Milk Makeup’s Post

Celebrating the Power of Expression and Affirmation in our Community Last weekend, I organized a barbershop session for some trans youth that I work with in our community, hosted at a queer-owned establishment. It celebrated self-expression, affirmation, and the vital need for safe spaces in the 2SLGBTQIA community, especially for our youth. Here are some of the incredible takeaways: 🤝 Teaming up with queer-identifying barbers and hairstylists, participants received free gender-affirming haircuts, while engaging in open dialogue that helped foster a welcoming and safe environment. Queer-owned barbershops and hair salons are sanctuaries where individuals can embrace their true selves without judgement or fear. 💇♂️ Hair’s power as self-expression for the 2SLGBTQIA community was central. It’s a canvas for identity, autonomy, and breaking free from societal norms. The event emphasized the importance of respecting diverse gender expressions. 🌐 Let’s champion safe spaces in barbershops and salons for the 2SLGBTQIA community by supporting queer-owned establishments and promoting understanding. I have immense gratitude for the talented barbers and hairstylists who made themselves available in order to make this event possible and to the brave participants who shared their stories authentically. 🌈✂ If you know of any queer-owned barbershops or salons willing to host the next event and/or any 2SLGBTQIA youth that would benefit from something like this, please reach out. Together, we can create a more inclusive and affirming world for all – especially our youth. #2SLGBTQIA #InclusitivityMatters #SafeSpaces #CommunityLove

Are you finding #PRIDE merchandise at your local retailers? Check out Target and Walmart's stance on #PRIDEMONTH and how they're recognizing the LGBTQIA+ Community 🌈 #LGBTQIA+ #Diversity #PRIDEMerchandise #Target #Walmart #TargetPride #WalmartPride #PrideAlways #WISE #WISEInsights 👇

Happy Pride Month! 🌈 Salons have often served as sanctuaries for those seeking refuge from a world that may not fully understand or accept them. In the face of adversity, the LGBTQ+ community found solace within these sacred spaces. The beauty industry became a powerful tool for empowerment, acceptance, and the celebration of diversity. Fast forward to today, and these values of inclusivity and acceptance continue to shape the beauty industry. Beauty professionals have become a haven where clients of all walks of life and identities can freely express themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination. 🏳️🌈 Services provided in these LGBTQ+-friendly spaces go far beyond mere aesthetics. They are a form of self-expression, a way for us to communicate our identities and celebrate our authentic selves. It's incredible to witness the transformative power that a fresh haircut or a bold makeup look can have on someone's confidence and sense of belonging. 🏳️🌈The beauty industry has actively embraced diversity and representation, making it a point to champion LGBTQ+ voices and showcase their talent. From hairstylists to makeup artists, these professionals have used their platforms to inspire and uplift others, breaking down stereotypes and paving the way for future generations. They have shown us that true beauty lies in embracing our differences and finding strength in our shared experiences. Let's celebrate the beauty industry and its unwavering commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces for everyone. Let's recognize the crucial role the LGBTQ+ community has played in shaping the industry we know and love. Together, we can continue to nurture an environment that fosters self-expression, acceptance, and love. 💜♥️💙💛💚

Where did it go wrong for #BudLight? 🤔 Anyone working in #marketing will have undoubtedly seen the fallout after trans-influencer Dylan Mulvaney endorsed Bud Light, during the beer company's "March Madness" campaign. In the weeks following the video, Bud Light’s sales and stock price plummeted and the company now faces a serious brand identity crisis. So where did it all go wrong? 👉 Bud Light stood for everything and nothing at the same time. Bud Light initially started showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community in the late 90s, running print ads with the tagline “Be yourself and make it a Bud Light.” This campaign came under criticism by the right-wing at the time. After the controversy, the beer company continued it's support and became the headline sponsor for numerous Pride Festivals and events across Canada and the US. In their more recent marketing campaigns they featured imagery of same-sex weddings and drag queens to continue to show their support. They have even released Pride products featuring the pride rainbow on their bottles and cans. However, the company’s recent attempt to remain neutral in the fight between the right-wing and LGBTQ+ community, has understandably angered everyone. Despite their long history of supporting the community, it now looks entirely performative. If you ingrain your principles into your marketing strategy, you need to stick to them even when times get tough. Do you agree and what do you think Bud Light's next move should be? 🤔 #crisismanagement #marketingstrategy #brandidentity

