Wave Staff Report
WEST HOLLYWOOD — The city is working to raise awareness about sexual assault and consent with its “Only Yes Means Yes” campaign.
First launched in 2016, the #OnlyYes campaign is being expanded with additional focused outreach, graphics and messaging in and around the city’s nightlife establishments.
“The safety of our residents, workers and visitors is a priority for our city which is why we have revitalized the #onlyYes campaign as one of our tools to ensure that people who live, work and play in West Hollywood are safe,” said Mayor Pro Tem Sepi Shyne. “This campaign communicates that consent under the law must be affirmative, unambiguous and a conscious decision by all parties involved in sexual activity. Only Yes Means Yes. Period.”
“Holiday season fun begins with consent, said Councilman John D’Amico added. “#onlyYes means yes every time.”
The Only Yes Means Yes campaign uses graphics inspired by roadway directional signage to deliver serious messages about the importance of consent. There are four key messages: My Caress Does Not Mean Yes, Just Because I’m Flirty Doesn’t Mean I’m Ready, Get Consent at Every Step and Consensual is Sensual.
The city is distributing of #onlyYes campaign drink coasters at bars, restaurants and nightlife establishments. The campaign also includes outdoor digital public service advertising on selected outdoor digital billboards, on digital panels in transit shelters located throughout the city at major corridors and intersections, sidewalk decals located in the city’s LGBTQ Rainbow District, and “selfie” walls on Robertson Boulevard, just south of Santa Monica Boulevard, where community members and visitors can take photos of themselves with #onlyYes campaign messages for social media posts.
As 2022 begins, the Only Yes Means Yes campaign will incorporate continued community and social media engagement in recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, V-Day, the city’s Women’s Leadership Conference, Women’s Equality Day, National Night Out, Pride and Halloween.
Community members are encouraged to amplify the effort with the hashtag #onlyYes. The campaign aims to foster greater awareness and engagement, and to empower community members to play an active role in sexual assault prevention by educating themselves and sharing the vitally important message of consent.
West Hollywood is home to more than 200 entertainment-oriented businesses, such as restaurants, lounges, bars and nightclubs.
The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station’s Entertainment Policing Team is a team of deputies who are primarily focused on entertainment- and alcohol-related law enforcement issues in the city on a nightly basis. Additionally, the city’s Code Compliance Division is developing an expanded mandatory alcohol-server training program for personnel in city establishments that will aim to curb harm related to overuse of alcohol. To be launched in 2022, this will also feature a related education effort to promote expanded customer awareness, safety and security in bars, lounges and clubs.
For more information about the Only Yes Means Yes campaign, contact Larissa Fooks, community programs coordinator, at (323) 848-6413.
