As the UK celebrates 50 years of Pride, SKITTLES has joined forces with GAY TIMES, Queer Britain and Getty Images to fill the gaps within the LGBTQ+ historical archives. The work is part of its #RecolourTheRainbow campaign, which calls on the community and allies to submit their own photos from Pride’s history.
The group are collaborating to help develop and create the LGBTQ+ archives of tomorrow. Together, this group will document and represent the historical and current experiences of the community.
The group are hunting for images that have never before been seen, to create a collection which represents the diversity of LGBTQ+ lives. Those who submit their images to recolourtherainbow.co.uk are also in with the chance to have their images published in GAY TIMES and donated to Queer Britain’s collection.
Furthering its work for 2022, the group have partnered with Riyadh Khalaf, MasterChef winner (2020) and broadcaster, who spoke out about his involvement with the campaign: “Our community has so many stories to tell and people to celebrate. It’s terrible that so much of our history has been hidden or erased. The experiences of every LGBTQ+ person are worthy of documentation and I’m proud to stand alongside the brilliant SKITTLES, GAY TIMES, Queer Britain, and Getty Images to help make the archives of tomorrow tell the real stories and experiences of our vibrant community. But we need your help.”
Existing collections often do not accurately represent the intersections and diverse spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities. Getty Images VisualGPS research highlights that when images are used in the media, they often rely on outdated stereotypes of LGBTQ+ people. For example:
· 30% of images used show gay men as flamboyant.
· 29% images of lesbians depict them as looking more masculine.
· 29% of LGBTQ+ images used feature queer people carrying the rainbow flag.
Speaking about the findings, Jacqueline Bourke, EMEA Director of Creative Insights, Getty Images said: “At Getty Images, we are a passionate champion of the representation of the LGBTQ+ community and truly understand the power of images to move the world. Our Visual GPS research has critically shown that increased representation impacts greater acceptance. When we choose to shine a light on the previously unseen, we are not only increasing visibility on history, but also challenging harmful, cliched visual stereotypes of the LGBTQ+ community in visuals moving forward.”
Successful applications will be invited to a photography masterclass, have 1:1 mentoring session with a Getty Images photographer, receive editorial and event photography opportunities with Gay Times, have a portfolio review by Getty Images, as well as receive a £1,000 grant, Fujifilm camera kit, a taste the rainbow SKITTLES package and a tour of Queer Britain.
Applications for the bursaries are only open to LGBTQ+ individuals who are UK residents and are emerging photographers. Applications must be submitted by 31 October 2022.
Victoria Gell, SKITTLES Brand Director said: “SKITTLES is passionate about advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, not just during Pride month, but year-round, and we’re excited to continue to use our platform to do our part in supporting the community. We launched our Recolour the Rainbow campaign last year, bringing colour and vibrancy to moments of Pride history, with the ambition to help fill gaps in the LGBTQ+ archive. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with GAY TIMES and Queer Britain, as well as connect with Getty Images, as we look to further unearth never before seen photography and pave the way for more diverse archives through our bursaries programme.”
Josh Fletcher, Executive Creative Director at GTX, GAYTIMES Group said: “While it’s important to recognise the fantastic work of LGBTQ+ archivists in the UK, the LGBTQ+ narrative has not always been a true representation of the diverse community through traditional archives. This work continues the important and necessary conversation around the gaps in the LGBTQ+ archive while highlighting and celebrating the photography that does exist and is yet to come. Through community submissions and our bursaries, we hope to build on the UK’s LGBTQ+ archive for years to come and ensure that we can truly represent our vibrant community.”
Joseph Galliano, Director and Co-Founder, Queer Britain, said: “LGBTQ+ people come in all shades and stripes, and we are proud to work with SKITTLES, GAY TIMES and Getty Images to ensure that our collection reflects that. The bursaries represent a solid and practical way of ensuring that this diversity is represented both in front of and behind the camera, giving us all a richer future."
Visit recolourtherainbow.co.uk for more information on the campaign, to submit your photographs and find out how to how apply for the bursary.
