Facebook And Instagram Have Teamed Up On A Heartwarming Campaign For Pride
They want Aussies to share their fearless stories.
If you’re a regular attendee of the Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras, there’s no way that you’ve forgotten your first time at the march.
It can be a cornerstone moment in your life: an entrance into a broader community, and an opportunity to share experiences and make friends.
Well, to celebrate both the Mardi Gras festival and everyone’s individual history of firsts, social media giants Facebook and Instagram have teamed up for the ‘Share Your #FearlessStories’ campaign.
Posted by Facebook on Wednesday, 13 February 2019
The event, timed to coincide with Pride, has seen the two companies launch a range of LGBTQI-focused content, all of it spearheaded by the initiative’s celebrity ambassadors, including Youtuber Elly Awesome and The Veronicas.
“Around the time of the marriage equality vote I was gearing up to propose to my girlfriend,” Awesome says of her own involvement in the initiative.
“It was such a challenging time knowing I wanted to get married to my partner but whether I would be legally allowed was being debated live and nationally.
“So as a public figure … I’m really focused on sharing stories from the LGBTQI+ community. I want to encourage acceptance and end LGTBQI+ discrimination.”
I just came out on YouTube!!! Watch here: https://t.co/kcGTIN0RHv #pridemonth #gay #bi #pan #lgbt pic.twitter.com/IF0lxb1FGr
— Elly Awesome ?️? (@ellyawwesome) June 23, 2018
The key element of the initiative is Facebook’s Pride Life Event features. These have been designed to promote Pride-related milestones, so users will be able to use the FearlessStories hashtag to share such key moments as the time they came out, to the time they marched in their very first Mardi Gras. It’s a perfect way for the community to share stories, and for younger members of the community to learn that they’re not alone.
“Facebook and Instagram are such hugely popular platforms,” Awesome explains. “And when these kinds of companies, which are community focused, show their positive support for a community still fighting for equal rights, it travels worldwide … As a community, we don’t always know when we are safe. Safety can be a luxury and Instagram and Facebook’s endorsement shows us the platforms are safe spaces for us and that is deeply appreciated.”
For their part, Instagram has given hashtags with the Pride theme a major makeover: they’ll now appear with a little rainbow alongside them, a beautiful cosmetic addition just in time for your Mardi Gras selfies.
What a priviledge to be part of this years Mardi Gras, #FearlessStories campaign with Instagram & LGBTQ@Facebook. It took some courage to share a few stories – especially when this video kicks off at Fair Day this coming Sunday! As part of this campaign you can now create a life event of "Came Out", or change the marriage icon to genders of your choice. Similarly, you can now choose from over 70+ gender pronouns, or choose to create your own. Let's celebrate, individuality and community and most importantly let's celebrate #Mardigras! #gay #gaysydney #lgbt #lgbtiq
Posted by Simon James-Williams on Wednesday, 13 February 2019
“Hashtags might sound like a bit of a joke but for the queer community hashtags are of so much importance,” Awesome says. “I’ve discovered a lot of LGBTQI+ people and communities just by searching up key terms like #lesbian or #LGBTQI or #gay.
“When I was coming to terms with my sexuality it helped me find representation and community before I had a community of my own around me. It comforted me and made me feel safe and normal which lead me to come out and now lead an authentic, happy and incredibly fulfilling life.”
Finally, both sites are set to release brand new data on how the LGBTQI community uses both apps, focusing on the use of emojis (we’re hoping it’s a list of the most used), events, and LGBTQI groups.
It’s always heartening to see major, multi-national companies throw their weight behind Mardi Gras. And, more than that, these new measures are primed to do some genuine, measurable good, connecting members of the community and spreading stories.
Happy Pride, everyone!