Lambda Legal Launches New Marriage Equality Campaign in Illinois

LOVE Lambda Legal. The ad features various couples who have served as plaintiffs in cases against the state. Note that the next installment will automatically play at the end of each video.

Nike Launches LGBT Inspired Shoes

Just in time to celebrate pride month, Nike has launched a pair of shoes that are inspired by and support the LGBT community called the #BETRUE collection. They're available at Nike.com and select Nike retailers nationwide. Wonder if we'll see Jason Collins sporting these sometime very soon.

Factors Influencing Gay Consumers’ Evaluations of “Gay-Friendly” Corporate Activities

This is a long one, but lots of good info here. A more academic perspective on LGBT marketing that examines differing attitudes and behaviors within the community. Definitely worth a read.

Ad Spotlight: Log Cabin Republicans

From yesterday's Politico. From Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo: 

"Make no mistake: as Log Cabin Republicans, we want to win elections, and if the Republican Party wants to do the same it needs to take a stand against anti-gay rhetoric in its ranks and welcome the increasing numbers of Republicans who support the freedom to marry. Our ad today in Politico should be a wake-up call to Republicans and a reminder of the words of President Reagan, who, in describing his ‘big tent’ conservative philosophy, declared, ‘It is not your duty, responsibility or privilege to tear down, or attempt to destroy, others in the tent.’ Let’s make the tent bigger. Let’s get the Republican Party back on a path to victory."

Virgin America's New Technology for Flirting in Flight

Takes awhile to get to the point, but brilliant idea.


Related: KLM uses social media to let passengers choose their seat mates:

Rhode Island launches marriage equality campaign

Nike Wants to Sponsor First Major Out Pro Athlete

Interesting prospect AdAge made us aware of today: Nike wants to sponsor the first major out gay pro athlete in the United States. “The player who does it, they’re going to be amazed at the additional opportunities that are put on the table, not the ones that are taken off,” said Rick Welts, the former Phoenix Suns executive who recently spoke with Nike execs about this issue. Read more here. 

Hilton Launches Gay Travel Offer

Hilton has a new program for LGBT travelers attending pride festivals and other LGBT events around the world, called "Stay Hilton. Go Out." It includes free high speed internet, two welcome beverages, a year's subscription to OUT magazine, and late checkout. Not bad! Hilton scored a 90/100 in HRC's 2013 Corporate Equality Index.

Hillary Clinton Speaks Out for Marriage Equality

"LGBT Americans are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones. And they are full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage."

How Gay Themes in Ads Become Mainstream

Nice article from Business Insider worth a read, highlighting companies like Amazon, JCPenney, Macy's, and American Airlines.

Ad Spotlight: Amazon

Amazon has just done something huge - it's become the first mainstream American brand to feature a same-sex married couple in a national television commercial (cue One Million Moms). The gesture is one more act that adds to Amazon's long history of supporting LGBT Americans, most recently last year by supporting Referendum 74 to legalize marriage for same sex couples in Amazon's home state of Washington. Clearly a mainstream-targeted ad (don't expect gays to be giving up their iPads anytime soon), it will be interesting to see if other brands follow suit as marriage equality gains social acceptance and hopefully national legality following this summer's Supreme Court cases.

Trending: Touching Video for California LGBT Youth Group

Nice video here currently trending online... So inspiring to see these young kids standing next to their supportive families. I believe the average age for coming out in the United States is now 12. We're lucky more kids are now getting to grow up accepting themselves with the support of their families, thanks to the work of organizations around the country like The Place and the Q Center.

Ad Spotlight: Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Bureau

Love the insight and concept, but the execution feels a bit too photoshopped to me. Read more here.

Ad Spotlight: Powershop New Zealand

A gay ad featuring the pope? Brilliant. And yes, it's real... in New Zealand. Read more here. 

New Graph of LGBT Rights by State

From The Gaurdian. Click for the full interactive chart and site.

Ad Spotlight: Manhunt Takes Over Times Square

Read all about it here.

Mexico Supreme Court Strikes Down Ban on Gay Marriage

Breaking news: Mexico's Supreme Court just ruled bans on gay marriage in the country to be unconstitutional, paving the way for full marriage equality all across Mexico. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Mexico City since 2010, and those marriages are also legally recognized by the rest of the country. Today's ruling means same sex couples will be able to marry anywhere in Mexico. This is a historic moment, because it means a highly religious country like Mexico has been able to come to their senses and realize that religious institutions do not and should now own the civil portion of institutions like marriage. Once same sex marriages commence across Mexico, it should put even more pressure on the U.S. Supreme Court to take action, since we'll be behind both our neighboring countries on the issue.

MGM Grand a Major Donor Toward Maryland Marriage Equality

New reports show a somewhat surprising high profile donor that helped bring marriage equality to Maryland: Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts, who donated $75,000 to show their support. “MGM Resorts celebrates diversity in all aspects of its business and is a longtime supporter of workplace equality,” the company said in a statement Wednesday in which it said its “modest” donation to Marylanders for Marriage Equality was a sign of continued support for gay-rights issues. Read more here. 

Trending: Gay Women will Marry your Boyfriends

Ad Spotlight: Morgan Freeman for Marriage Equality

The Human Rights Campaign is out with a new spot for marriage equality, narrated by Morgan Freeman.

Ad Spotlight: 1995 Guinness Spot from Ogilvy Currently Going Viral

Apparently Guinness decided never to air the spot.

Trending: Gay Men Will Marry Your Girlfriends

Newsweek Going Out of Print

I'm shocked this isn't getting more attention – Newsweek is going all digital. The last print edition hits newsstands December 31. Read more here.

Ad Spotlight: Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban was a 2012 GLAAD Amplifier Award Nominee.

Sally Field at the 2012 HRC National Dinner in DC