One of the favored talking points that conservatives like to direct at the LGBT community is that "Obama is just pandering for your votes with his support of marriage equality." But a look beyond that rhetoric, going deep into the record, tells a vastly different story.

While it may be an easy talking point for some to say, "I'm not a single issue voter... LGBT issues aren't all that matter," the actual truth about the intersection of LGBT rights and economic justice is inescapable.

With momentum for marriage equality rolling ahead and acceptance of LGBT issues at an all-time high in polls, it can sometimes be easy to forget just how pervasive institutional discrimination against LGBT people can be. And then you get a letter in the mail reminding you of just that.

Getting directly involved in politics and having our voices heard is vitally important to the movement for LGBT equality. That is why we need to run for office at every level of government.