Celebrating with Pride on Messenger and Messenger Kids
Pride Month is a time for people to connect, celebrate, and support the LGBTQ+ community and allies, but as we continue to feel the impacts of COVID-19, celebrating this year will look a bit different. For Pride Month this year we want people to connect and express themselves no matter where they are! Starting today, Messenger and Messenger Kids are rolling out brand new expression tools, features, and even more ways to celebrate and share together.
Celebrate With Pride on Messenger!
To kick off Pride Month, we’re excited to roll out a limited-edition Pride art suite, including a chat theme (available both on Messenger and Instagram), a new sticker pack, augmented reality (AR) effects, and custom 360 backgrounds, now available on Messenger. Designed and illustrated in collaboration with acclaimed LBGTQ+ illustrators and artists, Leandro Assis Lebassis and Sofie Birkin, the Pride Month art suite features vibrant colors and bold imagery that invites celebration and expression around Pride Month.
Accessing Pride Month Artwork and Features
- 360 Backgrounds – To use 360 backgrounds as well as camera stickers on Messenger, simply open the Messenger app and start a video call, create a room, or take photos using the Messenger camera, and tap each of the features at the bottom of your screen!
- Chat Themes – For chat themes, open a Messenger thread and tap on the top bar to open the settings, then select “theme,” where you’ll find the Pride chat theme. To use this chat theme on Instagram, open a chat thread and tap on the information button at the top right corner of your screen. Under the chat settings, click the “Theme” button and you’ll be able to select the Pride chat theme.
- Stickers – You can also download the “With Pride” sticker pack by clicking here or on the smiley face in the text box of any Messenger conversation.
Tune In & ‘Pride On!’
On June 4 at 6am PT/9am ET, get your ‘Pride On!’ with your squad and make sure to check out “Pride On! Kehlani & Larray’s Excellent Pride Ride.” Throughout the uplifting special, GRAMMY-nominated R&B superstar Kehlani and digital creator Larray travel around Los Angeles in a fabulously-decorated double-decker bus to see how people are celebrating Pride Month this year in lieu of the usual festivities, all while exploring the magic and beauty when we all come together. During the journey, both Kehlani and Larray share their personal stories while spotlighting intimate and authentic stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Tune in on Facebook Watch or with your friends through Messenger’s Watch Together feature. To access Watch Together, simply start a video call or create a Messenger Room. In a Messenger video call or Room, swipe up to access the menu, select ‘Watch Together’ then select the ‘TV & Movies’ tab.
Show Pride on Messenger Kids, Too!
And for kids wanting to show pride and celebrate this June , Messenger Kids is introducing new, vibrant Pride camera stickers and a new camera frame. We’re also bringing back several well-loved rainbow AR effects and art for kids to decorate their photos and videos this June and beyond. To try out the new stickers and camera frame, select the camera button to take a photo or video and tap the frame or sticker icon to access the effects tray.
From all of us at Messenger, wishing you a wonderful PRIDE!