Borrowing from the entry in Chris Crain’s Citizen Crain blog, news about GetToKnowUsFirst.org, a non-profit organization that created and is distributing a series of public service announcements about marriage equality.
The first round of PSAs, embedded below, ran during the broadcast of the inauguration ceremonies in the 42 California counties (out of 58) that had a majority vote in favor of proposition 8, the initiative that took away the right of same sex couples to marry.
One hitch along the way: KABC, the ABC-owned TV station in Los Angeles, refused to air the ad, saying it was too controversial to air during the inauguration, when many families would be watching.
After a meeting between GetToKnowUsFirst, KABC, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the station apologized for any misunderstanding, revised its previous statement, and has worked to find high-visibility slots for the ad starting this weekend.
Here’s the most notable thing, though. Throughout the No on 8 campaign, one thing that was noticeably absent was the g-word. All of the advertising skirted the issue of gay and lesbian people, instead framing it simply as a matter of hate or equality. This managed to keep the No on 8 campaign from bringing a human dimension to the issue, leaving that ground to the Yes on 8 campaign and its campaign in which little Suzie returns from school and announces that she learned that when she grows up, she can marry a princess.
These are each thirty second spots. Take a look and let me know what you think.
Xavier & Michael
Sonia & Gina
Miguel & Ru
Diane & Robin
christao408 
I love these. Brilliant campaign — an invitation, not a demand. Soft touch, yet still professionally produced.
Very lighthearted, pleasant yet strong. I agree with dynamigvision on how it is an invitation and not a demand. I love em.
Very touching and I hope the world sees this as a beautiful way of communication and fostering of lasting relationships.
Even without children in the video, I think the last one is the most touching. “This is my person… my heart… this is the person I love… ” You can’t really say it much better than that. Thanks for sharing these.
If you love the ads, help us get them on during the Superbowl! Go to gettoknowusfirst.org and donate. It is tax deductable and it will expose a lot of people to families they did not know existed.
Beatifully done. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, “We are here to awaken from the illision of our separateness.” I think all these ads ask for is a moment of openmindedness, it is the beginning of ending any fear based prejudice.
@ZSA_MD – You’re still reading your subscriptions from India? Hope your trip is going well.
It’s a very good ideaunderstanding gains acceptance…it’s a proven thing in psych and sociology
Thanks for the videos. These are everything the original ones should have been and wouldn’t. Very politically smart, too. I love that the guys in the first one are religious.
@Steve – Ads like these could have made a difference, maybe enough of a difference to have resulted in the opposite outcome. Well, we’ll have them for next time.