A national ad campaign to fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation is using a real life family as the faces of the movement.
Jami and Krista Contrearas are a happy couple living in Oak Park, Michigan. The married couple, along with their two children, just want a chance at the American dream. To work, to succeed, to be happy, and to be seen as equal. Unfortunately, that’s not what they’ve been given.
Three years ago, the couple brought their then six day old newborn child to a local pediatrician. They were surprised when a different doctor walked into the room. Asking where they’re regular doctor was, they were told, “I’m going to be your doctor, your doctor prayed on it and decided she won’t see you all today,”
While Jami and Krista aren’t new to being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, this was the first time that the discrimination was passed down to their children.
“We spoke to other people and they would say well they can’t do that… that’s not legal and we looked into it and it was legal,” Jami told local news source WXYZ.
In the United States, 31 states, including Michigan, still allow for discrimination in employment, housing, and social services (like restaurants or doctors’ visits) based on sexual orientation.
Due to this upsetting story, Jami, Krista, and their two kids have now become the faces of new ad campaign Beyond I Do, which hopes to bring to the public’s attention the fact that discrimination is still legal in a majority of the country.
You can check out more information about the campaign, facts on discrimination based sexual orientation, and more at Beyond I Do’s website.
