You don't have to be involved in politics to be an advocate and to speak about the things that matter. Advocacy takes shape in many forms. For instance, being open and honest with yourself and then allowing other people to truly know you, is a way of advocating for equal rights. 

For those that are more involved in the political terrain of LGBT rights, this could mean fighting for your own state or vocalizing support for others states that currently do not support marriage equality. It means for people in the LGB community to vocalize support for people in the transgender community who are also at risk of not having a relationship validated, losing a job because of an aspect of their identity, or being kicked out of their home because they don't fit into the expectations that others have for them. 

As we continue to see rights gained in some sectors but not others, we must not forget those who are still struggling. 

The LGBT community in the U.S. has truly made amazing strides even in the past decade. We have done this because we refuse to remain silent, and refuse to let others push us into a category or label that does not define our being. 

The more we are authentic with ourselves, the more we can be authentic with others.