To celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community SKITTLES® is teaming up with critically acclaimed historian, author, educator and influencer, Blair Imani, to promote LGBTQ+ visibility, spotlighting influencers and creators through the SKITTLES QueeR Codes program in cities across the U.S. and at SKITTLESQueerCodes.com. The brand partnered with five LGBTQ+ influencers showcasing their stories and experiences that range from drag performance to sign language performance, music, dance and makeup artistry.
Learn more about the LGBTQ+ creators featured on SKITTLESQueerCodes.com.
“When SKITTLES came to me with this idea, I was so excited to be a part of something that’s focused on shining a spotlight on the wide range of backgrounds and experiences in the LGBTQ+ community,” said Blair Imani. “As a Black, bisexual and Muslim woman, I’m always celebrating and educating others about topics like intersectionality and visibility, and to get to work on a campaign that’s focused on those topics while partnering with so many great LGBTQ+ artists and creators was something I was honored to participate in.”
The launch follows SKITTLES’ recent announcement of its limited-edition Pride Packs returning for the second year in a row, as well as its renewed partnership with GLAAD. During the month of June, $1 per pack purchased will be donated to GLAAD (up to $100k). The limited-edition packs – featuring gray packaging on the outside and all gray candies inside that include the original five fruity flavors of strawberry, orange, grape, green apple and lemon – are available for purchase on Walmart.com, Target.com & in-store at Walmart, Target, Kroger, Albertson’s and other select retail locations nationwide.
“SKITTLES is committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and with our QueeR Codes program we’ve focused on increasing visibility around the intersectionality of artists and creators within the LGBTQ+ community, to help shape a world that is connected, caring and celebratory,” said Fernando Rodrigues, Senior Brand Manager, Mars Wrigley. “We’re very proud to be able to use our voice and our platform to shift the focus during Pride month to celebrating and elevating LGBTQ+ voices and experiences, creating better moments and more smiles through the focus on visibility.”
“In addition to giving back to the LGBTQ+ community through its Pride packs, SKITTLES is using its new QueeR Codes program to celebrate the work and voices of diverse LGBTQ talent, while drawing awareness to our community and the importance of Pride,” said GLAAD Senior Director John McCourt.
The focus on LGBTQ+ visibility is also being shared throughout the month amongst Mars Wrigley Associates. Mars Wrigley will be sharing stories and leading discussions around diversity and acceptance, specifically focused on the LGBTQ+ community during the month of June with its PRIDE! Associate Resource Group (ARG). The PRIDE! ARG has played an integral role in the development of the SKITTLES QueeR Codes program, and several Associates from the PRIDE! ARG are also featured on SKITTLESQueeRCodes.com in a special video compilation. Mars is committed to fostering a culture where everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard, valued and supported, through ongoing dialogue among Associates, policies and benefits, including non-discrimination protections, partner healthcare coverage, transgender healthcare benefits, parental leave and adoption assistance.
For more information about SKITTLES QueeR Codes, Pride Packs and what SKITTLES is doing to further visibility for those who identify as LGBTQ+ during Pride, follow @Skittles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.