Pride Month 2023

This Pride Month, we come together to celebrate the beautiful spectrum of identities and the power of self-expression, as we have the privilege of interviewing inspiring individuals who embody the spirit of Pride. Through their stories, we delve into how personalized jewelry becomes a transformative tool for self-discovery, self-love, and a proud declaration of one's authentic identity

Can you share a bit about yourselves and your journey as a couple?

MSP: We met six years ago. We went on the best first date ever - a picnic and an afternoon at the Whitney.
DK: Trips to the opera, museums, dance and music concerts followed. We connected over our involvement in and our love of the arts. Michael was still a dancer in a company. I’m an architect.
MSP: It felt like we would never run out of artistic things to discuss, analyze, and find inspiration in. We were married on New Years Eve, 2019. Then Covid happened .
DK: It was a time of change. Michael ended his career as a dancer in a company, and so we began working together on a series of site specific projects that evolve from environmental and/or social issues.
MSP: We work with a team of collaborators and create live interdisciplinary performance works, but we also then film them and turn them into large scale video installations. So our company, Site-Specific Dances, www.sitespecificdances.com was born out of this time where we decided to create performance works together.
DK: And we also got our adorable little Boston Terrier, Lucy, during the pandemic.
MSP: We were building our family, Lucy the pup, our company of collaborating artists. It was and is a very exciting time for us, because we are seeing our company growing before our eyes.

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How do you express your individuality and celebrate your identities during Pride Month?

MSP: We went on some dates this month-seeing a few concerts and a trip to the opera. We also attend a handful of celebrations being held by friends during NYC Pride weekend.
DK: This year it is also very exciting to be raising money for the Ali Forney Center in collaboration with Oak and Luna.
MSP: Pride month is a very unique time in NYC, but not all places have the same acceptance and allyship. The Ali Forney Center aids LGBTQ+ homeless youth and runs multiple programs to give the young people in our community access to shelter, nutrition, mental health, etc.

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In what ways do you think Oak and Luna jewelry can contribute to self-expression and celebrating one's uniqueness?

MSP: I always think that jewelry is a beautiful way to celebrate self-expression and uniqueness. Choosing pieces that speak to you…can make you feel nostalgic, romantic, joyful, and proud. They also always feel like a bookmark that notes a time in your life. You always remember what was happening in your when you get a piece of jewelry; it’s even more special when it’s personalized.

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Can your describe a meaningful experience or story related to weari ang personalized jewelry during Pride Month or in your daily lives? MSP: when we were choosing personalized pieces; we simultaneously said “L” for Lucy, our dog. We both burst out laughing. It’s wild how much love you can have for a pet; and caring for that pet with your spouse can be so special. My heart always melts when I see them sleeping together. DK: It’s quite beautiful that the pandemic brought us Lucy as well as our company, Site-Specific Dances. Being able to spend time with one another as artists and build something that is uniquely “ours” feels like quite an accomplishment. We are PROUD of the life we are living, the love we have for one another, and the ability to dream big for the future. Happy Pride 2023 xx Michael and Dino

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