Laws Worn With Pride

Local News, By Joal, 6th November, 2009

The times and the laws are changing, and ACON wants celebrities and everyday Australians wearing the laws and advertising the benefits, literally.

The Federal Government made 85 amendments to Australian laws that discriminated against the gay community, and most of us aren’t aware of the benefits, says Alliance Executive Director Gabi Rosenstreich.

“These 85 reforms are monumental and a proud signpost on our road to equality,” Ms Rosenstreich says. “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 says it knows that people are more likely to listen to their peers than a traditional advertising campaign and that talking about laws can be a bit dry. So ACON is recruiting celebrity designers and community members to wear the reforms on their sleeves and design t-shirts to be worn with pride.

“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,” says ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill. “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.”

Designers and celebrity ‘wearers’ of the T-shirts already includes Charlie Brown, Jayson Brunsden, Henry Roth, Alex Zabotto Bentley and Rachel Gilbert. Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Ruby Rose, Richard Reid, Noel Tovey, Dr Kerryn Phelps, and Jess and Lisa Origliasso from the Veronicas will be donning the historic t-shirts.

Advertising agency behind the new campaign, M&C Saatchi, says while the list includes some high profile Australians, they’re “calling on passionate people who wish to take part to proudly stand up and be counted.”

Head to the Wear It With Pride website for more info.