Yesterday I wrote about the campaign against EA Games that is being waged by the dubious institutions the Florida Family Association and the American Decency Association. They do not want their young children, who should not really be playing the 13+ and 15+ video games Star Wars: The Old Republic and Mass Effect 3 video games, to have the option to choose a same-sex romance as part of their virtual experience. This morning I received an email from Andre and Jeremy at AllOut.org about their petition to support EA.

“Video games – like books, magazines, TV and film – are enjoyed by hundreds of millions around the world, and the fictional characters in them often inspire us, and teach us about the world we live in. This is exactly why anti-gay hate groups are targeting them – because they know that the more LGBT people are represented as regular characters, the harder it will be to deny them equality in the real world.

Games from Electronic Arts (EA) reach 100 million players in 75 countres around the world. When a major company like this makes the effort to create gay role models for all players, gay and straight, we need to let them know that we’ve got their back – especially in the face of an organized hate campaign.”

When organisations like the Florida Family Association and the American Decency Association organise campaigns based on myths and outright lies it is critical to demonstrate opposition. It is important to take a stand against the use of prejudice to intimidate. EA may not back off from its plans to implement same-sex romance options into its games, but the fight is on, and an organised LGBT front needs to be presented. So click here to sign the petition and support the ongoing work of AllOut.org in raising awareness.