Over a quarter of people with a visible difference have experienced a hate crime.
Together we can stop #VisibleHate
👉 changingfaces.org.uk/visible…
[Warning: contains offensive language that people with a visible difference face every day]
[🔊 Sound on] Today is the premiere of new Bond movie #NoTimeToDie and we've released our own film showing a future where people with visible differences are the hero, love interest or main character - not just the villain. #IAmNotYourVillain
Learn more: bit.ly/3udWBBi
Today is the first day of #FaceEqualityWeek and we're asking people to better understand the impact that staring has on those with a visible difference.
Share our film to raise awareness so we can #StopTheStare before it happens.
bit.ly/3yMa6wi
This is five-year-old Elizabeth meeting her heroes @littlemix.
In July, we shared a letter from Elizabeth's parents, Liam and Sinead about their daughter, addressed to 'all those who make our daughter’s life more difficult than it should be'.
Applications are now open for our Campaigners Programme! If you’re based in the UK, aged 18 or over, and have a visible difference, we want you to share your story and campaign for change #JoinUsbit.ly/CampaignersProgramme
Millions of people in the UK identify as having a visible difference; a mark, scar or condition that affects their appearance. Let’s change the conversation on looking different #FaceEqualityDay🦋
Read the report: ChangingFaces.org.uk/FaceEqu…
Text FaceEquality to 70085 to donate £5
My Visisble Difference Face Equality Day (22 May 2019)
Millions of people in the UK identify as having a visible difference; a mark, scar or condition that affects their appearance. Let’s change the conversation on looking different #FaceEqualityDay
This #FaceEqualityWeek our campaigners and ambassadors are speaking out about the things they wish people would stop doing and how to be a better ally. Let’s keep talking this #FaceEqualityWeek because difference should be celebrated.
💻 bit.ly/FaceEqualityWeek
Dear @BBC & @OnlyConnectQuiz.
We were disappointed and shocked to see scars described as “marks of shame” on your show recently.
There is #NoShame in having a scar.
🧵(1/2)
ALT Our campaigner John points at his scar, the words written on his hand says "no shame"
ALT Our campaigner Jenny reveals scar on abdomen, on her hand "no shame" is written.
"I think it's really important that if you look different, don't try and hide that difference. Embrace it."
Our Ambassador Nikki Lilly with a positive message for #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek
All Elizabeth wants for Christmas is a kitten.
We want a world where people aren’t judged by their visible difference.
Please help us do this by giving this Christmas changingfaces.org.uk/christm…
All donations made today will be doubled!
#ElizabethsLetterToSanta
So many films, like Batman, use disfigurement and visible difference as a shorthand for villainy. It’s an outdated trope and perpetuates the myth that you can spot ‘evil’ via appearance. We need more positive representations of visible difference on screen.
❗ TW: offensive language.
No one should experience abuse because of how they look.
Next week, we're talking about the effects that appearance-related hate crimes and incidents have on people with visible differences.
Learn more about hate crime: bit.ly/3MBPHBh
. #CelebrityMasterchef starts tonight, and we're excited to see our ambassador @Adam_Pearson crack some jokes and break some eggs soon!
Good luck, Adam!🍳
It's great to see visible difference represented positively in shows like @MasterChefUK. More of this, please. 🌟
ALT Adam stood up straight in a masterchef apron, in front of the blue and grey masterchef logo. His hand is resting on his hip. In the background, some cooking equipment and shelves.
“I was desperate to know that we weren’t on our own." - Kate.
Changing Faces was there to help Kate's family when they needed us most.
Support our Christmas appeal this week and your gift will be doubled thanks to @BigGive.
#GivingTuesday#BigGive
👉 tinyurl.com/CF-BigGive22
Excited to hear about a new body positive campaign from @Missguided - #InYourOwnSkin features models with birthmarks, burns scars, albinism and psoriasis qoo.ly/pda6b
Throughout #FaceEqualityWeek our campaigners and ambassadors are speaking out about the things they wish people knew about living with a visible difference.
Here Adam talks about the impact of trolls and how no one should ever receive abuse because of how they look.
"British Film Institute says it will no longer fund films which star villains with facial scarring" -
we're DELIGHTED to see @BFI take this position! Great support for our #IAmNoYourVillain campaign 👏👏👏
qoo.ly/tpe9r
“I wear my scars with pride as each has its own journey and story to tell. They decorate my body like precious gems.” If you don't know @pointybootz already, she is one of the wonderful women who has taken part in the #PortraitPositive campaign. Photographed here by @rankinphoto
Our new research shows that one third of people with a visible difference have experienced a hate crime - an increase from just over a quarter in 2019.
