Even in 2019, it's still legal to fire LGBTQ people from a job because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Twenty-eight states around the U.S. offer no legal employment protections for LGBTQ people who are discriminated against. And in 30 states, it's also legal to fire, evict, or deny service to LGBTQ people, as the PSA points out. These are the realities driving the nonprofit Ad Council's latest public service campaign, Beyond I Do, a partnership with the Gill Foundation. The PSA above was created with Creative Partnerships at NBCU.
In the campaign's new video, Cori shows off photos of her son, Andrew. She smiles as she flips through photos of Andrew as a baby in oversized sunglasses and, later, Andrew posing gleefully in a marching band outfit. Like many parents, Cori is proud of the person her son has become, saying, "He was smart and talented ... and he is all of those things and more today."
Later in the video, Cori drives to visit her son at a diner, and reveals that Andrew was fired from his teaching job because he is gay.
"I hope for a future where no matter what a person's sexual orientation is, people will be treated with respect, equality, and love," Cori inwardly muses as she smiles and holds her son's hand.
This ad launches at an important time for LGBTQ rights, as the Supreme Court recently heard cases about sexual orientation and gender identity-based discrimination.
UPDATE: Oct. 29, 2019, 9:47 a.m. EDT This story was updated to reflect that the Beyond I Do campaign is a partnership between the Ad Council and the Gill Foundation. The partnership with NBCUniversal is for this PSA only.
Topics LGBTQ Social Good
