Jaimie Fuller $1 Million SKINS Giveaway Interview

SKINS founder calls out NO campaigns "ignorant bigots and gutless politicians"

An Australian corporate is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to the marriage equality debate.

The founder and owner of SKINS compression clothing, Jaimie Fuller, has pledged to give away $1 million of SKINS apparel if the national Marriage Equality Survey achieves a 70% 'YES' vote.

'We don't want the YES vote to just scrape through, we need it to be a complete landslide,"Mr Fuller said.

'We want to send a clear message to the world that we are a tolerant, fair and progressive nation that embraces the important social movements of our time.

'Marriage equality is key amongst those."

Mr Fuller is launching the pledge with a video explaining his promise that will see SKINS available to universities, schools, clubs, teams and individuals throughout Australia.

Additionally, SKINS is encouraging people to put their own #SkinInTheGame by also making a pledge if the vote gets more than 70% of the Marriage Equality Survey vote.

'We ask people to show their support by retweeting and sharing my message, as well as pledging what they will do if the vote gets above the magic 70%.

'You don't have to part with a million bucks, but whatever it is, Tweet, Facebook or Instagram your pledge with #SkinInTheGame to help bring Australia into the 21st century," says Mr Fuller.

SKINS has a record of connecting with the issues that matter through the power of sport, from giving away hundreds of thousands of pairs of rainbow laces, to designing and launching rainbow-branded calf tights to raise awareness of LGBTI issues.

'A big part of this has been fighting against prejudice faced by the LGBTI community," says Mr Fuller.

The move follows a number of Australian sporting organisations throwing their support behind the YES campaign for marriage equality, something Mr Fuller believes all Australians should be proud of.

'Despite what some people think, sport and politics and sport and policy do mix.

'Sport is a fundamental part of our culture. It is about promoting unity, banding together to overcome adversity and beating the odds to achieve victory," Mr Fuller says.

'It's why I consider everyone has the potential to be a Citizen of Sport.

'A Citizen of Sport doesn't merely spectate, they participate. They use their position to inspire this generation and the next, on and off the field."

Mr Fuller says however flawed the marriage equality survey is, it gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be remembered for something incredible.

'When the question is asked about which side of history we were on when it comes to marriage equality, I want Australia to be seen as one where we wore our colours, we overcame the adversity the LGBTI community has faced for years, and we beat the odds to bring about a victory that will define succeeding generations."

To find out more about the pledge, visit www.skininthegame.com
See the video here: YouTube

Interview with Jaimie Fuller

Question: Can you tell us about your most recent pledge regarding the National Marriage Equality Survey?

Jaimie Fuller: We don't want the YES vote to just scrape through, we need it to be a complete landslide. We want to send a clear message to the world that we are a tolerant, fair and progressive nation that embraces the important social movements of our time. I've pledged in an online message to give away $1 million of SKINS apparel if the national Marriage Equality Survey achieves a 70% -YES' vote. We're asking people to show their support by retweeting and sharing my message, as well as pledging what they will do if the vote gets above the magic 70%. You don't have to part with a million bucks, but whatever it is, Tweet, Facebook or Instagram your pledge with #SkinInTheGame to help bring Australia into the 21st century.


Question: What inspired this pledge?

Jaimie Fuller: It's important we do not back down from the reality of what has happened - a small number of politicians abrogating the responsibility of the Parliament and holding the nation to ransom. I'm calling it how I see it. SKINS has a record of connecting with the issues that matter through the power of sport, from giving away hundreds of thousands of pairs of rainbow laces, to designing and launching rainbow-branded calf tights to raise awareness of LGBTI issues. A big part of this has been fighting against prejudice faced by the LGBTI community.


Question: Are you hopeful for a result of 70% -YES' vote?

Jaimie Fuller: We want to send a message to government, handing it a powerful mandate to change the law, and we believe 70% is not just achievable but appropriate for this goal. Nothing would make us happier than being in a position to pay out the million bucks worth of SKINS if we can hit and exceed 70%. The real question is -can we as a nation afford for the NO vote to triumph?'

Question: Who will you be donating SKINS apparel to?

Jaimie Fuller: This campaign will see SKINS available to universities, schools, clubs, teams and individuals throughout Australia.


Question: What message do you hope to spread with your pledge?

Jaimie Fuller: That sport is a fundamental part of our culture, promoting unity, banding together to overcome adversity and beating the odds to achieve victory. It's why I consider everyone has the potential to be a Citizen of Sport. A Citizen of Sport doesn't merely spectate, they participate. They use their position to inspire this generation and the next, on and off the field.

The marriage equality survey gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be remembered for something incredible. When the question is asked about which side of history we were on when it comes to marriage equality, I want Australia to be seen as one where we wore our colours, we overcame the adversity the LGBTI community has faced for years, and we beat the odds to bring about a victory that will define succeeding generations.

This is about driving the last of the voters who have not yet submitted their postal forms to vote - preferably YES.


Question: How does sport play an important role in societal issues?

Jaimie Fuller: SKINS has a record of connecting with the issues that matter through the power of sport, from giving away hundreds of thousands of pairs of rainbow laces, to designing and launching rainbow-branded calf tights to raise awareness of LGBTI issues. This campaign is smack bang in the middle of our brand values and our corporate mission, along with being in keeping with the social work we have done in the past.


Question: What's next for SKINS?

Jaimie Fuller: We work closely with Pride in Diversity, a social inclusive initiative of ACON and will continue to support LGBTI charities well into the future whether the YES vote prevails or otherwise.

Interview by Brooke Hunter