We can't tackle visible hate alone, can you support us?
📢 bit.ly/3UBz1fi@Adam_Pearson
This Christmas, support William, and other families, by donating to the UK’s only free counselling and wellbeing services for families affected by visible difference.
bit.ly/3FOdnOR
Nikki Lilly, 15, to become the youngest ever recipient of the @BAFTA Special Award for her campaigning work for people with a visible difference.🦋
👏👏👏
qoo.ly/zztkrk
Today's the day we launch our #HateCrime awareness campaign! Watch our short film which follows the strories of three individuals who have been targeted because of their appearance. Break the cycle of #VisibleHate . Speak up, speak out, together let's stop it
You're sharing a photo of someone who has a medical condition. He doesn't want the photo used like this. Please delete. Perhaps apologise? nitter.app/CB1872/status/61960087…
This is a wonderful thread from author and activist @jenvcampbell about the link made between visible difference and villainy in the Bond franchise, other films and popular culture. Well worth a read!
THREAD
Every time a new James Bond film is made, the producers are asked to reconsider their representation of disfigurement. Every time, they say they don't care. The new film, out this week, is no exception. This time, two villains with facial disfigurements. Lucky us.
ALT Blofeld, with a scar across the right side of his face, blind in one eye.
ALT Rami Malek, a new character, with facial disfigurements.
Thank you to our wonderful Ambassadors including @nikkilillyy, the youngest ever winner of a BAFTA Special Award who smashed through one million YouTube subscribers last year. 🏆
''It's important to me to share and celebrate the things that make me, me.''
As we near the end of #LGBTQHistoryMonth our campaigner Mikaela has this wonderful message for everyone in our community. 🦋 #LGBTHM21
We're so pleased that our letter to the Bond producers featured on Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo's film show @wittertainment today. We're calling for more positive representation of visible difference in films and on screen. #IAmNotYourVillain. Listen here: bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001092…
Thanks for tagging us, Rob. For anyone who might not know us - we're the UK's leading charity for everyone with a mark, scar or condition on their face/body. We provide support and promote respect of visible differences. Rob is the James Bond of all ambassadors for our charity!🍸
'The lifting of lockdown and going out into the outside world brings a lot of fear, anxiety and uncertainty.'
Our ambassadors Adam & Tulsi spoke to Joe about their experiences during lockdown and their hopes for the future. #FaceEqualityWeek
My name’s @Ella_Davies1. I have a visible difference, and to celebrate #FaceEqualityDay on Wednesday, I've been asked to takeover the charity's Twitter today. 🦋
This #FaceEqualityWeek, we’re calling for more positive representations of visible differences across popular culture.
Support our campaign so no one else with a visible difference is made to feel like they don’t belong or fit in: bit.ly/3O4tmNj
Halloween is next week. 🕷👻🎃
If you're thinking of dressing up, please think twice about your costume choice.
If all you're doing is applying some scars with face paint, you're mocking someone who looks different to you.
Dress up as a character. Not a condition.
🕷👻🎃
'I really like the book Wonder by R J Palacio because I have experienced a lot of what happens in the book. I think this book explains a lot about what could happen to someone with a visible difference and what it feels like when someone stares at you.' (Hannah) #WorldBookDay
Meet your new Changing Faces Campaigners! 🦋
Over the next few months you'll be seeing a lot more of this talented, generous and gorgeous lot, as they share their own personal stories of visible difference and help shape the conversation around looking different. ❤
We launched our latest #IAmNotYourVillain campaign film yesterday, and we're delighted to have the continued support of the @BFI who signed up to our campaign in 2018 and committed to not having negative representations of people with visible differences in films they fund. 🦋
ALT A BFI quote: ''We believe film should be truly representative of the UK and supporting meaningful representations on screen is one of our funding priorities and is also a key criteria of the BFI Diversity Standards. We continue to fully support Changing Faces’ I Am Not Your Villain campaign and remain committed to not having negative representations depicted through scars or facial difference in the films we fund.''
During #FaceEqualityWeek it’s so important that we share our experiences, stories and hopes for life after lockdown. No one with a visible difference should be forgotten. 🦋
Donate today to help people with visible differences at bit.ly/CFDonateNow
Beth recently played Jean in the new @cbbc Malory Towers.
