Be Heard

I posed for the NOH 8 shoot because of my friends, and my own life. I grew up being picked on because of my weight, and how I acted. I hated it. Then as a teen, kids at school thought I was a lesbian and it was a whole new platform of harassment. I am straight and always have been. When I look at my friends now, and see them in same-sex relationships, I worry that one day they

I have made it my personal mission to be an out and proud ally for love and marriage equality. Posing for NOH 8 is one way I could visibly do this. My heart aches as I witness intolerance every day. I grow weary with frustration as like-minded supporters stay quiet and expect others to do the work that will ensure legal protection of rights for GLBTQ individuals. I

My religiously conservative family told me I was just "going through a phase" or "acting in lust" during my relationship with another woman. I knew that exactly what I felt for her was real, and not by choice. You see, love isn't selective, it just happens when and how it should happen. Whether the experience is long term or short, being in love is a life-changing

I work in a high school in a very conservative small town. Occassionally I see kids struggling with their identities. I want them to know that there is at least one person at school to whom it is safe to come out, or just talk to, if need be.

I posed for NOH 8 because I think it is important to spread the message of tolerance and equality . I have many friends in the LGBT community, some of whom are engaged but haven't been allowed to marry yet. I married my husband last year and we feel that everyone should be allowed to marry their soulmate . Tracy Dorgan