More about Testimony: Take a Stand
From the "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) to California's Prop 8 trial (Perry V. Schwarzenegger), historic trials on LGBT equality are happening across America right now and only a handful of people get to testify. If you could Take A Stand, what would you say? What would your Testimony be?
Testimony seeks to create a map of stories from LGBT Americans and allies across the country. In collaboration with partner organizations, Testimony seeks to show the shift in public acceptance of gays and lesbians as many of these equality cases make their way to the Supreme Court.
In 2012, Testimony: Take a Stand will give us all the chance to testify to the destructive power of discrimination and about the joys of full equality. These stories are the foundation for true and lasting equality in the court of public opinion, for the bonds that strengthen families and communities, and are an essential antidote for the animus and isolation that opponents of equality relentlessly cultivate.
Merging innovative online organizing with social media platforms, Testimony provides everyday Americans -- both LGBT and straight allies alike -- with the tools to share their own personal experiences on love, family, marriage, discrimination, bullying, social stigmatization and many other related issues, not unlike the heartfelt testimony given by the plaintiffs in the Prop. 8 trial.
Through Testimony: Take a Stand, thousands of Americans will be able to upload a family photo, a video deposition, or a written description of their experiences to a central online repository organized by subject and geography. These stories will be a constantly-updated resource for activists, opinion leaders, the media and others engaged in equality battles across the country, including legislative fights, ballot initiatives, and battles for the hearts and minds of families, friends, co-workers, neighbors and communities.
As important legislative changes move through Congress, and cases like the Prop 8. trial wind their way toward the U.S. Supreme Court, Testimony will humanize decisions all too often made in the legal abstract, giving voice to the millions of marginalized Americans who will never get their day in court by attaching names, faces, families and experiences to the continuing struggle for equality.
Courage Campaign Institute is the strategic research, training and public education arm of the Courage Campaign -- an online organizing network that empowers more than 750,000 grassroots and netroots activists to push for progressive change and full equality across America. The Courage Campaign Institute is registered as a 501(c) 3 organization with the IRS, and all contributions are tax deductible.
Testimony's founding donors include: Adam Press; Andy Abowitz and Michael Levin; Bill Resnick and Doug Cordell; Michael Huffington; Steve Frankel and Dan Ricketts; Deborah and Andy Rappaport; Tom Dolby and Drew Frist; UNITE-HERE; and Chris Kelly. MarriageTrial.com is an official sponsor.
Please consider making a contribution to Testimony: Take a Stand to help us build and sustain this site and continue our outreach across America.
If you would like to contact Testimony by email, please fill out this form and someone will be in touch as soon as possible.
You can also contact us by mail, phone or fax:
Testimony: Take a Stand
Courage Campaign Institute
7119 West Sunset Boulevard, No. 195
Los Angeles, California 90046
Phone: 323-969-0160
Fax: 323-969-0157