Joe Mirabella

325,000 All Out Members Celebrate French Marriage Victory

2013-04-25T22:02:21-04:00

This week the French National Assembly passed the final version of a bill that would allow gays and lesbians to marry in that country.

"This is a historic moment that the world should celebrate," said Andre Banks, Executive Director and co-founder of All Out, the global movement for love and equality with more than 325,000 members in France who spoke out for marriage equality. "Once the constitutional court reviews the bill and President Hollande signs the bill, loving and committed gay and lesbian couples will finally be able to marry in France."

France will be the 14th country in the world to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.

All Out members were actively engaged in passing the bill. More than 325,000 All Out members signed the largest petition for equality in French history and delivered it directly to their MPs. All Out members organized pro-marriage rallies in 17 cities throughout the country. Members also raised enough money to purchase an ad in Le Monde on the day of the Senate vote. The ad went viral online and reached half a million people. Additionally, more than 1 million people saw an All Out celebration graphic online following the Senate vote.

"I am very proud of All Out's members who worked tirelessly to pass the freedom to marry bill in France," Andre Banks said. "With more than 325,000 active voices, All Out's members proved that the fight for love and equality is stronger than any threat of violence or anger. Love won today, and it will win time and time again as we continue to push for equality around the world."

"This is a great day for France, and for the world," Guillaume Bonnet, All Out's Senior Campaigner for France, said. "I'm proud my country will be a strong voice for freedom as All Out continues to work around the world for love and equality."

God Loves Uganda, the Most Terrifying Film of the Year, Premieres at Sundance

2013-01-23T14:34:00-05:00

God Loves Uganda premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, Jan. 18. Directed by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams, the documentary examines the relationship between American evangelical churches, their missionaries and anti-gay laws in Africa, like Uganda's so-called "kill the gays" bill.

A growing majority of people of faith in the United States are supportive of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to live and love, but God Loves Uganda exposes the subversive segment of U.S. churches that export dangerous anti-gay belief systems, which have provided momentum for some of the worst anti-gay laws in the world.

"The world has never had an up-close look at how anti-gay animus is exported from the United States to places like Uganda," said Andre Banks, executive director and co-founder of All Out. "God Loves Uganda shows us how the U.S. culture war is being shipped wholesale to Africa, sometimes unknowingly, but always with disastrous consequences. The film should be required viewing.

"The film also raises urgent questions for American people of faith who care about justice and human rights," Banks continued. "The large majority of churches in the U.S. raise money to do good in their communities and abroad. But this film makes clear that we must each be certain that our contributions at the collection plate are not going, directly or indirectly, toward supporting laws that call for the death of gays and lesbians."

"In the well-known trope about Africa, a white man journeys into the heart of darkness and finds the mystery of Africa and its unknowable otherness. I, a black man, made that journey and found... America," Roger Ross Williams said. "I hope God Loves Uganda helps accelerate the good work of organizations like All Out by helping American Evangelicals understand the negative consequences of some of the deadly lessons imported to Africa by some people of faith. We should be terrified by the results of these actions."

Roger Ross Williams won the 2010 Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) with his film Music by Prudence and is the first African American to win an Oscar for directing and producing a film. God Loves Uganda was produced by Julie Goldman and Motto Pictures.

Watch the trailer:

Washington's First Same-Sex Couples Apply for Marriage Licenses (PHOTOS)

2012-12-07T13:42:00-05:00

At 12:01 a.m. PST gay and lesbian couples in Washington began to receive marriage licenses. I was at King County's administration building, but couples in every county throughout the state are preparing to marry on Dec. 9, after the mandatory three-day waiting period is over.

The first couple in King County was Pete-e Petersen, who is 85, and Jane Abbott Lighty, who is 77. They have been together for 35 years.

They were joined by more than 200 couples who were ready to wait in line all night long if they had to.

John Breitweiser and Stuart Wilber were celebrating their 35th anniversary together this weekend by getting married.

