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Together we can spread positive representations of people with visible differences, helping to create the change people want to see - ahead of brands, broadcasters and businesses.
Face Equality Week is a time to celebrate visible differences. As an annual event, the week is an opportunity for us to raise awareness of what needs to change so everyone with a visible difference or disfigurement can live the life they want to lead.
Face Equality Week 2023 – “This Is Me”
This Face Equality Week our campaigners and ambassadors were proudly being the role models they want to see more of, and saying, “This Is Me”.
No one should be left out, feel isolated or alone, or discriminated against because they have a visible difference. Yet our research into the lives of those who have a visible difference found that:
- Nearly half (47%) say they have felt self-conscious or embarrassed as a result of their visible difference.
- More than a quarter (28%) say they feel lonely or isolated.
The media defines what’s normal. Unfortunately for people with a visible difference, that means we aren’t part of this definition. Until TV shows, films and advertising campaigns start consistently and positively representing people with a visible difference, we will struggle to break this stigma.
That’s why we joined forces, and as part of a global alliance of charities and campaigners, during Face Equality Week together we challenging the negative representations, outdated tropes and stereotypes that contribute to the harmful stigma that still exists around visible differences and disfigurements.
Our campaign film asked people why they might respond to someone with a visible difference in a certain way, and called on people to re-position their thinking and celebrate difference with us.
Why now?
We believe everyone should be able to see themselves positively represented.
Our new research carried out by Focaldata clearly shows that the general public thinks that too, with more than three-fifths (61%) of adults in agreement that they would like to see more people with visible differences represented in popular culture.
