A Coast man will help Stonewall Inn pick a logo for LGBTQ+ safe spaces. How to enter.
Alex Weems, a Biloxi native, will serve as a judge for the Safe Spaces nationwide logo search. The search is a team effort, as the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI) and Jӓgermeister have partnered together to provide spaces with a logo that represents love and acceptance.
Weems, a member of the Mississippi Gulf Equality Council, is an award-winning graphic designer and said he believes Biloxi will greatly benefit from having certified Safe Spaces.
“The program identifies those places as nondiscriminatory and gives the LGBTQ+ community peace of mind when visiting or shopping. It will show that Biloxi, as a southern city, can move past outdated prejudices and is eager to build a stronger community,” Weems said.
Did you know?
In a study conducted by the Stonewall Initiative Gives Back (SIGBI), 89% of people who identify as LGBTQ+ said they believe that most businesses are not aware that LGBTQ+ people feel unsafe when they visit.
About Safe Spaces
Safe Spaces was created to clearly designate businesses that support and protect the LGBTQ+ community and thus, fight any discrimination.
“Safe Spaces uplifts LGBTQ+ people by providing a place to celebrate, educate, thrive, work, shop, relax and live freely,” said Stacy Lentz, CEO of SIGBI. “We want all members of the LGBTQ+ community to feel safe anywhere they go and are confident that Safe Spaces certification will assist in accomplishing that goal.”
SIGBI Safe Spaces kicked off in 2019 at Stonewall Inn with an epic concert featuring Taylor Swift. After the pandemic hit, Safe Spaces had to take a small break, but the initiative is back and ready to continue raising awareness fighting discrimination.
“We are thrilled that we can now continue this important work to ensure that participating spaces are actually safe for our community,” Lentz said.
Lentz and others at SIGBI have created a list of criteria for businesses to meet to become a certified Safe Spaces in their communities. The criteria includes attending anti-bias training and meeting with LGBTQ+ advocates and leaders. More information about the certification process is on the Stonewall Initiative’s website.
About the logo search
SIGBI wanted to be sure that people in the LGBTQ+ community could easily identify the businesses that have a Safe Space certification. The best way to identify the spaces was for the businesses to display a sign or logo. The organization enlisted Jägermeister to launch a website where graphic designers can upload their creative logo design and enter the logo search competition. Jägermeister committed to becoming a certified Safe Space and was one of the first in the US to do so.
In addition to Weems, three other esteemed judges sit on the panel:
Brenda Risch: Executive Director of Borderland Rainbow Center
Dr. Marisa Richmond: Middle Tennessee State University history professor and SIGBI Board Member
Rachel Smallman: LGBTQ+ Nightlife Pioneer in Alabama
So, what will the judges be looking for?
All four judges will be in search of a logo that creatively encompasses the Safe Spaces initiative and has a design that can be used as a sticker, email graphic or signage at various certified locations.
“We are excited to see original and creative designs from the entrants. As a graphic designer, I’m most excited to see the concepts and thoughts behind the logo designs,” Weems said. The logo “should give a feeling of inclusion and community while being fun and uplifting.”
Logo entries will be accepted until April 30 and the official rules of the contest are available at jagermeister.com.
About the prize
And finally, the prize.
First and foremost, the winner will receive nationwide recognition as their logo design will be displayed all over the country at various locations.
“As a strong supporter of both the LGBTQ+ and creative communities, we are thrilled to provide one lucky winner with the opportunity to showcase their meaningful work,” said Chris Peddy, Chief Marketing Officer, Mast-Jägermeister U.S.
But of course, there’s more.
The winner will also receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City in June to celebrate Pride. New York City’s Pride is always a huge celebration of the diverse LGBTQ+ community, but it also commemorates the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, which ultimately started the modern gay rights movement.
Events during Pride include the March, Pridefest street fair, Pride Island music festival and a family movie night.
Ultimately, this logo search “means a step in the right direction,” said Weems. It “will solidify to the world that we love and welcome everyone. What could be better?”
