The City of West Hollywood launched a public-awareness campaign — Only Yes Means Yes — to encourage people in the community to be more aware of sexual assault and to promote a message of consent. The City has produced 20,000 colorful drink coasters for distribution in local bars and restaurants; the Only Yes message is simple, but vitally important. The effort is supported on the City’s social media with the hashtag #onlyyes.

The Only Yes Means Yes campaign launch and community event took take place on Sunday, July 10, 2016 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at West Hollywood Park’s Robertson Lawn, located on the 600-block of Robertson Boulevard.

“We’ve gotten many positive responses from our local bars and restaurants about this effort and I’m excited that this campaign will encourage important conversations among people in West Hollywood about communication and mutual consent,” said City of West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister. “Only Yes Means Yes is a message we can all embrace.”

The event included participation from members of the West Hollywood City Council; the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood Station; Block by Block Security Ambassadors; and the City of West Hollywood’s Women’s Advisory Board and Public Safety Commission. Following comments from representatives, participants walked to surrounding bars and restaurants to distribute coasters for approximately 90 minutes.

“Our City’s Women’s Advisory Board asked that we, as a City, do more to prevent sexual assaults of all kinds,” said Councilmember John D’Amico. “This #onlyyes campaign will help promote the signals of smart decision-making.”

The Only Yes Means Yes campaign uses graphics inspired by roadway directional signage. The message is serious, but the creative direction is colorful and direct to ensure that messages are accessible. Drink coasters feature one of four “traffic sign” graphics:

1. My Caress Does Not Mean Yes on a red “stop sign” image;
2. Consensual is Sensual on a “green light” circle;
3. Get Consent at Every Step on a red “do not enter” sign; and
4. Just Because I’m Flirty Doesn’t Mean I’m Ready on a yellow “yield” triangle.

The campaign, which is funded by the City of West Hollywood, is coordinated by the City’s Public Safety and Communications Departments.

For more information about the City’s Only Yes Means Yes campaign, please call the City of West Hollywood’s Public Safety Department at

(323) 848-6414. For people who are deaf or hearing impaired, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.