2008 has been an extraordinary year of action for our community.  Despite our movement’s best efforts for marriage equality in California, Florida and Arizona, homophobia, misunderstanding and the powerful influence of anti-gay activists’ financial resources won the day.  We just didn’t change enough hearts and minds.  Now, moving forward, we must work overtime to change the way all Americans across the country view LGBT people and the issues that affect our community.  Anti-gay activists will be working harder than ever to try and take away other legal protections that LGBT people have in other states

We can’t change hearts and minds without you. We need you now more than ever.  With your support, GLAAD can stand up to the Anti-Gay Industry every hour of every day.  When they want to silence us, we need your help to tell the real stories of LGBT lives.  That work — GLAAD’s work — is what changes hearts and minds and opens the door to political and legal progress.

In January, President Obama, who has voiced a solid commitment towards inclusion of LGBT people and respect to all Americans, will lead America and give us the opportunity to change the tone of how Americans talk about LGBT issues.  And we’ll be working harder than ever to move equality forward by fighting LGBT defamation and promoting LGBT inclusiveness across the country.  We’re counting on you to stand alongside us. 

The next several months will be very important for GLAAD as we respond to further efforts to restrict the rights of LGBT Americans. 

What people read and see in the media has a tremendous effect on the way they treat others AND THE WAY THEY VOTE.  As a GLAAD donor, you help us make sure LGBT-related news, stories and characters are accurate and inclusive.  And when voters see our stories on the nightly news and in local papers, hearts and minds change and it deepens their understanding of who we are.

Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today to help us in these efforts. Thank you for your support.