It Started with a Single Sentence

I was twelve, parked on a sagging sofa in our Seattle‑area living room, half‑watching an old sitcom, when my mom suddenly muted the TV and said, “It’s okay if you’re gay—just let me know when you’re ready.”
That casual sentence became my first real permission slip to exist.

Whiplash at Sixteen

Fast‑forward four years. My dad, mid‑rant about politics, snapped, “Gays should be shot.”The words landed like a door slamming. In that moment I understood how two people who loved me could live on opposite sides of the same belief. So I folded my truth into silence, the way you tuck a letter into a drawer you’re not brave enough to mail.

Between Two Worlds

Dad’s side of the family ran on a one‑channel worldview—Rambo movies and WWE blaring from the TV. Feelings stayed off‑screen, and anything queer was strictly unspoken. Mom’s side, by contrast, was mostly accepting, the same spirit that prompted her “It’s okay if you’re gay” assurance.

That split taught me early to speak in sideways ways—internalizing instead of delivering speeches, diving into books and studies, confiding in a couple of close, trustworthy friends. I no longer keep in touch with Dad’s relatives, but the lesson stuck: when language feels dangerous, art can carry the message.

Loss, Perspective, and a Promise

My dad died of a heart attack in 2003. I never came out to him. Instead, I promised myself I’d build a life where no one else had to hide a fundamental piece of who they are. Years in retail design and product development followed—yet that promise kept humming underneath every project.

From Burnout to Bold Prints

Fast‑forward again: I’m now in Florida, sharing a home with my partner and caring for my mom as she navigates dementia. Between doctor visits and late‑night design sprints, I noticed a common thread—everyone is exhausted, everyone has something to say, and most of us crave a laugh that bites back.
That’s how SoftDecline was born: a brand that turns burnout, identity, and quiet rebellion into wearable art. Shirts that speak for you when you’re too tired. Mugs that roll their eyes so you don’t have to. Graphics that say “I’m still here, still me, deal with it.”

Why It Matters

Every tee, hoodie, or sticker we drop is a tiny megaphone for someone who needs one—queer kids navigating mixed signals, allies who want to signal support, anyone balancing burnout with a sense of humor. We produce on‑demand to avoid waste, partner with ethical suppliers, and funnel a slice of profits back into LGBTQ+ and mental‑health causes because good design should leave a good footprint.

Join the Story

If our gear helps you feel seen, sparks a grin, or starts a conversation your younger self needed—welcome. Browse the latest drop, share your SoftDecline moment, or just send a note—I read every message.
Thanks for being part of a story that began with a single sentence and became an unapologetic chorus.