Meet the LGBTQIA+ creatives at the heart of Converse’s ‘Proud to Be’ campaign

“I can’t wait for the day when simply expressing oneself doesn’t take an act of courage or activism.”

Make no mistake about it, Pride was born out of defiance and resistance. What we’ve come to know and love about Pride – think glitter-filled parades and tiny, tiny short shorts – is only possible because of past sacrifices and protests made by queer folk who’ve come before us. 

Back in 1969 in New York City, the Stonewall Riots spearheaded the gay rights movement. A clash between police officers and patrons of a gay club led to six days of protests. 54 years on, it’s still a fitting reflection of our current landscape of fight and determination.

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The journey to equality is far from over, but we can stop and celebrate past and current victories along the way. Corporate allyship is difficult to navigate, with brands rightfully being called out for rainbow-washing marketing. Instead of one-note, tokenistic cash grabs, long-term and thoughtful forms of allyship, with those from the community working behind the scenes, produce more authentic outcomes.

This year, like in the many years prior, Converse has committed to nurturing ongoing relationships with the LGBTQIA+ community and charity organisations. Here in Australia, Converse will be repartnering with Minus18, a leading charity for LGBTQIA+ youth. For its 2023 Pride outreach, the global streetwear brand has unveiled its Proud to Be campaign.

“We are not a monolith, we are the full spectrum. As a queer community, there are dimensions and layers to our identities, genders, experiences, self-expression and style that are unique to each of us, but we are often forced into boxes where we must defend or explain our dimensions,” says Converse. 

“We celebrate and support our beautiful queer community and elevate stories about embracing who you are. Living life authentically should not be perceived as a form of activism.”

Leading this campaign is the inimitable, musical powerhouse that is Big Freedia. The New Orleans-born rapper and performer has made an indelible mark on the music world and in the lives of many LGBTQIA+ folk. This year, she’s the face of Proud to Be. With years of activism in her wake, she’s committed to empowering and inspiring others like her.

And face she is – “Bold, bright and exuberant” is how she self-describes her approach to style and beauty. “I like flair, I’m a queen afterall!” she tells me. At 45 years of age, she’s ridden many waves of queer justice. 

“I can’t wait for the day when simply expressing oneself doesn’t take an act of courage or activism,” she says. “I’ve been doing it – living my truth – for a long time, but I also had lots of support. I know not everyone’s family and community embraces them and that hurts me for those kids [and] people.”

To amplify this messaging, Converse has partnered with thought leaders from the LGBTQIA+ community, spotlighting the creative work of a handful of up-and-coming artists. Xavier Means, known as Internet X online, is a Brooklyn-based fashion stylist, brand consultant and content creator. 

“My vision for our community is that we don’t have to explain ourselves to people. We can just be,” he says. “To be proud means to really love those moments and that journey and like be proud of who you are now and where you came from.”

From across the pond, London-based Yeliz Zaifoglu is a freelance artist whose mediums span illustration, digital art, photography and magazines. “I’m proud to be who I am. I’m proud to show who I am to everyone and I don’t need to apologise for it,” she says. “I’m feeling proud to be free and to openly be as I am. That’s just freedom. That’s beautiful.”

In New York City, Eva Westphal is a singer-songwriter who started writing music at 13. Now, her pop music centres around themes of identity and mental health, a way for her to connect with her fellow LGBTQIA+ community. 

“I think everybody deserves to have joy in their life. I hope that everybody in the community feels empowered to be themselves and show up in their own lives as exactly who they are,” Eva says. “I feel like I’m living the dream that my younger self wanted for herself but didn’t feel safe enough to live.” 

With six fresh styles and colourways released in celebration of Proud to Be, Converse is dedicated to providing the queer community with sartorial options for self-expression. Take the speckled Run Star Legacy CX kick, the sparkly silver Chuck 70 De Luxe Heel and the colour-blocked Chuck 70 Plus platform sneakers.

To explore the full campaign, head here.