Here she talks about filming the show, the incredible reaction from viewers, and why other young people with visible differences who want to act should 'go for it'. ❤️
Watch the series 👉 bbc.in/3ciA509
We're calling on the film industry to commit to stopping using scars, burns or marks as shorthand for villainy. Watch our Champions who have a visible difference explain why #IAmNotYourVillain
Using scars and limb difference to portray scary characters perpetuates the harmful stereotype that we should fear people who look different. This is unacceptable. The film industry can do much better than this. #NotAWitchow.ly/YPkM50Cc9wb
This #NationalHCAW we're encouraging our community to report appearance-related hate crimes & incidents.
[Please note: contains offensive language that people with a visible difference face every day]
Read about what a hate crime is & how to report it at bit.ly/36ENpw8
"I would advise anyone thinking of going to university but worrying about a visible difference to feel the fear but do it anyway."
Mel's story: bit.ly/3WEPBL4
'I don’t really care what strangers think. You own it. Otherwise it crushes you.' A brilliant interview with @Adam_Pearson (who was also on the phones for us at the weekend for the @Telegraph Christmas charity appeal, thank you Adam!) qoo.ly/ttuv8
Our new film shows what positive representation could and should look like, so please share it and start a conversation about why we need to see more diversity in popular culture. #IAmNotYourVillain
Learn more about the campaign here: bit.ly/3u9fsh0
Halloween can be difficult for people with visible differences when they see their scars, marks and conditions being used as a shorthand for scary.
This year, we've partnered with @FaceEqualityInt and @LeithAgency to ask people to be mindful with their #Halloween makeup looks.
Today we’re launching #PledgeToBeSeen and calling on fashion & beauty brands to sign up to our pledge to represent more people with a visible difference in their campaigns over the next year.
Learn more about #PledgeToBeSeen 👇
qoo.ly/vtx6z
We are truly saddened that Changing Faces’ Founder, Dr James Partridge OBE, has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family at this terribly sad time.
James inspired and changed the lives of so many; most recently through leading @FaceEqualityInt His loss will be felt deeply.
A message from @JRJPartridge 's family:
We are deeply saddened to say that James passed away on Sunday. His death was sudden, & peaceful, & we were there by his side.
He was an inspiration to so many people. He will be tremendously missed.
bit.ly/2FywVu3
“Our hope for the future is that the world will embrace Elizabeth for who she is and what she is capable of rather than what she looks like.”
Please help us do this by giving this Christmas at bit.ly/CFBigGive2019#ElizabethsLetterToSanta
This #FaceEqualityWeek, we’re calling for more positive representations of visible differences across popular culture.
Support our campaign so no one else with a visible difference is made to feel like they don’t belong or fit in.
bit.ly/3Ml8a4r
ALT Campaigners Amanda and Sultan hold signs that read: #ThisIsMe.
ALT Campaigners John, Brenda, Tulsi and Bronwen hold signs that read: #ThisIsMe.
ALT Campaigners Isabella, Rhiannon, Laura, Chris and Katie hold signs that read: #ThisIsMe.
ALT Campaigners Zelda, Chrissie, Phil and Caris hold signs that read: #ThisIsMe.
We are delighted to have the support of @nikkilillyy for this year's #FaceEquality day! She has been working alongside our Youth Action Group to help plan key resources. This includes our Education Pack which can be ordered via -> bit.ly/FED18EDU#Proudtobeme 🙌🏻
What is a shame is that we’re still perpetuating the myth that there's something wrong with visible differences like scars.
We hope you will commit to learning about how to better represent those with visible differences.
Full statement: bit.ly/3Pbokx1
(2/2)
ALT Our ambassador Tulsi, "no shame" written on her arm.
ALT Our campaigner Bronwen, "no shame" written on her hand
ALT Multiple campaigners revealing scars, with "no shame" displayed on paper or written on their hand.
Halloween is looking different this year. 🕷👻🎃
If you still plan to dress up, please think twice about your costume choice. If all you're doing is applying some scars with face paint, you're mocking someone who looks different to you.
Dress up as a character. Not a condition.
We stand united with our ambassadors @CatrinPugh and @Red_Fringe – using scars and limb difference to portray a scary character in the latest adaptation of The Witches is lazy and damaging stereotyping. The film industry can do better. @WarnerBrosUK we’d love to talk! #NotAWitch
If you or a loved one have a visible difference and need emotional support please call 0300 012 0275 or visit our website.
👉 changingfaces.org.uk/visible…
'Beth has not been defined by her birthmark and I could not be prouder.'
