As the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments later this month in cases from four states, LGBT ally and star of RevengeNick Wechsler took an ad out in the April issue of Esquire in support of marriage equality.
The ad reads "We met in 1976. Had our son in 1986. Paid off the mortgage (finally) in 2004. But still can't legally marry in 2015." over a photo of a couple holding hands. That is still the case in 13 states where loving couples who have built a life together are still waiting on legal protections in the state they call home.
"It's important to me to be a visible ally to the LGBT community and encourage others to do the same. When we speak out, we have the opportunity to bring about real change and as an actor I feel it's my responsibility to use the platform I have to join GLAAD in accelerating acceptance," said Wechsler.
When the Supreme Court issues its ruling in June, it’s possible that marriage equality could finally become legal in all 50 states. But marriage equality is a benchmark, not the finish line.
A third of non-LGBT Americans still say that just seeing a same-sex couple holding hands makes them uncomfortable. And transgender Americans still face staggering rates of hate violence, simply because of who they are. GLAAD recently launched #GotYourBack, a campaign asking LGBT people and their allies to speak out in support of the community. When LGBT people and allies like Nick speak out, hearts and minds open and the country gets closer to full acceptance of LGBT people. GLAAD thanks Nick for being such an outspoken ally.