June has come back around, and brands are *still* rainbow washing 🥱 Here are 5 meaningful things you can do this #PrideMonth, rather than change your logo to a rainbow 👇 1️⃣ Contribute to organizations directly supporting the LGBTQIA+ community (in the form of both time and money) 2️⃣ Ensure your internal policies and practices are inclusive to your existing and future workforce 3️⃣ Run DE&I training for your team to create a more inclusive working environment (hit up Laura Clarke if you want to make this happen!) 4️⃣ Partner on initiatives and campaigns with LGBTQIA+ creators — and please don’t expect them to work for free! (Ash has published some lovely content around this) 5️⃣ Engage with the LGBTQIA+ community to understand their perspectives, challenges and needs Brands often mean well, but meaninglessly posting about Pride Month can often create a false sense of allyship. Rainbows are more than welcomed…as long as the brand puts their money where their mouth is. If you really want to impact the equity, acceptance and inclusivity of the LGBT+ community, please positively commit to to these activities year-round. Ongoing support is much more meaningful, and helps create positive change for future generations! If you *are* going to post about #PrideMonth, ensure LGBTQIA+ voices are involved in the creation and approval of any content or campaigns you have going out. If you can think of anything else you’d like to see, feel free add other ideas in the comments 👇

The U.S. multicultural consumer spending power is now over $5 trillion, and the spending power of the LGBTQ+ community and individuals with disabilities is also too often overlooked. If you want to re-energize your brand, it’s time to look up and realize that the world around us continues to change. https://lnkd.in/eWMgYjBU #MRX #MarketResearch #MulticulturalResearch #Insights #MulticulturalMarketing #Multicultural #BrandStrategy #Marketing #Authenticity #ConsumerBehavior #ConsumerInsights

3 Tips on How to Become an Inclusive Brand 🚀 from the amazing Grace Daley at The HEINEKEN Company! 1️⃣ Get Comfortable With the Uncomfortable: Ask the questions and find out what you could be doing better, what you could be doing more of or less of, etc. 2️⃣ It Starts Internally: Inclusion within the team is essential, make sure everyone is confident and comfortable around all things inclusion and disability. 3️⃣ Be Nationally Representative: Your consumers want to be represented in your marketing, make sure you don't forget anyone, not even the Disabled community (the largest minority in the world! 🌍) If you want to be like Strongbow, and become a truly inclusive brand, get in touch today and we'll guide you through the whole process 💜 https://lnkd.in/e4eNp3p9 VD: Clip from a Purple Goat vlog. Grace, Senior Brand Manager at Strongbow, is talking to the camera, she's a white brunette female wearing a striped top. #Inclusion #BusinessTips #Marketing #InclusiveMarketing #Disability #DisabledCommunity #DisabilityAwareness #MarketingAgency #SocialMediaMarketing

Embrace authenticity! Our blog is your guide on how to steer clear of rainbow washing. Learn how to genuinely support the LGBTQ+ community and avoid performative gestures with real examples of brands who have done exactly that. #pridemonth #rainbowwashing #inclusivebranding #pride2024

Bud Light's problem just keeps getting worse. Sales fell 26.1% in the week ending July 15, an even steeper decline than the 23.6% drop experienced during the week of July 4, a crucial week for beer consumption. And now the fear is that the downturn may ripple through the company's other beer brands. The problem needs to be fixed, and promptly. But to fix the problem, we first need to understand the problem. And at first glance, it's perplexing. The backlash was seemingly caused by Bud Light's support for a Trans Woman influencer, showcased through a promotional can design. But wait just a minute! These same customers have a history of broadly accepting Bud Light's (and other beer brands') long-standing and prominent support for LGBTQ+ parades and public events. What's going on here? We have the answer. Join us at https://lnkd.in/ernDDr8y to understand the problem and find Bud Light's solution. #budlight #brandstrategy #metapurposewars #branding #socialmediamarketing

As we celebrate Pride Month, it helps businesses to look at how they can engage better with LGBTQIA+ customers. Horowitz Research has released pretty strong consumer information showing that brands that support the LGBTQIA+ community do see a solid payoff. While representation in marketing is one way to show support, there are deeper ways. Discover fresh insights on how five brands are successfully and authentically connecting with LGBTQIA+ consumers. https://lnkd.in/eMYFGgay #LGBTQIA #marketingstrategy #LGBTQMarketing #advertisingdiversity #PrideMonth #prideadvertising