In Robin's blog, he talks about his daughter Beth's experiences filming @cbbc#MaloryTowers & the importance of having more role models with visible differences on our screens. ❤️
ow.ly/fiTI50zqPDi
''There is no doubt that looking different can be challenging, but I wouldn’t change my appearance as I wouldn’t be me anymore, and I’ve come to quite like me, all of me.''
Amanda shares her story 👉 bit.ly/3aiwJfG
ALT Two photos of Amanda. Image on left: Amanda, wearing a red-and-blue blouse and a blue necklace. Image on right: Amanda, wearing red black hat and a red and black graduation-style robe over a navy blouse.
We're delighted to announce that make-up brand @SleekMakeUP has signed up to our #PledgeToBeSeen to challenge out-dated beauty stereotypes and represent more people with visible differences in their advertising campaigns. 🦋
ALT A close up photo of our campaigner Prisha. She has wavy brown hair, glasses, and is wearing Sleek make-up products as part of their advertising campaign.
ALT A close up photo of our campaigner Tatyana. She has braids and is wearing Sleek make-up products as part of their advertising campaign.
ALT A close up photo of our campaigner Amba. She has her eyes closed and is wearing Sleek make-up products as part of their advertising campaign.
“I’ve been abused in the street but I also get a lot of hate online."
Many people with a visible difference have been harassed online and in-person. Read why #VisibleHate has to stop.
qoo.ly/33zcm7
Sad to hear of #BenjaminZephaniah's passing.
He was a patron of Changing Faces for a number of years and dedicated his novel "Face" to our staff & supporters.
We'll remember him as someone who championed the voices of marginalised people, including those with visible differences.
British poet Benjamin Zephaniah has died at the age of 65.
He was known for being one of the country’s most prolific literary voices and credited with creating “dub poetry”
He was diagnosed with a brain tumour and a statement confirmed he died in the early hours of Thursday.
"Being abused because of how you look is not - and never will be - okay."
Read Adam Pearson's blog on what it's like to live with his visible difference, the abuse he receives and why #VisibleHate crimes should be reported.
qoo.ly/3324mt
“I want to help others to see their true self and not let the opinions of those around them dictate the opinion they have of themselves.”
Amit’s story: ow.ly/KWEQ50OTT3t
ALT Amit is an Asian man in his 40s, with Neurofibramatosis type 1 - a condition that causes tumours to grow along your nerves. Amit wears a navy blazer and white jumper.
ALT Amit as a child, showing the development of his facial tumours.
ALT Amit stands in front of a ginormous trophy at the Barcelona tennis opens
We're delighted to have been chosen by @Telegraph for its Christmas Charity Appeal! Here's our CEO @beckyhewitt01 explaining our theme for the Appeal - #WordsMatter - and how YOU can get involved. Watch, share and check out the Appeal page telegraph.co.uk/christmas/0/…
"Bullying really affected me and I believe schools could do more to support children with a visible difference."
It's #AntiBullyingWeek and we're here to #MakeANoise about bullying. 🥁
Please do share Hannah's story with the teachers in your life: ow.ly/iSi150Q6qZT
Today we're launching our #IAmNotYourVillain campaign, thanks to @Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal! Supported by @BFI we're calling on the film industry to commit to stopping using scars, burns or marks as shorthand for villainy. Check out more here 👇
telegraph.co.uk/films/0/face…
Congratulations to Changing Faces Ambassador @Adam_Pearson who has just been listed in the @ShawTrust Power 100 list of the UK’s most influential disabled people. Thank you for campaigning with us for equality for everyone with a visible difference. 🦋
disabilitypower100.com/proje…
“I love watching movies but I’m always seeing people with facial differences portrayed in a way that’s not positive."
A big thank you to Dylan, who is supporting our #IAmNotYourVillain campaign.
Dylan spoke to Glasgow Times: ow.ly/2hJ850Q4GTl
ALT Dylan stands next to a sign that reads "you're different - stay that way!"
ALT Dylan holds a sign that reads: I am not your villain.
We’re excited to announce #FaceEqualityDay 2019 will be on Wednesday 22 May. A whole week of activities for people with visible differences.
We’d love you all to be involved. More to follow…
We're so pleased to have the incredible @Gailporter presenting our @BBC One Lifeline Appeal. Make sure to tune into BBC One this Sunday the 30th of May at 2.05pm to watch in full!
@caitlinmoran Hello Caitlin, I hope you're well. I saw that you just RT'd us & was wondering if you'd seen our latest #IAmNotYourVillain campaign film? It's our call on the film industry to stop using scars, marks & burns as a shorthand for villainy.
