The last 18 months have been hard to say the least. Especially for marginalised groups of people including the LGBTQ+ community.
So this Pride Month we want to continue the work we’ve been doing to bring our community together, even if that is remotely for now.
You may have noticed during the pandemic here in the UK, the rainbow has been used as a symbol for the NHS. We are, like most people, eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by all staff working for the NHS during this time of ongoing crisis. It shouldn’t have been this way. However, we also know that the rainbow through the Pride flag has a wonderful history as a symbol of safety for the LGBTQ+ community*
Increasingly, Pride Month has been used for various corporations to show how ‘inclusive’ they are, while glossing over the inequality in their supply chains, unethical affiliations, or lack of support for the LGBTQ+ community. Does that modified rainbow logo show sustained engagement with and active support for the rights of all LGBTQ+ people year round?
Reclaiming the Rainbow Photo Challenge is a way to raise awareness of the Pride flag as a symbol of safety, build connections, and celebrate the strength of the South Yorkshire LGBTQ+ community through this difficult time.
Are you LGBTQ+ and living in South Yorkshire? Then get involved with our photo challenge!
To enter our photo challenge all you need to do is to take a photo on your phone or camera.
The photo should be
– Inspired by the phrase ‘Reclaiming the Rainbow’ and
– Show either yourself or another LGBTQ+ community member in a location in South Yorkshire.
You do not need to show your face / the model’s face in the picture, but it is important that some sort of human presence is shown, as we want to use this as a way to represent the folk that make up the LGBTQ+ community in South Yorkshire.
Please make sure when taking the photo that you have permission of anyone shown. We will use these photos on Andro and Eve’s social media and website, and may share them with the press.
We may, one day exhibit the entries in a real space, but we don’t know that for now.
Email the photo to hello@androandeve.com with the subject ‘Entry for Reclaiming the Rainbow’. Please also state where in South Yorkshire you are based.
One photo entry per person.
Entries close on midnight on Sunday 1st August.
The photo challenge entries will be judged by a panel South Yorkshire creatives, Nelly Naylor, Yuen Fong Ling, and Zoyander Street.
The winning entry will receive a bumper pack of goodies from local independents including:
– £30 gift voucher for Vulgar Vintage
– 2 x cinema tickets for Showroom Cinema
– Tea selection from Birdhouse Tea
– Vegan beer from Beer Central
– Vegan chocolate from Truffle Pig
– Self care pack from Artisan and Eco
– Andro and Eve goodies including a logo tote bag
A second prize – winner will receive bouquet of flowers from Moss and Clover and vegan chocolate from Truffle Pig Vegan. Two runners up will also be selected who will receive vegan and GF treats from Elly Joy.
So get entering! We’ll announce the winners in early August.
Have fun and good luck!
*We are aware that not all ‘LGBTQ friendly’ places are welcoming to our Black, Asian and Global Majority siblings, and those who are D/Deaf and disabled or transgender / gender diverse, and we are thankful to the individuals and organisations who have raised awareness of this issue and continue to campaign to make change.