Brittney McMillan was upset several years ago with the recent string of teen suicides that plagued our country. If only these brave souls knew someone was there for them, supporting them, showing them that “it gets better.”

Turning frustration into action, Brittney encouraged her friends, family and classmates to wear the color purple to take a stand against bullying. By wearing the color purple, representing “spirit” in the LGBT Pride flag, millions of politicians, celebrities and everyday people are taking a stand against bullying and raising critical awareness about the issue of teen suicide. She teamed up with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the idea went viral.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, we believe that the issue of marriage equality is fundamentally intertwined with ensuring LGBT youth grow up in a safe, accepting environment. When the government discriminates against a group of people solely because of who they are and who they love, it gives license to individuals to bully and treat those people as less than.

As Mayor Jerry Sanders, a Republican from San Diego, testified during the 2010 Prop. 8 trial:

“If [the] government tolerates discrimination against anyone for any reason, it becomes an excuse for the public to do exactly the same thing.”

But when our government recognizes the right to marry for gay and lesbian Americans, it sends a powerful message to LGBT youth. It gives them hope that one day they too, can fall in love, have a wedding of their dreams, and be there for their special someone, in sickness and in health.

What You Can Do

• Show your support. Find out how at glaad.org >

Members of the AFER and Griffin|Schein teams