GLAAD AND OGILVY RESPOND TO ANTI-LGBTQ MISINFORMATION AND SEND LOUD MESSAGE OF ACCEPTANCE TO LGBTQ YOUTH WITH LAUNCH OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING CAMPAIGN: “PROTECT THIS KID”

BEANIE FELDSTEIN UNVEILS CAMPAIGN AND CREATIVE LIVE IN TIMES SQUARE

MARGARET CHO, YVIE ODDLY, BEANIE FELDSTEIN, SHERRY COLA AND MORE TEAM UP TO SHARE DEEPLY PERSONAL STORIES ON GROWING UP LGBTQ

New York, New York – Thursday, April 11, 2024 – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, and the global advertising, marketing and public relations agency Ogilvy, have launched a bold worldwide digital campaign, “Protect This Kid,” in support of LGBTQ youth, including a creative hub exclusively at ProtectThisKid.com.

“Protect This Kid” comprises short-form features and childhood photos of out LGBTQ heroes across media and entertainment including: Beanie Feldstein, Chris Mosier, Daniella Carter, Margaret Cho, River Gallo, Ryan “R.K.” Russell, Sherry Cola and Yvie Oddly. Launching today are features of Beanie Feldstein, Ryan “R.K.” Russell and River Gallo, with remaining talent and long-form features debuting the week of April 22nd via @protectthiskid across social media.

The campaign also calls on LGBTQ people and allies to share photos of themselves as kids using #ProtectThisKid, and sharing their story of feeling protected or offering protection. See below for information on the initial group of “Protect This Kid” Heroes.

Get to the know the inaugural “Protect This Kid” Heroes class:

• Beanie Feldstein, queer actress (“Booksmart”) and singer
• Chris Mosier, first transgender athlete to represent the United States in international competition and policy advocate
• Daniella Carter, Black trans advocate and filmmaker, and star of critically acclaimed documentary Kokomo City
• Margaret Cho, queer stand-up comedian and actress
• River Gallo, filmmaker, actor, model, and intersex rights activist
• Ryan “R.K.” Russell, bisexual author and former NFL player
• Sherry Cola, bisexual comedian and actress (“Joy Ride,” “Good Trouble”)
• Yvie Oddly, genderqueer drag queen, performer, fashion designer, rapper, and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11

Download hi-res images from the campaign: HERE (credit GLAAD/Ogilvy)

This morning, showstopping out queer actress and performer, Beanie Feldstein, launched “Protect This Kid,” revealing her campaign creative on a Times Square digital billboard. The campaign message will be simultaneously amplified nationally, across more than 36 markets, with an Out of Home program in partnership with Outfront Media.

Photos of the Times Square reveal with Feldstein are available HERE courtesy Getty Images with the event lightbox available HERE via Getty

GLAAD partnered with Ogilvy to combat narratives all too often used to spread misinformation and hate against the LGBTQ community on social media. This decision comes amid a tense year for LGBTQ youth, including the introduction of over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills, a disproportionate number of which target trans youth; growing misinformation against the transgender community; the death of 2STGNC+ Oklahoma teen student Nex Benedict; and an election year proven to be highly consequential for LGBTQ Americans,

“For too long, anti-LGBTQ activists have not only spouted lies by falsely claiming that LGBTQ people are threats to children, but they have erased the existence of LGBTQ youth and their need for content that they can relate to and be inspired by. Ogilvy has helped us fill that critical gap with a timely campaign that harnesses the power of celebrity voices and the lived experience of queer trailblazers to support youth,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “The queer adults we celebrate and revere were once kids, too, and through this campaign we remind the world that when we take away the rights of LGBTQ young people, and deny them safety, compassion, and privacy, we risk losing the next great entertainer, or athlete or author. Queer and trans kids need our support now, before it’s too late,” Ellis added.

“We live at a time of misinformation and politicized messaging, where the slogan ‘protect our kids’ has become a rallying call to attack the LGBTQ+ community, which is exactly why we must de-weaponize the rhetoric by turning it into a message of positivity and love,” said Lisa Bright, Ogilvy Chief Creative Officer. “Ogilvy is proud to partner with GLAAD and so many important voices on this PSA campaign that celebrates coming-of-age stories that anyone can relate to, and speaks to the worthiness of everyone,” Bright added.

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About Ogilvy: Ogilvy inspires brands and people to impact the world. We have been creating iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas for clients since David Ogilvy founded the company in 1948. We continue building on that rich legacy through our borderless creativity—operating, innovating, and creating at the intersection of talent and capabilities. Our experts in Advertising, Experience, Public Relations, Health, and Consulting work fluidly across more than 120 offices in over 80 countries to bring forth world-class creative solutions for our clients. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP). For more information, visit Ogilvy.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

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