Campaign, a renowned media platform, has taken a significant step towards inclusivity by appointing Marty Davies as its first transgender columnist. With the column titled ‘A Queer View,’ Davies will provide valuable insights to help brands and agencies navigate their inclusion efforts and address the pressing needs of the LGBTQ+ community. This move acknowledges the importance of providing a platform for LGBTQ+ voices and the urgent need for action from brands and agencies.
The Current Landscape
The urgency for LGBTQ+ inclusion and rights is evident both in the UK and the United States. The UK has seen a decline in its LGBTQ+ rights ranking, currently standing at 17th place in Europe. In the US, the Human Rights Campaign has declared a “state of emergency” for LGBTQ+ people, highlighting the alarming spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and the need for immediate action.
Challenges Faced by Brands and Queer Talent
As Pride Month unfolds, brands are grappling with backlash and boycotts from anti-LGBTQ+ groups and politicians. Moreover, within the advertising industry itself, nearly half of queer talent experiences anxiety, stress, and other mental health conditions. Shockingly, 27 percent of queer professionals plan on leaving their jobs within the next year, emphasizing the pressing need for change and support.
The Focus of Marty Davies’ Column
Davies’s column will shed light on critical topics, including the significance of authentic queer representation in advertising campaigns, the workplace experiences of queer creatives, and the importance of withholding advertising spending from publications that disseminate homophobic and transphobic disinformation. This column aims to provoke thought, inspire change, and foster a more inclusive environment in the advertising industry.
Campaign’s Commitment to Inclusion
Maisie McCabe, UK editor at Campaign, expresses delight at having Marty Davies as a regular columnist, emphasizing Campaign’s commitment to using its platform to drive greater inclusion and diversity. The publication aims to showcase a broad range of experiences within the advertising, media, and marketing industries while advocating for positive change.
The Call for Action
Davies’s appointment as a columnist follows their thought-provoking opinion piece, which urged the industry to reconsider its spending practices in the wake of rising hate crimes. In collaboration with Outvertising, the advocacy group they co-lead, Davies also issued a statement urging brands to stand by their Pride campaigns, garnering support from over 60 organizations.
The Importance of LGBTQ+ Expertise
Nancy Kelley, chief executive at Stonewall, highlights the significance of hearing from LGBTQ+ experts across various fields as LGBTQ+ rights take center stage in a culture war. Kelley expresses confidence that Marty Davies’ column will provide education and challenge for the advertising industry, playing a crucial role in fostering inclusivity and holding the industry accountable against rising hate.
Creating Space for Diversity and Opinions
Marty Davies intends to utilize their platform to create a space for diverse voices and opinions within the LGBTQ+ community. By amplifying queer perspectives, they aim to make the advertising industry more inclusive and hold it accountable in the fight against hate, both in the media and society at large.