Meanwhile, the mood outside the administration building was festive. People sang gospel music, and Charles Drabkin and his husband Michael Herzfeld handed out flowers to the couples as they waited.

As couples left the building they were greeted with cheers from a growing crowd, despite the late hour. John and Stuart were greeted by friends who said they were looking forward to attending their wedding on Sunday.

It was incredible to see so many couples, each with their own history of waiting for this moment to come. Some, like Jane and Pete-e, and John and Stuart, have been waiting a life time. This moment could not come soon enough.

All photos by Joe Mirabella

Assume the Worst in Uganda: The Death Penalty Likely Remains in the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

2012-11-30T18:59:00-05:00

Conflicting media reports from the BBC, the AP and others continue to come out about Uganda's so-called "kill the gays" bill, which we expect to move through Uganda's parliament any day now. Those reports falsely claim that the bill no longer includes the death penalty. Andre Banks, Executive Director of All Out issued the following statement to help clear up some the misinformation reported by major media outlets:

David Bahati is one of the architects of Uganda's anti-gay bill. Bahati told the AP the death penalty was removed from the bill, yet no one has actually seen the latest version of the bill to confirm Bahati's claim. Until we see the bill, and it has moved out of a committee that actually has the power to make substantive changes, we must assume the worst.

If the latest version of the "Kill the Gays" bill does emerge without the death penalty, we must remain committed to its defeat. For gay prisoners who are often tortured and humiliated, a life sentence is nothing to celebrate. Ugandans and the world will not rest until this bill in any form is killed once and for all.

Box Turtle Bulletin's Jim Burroway also pointed out:

Despite these latest reports you've read -- or the fifteen or more before them -- the death penalty has not been removed. That can only happen when the full Parliament decides to vote on the Legal and Parliamentary Committee's recommendation to remove the death penalty from Clause 3. And that will only stand the greatest chance of happening if the Legal and Parliamentary Committee actually recommends making that change -- which its members claims was done but can't show you the committee's draft report because its a "secret." Which should be a red flag the size of North Korea's because the last time the Legal and Parliamentary Committee claimed it recommended removing the death penalty, it actually did no such thing.

Furthermore, the U.S. embassy told the Washington Blade:

[T]he committee can only compile a report on the bill for recommendations to the bill, and can't make changes to it. That means the panel can't take out the death penalty provision for "aggravated homosexuality," which media sources reported was removed.

It is incredibly important that news outlets and advocates fighting for the human rights of gays and lesbians see the bill before reporting or believing that the bill no longer includes the death penalty. Until we see the bill, we must assume the worst.

Please join All Out's campaign calling for the death of Uganda's anti-gay bill: allout.org/uganda.

Uganda 'Kill the Gays' Bill Could Be Voted On Any Day

2012-11-26T16:32:00-05:00

In the next few weeks the Ugandan parliament is poised to bring back a bill that would sentence lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to imprisonment and in some cases death. In a recent speech Rebecca Kadaga, speaker of the Ugandan parliament, promised to bring a vote on the proposed law, first introduced in 2009, as "a Christmas gift" to the nation. Millions around the world have joined Ugandans in calling for an end to the "kill the gays" bill, but after weeks of posturing, the parliament officially added the bill to its schedule Wednesday.

"Death and imprisonment are sentences that should be reserved for only the worst crimes, not for living openly and loving who you choose," says Andre Banks, executive director of All Out, a global movement fighting for LGBT equality. "Ugandans are calling upon their government to put an end to the 'Kill the Gays' bill once and for all. All Out members from all over the world have stood with Ugandans before, and today they have take up that call again. We will not rest until this bill is deposited in the waste bin of history."

When a version of the bill was introduced in 2011, more than 500,000 people signed an All Out petition in just three days.

"At the time, we knew there was a chance it might resurface. The speaker vowed to bring back the bill, and we vowed to stand with our partners in Uganda and fight if she did," says Banks.

