is opt-in (IE the person has to ask to be hugged), go for it. I would just prefer not being randomly hugged by people, I tend to freak out a bit. Other than that, I say rock on! Link to post Share on other sites
Robin L Posted December 27, 2013 Author Share Posted December 27, 2013 If I'm not mistaken, Free Hugs groups do not just randomly hug people. They wait until the other person comes to them (hence the T-shirts). Link to post Share on other sites
Notte stellata Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 If I'm not mistaken, Free Hugs groups do not just randomly hug people. They wait until the other person comes to them (hence the T-shirts). True. They let people know they're open to hugging anyone (by holding signs or wearing T-shirts), so people who want hugs can approach them. I think signs might work better than T-shirts, because signs convey the messages more clearly. Or a combination of both: everyone wears a T-shirt, and some of them also hold signs. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Turning Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I was at Toronto pride 2013 and this was already being done. People wearing free hug t-shirts... Don't know if it was asexual group or what. I think its an awesome idea though so I support it 110%!! I just wanted to add I personally wished that someone was dressed up in a big teddy bear costume wearing a free hugs tshirt. I personally would have gone for that hug. Link to post Share on other sites
sparky_arb Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I was at Toronto pride 2013 and this was already being done. People wearing free hug t-shirts... Don't know if it was asexual group or what. I think its an awesome idea though so I support it 110%!! I just wanted to add I personally wished that someone was dressed up in a big teddy bear costume wearing a free hugs tshirt. I personally would have gone for that hug. I'm not really a big fan of hugging strangers but I would totally go in for a hug with a giant teddy bear!! Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Way cool. :) And yes, the signs work well. A free hug person will hug anyone who comes up to them for a hug. I saw a small group in Catania, Italy during that trip. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Kagon Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 My only concern with the giant teddy bear idea is......isn't this right at the beginning of summer? Yeah, this is Canada, but last I checked I thought it still got kinda hot in Toronto. Add a furry full-body suit to that?! Maybe some people are more heat tolerant than I am though. Either way, someone would need to check on that person regularly as well as some pretty frequent suit-swapping (and making sure everyone's well hydrated would be a must). I know *I* would probably be done from heat exhaustion\heat stroke within the hour though. Link to post Share on other sites
littlepersonparadox Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 I could be one of the people in the suit. I get cold easy. I would probably do sweat pants and a shirt with a sweater year round even in the summer. I don't get hot easy. My friends and family joke that i must be a reptilion im so cold. Although i would only do this if i could swap out with some other people every now and then. The only issue i see for myself personally is i use washrooms a lot. fyi i do wear all that clothing year round. Link to post Share on other sites
Zash Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Yes, Toronto can get hot in the summer. Last year we hit highs over 100F. Several years before, we had highs around 70. (40 and 20 C for those using real units). Keep that in mind when packing your clothes for the trip, and check the weather reports before you head out. Toronto can get some drastic temperature shifts, but, in the summer and winter, it tends to stay around one temperature for a while. Link to post Share on other sites
Squirrel Combat Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Hooray!! Free Hugs!! :D Link to post Share on other sites
Inafingersnap Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Is there a Free Hugs group set up? I'd love to join! Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 So fellow member brought up the idea of having a free hugs group at WorldPride. With everyone wearing t-shirts or signs with FREE HUGS written on it. Thoughts, anyone? DISCLAIMER: I will not be at WP NO!!! NO!!! NO !!!!! NO!!!! Well I guess some people can hugs while others can just hug themselves. Link to post Share on other sites
LeChat Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 (Below is an official, green, mod message.) Hi, everyone. This event has finished. So, it's being locked. LeChat, Welcome Lounge, Announcements, and Alternate Language moderator Link to post Share on other sites
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