Last week, we attended a fund-raising event sponsored by GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. It was really powerful to hear the speakers talk about how the religious groups like Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, and so on have been able to raise millions of dollars to fight LGBT rights (and especially marriage equality) using fear tactics and hatred. It got me thinking how many LGBT people – especially those in the big cities like New York and San Francisco where tolerance is more commonplace – get complacent about supporting the organizations that fight for our rights. At this moment, nothing could be more important than making sure that the right message gets out to the right people about how we are not asking for anything more than the same rights offered to everyone else.

GLAAD has been especially active in teaching everyday people who want to advocate for LGBT rights how to maintain a consistent message across all media outlets, and they make sure that the message is backed up with facts and supporting documentation to maintain authenticity. It is important that our message always be truthful, so that we can counter the falsehoods that the religious groups use to silence our voices and take away our rights.

We have joined GLAAD’s Media Circle donor program to make sure GLAAD has the resources to continue doing good things around the world. Please consider joining us!