Introducing the Rebrand of LonGBoaT Wakefield

Since its beginnings in 2018, LonGBoaT Wakefield has always been about community; a grassroots effort to keep the spirit of pride in Wakefield alive, bringing local LGBT+ people together in celebration, visibility, and support.

Over the years, that identity has evolved significantly. What started as a small Pride-focused community group has since grown into a fully registered LGBT+ charity, achieving Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status in April 2024.

As LonGBoaT Wakefield CIO continues to expand its work, from hosting Wakefield Community Pride to providing drop‑in coffee mornings, socials, health information, and safe spaces, it has become clear that the organisation's visual identity needs to grow with it.

Today, we're excited to share that LonGBoaT is rolling out an evolved brand system for 2026: a clearer, more flexible identify framework that reflects who we are now, and where we’re going.

Why Rebrand Now?

Over the past two years, LonGBoaT Wakefield has transitioned from a Pride-focussed group into a multifaceted LGBT+ charity delivering events, services, and community support across Wakefield and the wider district; all with the support of our fully voluntary Trustee Board and volunteer teams.

The scale and complexity of what we do has grown rapidly. This evolution means our branding must do more than celebrate Pride once a year, it needs to represent an organisation that is clear, consistent and recognisable wherever it appears.

This update is designed to deliver practical benefits:

• Stronger recognition across digital and print channels

• Clearer, more accessible communication

• Greater consistency in public-facing material

• Stronger signals of professionalism, trust and quality for grant funders, services users, partners and volunteers

What Is Changing?

The rebrand aims to create a modern, accessible and recognisable identity that works seamlessly across print and digital content. With the digital landscape of 2026 demanding clarity and consistency, this refresh arrives at exactly the right time.

The updated brand system will ensure LonGBoaT Wakefield is instantly identifiable, whether you see us on social media, community posters, event signage, newsletters or partnership materials.

Rather than replacing the identity, we are introducing a four-variant logo system (that is an evolution of our original logo) to ensure the brand works across different contexts.

1. Primary logo for campaign and high-visibility use

2. Standard logo for formal and everyday communications

3. Mono wordmark for dark, busy, or photographic backgrounds where contrast is essential

4. Stamp logo for compact formats such as profile images and stickers

A Responsible, Phased Rollout

As a responsible and community‑focused charity, we’re also committed to ensuring this rebrand is carried out sustainably and sensibly. That means we won’t be spending donated funds on reprinting existing materials or discarding anything that still has a useful life.

Instead, the new branding will be introduced digitally first, with physical items such as signage, ID cards, banners and printed resources being replaced only when they reach the end of their life, become outdated or are no longer relevant. This phased approach allows us to modernise without waste, ensuring every penny continues to support our core mission of serving the LGBT+ community.

Led by Fresh Vision: Thank You to Nicole

This project is being coordinated by our newest Trustee, Nicole, working with the wider Trustee Board and volunteer teams to ensure the rebrand stays true to our roots while supporting our future direction.

As our trustees and volunteers form the heart of LonGBoaT Wakefield’s work, this rebrand reflects our wider commitment to developing the organisation’s profile, partnerships and sustainability, a priority aligned with our five-year strategy.

Honouring Our Past & Building Our Future

While our look may be changing, our purpose remains the same:

To make Wakefield a place where LGBT+ people feel seen, heard, respected, and supported.

Our history stays with us (from our first pride event in 2018 to becoming a CIO in 2024) and our rebrand will respect that legacy while equipping us for the next era of growth, visibility, and impact.

What Comes Next?

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be unveiling our new logo, colour palette, our updated logo system, design assets and digital look.

This rebrand is more than a cosmetic change. It’s a declaration of who we are today and a commitment to the work we’ll continue doing tomorrow.

Stay tuned. The next chapter of LonGBoaT Wakefield CIO is just beginning.