Fondation Émergence creates an 'anti-gay agenda' to fight for LGBTQ+ rights

For International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (May 17), Havas Montréal and non-profit partner Fondation Émergence have launched an awareness campaign titled the “LGBTPHOBIC Agenda.” 

The theme, “A rollback of LGBTQ+ rights is a setback for all society,” is a reference to increased legislation hindering against LGBTQ+ rights around the world. The campaign aims to expose the negative discourse and violence that should be in the past, but continues to affect the LGBTQ+ community today at an alarming rate. 

The focal point is an actual agenda that documents 365 acts of hatred or violence against the LGBTQ+ community in the last year. The campaign is in market now including a 90-second anchor film directed by Amélie Hardy, social, print, digital, and OOH, in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. 

In the US alone, more than 600 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced since January 2023. Russia has designated the international LGBTQ+ movement as extremist. Iraq passed a law criminalizing same-sex relationships, with transgender people facing jail time. And in Uganda, a law was passed that makes “aggravated homosexuality” punishable by death,

“Current times show us that nothing can be taken for granted and when the rights of a group of people are threatened then we open the door for a rollback of other fundamental rights,” said Fondation Émergence’s executive director Laurent Breault, in a release.

“This agenda reflects an alarming increase in anti-LGBTQ+ hate. Whether through speech, actions or stances, the events listed here show that there is still much to do in terms of awareness to combat prejudice, discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people,” reads the intro to the digital file.

“For years, ultra-conservative groups have been talking about a so-called gay agenda influencing the decisions of politicians,” Havas Montréal chief creative officer Carle Coppens, told Campaign. “To mark the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights around the world last year, on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, we created an agenda that turns back the clock to denounce the 365 days of hatred against LGBTQ+ communities. An anti-gay agenda. A LGBTQPHOBIC agenda.”

The campaign also includes the first ever “Backwards March” on May 17 in Montréal, during which hundreds of protesters will march backwards to raise awareness for the need to fight the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights around the world.