Meet the pear, tomato and banana who are changing the way we fight hate crimes in Manchester 

In an era when inclusivity and diversity are celebrated more than ever, the rising tide of hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals is a stark reminder of the work still needed to be done. 

Manchester Pride’s “I Choose Kindness” campaign, running for the past two years, is a creative and powerful response to this ongoing challenge.

Launched initially to address the growing demand for action against hate crimes, the campaign coincides with troubling statistics.

In Greater Manchester alone, recorded hate crimes related to sexual orientation increased by a shocking 22.9% in just one year, with 2,446 incidents recorded by mid-2022. Each statistic represents a life affected by prejudice, discrimination, or violence.

In the year ending September 2024, there is a 52% increase in recorded hate crime against people due to sexual orientation in Greater Manchester compared to the same period five years ago, and where hate crime against Transgender people accounted for 1% of all recorded hate crime nationally in 2014, this has tripled to account for a staggering 3% in 2024. 

Recognising the need to cut through the noise of traditional charity campaigns, Manchester Pride has taken a unique approach, blending creativity and compassion to inspire action.

Central to the campaign is its message of Unity, Liberation, and Joy—values that underscore the city’s commitment to inclusivity and solidarity.

Reclaiming symbols with Care Pear and friends

At the heart of the campaign are fun, fruit-themed mascots that embody its mission.

The Care Pear, a cheerful pear character, encourages allyship and active bystander intervention, inviting everyone to “be a Care Pear.”

The choice of fruit as mascots cleverly reclaims a historically negative term while making the campaign approachable and memorable.

Other characters in the series include

Bradley Banana, who illustrates the erosion of self-esteem caused by hate, as his “confidence peels away.”

Tiny Tom, a tomato whose ambiguous identity (fruit or vegetable?) becomes a metaphor for the assumptions people make about others.

These mascots were created by the team at MCR Pride, and then were brought to life life in comic strips created by local trans-masculine illustrator James Fox Neville, each telling a story that creates empathy and understanding.

With their relatable narratives, the comics make it clear how acts of hate can deeply affect individuals while showing how kindness can counteract such harm.

Spreading the message

The campaign’s messaging aligns with Manchester’s long-standing tradition of unity, especially in times of adversity.

As Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes, Mayor Andy Burnham, and Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig have emphasised, kindness is a powerful tool in countering prejudice and violence.

How to get involved with I Choose Kindness

The “I Choose Kindness” campaign doesn’t just raise awareness; it offers actionable steps for individuals and organisations to contribute. These include:

Raising Awareness – Sharing the campaign’s message and stories to highlight the impact of hate crime on the LGBTQ+ community.

Promoting Kindness – Encouraging acts of compassion in everyday life and rejecting prejudice.

Building Safe Spaces – Supporting venues and businesses that adopt the campaign’s principles to create welcoming environments.

By choosing kindness, Mancunians can help reduce hate crimes and make the city a safer, more inclusive place for everyone.

A call to action

Hate crime statistics are sobering, but Manchester Pride’s campaign offers hope. It reminds us that small acts of kindness can counter hate and create lasting change.

Through its creative approach, “I Choose Kindness” is a movement, asking every resident of Greater Manchester to make a conscious decision to support and celebrate diversity.

Together, we can ensure Manchester remains a city of compassion, where everyone feels safe, valued, and proud to call it home.

Manchester Pride

You can find out more about Manchester Pride by clicking here