If you’re one of the million-plus who have seen his video on YouTube, or one of the millions more who were tuned into MSNBC, ABC News or CBS News when his video was playing, chances are that you’ve already met him.  But just in case you’re not – or if you want to get reacquainted, here he is.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSQQK2Vuf9Q

The first thing that needs to be said about 19 year-old University of Iowa student Zach Wahls, is that his only goal in making this speech to the state House of Representatives was to stand up for his parents. The story he wanted to tell was one of love, of caring, of nurturing - of the same ups and downs that every family goes through. By telling his story, Zach was making the case for why his moms should be able to keep the protections they have for their loving, committed relationship. But as the media attention he’s received proves, he did something more.

Zach captured the nation’s attention with his compelling story, just as our friend Joel Burns did last year. And while there’s no question that he is an extraordinary speaker, the story he tells is just about as conventional, run-of-the-mill, par-for-the-course ordinary as they get. And that’s exactly why he’s so important.

Zach’s story is no different than the stories of the overwhelming majority of kids who are raised by loving gay or lesbian couples. And because the topic of family comes up so often in these discussions, I’m going to give you a little bit of ammunition.

Opponents of marriage equality are always quick to recite the all-too-familiar line “studies show that children do best when they have a mother and a father.”  The first thing you need to know is that  those studies they’re citing are actually comparing two-parent households to single-parent households, and do not include children raised by gay and lesbian parents.

Anti-gay activists aren’t comparing apples to apples. They’re not even comparing apples to oranges. This is comparing apples to encyclopedias.

Read more.

By Andrew Harmon

A member of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s national board died Saturday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, during an Atlantis Events cruise vacation.

According to sources on board, Spencer Yu, a Los Angeles attorney, suffered cardiac arrest October 21 while on the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas, which was chartered by Atlantis for a seven-day trip along the Mexican Riviera. A medical team attempted to resuscitate Yu for 45 minutes before he was taken to a Puerto Vallarta hospital, where he showed no brain activity. Yu was later taken off of life support.

Rich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events and a friend of Yu’s, said he was only aware of Yu’s “serious medical condition” when he was taken by the medical team off the ship. Royal Caribbean “doesn’t give us access to personal medical information as the charter of the ship,” Campbell said. “We’re simply not given that information. It’s a private matter.”

Royal Caribbean representatives could not be reached for comment as of press time.

A member of the GLAAD national board of directors since 2006, Yu, 40, was a vice president of business and legal affairs for Warner Bros. and a graduate of University of Texas School of Law. He served as cochair of the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles for the past two years and was scheduled to cohost again in 2010.

“Spencer was tirelessly optimistic and brought a ray of sunshine to everyone at GLAAD,” said GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios.

Jim Key, chief public affairs officer for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, said, “I wasn’t one of his closest friends, but Spencer had a way of making me — and everyone he met — feel like they were special. He truly was one of the most joyous, sweet and genuine people I’ve ever known, with a smile that would light up a room and reflect the warmth of his spirit.”

Warner Bros. issued the following statement to The Advocate: “It is with the deepest sadness that I share with you the news of Spencer Yu’s passing. Spencer passed away on Saturday, October 24th with his family at his side. Our sincerest condolences go out to Spencer’s family, friends and loved ones.

Spencer joined the Company nine years ago originally in the WB Online group and we were fortunate when he joined our group in CBDS in 2003. Spencer played a vital role for Warner Bros. in managing complex transactions as an expert lawyer. He was a valued friend, trusted colleague and exceptional lawyer who could always be counted on to do the ‘right thing.’ He will long be remembered and greatly missed.”

According to Barrios, Yu’s surviving partner, Dan Neisen, has asked that donations be made to GLAAD’s Spencer Yu Memorial Fund in lieu of flowers (donations can be made here). A private memorial service is scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles.