::TRY LAMBDA, UPDATED::

A few years ago, my excellent and excelling friend Doug met the love of his life, Brian. Brian, in addition to being one of the coolest, geekiest men alive, works as a staff attorney at Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and defending gay and lesbian rights. To quote Doug, "They are fighting some incredibly important legal battles right now, including Brian's and my right to get married next year in California." I was very touched when they called me when they got engaged, and it's stupid that they can't be legally married.

So! There's a membership drive going on now! You can join Lambda Legal for as little as $5, and know that your donation allies yourself with people willing to stand up for the rights of gay and lesbian people in America.

To become a member, click here. Designate Brian Chase -- not me -- as the person you're donating at the request of. If he amasses the most people under his name here, he wins an undisclosed prize. And I want to know what that prize is!

The contest ends soon, but even joining afterwards is one of those Good Things To Do. It was one of the best-feeling clicks I've ever made.

UPDATE: Okay, folks, Brian's in second place. And the prize is rumored to be either a $100 gift certificate somewhere or a paid day off (which Brian -- and Doug, citing together-time -- would prefer. So! Let's push this over the edge, shall we?

If Brian wins, I'll do something crazy. Like answer any question posed to me by people who claim in the comments that they've joined. (Honor system, people!)