The Friend Movement, a grassroots, anti-bullying organization with some help from Hollywood actors, singers, Broadway stars, dancers, athletes and activists, is giving bullying the bird. The movement, created by Ronnie Kroell, Elliot London and Bianca Kosoy, and print producer Jewely Bennett has released 'The New F Word' campaign, in the hopes of creating a confident inner monologue amongst anyone, especially teens that have experienced various forms of bullying.
The campaign uses some provocative new photos, shot by photographers Ryan Forbes and Robert Patin, depicting celebrities literally giving “the finger” to bullying. Some of the stars who have participated include LeAnn Rimes, Adam Lambert, Tim Gunn, Lisa Vanderpump, Rumer Willis, Richard Simmons, Aubrey O’Day, NBA players Jordan Hill, Earl Clark and Amir Johnson, Gretchen Rossi, Carmen Electra, Cloris Leachman, Teri Polo, Michael Rooker, Bruce Vilanch, Rachel Dratch, Lance Bass, Cupcake Wars host Justin Willman and many more (listed below).
"GLAAD is thrilled to stand alongside The Friend Movement in a united front against bullying," said GLAAD's Rich Ferraro. "By lending their voice to anti-bullying campaigns like 'The New F Word' campaign and Spirit Day, entertainers and notables are helping to show every young person that it's okay to be who you are."
The Friend Movement has launched a new Indiegogo campaign in hope of raising money to shoot 10,000 new photos in 90 days across 40 U.S. cities. The goal is to bring The New F Word campaign to everyday people across the U.S., raising awareness for bullying issues.
In addition to the campaign, The Friend Movement is hosting a celebration of music and friendship with The Friend Movement Benefit Concert on July 1st in Los Angeles, CA. The concert will feature finger-giving extraordinaire and superstar musician LeAnn Rimes and other celebrity talent.
To buy tickets, please visit Live Nation or here.
A video explaining The New F Word campaign is featured on Friend Movement's Indiegogo page.
The New F Word from Friend Movement on Vimeo.
The New F Word campaign, meant to evoke a strong message of self-empowerment, has been featured on the nationally syndicated entertainment news program Entertainment Tonight, E! News and KTLA. Watch Lizzie Velasquez tell Entertainment Tonight her experiences being bullied, and catch a sneak peek of the New F Word Campaign shoot:
The following celebrities have posed for The New F Word campaign:
- Adam Lambert
- Abraham Lim (Friend Movement Benefit Concert performer)
- Amir Johnson (NBA – Toronto Raptors)
- Ana Matronic (Scissor Sisters)
- Aubrey O’Day
- Beth Ditto
- Bruce Vilanch
- Carmen Electra
- Carson Kressley
- Chaz Dean
- Christopher Rice
- Cloris Leachman
- Colby Melvin
- Colt Prattes (Pink’s lead dancer/co-star in Try music video)
- Danny Sheehan
- Darren Criss (Glee)
- Dia Frampton (Friend Movement Benefit Concert performer)
- Earl Clark (NBA – Lakers)
- Ed Baker
- Elizabeth Campbell (little person)
- Elliot Dal Pra (Friend Movement co-creator)
- Freddie Smith (Days of Our Lives)
- Frenchie Davis (Friend Movement Benefit Concert performer)
- Gretchen Rossi (Real Housewives of OC)
- Hana Mae Lee (Pitch Perfect/Friend Movement Benefit Concert host)
- Hayley Star
- Heather McDonald (Chelsea Lately)
- Jaymes Vaughan
- Jayson Blair
- Jeremy Glazer
- Jordan Hill (NBA – Lakers)
- Josh Wolf
- Justin Willman (Magician/Cupcake Wars host)
- Kate Mansi (Days of Our Lives)
- Keith Kirkwood
- Lance Bass
- Laura Michelle
- LeAnn Rimes (Benefit Concert performer)
- Lisa Vanderpump w/ Giggy (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)
- Lizzie Velasquez (Friend Movement advocate)
- London Villamayor
- Lorenzo Lamas
- Luciana Caporaso
- Madame
- Matthew Breen (The Advocate)
- Melody Thomas Scott (Young and Restless)
- Michael Caprio
- Michael Kulvula
- Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead)
- Mike Ruiz (photographer)
- Nate Applemen (Top Chef/Chopped)
- Nathan Owens (Days of Our Lives)
- Perez Hilton (Blogger)
- Rachel Dratch (SNL)
- Randi Driscoll
- Richard Simmons (Fitness guru)
- Ronnie Kroell (Friend Movement co-creator)
- Rumer Willis
- Sasha Gradiva
- Sean O’Grady
- Teri Polo (The Fosters/Meet the Fockers)
- Tim Gunn (Project Runway)
- Vassy
- Wally Kurth (Days of Our Lives)
- Wilson Cruz
Photos courtesy of: http://www.friendmovement.com