This holiday season, do what matters most for marriage equality: Start a conversation about it with those close to you — family, neighbors, coworkers and classmates. Begin by seeking an opportunity, setting expectations, and keeping your ears and heart open.

Reaching out and talking about what’s important to you brings the conversation down to earth, and by sharing your experiences you can change minds.

5 Tips to Help the Conversation:

Create an emotional connection by emphasizing common ground. Reference key words used in talking about marriage like love, commitment and sharing a life together.
Focus on the fact that marriage matters to gay people in similar ways that it matters to everyone: Gay and lesbian couples want to get married to make a lifetime commitment to the person they love and to protect their families.
Imagine what it would be like to not be able to visit the person you love in the hospital, make medical decisions for them, or use family leave to take care of your loved one.
Allowing committed gay and lesbian couples to get married does not change the meaning of marriage. All couples who marry in the United States must get a license for a civil marriage, usually at a courthouse or city hall. These civil marriages would also be available to same-sex couples.
You may agree to disagree, but emphasize that this issue is important to you, and that you're always available to answer questions or talk further.