Ads We Like: Gok Wan makeover takes a serious twist to highlight LGBTQ+ persecution
Gay Times and LGBTQ+ movement All Out have enlisted Gok Wan to dish out his fashion tips in a video released the weekend of Pride in London. However, instead of florals and headdresses, the fashion guru recommends make-up wipes, disposable phones and beanie hats to represent the series of recent attacks on the gay community throughout the world.
Gok Wan
Created by Karmarama, the film takes on the style of Gok Wan’s regular fashion makeover shows. However, one minute in, the programme takes a sharp twist as Wan recommends items that would have protected those on LGBTQ+ marches in the likes of Russia, Uganda and Turkey.
His advice is interspersed with footage from those parades, where police attacked or violated activists simply for supporting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. At the end of the spot, Wan encourages viewers to add their voice to the fight for global love and equality by pledging their name at All Out’s website.
“Every single day, people face violence, jail time, death threats, or worse, just because of who they are or who they love,” said Matt Beard, executive director at All Out. “As a global movement for love and equality, our aim is to mobilise thousands of people around the world to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights.
"Through our partnership with Gay Times we continue to fight for a world where no one has to sacrifice their family, freedom, safety, or dignity because of who they are or who they love."
Nik Studzinski, chief creative officer at Karmarama, added: "In the midst of the festival that Pride has become we sometimes forget that there are parts of the world where the LGBTQ+ community are still isolated, victimised and persecuted. Working with Gay Times and All Out, our campaign aims to draw attention to the fact that while there is still much to celebrate, there is also much to keep fighting for.”"
The work launched today (6 July) and will run across Pride in London this weekend (7-8 July).