The bill has been scheduled for an "order of business to follow" and could be voted on this week. It is expected to easily pass, and then it will be up to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to veto the bill. His veto could be overturned by the assembly.

"This bill won't stop us," says Frank Mugisha, executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). "We will continue to fight until we are free of this legislation. We cannot have oppression forever."

Homosexual acts are already considered a crime in Uganda and can lead to up to 14 years in prison. While the final bill has not been made publicly available, allegedly the proposed law, nicknamed the "kill the gays" bill, makes the existing legislation even stricter, establishing life imprisonment as the punishment for being in a same-sex relationship and the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality," which is loosely defined as a homosexual act committed by an HIV-positive person or with a minor. So-called "serial offenders" would also face the death penalty.

Ugandans have been fighting back against the so-called "kill the gays" bill since 2009, when David Bahati first introduced the bill. The bill was shelved after Ugandans and the international community decried the legislation, until Rebecca Kadaga resurfaced the bill when she became speaker in 2011.

Join All Out and Ugandans by calling for a presidential veto of the bill immediately. Visit allout.org/uganda.

UN Speaks Out for LGBT People in Cameroon Before Critical Hearings

2012-11-19T12:52:00-05:00

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights came out strongly in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people facing abuse and imprisonment in Cameroon under the law that makes it illegal to be gay. The statement came just days before three individuals convicted under the anti-gay law will have appeal hearings.

On Nov. 19, 2012, Roger Jean-Claude Mbede will have a hearing appealing his 3-year sentence for sending a text message to another man that said, "I'm very much in love w/u." And on Nov. 21, 2012, Francky and Jonas will have an appeal hearing for their 5-year sentence after a judge convicted them under Cameroon's "Jail the Gays" law because their clothes and their drink of choice, Baileys Irish Cream, were too gay.

"The UN human rights office is deeply concerned by reports from Cameroon of the harassment, intimidation, arrest and imprisonment of individuals on suspicion of being lesbian or gay," said a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The UN statement also called on the government of Cameroon to protect human rights defenders and ensure that its penal code, including the law that criminalizes "homosexual behavior," respects international human rights.

"The Government of Cameroon has a duty to end these abuses. It should provide adequate protection to human rights defenders working to protect the rights of LGBT persons," the statement said. "It also should use the ongoing review of the penal code to put forward amendments to Article 347 bis, with a view to bringing the article into compliance with Cameroon's international treaty obligations."

"President Biya must be thinking hard about the impact of these anti-gay laws on Cameroon's international reputation," said Andre Banks, executive director and co-founder of AllOut.org, the world's largest global LGBT equality organization. "Representatives from the U.S., the EU, the UK, and now the UN are standing in support of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people in Cameroon, backed by concerned people from all around the world. Cameroon's government needs to stop pretending these human rights violations aren't happening under their watch."

In the lead-up to these hearings, attorneys and LGBT human rights defenders Alice Nkom and Michel Togué, who are defending Roger, Francky and Jonas, have been receiving numerous anonymous death threats via SMS warning them not to attend the hearings.

"Threats like these show us that the fight must continue," said Nkom. "If Cameroon's leaders don't end these anti-gay laws now, homophobic threats, violence and arrests will continue unchecked."

"Myself, my wife and my family have all received threats like these, all because I defend people who are accused of 'homosexual behavior,'" said Togué. "It's time for Cameroon to stop throwing innocent people in jail for being different, like Francky and Jonas, and end this hate."

"We strongly condemn the threats against Alice Nkom and Michel Togué for their brave work defending people charged under Cameroon's anti-gay law," said Andre Banks. "The police must ensure their ongoing safety throughout the course of Francky's and Jonas' case and others like it. It's time to end the anti-gay law in Cameroon before more people get caught in the crosshairs."

Nigeria Poised to Pass 'Jail the Gays' Bill

2012-11-16T12:45:22-05:00

A draconian bill was introduced in Nigeria's Assembly that would ultimately jail Nigeria's gay citizens and anyone who supported them if it becomes law. All Out joined Nigeria's lesbians, gays, and allies by calling upon Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan to veto the bill should it pass its final reading in the Assembly this month.

