WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, announced today an online video contest in anticipation of National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2008. In this crucial election year, individuals are invited to create a short video telling the world how they will come out and vote to make a difference in the hearts and minds of their friends, family, classmates, co-workers and country.

"When you come out, you can change the hearts and minds of those in your life when you come out to vote, you can change the whole country," said Candace Gingrich, HRC Youth & Campus Outreach Senior Manager. "We have the right to live our lives openly and honestly and to walk down our streets without fear of hate. How do we gain and protect these rights? We vote."

Human Rights Campaign also released a National Coming Out Day awareness video, produced by the HRC media center. The video is now available online along with a listing of events taking place across the country: http://www.hrc.org/issues/10772.htm.

Key HRC staff will review the video entries. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. and will have the opportunity to be on XM radio's show, "The Agenda with Joe Solmonese." The winning video will also be featured on HRC's website, YouTube channel, Facebook and MySpace pages and HRC's blog, www.HRCBackStory.org.

Entrants must be at least 18 years to 25 years of age at time of entry and may submit one video during the contest period from now until October 20, 2008. For additional criteria and questions on how to enter, visit: www.hrc.org/ComingOutContest.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.