Got to Be Real

Hear Aly, Elroi and Calvin's stories on LOGO's new 5-part series titled
Stoli® Presents Be Real: The Series.

At Lambda Legal we know something about telling stories. Every year our Help Desks hear from thousands of Americans who have experienced discrimination because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status. Some of these callers become plaintiffs in our high-impact lawsuits — and once they do, we share their often-harrowing stories with our members, the LGBT and HIV communities and the media.

"Part of Lambda Legal's work is to put a face on discrimination, so it's not just an abstract concept," says Leslie Gabel-Brett, Lambda Legal's Director of Education and Public Affairs. "We want people to see that our clients are real people, who have overcome real difficulties, so their stories can be inspiring for all LGBT people, people with HIV and people who care about correcting injustice."

But our communities' stories go beyond discrimination, and Lambda Legal's national sponsor Stolichnaya® Vodka has captured some of these stories on film. After the successful 2006 film premiere of BE REAL: Stories from Queer America at GLBT film festivals and on LOGO, a new 5-part series titled Stoli® Presents Be Real: The Series premiere on Logo in May. As a national sponsor of Lambda Legal, Stoli has been a steadfast ally in the fight for the full civil rights of LGBT people and those with HIV. Be Real continues this commitment by giving life to the stories of what they describe as heroes in the community.

"We wanted to recognize individuals who are totally authentic and true to themselves. Every day, LGBT heroes make the brave decision to come out and give back to their communities, and that is what Be Real is all about" says Adam Rosen, Senior Brand Manager for Stoli.

BE REAL: The Series was directed by Katherine Linton, former producer and co-anchor of the PBS gay newsmagazine show In The Life and writer of The Evolution Will Be Televised. Each of the five 30-minute episodes seeks to capture the stories of individuals who are working to make an impact in their community by coming out, giving back and being real.

"By virtue of being who they are and interacting with people throughout their communities, each of the cast members is making an impact," says Linton. "For example, we have the story a female boxer who, by being an out woman in a fairly homophobic and sexist arena, is making a difference in the way people perceive LGBT people everywhere."

One way you can make an impact in your community is to host a Lambda Legal House Party in a Box while you tune into LOGO to watch Stol®i PresentsBe Real: The Series. (Check your local listings for show times in your area.) When you order the House Party in a Box, we'll send you everything you need to host a party that will benefit Lambda Legal – including party supplies and copies of Lambda Legal's Impact magazine.

For more information about Stoli® Presents Be Real: The Series, visit www.stoli.com/bereal or www.LOGOonline.com. To learn how to host a Lambda Legal house party, visit www.lambdalegal.org/houseparty or call our Membership Department at 212-809-8585 ext. 334.