The bill would make it a crime for gays and lesbians to get married, to witness a gay marriage, or for an affirming churches to perform a gay wedding. Gays and lesbians who marry will face 14 years in prison.

Any public displays of affection, such as holding hands, or even looking at each other affectionately could result in a 10-year jail sentence.

Whether the participant is gay or straight, anyone who organizes or becomes a member of a "gay club" or supports a gay organization financially could also face jail time.

Oliver Anene, Coordinator of the Initiative for Improved Male Health states:

The spread of HIV in the country is fueled by the growing stigma and discrimination of people, and a legislation as this will only make it more difficult to provide services to our highly productive youth burdened by the epidemic, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity. We humbly implore our law makers to really consider the long term consequences of this bill on the social security of our youth.

The Executive Director of International Center for Advocacy on Right to Health (ICARH) Mr. Ifeanyi Orazulike stated that "The bill will further drive the populations of sexual minority targeted by civil society organizations with HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention programs underground, with grave consequences on public health." He added that "HIV/AIDS does not respect any culture, religion, race or political opinion."

"The 'Jail the Gays' bill is an attack on not only gays and lesbians, but on straight Nigerians," said Andre Banks, the Executive Director and co-founder of All Out, the world's largest global LGBT organization. "Basic freedoms like the freedom to assemble, the freedom to worship as one chooses, and the freedom to love are under attack by the Nigerian government. No one is safe from this dangerous bill -- it is a distraction from real problems and must be stopped."

Last year Nigeria's Senate passed a similar bill, but after 65,000 All Out members joined Nigeria's fair-minded citizens by calling for an end of the bill, it did not move forward.

All Out has launched a new online campaign in coordination with Nigerian citizens who are fighting to stop the "Jail the Gays" bill once again. All Out members from around the world are supporting Nigerian citizens in calling upon Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan to veto the bill.

To sign All Out's petition visit http://www.allout.org/nigeria-veto.

We Won! But Our Work Is Not Done

2012-11-08T15:45:00-05:00

It is official: Washington United for Marriage has declared victory.

"This is a clear win," said WUM campaign manager Zach Silk. "We have run the numbers every which way, and we can now confidently say that we have won. This is an historic day for Washington, an historic day for our country and, most of all, for families across the state who have dreamed of this day and the wedding celebrations to come."

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire also called the victory in front of hundreds of supporters at the Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle.

Capitol Hill, the traditionally gay neighborhood in Seattle, celebrated into the wee hours of the night with a spontaneous street party, a marching band, fireworks and DJs. In cities throughout the state, same-sex couples and their families celebrated the most significant development in United States history so far. Until this victory we have never been able to defend ourselves from an attack at the ballot box against our right to marry.

On a personal level, I have never felt prouder to live in this state. It certainly felt awkward to ask my friends and neighbors to vote to approve my civil rights. The stress of the last several years has been unbelievable for our community, but now I'm happy to know that we live in a state that treats all families equally. Wow!

At the same time, I know that when same-sex couples begin marrying in a month, there will still be a lot of work to do as a community. The federal government has yet to recognize our families. It is still legal to be fired for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in more than 30 states. Trans people can not serve openly in the military.

Abroad, there are 76 countries where it is illegal to be gay or lesbian. There are 10 where the punishment is life in prison or death. For my part, I'm going to continue the conversation with you about these issues. It is not enough for me to know that my state treats my family equally. I want every LGBT person in the world to be able to live a life of dignity, respect and equal treatment under the law. Recently, I joined AllOut.org as the Director of Campaigns so that I could work on this mission. Now that we have equality in Washington, I hope you will join me on this mission, as well. We need to reach out and bring our brothers and sisters from around the world into this new reality. No one will be left behind.

