New national campaign aims to combat discrimination against LGBTQ+ people

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Videos sharing real stories and statistics are part of the "American Dreams Love Has No Labels," campaign.

“This campaign is a national effort designed to address bias, hate and discrimination through a lens of our shared humanity,” said Heidi Arthur from the Ad Council.

“It's all about highlighting that we all share the same hopes and dreams in our country, to have a safe home, the opportunity for a better life, to go to bed at night feeling that you are truly safe.”

The initiative includes statistics by state, including Texas.

“Austin's home to almost 100,000 LGBTQ people. It actually ranks third in the entire country in terms of the percent of adults who identify as LGBTQ,” said Brad Sears from the Williams Institute.

“What we know from research in Texas is that about half of LGBTQ people report discrimination and harassment in the workplace, about a third in housing, so a landlord may not rent to them or may harass them after they move in, and they also experience higher levels of violence.”

The campaign features life stories meant to foster empathy and understanding and how people can support the LGBTQ community.

“Having stories that people can relate to creates that connection and hopefully empowers people to feel like they can do something.”