Good NewsFacebook profile pictures turn red in support of gay marriage
This week, a pink equal sign on a red background has been popping up as profile pics for Facebook and Twitter users.
The image is a modification of the Human Rights Campaign's logo, which is usually blue and yellow, intended as symbol of support for equality as the Supreme Court gay-marriage hearings continue in Washington, D.C.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest advocacy group in America for for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.
"Today the Supreme Court will hear argument on the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which forbids the federal government from recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples entered into in states with marriage equality," the group writes on its website.
Read about the two cases being deliberated, the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Prop 8, here.
Since the Human Rights Campaign posted the equal sign yesterday, the group's Facebook post received more than 19,000 likes and saw their image shared more than 66,900 times.
Mashable reports that it was only after actor George Takei changed his profile photo to the red equal sign that the image went viral.
"For those friends wondering, this special 'red' equality symbol signifies that marriage equality really is all about love. Thanks to the Human Rights Campaign for this effort. Please consider changing your profile today in support--esp if you are a straight ally," Takei wrote on his Facebook wall.
The Human Rights Campaign has also launched a petition in support of gay marriage:
"California's discriminatory Prop. 8 says that loving, committed same-sex couples aren't worthy of marriage. And the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) says legally-married gays and lesbians can't have the 1000+ federal rights and benefits straight married couples enjoy," the petition reads.
"Now the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in these cases – arguments about the future of LGBT people and their families. Anti-gay activists are trying to say that America isn't ready for full equality. But poll after poll proves a majority of Americans support marriage equality – and it's up to us to show the country what that support looks like."