President Obama: Approve Referendum 74

2012-10-25T15:43:59-04:00

The president endorsed Referendum 74 in a statement by Press Secretary Paul Bell, "While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the president believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect. Washington's same-sex marriage law would treat all Washington couples equally, and that is why the president supports a vote to approve Referendum 74."

Washington United for Marriage's campaign manager Zach Silk said, "President Obama's support for marriage reflects what's happening in WA and across the country. As more people, and more voters, realize that only marriage fully protects and supports families, they move towards supporting marriage for same-sex couples and approving Referendum 74.

"We're now in the home stretch, mobilizing thousands of volunteers with the largest ground game in Washington ballot history. We feel momentum is on our side, and having the President weigh in on approving Referendum 74 puts an extra gust of wind in our sails," Zach Silk said.

Thousands Demand Cameroon Drop Criminal Charges for Gay Text Message

2012-09-14T14:33:00-04:00

Nearly 25,000 people have signed an AllOut.org petition asking the Cameroon President and Minister of Justice to reverse the decision to jail Roger Jean-Claude Mbédé for three years and to put a moratorium on the laws that sent him to jail in the first place.

Roger was arrested last year for sending another man a text message that said, "I'm very much in love w/u." He was charged and convicted under Cameroon's law that criminalizes "homosexual behavior" and sentenced to three years in prison. He's spent more than a year in jail, while being subjected to abuse in custody, but is now finally appealing his conviction. Roger's hearing is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 17.

"I found myself in handcuffs being treated like a criminal. I spent a week after I was arrested being tortured and insulted every day," explained Roger. "Now, my family says I'm dangerous and they cannot live with a homosexual. Cameroonians know who I am now. I don't know how I will even be able to go back to school and get a job."

"We're seeing more and more young people, like Roger, whose lives are destroyed because they're accused of the 'crime' of homosexuality," said Alice N'kom, a Cameroonian attorney renowned for her support for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Cameroon. "Because Roger's decided not to hide who he is, he's faced extreme violence and even death threats. ... These homophobic laws must be repealed, as soon as possible."

"A case like Roger's makes it crystal clear how much harm these anti-gay laws can cause," said AllOut.org's Executive Director, Andre Banks.

The global movement has been working with N'kom and other Cameroonian activists for the past year to address the rampant levels of homophobia in the country.

"If someone like Roger can be tossed in jail for sending a text message to another man, how can gay and lesbian Cameroonians fight for their basic human rights without fear of attacks or prison?" Andre asked. "Cameroon's leaders need to start now and start with Roger, to end this shameful abuse."

Life remains difficult for anyone even suspected of being gay in Cameroon. At least 20 Cameroonians have been arrested in the last year on suspicions that they are gay or lesbian. And last month an anti-gay group in Yaoundé attempted to hold a march celebrating homophobia, and the Archbishop of Yaoundé made public statements that homosexuality is "shameful" and "an affront to the family, enemy of women and creation." The prevalent anti-gay attitudes in Cameroon are reinforced by the stigma of homosexuality being a crime, creating additional abuse and barriers in people's day-to-day lives.

Despite the challenges, there is a growing movement within Cameroon and in many other African nations rejecting the notion that homosexuality is un-African. Last month human-rights leaders from more than eight countries in Africa, including Cameroon, signed a declaration to President Paul Biya, asking him to put an end to the anti-gay crackdown in his country and to bring an end to laws criminalizing homosexuality.

"This is the right moment for us to call on President Biya to stand up for equality, discharge Roger, and revoke anti-gay laws in Cameroon," added N'Kom.

The petition can be found at www.allout.org/Roger.

Elementary School Students Ask Crayola to Recycle Markers

2012-05-31T16:56:12-04:00

Sun Valley Elementary school students in San Rafael, CA are urging Crayola to create a take back program for their Crayola markers. Students started a petition on Change.org urging the company to create the program since their markers can not be recycled by most municipalities.

