Under state law in 29 out of 50 US states, it's legal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ Americans. That means doctors can refuse treatment, landlords can deny housing and businesses can refuse service simply because of who you love or who you are. The Equality Act would change that for good, providing blanket protections for every LGBTQ+ individual in every state.

HRC Reality Flag CS 25 0
We are incredibly grateful for WPP’s support, creativity and boldness in envisioning, developing and launching this campaign. The Reality Flag and the stories it tells reflects the lived experience of so many LGBTQ+ people across the country, and will have a real impact in our fight to deliver equal rights for our community.

Joni Madison

Interim President, Human Rights Campaign

The problem is most Americans don’t know these outdated laws still exist. In fact, 60% of Americans incorrectly assume LGBTQ+ individuals have the same protections as any other American. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group in the country, needed to grab Americans’ attention and urge them to tell their senators to pass The Equality Act.

The American flag, with its red and white stripes and 50 stars representing 50 states, is the ultimate symbol of freedom in the United States of America. But 29 states aren't living up to their promise of freedom for every American, so 29 stars had to come off the flag.

The Human Rights Campaign created “The Reality Flag," an American flag with 29 stars stripped away to represent the 29 states that still deny LGBTQ+ Americans their basic freedoms.

The HRC used "The Reality Flag" to launch a national 360-degree campaign across TV, radio, OOH, social and outreach to influencers. Every piece of Reality Flag communication drove to "The Reality Flag" website, where Americans could put immediate pressure on their senators to pass the Equality Act.

  • 96% of US senators contacted by thousands
  • 480M+ earned media impressions
  • Coverage from media outlets including The Washington Post, Fast Company, USA Today, The Hill, Oprah, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Metro Weekly, Xtra and Queerty
  • 3,200% increase in website traffic
  • 11.6 million social media accounts reached

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Premios

2023 CLIO Awards

2023 CLIO Awards

Billboard - Public Service: Out of Home


Bronze

2023 CLIO Health Awards

2023 CLIO Health Awards

Direct - Health Awareness & Advocacy: Out of Home


Gold

2023 CLIO Health Awards

2023 CLIO Health Awards

Direct - Health Awareness & Advocacy: Use of Product


Silver

2023 Mosaic Awards

2023 Mosaic Awards

Campaign - Allyship to Advocacy


Winner

2022 Association of National Advertisers Multicultural Excellence Awards.

2022 Association of National Advertisers Multicultural Excellence Awards.

LGBTQ+


Winner