On 1 June, the first day of Pride Month, LEGO will release its new Everyone is Awesome set, designed to celebrate diversity and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Everyone is Awesome is based on the “Progress” variation of the Pride flag, and updated version of the original six-colour rainbow flag that adds the colours of the Transgender Pride flag and black and brown in recognition of queer people of colour. In designer Matthew Ashton’s words, it’s “a simple little set with a powerful message of love, inclusivity and acceptance”, with 11 monochrome figures—one for each colour of the flag—arranged on a rainbow display.
The model is made up of 346 pieces, standing 10.24cm tall and with a depth of 12.8cm—”a perfect fit for most shelves or window sills”, according to the LEGO Group. It will go on sale June 1 through LEGO.com and LEGO stores, for NZD $69.99 / AUD $59.99 / USD $34.99 / €34.99.
“I wanted to create a model that symbolises inclusivity and celebrates everyone, no matter how they identify or who they love,” said Ashton. “Everyone is unique, and with a little more love, acceptance and understanding in the world, we can all feel more free to be our true AWESOME selves! This model shows that we care, and that we truly believe ‘Everyone is awesome’!”
In a blog post, Ashton went into more detail about the inspiration behind the design and his own experiences coming out as a teenager. “Coming out is the period in your life where I think you can feel the loneliest and so uncertain about what your future is going to hold once you have taken that step … If I had been given this set by somebody at that point in my life, it would have been such a relief to know that somebody had my back. To know that I had somebody there to say ‘I love you, I believe in you. I’ll always be here for you.‘ “
He went on to say that this is one of the sets he’s most proud of. “This sends a signal to everyone that this is what we stand for at The LEGO Group and that we want to embrace all of you, because creativity is for everyone.”