As part of their campaign students created this video:

The San Francisco Chronicle reported:

At Sun Valley Elementary School, located on Happy Lane in San Rafael, an environmental educator named Mr. Land has inspired students to take on corporate giant Crayola to urge the company to recycle some of the 500 million markers it produces each year.

An online petition effort, begun in mid-April, generated more than 60,000 signatures within the first month, making it the most popular environmental petition on Change.org this month and the eighth top environmental cause of all time.

"I think it really matters," said fifth-grader Olivia McCabe, 11. "We live on Earth and if we hurt it, there's no other place we can go to."

Laid end to end, half a billion markers would wrap around the Earth's equator nearly twice. That's a lot of landfill, students said.

You can join the students' campaign as well by signing their petition http://www.change.org/crayola

Thousands Demand Ohio Gym Stop Discriminating Against Gay and Lesbian Families

2012-01-25T14:33:00-05:00

More than 4,000 people have signed a popular petition on Change.org urging an Ohio gym to offer a family membership to a local gay couple, Shane and Coty May.

Shane and Coty, who were legally married in Washington, D.C. last year, requested a family rate at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium, a fitness center run by the City of Cuyahoga Falls. Coty, who suffered injuries while serving in the U.S. military in Iraq, uses the gym for physical therapy and rehabilitation. When the couple asked the gym for the discounted family rate, they were told that the natatorium did not recognize their family because they were a gay couple.

"We simply wanted to be treated fairly by the natatorium," Shane May said, "The natatorium could easily give Coty and I the family rate like so many other community gyms do in Ohio. We feel like we're being treated like second-class citizens."

Shane has become Coty's primary caregiver while Coty goes through intense rehabilitation to recover from injuries he suffered while serving in Iraq. The couple said that using the natatorium's facilities are important for Coty's health, yet the gym's refusal to offer them a family membership costs Shane and Coty an additional $255 a year.

"We're not even asking the City of Cuyahoga Falls to recognize same-sex marriage," Shane said, "We just want to be treated like any other family in Ohio."

Several other gyms throughout the state of Ohio do offer family memberships to same-sex couples, including fitness centers in Medina, Twinsburg, and Akron. Yet the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium continues to refuse Shane and Coty's request.

What Shane and his husband Coty have been able to achieve in just a couple of days is incredible. They've been able to rally more than 4,000 signatures on their petition on Change.org, putting significant pressure on city legislators to change this policy.

Advocates Tell Puerto Rico: Do Not Eliminate Hate Crimes Protections

2011-12-09T00:55:00-05:00

In the past two years more than two dozen LGBT people in Puerto Rico have been murdered, often in very graphic and violent crimes. Puerto Rico's own police department has been singled out by the Justice Department for failing to deal with the high levels of violence faced by LGBT citizens.

Yet at a time when violence toward the LGBT community in Puerto Rico is high, the country's legislature is poised to remove protections from their existing hate crimes law for people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Outraged that the government would consider removing hate crimes protections for a population already facing epic levels of violence, Jorge Supelveda started a petition on Change.org urging the Puerto Rico House of Representatives to keep the country's hate crimes laws intact.

Jorge grew up in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico and went to college in San Juan. In 2003 he moved to Washington, D.C., where he works for the federal government. Jorge's parents and brothers still live in Puerto Rico.

Having lived in D.C. for the last several years, he has learned how good life can be for gays and lesbians, but someday he would like to return home.

"I saw how different things can be," Jorge said. "I would hate to return home to a place where me and my people are not protected."

In recent years, Puerto Rico has been plagued with hate crimes against LGBT people, yet the police neglected to prosecute anyone under this statute. As Michael Lavers reported:

Nearly two dozen LGBT Puerto Ricans have been murdered on the island since gay teenager Jorge Steven López Mercado's decapitated, dismembered and partially burned body was found along a remote roadside near Cayey in 2009. With more than 1,000 reported homicides so far this year, 2011 has already proven to be the deadliest year in Puerto Rico.

Many elected officials, including U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez, spoke out against the possible elimination of hate crimes protections for LGBT Puerto Ricans.

