Following Historic Supreme Court Ruling in Texas Sodomy Case, ACLU Urges LGBT People to "Get Busy, Get Equal"

New Website Offers Tools for Ending Anti-Gay Discrimination, Making Schools Safe and Getting Recognition for LGBT Relationships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK – In response to the Supreme Court’s decision striking a down Texas law that made some types of sexual intimacy a crime for gay people, the American Civil Liberties Union today launched a national campaign to urge lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their supporters to take advantage of this historic moment by pushing for equality. The new website, www.aclu.org/getequal, provides tools for fighting anti-gay discrimination, making schools safer for LGBT youth and getting equality for LGBT relationships.

“We’re at a defining moment in gay history. After the Supreme Court’s ruling today, courts and lawmakers can no longer treat us as second class citizens by claiming our relationships make us criminals,” said Matt Coles, Director of the ACLU’s Lesbian and Gay Rights Project. “True equality is within our grasp, but it won’t happen until we make it happen. The Supreme Court has given us an opportunity. What happens next is up to us.”

The advocacy tools available at www.aclu.org/getequal are designed so that even those most strapped for time can make a difference. Suggested activities range from one-click action alerts to members of Congress on legislation affecting the LGBT community to comprehensive instructions on how to organize campaigns to change local laws. The materials focus on three critical issues facing LGBT people: (1) protections against anti-discrimination in the workplace, housing and public accommodations; (2) making schools safer for LGBT students; and (3) getting equality for LGBT relationships.

“Public support for gay people has been building slowly. The Supreme Court’s nod of approval is just the boost we needed to make change happen now,” added Coles. “That’s why it’s so important that we build on this victory by working for LGBT equality in every town, city, school and place of employment in this country.”

Advertisements encouraging LGBT people to “Get Busy, Get Equal” will appear in national and local LGBT publications and online. In addition to the web-based resources available, the ACLU will provide assistance to those having difficulties organizing or executing a campaign for change. Anyone who would like to contact the ACLU about their efforts can send an e-mail to getequal@aclu.org.

To learn what the ACLU has to say about the Court’s decision in today’s case, Lawrence v. Texas, visit www.aclu.org