World's largest international LGBT right organization celebrates million-member milestone

NEW YORK - The international lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights organization AllOut.org is celebrating a historic milestone with the release of a video starring members of the organization telling their stories, and featuring the song "Celebrate,” by international recording star Mika featuring Pharrell Williams.  

All Out, which launched just 18 months ago, is now one million members strong across the world. More than 500,000 of those are straight allies standing up for equality. Many All Out campaigns and courageous members are in one of the nearly 80 countries that outlaw LGBT people and expression.

“In every country in the world, we are leveraging the immense power of digital and social media to to push back against anti-LGBT actions and win real victories for equality,” said Andre Banks, co-founder and Executive Director of AllOut.org. “The global movement for equality is growing stronger every day. Even in countries where identifying as LGBT or supporting equality is highly dangerous, courageous individuals are standing up for love and justice with the support of All Out members around the world."

"I've been inspired by the work of All Out and its members over the last year. In a short period of time, they've built this amazing movement of people all over the world.  They aren't waiting for others to act - they are getting together every day and contributing in big and small ways to make equality a reality all over the globe. That's something to shout about."

VIEW THE VIDEO: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srF44P0gsTs&feature=youtu.be expand=1]

In just a year-and-a-half since opening its doors, All Out has held campaigns in dozens of countries. Some highlights include:

-  Raising more than $60,000 in 3 days from members around the world to relocate people in Iraq targeted for violence and murder for appearing “too gay”. www.allout.org/operation_relocation

-  Giving FIFA the “red card”. Nearly 50,000 people signed an online petition asking FIFA to speak out against homophobia in the league, which resulted in an investigation and first-ever public statement against homophobia: www.allout.org/fifa

- Helping to stall Uganda’s “Kill The Gays” bill by gathering more than 500,000 online signatures, and contributing to tremendous global pressure: www.allout.org/uganda

- Russia, Silenced.  Starting a wildfire online campaign to stop a “gay gag rule” in St. Petersburg that generated more than 250,000 signatures globally and resulted in pressure from international diplomats: www.allout.org/russia_silenced

-  Brazil’s Equality Moms. The “Equality Moms”, a group of mothers of LGBT children in Brazil, reclaimed public space in a dramatic photo exhibit in plazas in Rio, Brasilia, and Sao Paolo.  Their simple message – “equality is a family value” was echoed in media and public conversation around the country: www.allout.org/maespelaigualdade

-  Pressuring Apple and 40 other major companies to drop support for the Christian Values Network, a controversial online platform funding anti-gay groups:www.allout.org/stop_funding_hate