THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"In presenting this award to Ms. Gallagher, we are recognizing the bigotry that she has pioneered over the past few years — malice that has put her ahead of the pack in the world of professional bigots who draw a paycheck each day from the hatred they stir up among the 'radical right' wing of the American public," said Robin McGehee, director of GetEQUAL. "At a time when Americans overwhelmingly support marriage equality it takes a very special person like Ms. Gallagher to stand up and fight for discriminations and bigotry. It's gratifying to be able to draw attention to the unrelenting hatred that Ms. Gallagher and others at the National Organization for Marriage have been contributing to American life."

At the Congressional hearing, GetEQUAL was able to present Ms. Gallagher with an award certificate, which will be accompanied at a later date with a prize in honor of the award's namesake — a cream pie. Harkening back to an incident in 1977, the award is given in commemoration of the "pieing" of Anita Bryant — then the leader of Save Our Children. Video of the incident can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS91gT3XT_A.

"I have seen the video of the four 'self-proclaimed homosexuals' who delivered the pie to Anita Bryant in 1977," said Michael Dixon, a GetEQUAL activist. "It is truly an honor to walk in their footsteps as GetEQUAL recognizes and rewards the tireless efforts of Ms. Gallagher — the woman who has picked up the mantle of hatred and prejudice from Ms. Bryant — and worked so hard to promote bigotry and discrimination against an entire class of American citizens. I hope we can unite her with her pie as soon as possible — I have always believed that bigots should get their just desserts."

GetEQUAL will deliver the pie prize during a future public appearance by Ms. Gallagher, to ensure that she is able to celebrate the award publicly, in front of an audience. The exact moment of delivery is unknown at this time.

Founded in 2010, GetEQUAL is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ( LGBTQ ) community and our allies to take bold action to demand full legal and social equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way. For more information go towww.getequal.org . For more information, go to www.getequal.org , www.facebook.com/getequal , orwww.twitter.com/getequal.