[🔊 Sound on] Today is the premiere of new Bond movie #NoTimeToDie and we've released our own film showing a future where people with visible differences are the hero, love interest or main character - not just the villain. #IAmNotYourVillain
Learn more: bit.ly/3udWBBi
As we reach the end of #FaceEqualityWeek we’d like to thank our campaigners, ambassadors and everyone who has joined us this year to celebrate what makes us different and start important conversations about life with a visible difference. 🦋
ALT Collage of our campaigners looking to camera with the message '#FaceEqualityWeek 2021 Let's Keep Talking' written at the bottom of the image.
We stand in solidarity with @melissablake. Using an image of someone with a visible difference for a ‘FaceTime prank’ on TikTok is never okay. We urge @tiktok_uk to uphold their community rules. Difference should be celebrated.
refinery29.com/en-us/2020/08…
Just a quick one about correct use of Language when referring to scarring...
Call it a scar or a difference, the word DEFORMED isn't very pleasant and insinuates I am half formed/incorrectly formed, I'm not incorrect, just a bit different ☺️
Big love ❤️❤️
@FaceEquality
Did you know that in Ian Fleming's Bond novels, 007 is depicted with a scar on his cheek?
We'd love an actor with a visible difference to play a positive character in the next film.
We are the hero, the love interest, the lead - and not just your villain. #IAmNotYourVillain
ALT A black and white image of Robert, a 20-something-year-old actor, wearing a 'James Bond' character costume consisting of a black jacket and bow tie and a white shirt. Robert is looking at the camera and adjusting his cuffs with his hands.
"School was difficult for me. People would call me names like 'purple monster' and I was always picked last.
"I'd encourage all parents to see how their children are settling into the new term, and whether Changing Faces' workshop for 11-16s might help."
ow.ly/h7ZS50PLCiQ
ALT Hannah is blonde teenager with a port wine stain birthmark. She's wearing a red and pink jumper.
ALT Hannah out on a walk during golden hour with her light-coloured cockapoo dog. Beautiful rolling hills are seen in the background and Hannah is wearing a red knitted hat and light coat, suggesting it's a winter's evening.
7 year-old girl embraces birthmark in beautiful body-positive photos.🦋
”We want this beautiful series of images to reduce the public’s negative perceptions of visible differences.“
qoo.ly/yye6r
No one should experience abuse because of how they look.
Yet our research shows that a third of people with a visible difference have experienced a hate crime – an increase from 28% in 2019.
Learn more about #VisibleHate: ow.ly/iUfz50PU26H@Adam_Pearson#NationalHCAW
ALT Actor and Changing Faces ambassador Adam Pearson with his quote "if it feels wrong, it probably is wrong."
"I'm going to try and be boldly glamorous in my own way."
Our ambassador, Rhona, shares her thoughts on the new "bold glamour" filter trend that's being used on social media apps like #Tiktok.
Have you seen or tried these filters? What are your thoughts?
#BoldGlamourFilter
"In a world where it’s unacceptable to make jokes about someone’s race, sexuality or disability, we believe the same should apply to jokes about visible difference." - Alopecia UK.
We stand with @JadaPSmith, @AlopeciaUK and the #alopecia community.
Some Monday mornings are busier than others!
Find our statement on the news events from last night's Oscars here: alopecia.org.uk/news/our-sta…
It includes a link to a longer blog which we hope you will read too.
PS, can we all agree how AMAZING Jada looked last night?
"Publishing a book on a subject close to my heart has been my biggest challenge yet, but one I am most proud of."
A huge congratulations to our ambassador, @TheVitiligoMan, who has published a book to celebrate, educate and empower children about the beauty of looking different.
ALT Shankar is holding up his book, starring Awais, a boy with vitiligo. The book is called "The Adventures of Vitiligo Man"
Our amazing campaigners Ella and Mikaela sharing their experiences of living with a visible difference at The Roads We've Travelled concert - raising £600 with their powerful speeches.
And 👏 to Hannah Brine, @KensingtonSings and @vicparksings.
[📸 Gunpowder Photography]
Tomorrow marks the start of our #YoureNotAlone men’s campaign, so make sure to keep an eye on our channel as we put the spotlight on the experiences and stories of men with visible differences.
"People can be cruel when you look different" - X Factor's Danny Tetley who was born with #cleft lip and palate. We love the way he's raising awareness and showing solidarity for other children born with cleft lip and palate.
qoo.ly/t4gri