Not Any Less Campaign

Over a series of creative workshops, young people from Brunswick’s yOUTh groups came together to explore ideas for a new awareness campaign. Rather than focusing on a single issue, they wanted to create something that reflected their own experiences and challenged some of the assumptions people make about LGBTQ+ people.

A common theme quickly emerged. Many of the young people spoke about the pressure to fit expectations, whether that was around gender expression, sexuality, appearance, interests or relationships. They felt that LGBTQ+ people are often judged against stereotypes and that those stereotypes can be limiting, both within and outside LGBTQ+ communities.

The campaign was developed around a simple message: there is no one way to look, act or be LGBTQ+.

Through discussion, artwork and design activities, the group created a series of campaign concepts that celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ lives. The campaign challenges the idea that people have to fit a particular image or meet certain expectations to be accepted or recognised for who they are.

The young people wanted the campaign to reflect the wide range of experiences within LGBTQ+ communities. They highlighted that people can be masculine, feminine, both, neither, or somewhere in between. They can be trans, cis, gay, bisexual, lesbian, queer or questioning. They can express themselves in different ways and still be completely valid in who they are.

Working alongside a communications consultant and a professional designer, the young people then developed their ideas into a series of posters and postcards. These materials are designed to spark conversations, challenge assumptions and celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences.

The campaign resources are available to download and will be shared across Calderdale and Kirklees throughout the year. They will also feature at Pride events and community activities across the region, helping to amplify the voices and ideas of the young people who created them.

At its heart, the campaign is about visibility, understanding and acceptance. It encourages people to look beyond assumptions and recognise that identities are personal, diverse and unique.

The result is a campaign created by young LGBTQ+ people, for their communities and allies, with a simple but important message: everyone deserves to be seen, heard and understood.