Ariana DeBose, Wilson Cruz and Sherry Cola speak out for LGBTQ rights

GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has announced a teaser video for the “I Say Vote” video campaign.

The video, which urges the LGBTQ community and its supporters to vote in the crucial 2022 midterm elections, features words of encouragement from celebrity allies including Hallie Sahar, Wilson Cruz, Sherry Cola, Dr. Shonda Jones & Allison Matthews, Jari Jones, Shameek Bose, Dulcé Sloan, Cody Rigsby, Dyllón Burnside and Ariana DeBose.

GLAAD’s “I Say Vote” campaign launches as Florida’s “Don’t Say LGBTQ” school censorship law goes into effect. Participating LGBTQ celebrities are encouraging voters to check their voter registration status, or see how to register to vote, via glaad.org/vote.

One of nearly 250 bills nationwide targeting LGBTQ people, families and youth. The new Florida law has already resulted in bullying and harassment of students, school districts warning LGBTQ teachers against speaking about their families, as well as books being banned and safe space stickers being removed from classrooms.

“LGBTQ voters provided the winning edge for pro-equality candidates in 2020 and the stakes are even higher now,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Our community and our youth have been under relentless attack in state legislatures, including Florida’s discriminatory and baseless ‘Don’t Say LGBTQ’ law. Critical federal protections including the Equality Act, marriage equality, voting rights and abortion access are stalled in the deadlocked Senate. We need every LGBTQ person and ally to use their voices, votes and platforms to speak up for youth and families in Florida and across the country. We say gay. We say trans. Register to vote today. Let them hear you now and at the polls.”

The teaser shares a glimpse of what’s to come from GLAAD’s celebrity video, voter initiative campaign. The teaser shows the GMA red carpet celebrities stating that they’re going to vote with you, the viewer, in the midterms too. In order to garner the impact needed, it is important that each celebrity featured in the teaser be contacted and confirmed to also share this teaser on their social media accounts.