Part of the Queer Action series, edited by Michael Bronski

Come Out and Win will educate, engage, and agitate LGBT and straight activists to become involved in the political movement to win full equality under the law and sexual/gender freedom. Spurring a new generation of activists to positive social action, it not only tells the history of gay liberation but, crucially, offers guidance and practical advice for building organizations and taking concrete action to eradicate homophobia.

From starting a gay-straight alliance in your high school to the most effective way to lobby your state representative face-to-face, Come Out and Win explains how to organize and become politically engaged in a clear and user-friendly manner. Other issues explored include youth organizing, marriage equality, legislative change, public relations, having a voice in the mainstream press, putting on a street demonstration, and political organizing from local to national levels. Grappling with the complexity of grassroots political interactions, Come Out and Win suggests ways for LGBT communities to form coalitions with women’s organizations, communities of color, and faith communities.

“Sue Hyde’s book answers the plaint, ‘What are we gonna do?’ So quit whining, get her book, pick a chapter, do the workbook. Repeat. Create change. Badges not included.” —Kate Clinton, humorist and author of What the L?

“Sue Hyde has demonstrated in her own life that winning equal rights for LGBT people is not a spectator sport. Now she has taken this one step further and provided a guide for other LGBT people so that they can join her in this effort.” —Congressman Barney Frank

“Unique and invaluable, this is the essential guide for anyone wanting to advance equal rights for LGBT people.” —Matt Foreman, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"An invitation to change the world can't be taken lightly, unless it's delivered with the sure and light touch of an engaging, dedicated organizer like Sue Hyde. Turn the pages and be the new world." —Jewelle Gomez, author and activist

“Hyde presents activism as an organized method for gaining self-acceptance as well as societal and political change . . . This book fills a niche that heretofore has lacked a sophisticated yet accessible treatment of the topic . . . This book has staying power for the reader and as a library collection staple.” —Voice of Youth Advocates

A longtime LGBT activist and organizer, Sue Hyde has worked with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) for over twenty years. As director of NGLTF’s Creating Change conference, Hyde has trained thousands of queer activists. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with her wife and two children.

"Acivil rights activist and organizer in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community for more than 20 years, Hyde has inspired and trained thousands on how to get involved and make a difference. In this richly detailed and well-organized book, she offers a stirring course in gay activism with step-by-step "how-to" advice. Whether it's lobbying elected officials, monitoring and responding to the media's portrayals of LGBT people, organizing a gay-straight alliance or even seeking elected office at the local or state level, Hyde offers advice from her vast experience. She also takes readers through the nascent gay rights movement and introduces some of its architects (the Mattachine Society, Harry Hay and Franklin Kameny, who in 1965 led the first group of gay men and women in public protest at the White House), breaking down the prejudices, persecutions, landmark legislation, setbacks and turning points. Designed to outrage, inspire, encourage and anger readers, and give them the tools to spring into action, this is an indispensable resource for anyone looking for a little guidance and a little push. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"'Acivil rights activist and organizer in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community for more than 20 years, Hyde has inspired and trained thousands on how to get involved and make a difference. In this richly detailed and well-organized book, she offers a stirring course in gay activism with step-by-step 'how-to' advice. Whether it's lobbying elected officials, monitoring and responding to the media's portrayals of LGBT people, organizing a gay-straight alliance or even seeking elected office at the local or state level, Hyde offers advice from her vast experience. She also takes readers through the nascent gay rights movement and introduces some of its architects (the Mattachine Society, Harry Hay and Franklin Kameny, who in 1965 led the first group of gay men and women in public protest at the White House), breaking down the prejudices, persecutions, landmark legislation, setbacks and turning points. Designed to outrage, inspire, encourage and anger readers, and give them the tools to spring into action, this is an indispensable resource for anyone looking for a little guidance and a little push. (June)' Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

A longtime LGBT activist and organizer, Sue Hyde has worked with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) for over twenty years. Prior to her work at NGLTF, Hyde served as news editor at Gay Community News in Boston from 1983 to 1985 and was a leader in the community-based campaign to defend lesbian and gay families in Massachusetts when state lawmakers banned the placement of foster children with lesbian and gay parents.

Since 1986, Hyde has served on the staff of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, leading the fights to repeal sodomy laws, rescind the military's ban on openly lesbian, gay and bisexual servicemembers, and to pass non-discrimination laws in cities and states. The Task Force in 1994 appointed Hyde to direct the Creating Change Conference, the LGBT movement's annual skills-building and strategy forum. As director of NGLTF's Creating Change conference, Hyde has trained thousands of queer activists. Hyde is a leader of the battle to preserve marriage rights for same-sex couples in Massachusetts. She was bestowed the prestigious Stonewall Award in 2002, recognizing her for a lifetime of dedication and service to the social movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender freedom, justice and equality. Hyde lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her wife and two children.