| Media Campaign |
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FFLAG is delighted to be working with the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) on a new media campaign, funded by the Department of Health, and aimed at tackling homophobia in families.
THT’s aim is to reduce HIV transmission among gay and bisexual men and the rationale behind this new campaign is that if fewer families reject their gay children these children will be less at risk of harm to their mental and physical health including, in the case of gay men, the risk of getting HIV. Research carried out for THT has recommended that the campaign target women family members, particularly mothers, and that working class families have on average a harder time dealing with a gay child so the campaign will be placed where working class people are more likely to see it. Due for launch in early 2008 the campaign is currently in the design stages and FFLAG will be one of the organisations that is consulted on the draft design and text. FFLAG will be signposted as the main port of call for people affected by the ads with the FFLAG logo, website and helpline number being include. The campaign will also include a web page which will link directly to the FFLAG website. One of the designs will feature a women’s magazine-style ‘true story’ and this will be based on one of the parent’s stories currently on the FFLAG website (names and locations will be changed to protect identities). THT has previously run very powerful campaigns about homophobia “It’s prejudice that’s queer” featured posters including the text: “Homophobes shouldn’t be left alone with kids” The 2003 “It’s time to accept” campaign was aimed at the Black community in London included: “After 50 years I’ve changed my mind about homosexuality. Because that’s better than living without my son” This new campaign should be just as effective. www.tht.org.uk |