The Red Equal Sign meme originated from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) logo, which was recolored from its traditional blue and yellow to red and pink in March 2013. This change coincided with the U.S. Supreme Court hearings regarding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8. It quickly became one of the most successful viral campaigns in social media history, with millions of users changing their profile pictures to show solidarity for marriage equality. While it began as a serious symbol of civil rights, it also inspired various parodies and creative iterations, where users replaced the bars with bacon, pizza, or other humorous symbols while maintaining the distinct red aesthetic.