Nominate a Champion of Change – Artists Promoting LGBT Inclusivity and Understanding in the U.S.

As the LGBT movement in America continues to make monumental strides towards equality, individuals and communities across the country are taking steps to protect LGBT Americans who still face discrimination. Artists across the country have a unique opportunity to draw attention to issues facing the LGBT community, tell authentic stories, and positively shape the conversation around issues in the LGBT and allied community. In recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), celebrated worldwide on November 20, the White House Office of Public Engagement will convene a Champions of Change event highlighting filmmakers, producers, storytellers, spoken word artists, and musicians who bring national attention to issues facing the LGBT community, including the transgender community, and continue dialogue around these issues. We are asking you to help us identify and honor LGBT artists who are taking action and raising their voices to foster safer communities and create better inclusivity and understanding for LGBT Americans.

Under President Obama’s leadership, the LGBT community has seen unparalleled progress: the first federal hate crimes legislation, the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, expanded rights and protections for transgender Americans, equal marriage under law, and many other hallmark achievements. There is still much work to be done, but with your help, we hope to honor those individuals who aim to ensure that everyone can live their lives openly and bravely and work to create a fairer, more just America for everyone.

Please submit nominations by midnight on Thursday, October 22. Nominees may include the following types of individuals:

• Outstanding filmmakers who have included and continue to include LGBT characters in their films;
• Producers who promote LGBT equality through their work;
• Storytellers and spoken word artists who bring up LGBT conversations in their work while shaping the narrative of inclusion;
• Musicians who use music as a tool to bring national attention to issues facing the LGBT community;
• Artists who tell the unique stories of transgender and gender nonconforming Americans.

To submit your nomination click here and choose Artists Promoting LGBT Inclusivity and Understanding in the United States as your "Theme of Service”.

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Aditi Hardikar is Associate Director for LGBT outreach in the White House Office of Public Engagement.