Get your pride on

Organisers of a new education campaign about recent same-sex law reforms want people to help them promote the campaign by creating and modelling special designer t-shirts.

In July this year, the Federal Government amended 85 pieces of legislation that discriminated against same-sex couples. However, research indicates many people from the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community don’t know how the reforms will impact specifically on their relationships and families.

Called Wear It With Pride, the new campaign will be based around a series of 85 T-shirts inspired by various human stories behind the reforms. Each of the 85 t-shirt designs will be used as part of a cross-media campaign to help LGBT community members engage with the new laws so they get the most out of their new entitlements and responsibilities. The Commonwealth-funded campaign is being produced by leading LGBT health agency ACON on behalf of Australia’s National LGBT Health Alliance.

Alliance Executive Director Gabi Rosenstreich said while debate continues on issues such as equal marriage rights and changes to Centrelink payments, the significance of the reforms deserve to be celebrated.

“These 85 reforms are monumental and a proud signpost on our road to equality,” Rosenstreich said.

“They result from years of tireless lobbying and protesting by members and supporters of the LGBT community. And though our journey is not over yet, these reforms deserve to be celebrated by everyone – straight, lesbian, gay, bi and trans.”

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said organisers are now looking for people to take part in the campaign by sharing their stories or by designing or modelling the T-shirts.

“We’re currently signing up some of Australia’s biggest names in fashion and design as well as some of our brightest up-and-coming designers,” he said.

“Once completed, each t-shirt will be assigned to an influential community member who will adopt that specific reform and take the message of it to the public via an advertising and publicity campaign to be launched in January 2010. These influencers will be a mix of prominent and grassroots LGBT community members as well as mainstream supporters.”

Global boutique ad agency M&C Saatchi is creating the campaign. Head of Creative Ben Welsh said the campaign provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for people to be directly involved in an historic promotion and celebration of human rights.

“While Wear It With Pride will be a high-profile design project, it’s also open to every corner of the community as a grassroots campaign. We’re calling on passionate people who wish to take part to proudly stand up and be counted,” he said.

Designers already involved include Charlie Brown, Jayson Brunsden, Henry Roth, Alex Zabotto Bentley and Rachel Gilbert. Influencers who are on board include Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Ruby Rose, Richard Reid, Noel Tovey, Dr Kerryn Phelps, and Jess and Lisa Origliasso from the Veronicas.

Involvement with the campaign is entirely voluntary and pro-bono. Each participant, whether they’re a storyteller, designer or influencer, will play a vital role in promoting this human rights milestone for Australia. Interest can be registered on the campaign website: www.wearitwithpride.com.au