"Prejudice, discrimination, and hate crimes cannot be tolerated, whether they are based on race, religion, or sexual orientation," said Velázquez. "The current effort to weaken hate crime protections is an unconscionable affront to our community, and Puerto Rico's legislature should defeat it."

Jorge hopes his petition on Change.org will show Puerto Rico's House that Puerto Ricans want all people protected under the law.

Sign Jorge's petition on Change.org.

This post originally appeared on Change.org.

Join Washington State's New Push for Marriage for Gays and Lesbians

2011-11-15T18:06:00-05:00

On Monday, Nov. 14, Washington United for Marriage officially launched. According to their Facebook page, "Washington United for Marriage is a coalition of organizations, congregations, unions, and businesses working together to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples."

The Seattle Times reports that legislators hope to pass a civil marriage bill through the Washington State legislature in 2012:

"We're going to push it," said state Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, a gay lawmaker from the 43rd district and a leader in the marriage effort. "I believe 2012 is the best chance we've ever had to make marriage equality a reality."

It is going to take all of us who support civil marriage for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples to make sure our representatives understand how important it is to us that they pass this bill. According to the Seattle Times:

Democrats hold a 27-22 majority in the state Senate and a 56-42 advantage in the state House. But some conservative Democrats in the state Senate have voted with Republicans when it comes to extending rights to same-sex couples. That means some gay-rights supporters will have to sway some suburban Republicans to their cause. "We cannot win with just Democrats," Murray said.

On Monday, supporters of civil marriage officially launched their coalition campaign, Washington United for Marriage, at a press conference in Bellevue. There are already ways for people to get involved with the campaign. Supporters are encouraged to "like" and share the official Washington United for Marriage Facebook page. Their Facebook page grew by more than 100 fans per hour Sunday afternoon as supporters of civil marriage for loving gay and lesbian couples shared and re-shared the page on their Facebook pages. You can also connect with the campaign on twitter @WA4Marriage, and you can follow all campaign-related tweets at the hash-tag #WA4M.

Most importantly, loving gay and lesbian couples, and their friends and family, need to share their personal stories about why civil marriage for gays and lesbians is important to them. I know my partner of nearly eight years and I cannot wait until the day we can legally wed in Washington State. We love each other and are committed to each other. We are ready to make the commitment only marriage can provide.

Like thousands of other people in this state, I am ready to do everything possible to help loving and committed couples like us realize the simple dream of marriage. I hope you are, too.

4,000 Demand That Ohio School District Protect LGBT Students After Violent Assault Caught on Tape

2011-11-04T03:07:00-04:00

Following the on-campus assault of a gay, 15-year-old student caught on cellphone video, more than 4,000 people have joined a campaign on Change.org calling upon the Union-Scioto School District in Chillicothe, Ohio to pass an anti-bullying policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

Bret Thompson launched the campaign on Change.org after the assault, which no one stepped in to stop. The 15-year-old's attacker received only a three-day suspension for the assault.

"I started this petition on Change.org because I know Ohio and this attack does not reflect our values," said Thompson. "Every child has the right to learn in a safe environment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

The Union-Scioto Ohio School District has adopted anti-harassment policies that include sex, race, color, national origin, religion, and disability, but have not specifically moved to protect against harassment or bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

"The school administrators should be ashamed of their response," said Thompson. "If they won't send a message to their student body that this is unacceptable, we'll just have to send a message to them."

Thompson's campaign also calls for the expulsion of the attacker. Rebecca Collins, the victim's mother, told reporters she wants criminal charges pressed against the attacker -- including federal hate crime charges.

It is clear from the huge support for Bret Thompson's campaign on Change.org that Ohio citizens want school districts to ensure that schools are safe for all students, including LGBT students. Change.org is all about empowering anyone, anywhere, to take action on the issues they care about, and it is remarkable how much support Thompson has been able to recruit for his campaign in just a few days.

WATCH:

Sign Bret's petition here.