YouTube, 72andSunny Celebrate Equality for All Athletes

72andSunny has a new campaign for longtime gay rights supporter YouTube, entitled “ProudToPlay.” The star-studded campaign celebrating diversity in sports is set to run through the end of June, which is LGBT Pride Month, reports AdWeek.

In addition to gay athletes such as Jason Collins, Michael Sam and Robbie Rogers, the spot also features clips of Nelson Mandela, President Obama and Kobe Bryant talking about the unifying power of sports and the importance of gay rights. Set to Katy Perry‘s “Roar,” the “#ProudToPlay” video clocks in at two minutes, ending with a rainbow soccer ball YouTube logo tying the spot to the impending World Cup in Brazil (as does some of the footage used). “#ProudToPlay” is already getting a lot of attention. Since its launch yesterday, the video has racked up almost 3 million views (and an unfortunate but completely expected rash of homophobic comments).

“We applaud the courage and openness of athletes at all levels who have come out and admire their teammates, friends, families, and supporters who are all proving that it doesn’t matter who you are or who you love—what matters is that you put forward your best effort,” YouTube wrote in a blog post. “We stand with our community in the belief that youth everywhere should all have the same opportunities to grow up and pursue their dreams and passions, on or off the field.”

For the remainder of the month, YouTube will be sharing a collection of videos about the LGBT community and sports on the YouTube Spotlight Channel, and invites users to upload their own videos “talking about what being #ProudToPlay means to you.”

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Marriott Partners with Braden Summers for ‘#LoveTravels’

Today, Marriott International announced “#LoveTravels,” a collaboration between Marriott Creative Agency and photographer Braden Summers featuring LGBT celebrities like Brooklyn Nets center Jason Collins and fashion model Geena Rocero.

“#LoveTravels” is part of Marriott’s new LGBT social media and marketing campaign and seeks to “share exclusive and powerful images celebrating inclusion.” The images featured in the campaign will be displayed as building wraps at five hotels in Washington, D.C., a series of print ads in LGBT media, an online portrait gallery and display ads in cities throughout the U.S., and a social initiative encourages guests to share their own experiences using the hashtag #LoveTravels. Campaign content will be hosted at marriottlovetravels.com.

“Braden’s work so beautifully illustrates the inclusiveness and equality that we embrace,” said Kristine Friend, senior director, segment marketing. “We are committed to ensuring that all of our guests feel comfortable at all of our hotels and are proud to stay with Marriott.  #LoveTravels is a universal theme we believe is shared by all cultures and communities and truly represents our company’s philosophy and values. We also want to encourage our guests and travelers around the world to share their own journey and story through #LoveTravels @MarriottIntl.”

You can check out behind-the-scenes footage from the campaign’s photo shoots above.

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Team One, Lexus Launch ‘It Got Better’ with Jane Lynch

Team One and Lexus have launched a new series on Lexus’ broadband channel L/Studio, entitled “It Got Better.”

“It Got Better” is a six-episode docuseries telling “the inspiring personal stories of a diverse group of LGBT actors, athletes and musicians including Jason Collins, Jane Lynch, Tim Gunn, Tegan & Sara, George Takei and Laverne Cox.” A collaboration between Team One, executive producers Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, and the It Gets Better Project (executive producers Dan Savage and Brian Pines), the docuseries just launched with its first episode, featuring Jane Lynch, star of Glee and, more importantly, Party Down. Lynch tells her story of growing up identifying more with boys, discovering her sexuality and treating it as something she was afraid her peers would discover, to finally embracing and accepting it and finding a supporting community. It makes for compelling viewing, well worth the time if you have six minutes or so to spare (yes, this runs a bit long), and a promising start to the “It Got Better” series, which has the potential to do a lot of good for struggling teens. We look forward to upcoming installments (especially from George Takei).

Credits and video after the jump. continued…

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