American Foundation for Equal Rights

Marriage News Blog

AFER’s Justin Mikita Launches Bow Tie Line for Marriage Equality with Fiancé Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Image: Mike Rosenthal for the L.A. Times

When Justin Mikita, AFER’s development manager, got engaged to his boyfriend, actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the two knew they wanted to do something to ensure every American had the freedom to marry the person they love. The pair conceived Tie the Knot, which raises funds to achieve marriage equality through the sale of limited edition bow ties.

A feature in Sunday’s Los Angeles Times explains:

The recently engaged pair are behind a limited-edition, 20-piece collection of neckwear called Tie the Knot that went on sale just a few days ago exclusively through online retailer the Tie Bar. Proceeds from sales of the jaunty, all-silk, self-tie bow ties are earmarked to benefit groups working for marriage equality.

From various furnishings around their home to a bandana on their dog Leaf, Justin and Jesse found inspiration for the 20 stylish designs in their everyday life.

“We would send them [thetiebar.com] photos of things that inspired us,” Ferguson says, “and they would create fabric designs based on that inspiration and we would tweak them from there. I didn’t actually think it could be that easy.”

Even the logo was conceived with the principles of marriage equality in mind.

“Everyone knows the owl represents wisdom,” answers Ferguson. “But they also represent patience and dignity. That’s something I think the people who are in the fight for marriage equality have to embrace, that there’s a certain amount of patience that comes with [the fight].”

All net proceeds from the Fall/Winter collection, which cost $25 each, benefit the Human Rights Campaign.

Who doesn’t love a good bow tie? Get yours before they are sold out!