My Fight for Humanity

Book excerpt: Shortly after the Connecticut Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, Gabriel Filer heard an unexpected call to enter politics. At the age of seventeen he successfully fought back attempts to outlaw same-sex marriage in the Connecticut Constitution. A month after surviving the toughest political earthquake he contacts over sixty lawmakers and organizations, and begins advocating for gay rights nationwide. In 2009 Gabriel teamed with North Carolina State Senator Julia Boseman to help pass the School Violence Prevention Act. This provision protects LGBT students from being bullied in North Carolina public schools. On June 30, 2009 North Carolina became the ninth state to enact a comprehensive anti-bullying law. Two days before Gabriel's high school graduation he managed to make history by breaking a forty year legislative impasse. The School Violence Prevention Act caused ten states to reexamine the way they address discrimination in public schools. Just when Gabriel was finally ready to leave politics, he heard another unexpected call to help others. This time he was needed to help pass marriage equality in Washington state. During the 2012 campaign, he meets prominent leaders in Seattle's gay community and works with friends to help fundraise a grassroots campaign. By the end of 2012 Gabriel has helped secure same-sex marriage victories on both coasts. Since graduating from college he continues to champion for the rights of gays and lesbians across the world. His dedication to improving public policy is reflected throughout this book. His early accomplishments and determination eventually propel marriage equality to the United States Supreme Court.