New Campaign Puts a Spotlight on 31 States Where LGBT Discrimination Remains the Law

After the legalization of gay marriage, many incorrectly assumed that LGBT citizens have equal rights in all aspects of their lives. But, as the Ad Council’s “Beyond I Do” campaign states in its videos: “Marriage is legal in all 50 states. Discrimination is still legal in 31 states.”

The campaign will highlight the 55 percent of LGBT folks who have reported being discriminated against due to their sexual orientation or support of LGBT rights. And although 79 percent of non-LGBT Americans support equal rights, 80 percent have the misconception that it’s illegal to fire, evict or refuse service to someone based on their sexual orientation.

The campaign, created by the Ad Council, Gill Foundation and agency CP+B with research assistance from Redscout, “promotes acceptance, empathy and understanding for the millions of LGBT Americans who can be kicked out of their homes, fired from their jobs or denied services because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” according to a release.

“Everyone should have the ability to live in safety, support their families and go about their daily lives without the fear of being turned away because they’re gay or transgender,” said Lisa Sherman, Ad Council president and CEO. “By sharing powerful and poignant stories, this campaign highlights the values we hold so dear as Americans and provides a real opportunity to grow awareness and empathy.”

“Beyond I Do” will feature accounts from Americans across the country who have been left homeless, unemployed or without vital services such as medical treatment, all because they identify as LGBT.

“The power of this campaign comes from leveraging the shocking fact that millions of Americans are being denied basic rights,” said Quinn Katherman, creative director of CP+B. “We realized that nothing could ever be as compelling as the true stories these couples have to tell.”

In addition to the videos, Parks and Recreation actor Nick Offerman will be the voice behind radio spots for the campaign.

According to the campaign, the following states have laws that legalize discrimination against LGBT residents:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

You can explore an interactive map about each state’s laws on the campaign website.

Below is a print ad from the campaign:

CREDITS:
Agency: CP+B
Global Chief Creative Officers: Linus Karlsson
Creative Director: Quinn Katherman
Creative Director: Lauren Perlow
Associate Creative Director: Aaron Fisher
Associate Creative Director: Robyn Tenenbaum
Senior Copywriter: Sarah Mosseller
Art Director: Rachel Leathers
VP Director of Content Production: Sloan Schroeder
VP Executive Producer: Jesse Jones
Producer: Jake Burnett
Jr. Producer: Mimi McCormick
VP Group Account Director: Joselyn Bickford
Management Supervisor: Tara Delaney
Content Managers: Ilyssa Schwartz, Brad George
Associate Director of Agency Communications: David Whitney
Business Manager: Cristina Fajardo
VP Group Director Strategy: Kaylin Goldstein
Associated Strategy Director: Dominic Hanley
VP Director of Integrated Communication: Jennifer Bollman
Media Supervisor: Zach Garbiso
Production Company and City: Stink Studios – New York, NY
Director of Photography: Jan Reichle
Executive Producer (Production Co.): Jen Nichols Armstrong
Senior Producer: Lauren Saunders
Research and Strategy and City: Redscout – New York, NY
Head of Strategy: Alex Cripe
Senior Strategist: Ted Makarewicz
Strategist: Greg Reiner
Telecine Company and City: A52 – Santa Monica, CA
Colorist: Paul Yacono
Senior Color Producer: Jenny Bright
Editorial Company and City: Rock, Paper, Scissors – Santa Monica, CA & Ming Studios – Boulder, CO
Editor: David Brodie (RPS)
Assistant Editor: James Bedford (Ming), Patrick Tuck (RPS)
Producers: Kate Swenson (Ming), Shada Shariatzadeh (RPS)
Executive Producers: Lennon Barnica (Ming), Dina Ciccotello (RPS)
Mix and Sound Design Company and City: Lime Studios – Santa Monica, CA
Executive Producer//CD: Susie Boyajan
Engineer: Matt Miller
Assistant Engineer: Lisa Mermelstein
Post Production and VFC Company and City: A52 – Santa Monica, CA
VFX Supervisor/Lead Flame: Brendan Crockett, Kevin Stokes
Producer: Drew Rissman
Website/Site Content Production Company and City: Stink Studios – New York, NY
Content Audio Mixing and City: MR. Bronx – New York, NY
Sound Designer: Eric Hoffman
Executive Producer: Molly Burke