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See the Celebrities Speaking Out in the "Fight Like a Mother" Campaign For LGBTQ+ Equality

May 12 2018 - 9:32am

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, is urging the world — moms, dads, allies — to "Fight Like a Mother" for LGBTQ+ equality, just like some of its "Moms for Equality" campaign members. The faces of the campaign, including Sally Field [1], Betty DeGeneres, and Kelly Rippon, among others, have all opened up by sharing stories of how their LGBTQ+ kids "have made them fierce advocates for equality" and why this HRC campaign is so important.

"By joining HRC, these remarkable moms and advocates are standing up for their own kids and millions of LGBTQ youth across the country," said Olivia Dalton, HRC senior vice president for communications and marketing, in a press release. "Today, so many LGBTQ youth still face disproportionately high rates of bullying, anxiety and depression, and other challenges. And that's why it's so powerful to have moms and parents from all walks of life [2] coming together to organize, advocate and lead our country in a more affirming, inclusive and supportive direction."

Meet the moms of the campaign here, and pledge to fight like a mother to help defend LGBTQ+ rights by becoming an official member of HRC (bonus: if you join by Mother's Day [3], you get an awesome "Fight Like a Mother" t-shirt for free [4]).

Betty DeGeneres

"It's on us to change the world for these kids and make it a better place. Just like my Ellen did 21 years ago and continues to do to this day. I'm a proud Mom for Equality and a longtime member of HRC." — Ellen DeGeneres [6]'s mom, Betty

Kelly Rippon

"Everyone, LGBTQ or otherwise, should get to live as freely as Adam does — and, as one of HRC's Moms for Equality, I'm committed to making that happen. This whole campaign has become such a family affair. All of us are in this fight for LGBTQ equality for Adam, of course, but also for all those young people like him who haven't had an easy time openly being themselves. They need allies to support them, now more than ever!" — Adam Rippon's mom, Kelly

Sally Field

"At 20, Sam came out proudly as a gay man: to us and to a world where some still hate you just for being different. Ten years later and that hate seems to have only gotten stronger. But with you, we can help stop hate in its tracks." — Sally Field [7]

Betty Hightower

"Like so many of you, Chad has never shied away from fighting for what's right. From pushing marriage equality at the Supreme Court to his persistent activism and advocacy nationwide, he's given his all to the fight for LGBTQ rights. I'm thrilled to stand by his side, today and always, as his mom and as one of HRC's Moms for Equality." — Betty Hightower, mother of HRC President Chad Griffin

Nicole Cozier

"Kindness, acceptance and love. Those are the traits my mom and my grandmothers built into our family. When I became a mom myself, I made sure to weave those same traits into mine, and as a staff member at HRC, I like to think we're weaving those traits into the world around us, too. This Mother's Day [8], on behalf of HRC, my wife and I want to give thanks to all the Moms For Equality who are doing their part to make life better for LGBTQ people." — Nicole Cozier, HRC director of diversity

Jodie Patterson

"As a mom, I've always wanted to fix things. But, as I soon realized, there wasn't anything about Penelope that needed fixing. He, like every transgender child, was simply announcing to me and to the world how he truly saw himself. He was boldly claiming his identity. I joined the fight for transgender equality that very day and I'm here, seven years later, to keep that fight going as one of HRC's Moms for Equality!" — Jodie Patterson, who was recently named one of "The 20 Most Influential Moms of 2018" by Family Circle magazine and is also a member of the HRC Parents for Transgender Equality Council


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.com/family/HRC-Mother-Day-FightLikeAMother-LGBTQ-Equality-Campaign-44825147