Many of us can remember people from TV or media whom we idolized or wanted to be. Although a singer or actor might immediately come to mind, there were also teachers, nurses and other people who may not have had a huge following on social media, but still influenced and shaped us.
This latter group are called “everyday heroes” and star in the first brand campaign from Pride Live, which reminds people of the significant role they can play in our lives.
Pride Live is a social advocacy and community engagement organization for the LGBTQ+ community. Its campaign launches Wednesday, ahead of Stonewall Day and celebrates LGBTQ+ activists, advocates and models.
The effort comes out more than a year away from the official opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC), which Pride Live has helped establish as the first LGBTQ+ visitor center within the National Park system.
“The Stonewall Uprising of 1969 and the movement that was born was possible because of everyday heroes, who are now giants in history,” said David Correa, the campaign’s creative director and executive producer of Stonewall Day, in a statement. “This campaign was inspired by people like them, and I am in awe of the models featured. Their stories, the work they do and their commitment to our community is why Pride Live works tirelessly to ensure the legacy of Stonewall is never forgotten.”
Raw, real and unapologetic
Sometimes viewers can associate Pride-related content with over-the-top imagery, but Mike Ruiz, the campaign’s art director, photographer and producer, aimed for a toned-down look akin to an editorial piece in a fashion magazine.
“The focus was on these leaders in our community, and we wanted to celebrate them in a respectful, elevational kind of way,” Ruiz told Adweek.
Along with the portraits, the campaign features anecdotes from each model, who shared the impact they hope to have on the community, messages of hope for future LGBTQ+ generations and the importance of preserving the legacy of the Stonewall Riot.
