15 Reasons Facebook Seeing Red Over Gay Rights
Wondering why Facebook is turning red? It’s not your imagination. A wave of people online have changed their profile pictures to show their support for marriage equality. But just where did this campaign start? Thank Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
The equal sign, usually yellow on a blue background, is the logo of Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest organization working toward equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
“It’s unquestionable that marriage equality has captured the imagination of Americans from all walks of life. You see that represented today by the amazing number of people that have shared their passion and enthusiasm for this issue through various digital platforms,” said HRC Director of Marketing Anastasia Khoo. “By harnessing the passion that equality supporters feel for the freedom of loving and committed couples to marry, the internet is awash in a sea of red – the color of love.”
Personally, I believe only by treating and respecting all people do we create a community based on equality. Gay, black, female or disabled — it all comes down to respecting the fact that people are different and deserve to be honored as individuals with rights.
If you haven’t changed your profile pic (or even if you have) here are some awesome options to show your support and offer solidarity.
If you own the rights to any of the highlighted images and have not received credit, it is an honest oversight. Please contact me to prove ownership and receive appropriate credit.
I hadn’t realize there were so many images circulating as profile pics on FB!
I hadn’t realized that there are so many images circulating on FB as profile pics!
And more just keep coming out the woodwork! Let me know if you see other good ones!
I didn’t even know that. Ill pay more attention when Im on there!
Curious — did your friends post one you particularly liked? So many have come out of the woodwork that I think I may have to post an update!
I love this. Thank you for inspiring me to create my own. FITL friend commenting for the first time 🙂
Did you end up creating your own? I would love to see it!
Hey Jenny,
Thanks for this. You know, i have been at odds over this issue for a few years. I know what my heart says and i know what the church says. It’s at odds.
I have prayed about it, despite all of my friends so avidly going out and protesting against it, I know that we must all have our civil rights – in order to live in harmony. If one group is oppressed, it’s not good for the whole.
Anyway, I have seen these symbols on facebook and didn’t know what it meant until now (read totally clueless). While I don’t advertise my beliefs (I don’t put bumper stickers on my car, or red symbols in my facebook profile) – I am very much a supporter of equal rights for all.
With that said, I’m not sure about the two cans of bud. Not sure we should be advertising drinking – but that’s neither here nor there.
Lisa, first, the two cans of Bud was pretty funny. The company actually created that profile pic to show, as an organization, that they support equal rights. I think it’s pretty bold for companies to come out politically on this subject.
And I can only imagine how hard it must be to have your church say one thing while your heart says something else. I hope you continue to follow your heart. Gay rights isn’t just about their community. It’s about all of us as humans.
Thanks so much for the ideas!! I love the Paula Deen one. It is great that there is a sea of red on Facebook right now.
Thanks Jenny! I was wondering why I was seeing that profile pic everywhere!!
*off to change mine now*
Equal love! Equal rights!!!
No problem! I got several people asking why their Facebook was turning red 🙂
I have an equality facebook icon now, but may mix it up with one of these others. I even have, as my cover, a photo I took after the whole prop 8 fiasco and I hit the streets protesting with my children, always believing in equality for all, be it my son with autism, me as a woman, my daughter as a female student in a fairly patriarchal school – STILL!! – my brother who had Down’s Syndrome, my cousins who are bi-racial and on and on and on.
Thanks for posting this. I think it is so important that all people stand behind this issue – it isn’t a gay or lesbian issue, it is an US issue. As the legendary Harvey Milk said, “I am one of us.”
I whole-heartedly agree. This isn’t just a gay or lesbian issue. It’s a human rights issue. And what an awesome mom for getting your kids involved in speaking up! My boys are too young to really get it all. But we do talk about treating people right no matter who they love.
And BTW — Love that quote from Harvey Milk.
Love all these options! I hadn’t seen a lot of them, but I have been thoroughly enjoying watching my FB turn red this week.
Even more creative Facebook profiles keep popping up. I may have to do an update!
I saw one with Divine from the John Water films in front of the equal sign. It’s been really cool to see the creativity.
Oooo! I haven’t seen that one! Please send me the link if you come across it again. I would love to add it to the mix 🙂
Totally agree!!!!!!!! And those are pics – might have to put one up! Great post 🙂
Thanks. I posted the Bert and Ernie one on my personal Facebook. I just got such a kick out of it.