Or you can purchase a signed copy of the book directly from me. Follow this link to purchase a signed copy using your PayPal account or credit card.

Below is the book description:

The Driving Equality project started off as just another big idea. A 107-day, 22,000-mile trek through most of the lower 48 states to meet, interview, and share the stories of LGBT Americans and their allies. It was a daunting plan, but Chris Mason was determined to make it happen.

This book follows his journey across the country as he meets LGBT Americans where they live, in small towns and big cities. With little more than a camera, a computer, a sleeping bag, and a sense of adventure, all packed into one van, Chris and his friend Potter hit the road for nearly four months. Chris chronicled the trip with daily posts and photos from the road. Follow along as Chris travels into the heart of LGBT America.

• The soundtrack is complete!
• The graphics are done!
• The majority of editing is finished!

This is what we still have to do:

• Tweak the film with lots of little edits
• Screen the film for test audiences
• Make any necessary changes
• Sound correction/equalization
• World Premier!

We have a one hour long rough cut of the film, but there are still many little edits to work on to make the film ready for viewing. Once these edits are complete we will screen the film for test audiences. Then we will reevaluate the film and make any necessary changes. Next the film will go through a sound mastering process. Then we will be ready to premier a final product. Throughout the making of this film I have been optimistic about how long the process will take and have had to rethink our timeline a few times. This project has been four years in the making and it almost complete! We can’t wait to share it with you.

As we look back at this past year’s accomplishments, we also think about the past achievements of the Driving Equality project.

Remember when we confronted the man in the parking lot who was gathering signatures for the anti-gay ballot initiative in Washington state? He was lying to voters to get more signatures. That video was reviewed by Washington legislators! (VIDEO)

Remember when we sat down with Shirley Phelps of the “God Hates Fags” Westboro Baptist Church. We spent four hours in her home while she told us that God hated us and wanted us to die. (VIDEO)

Remember when we interviewed Dan Nicoletta, Harvey Milk’s friend and camera shop employee. He told us the story of how he found out about Harvey’s assassination. (VIDEO)

Remember when we sat down for a conversation with Sam Brinton, the young man who was forced through ex-gay aversion therapy. He told us what it was like to be electrocuted for being gay. (VIDEO)

The Driving Equality project collected all of these stories and we will share them with you in the film.

]]> http://drivingequality.com/2011/12/14/remember-when/feed/ 0 Chris http://drivingequality.com/2011/11/01/1800/ http://drivingequality.com/2011/11/01/1800/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:34:11 +0000 Chris Mason http://drivingequality.com/?p=1800 ]]> The Official Driving Equality Teaser!

Tuesday June 21st
Doors open at 7:30pm
Show begins at 8:30pm

$15 a ticket

Dick’s Beantown Comedy Vault
124 Boylston St., Boston

Featuring Comedian Jim Lauletta

and many others

There will be a 50/50 raffle!

Rachel is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in FilmProduction and German Language. Since graduating in 2007, she has worked on film sets in Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania. Currently, she is the Production Supervisor for the WGBH Forum Network, where she gets her hands dirty video and audio recording, editing and publishing lecture videos online. With her girlfriend, Jessica, she is planning a cross-country bike trip in coming years, the preparations for which they are documenting on their website, Against the Grind.

We need your help to finish the film! The time, talent, and technology needed to complete The Driving Equality Project isn’t free. We are making a push to raise $5000 in one month, by the end of February. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated. Become a Sponsor today and have your name or company listed on the website and in the end credits of the film.

We have some incredible stories to share with you and some unique insight into the work that needs to be done to ensure full equality for all. Make a donation today to help share these stories and bring a greater understanding of the daily lives of LGBTQ people in America.

Days on the Road: 107 (May 10, 2009 – August 28, 2009)

Miles Driven: 22,342

States Reached: 48 (Will Alaska and Hawaii will be next?!)

Hours of Footage: 102

Interviews Conducted: 84 (Including LGBTQ activists, allies, opponents, politicians, police, and people on the street)

Conversations About Equality: 500+

New Friends Made: Countless!

Part One of The Driving Equality Project was a huge success. We reached, and then surpassed our goals on every account. The conversations we had and interviews we conducted in almost every part of the country have given me a much greater understanding of the daily lives of LGBTQ people in America and the work that needs to be done to ensure full equality for all.

Now on to Part Two: Sharing that information with you.

The footage from The Driving Equality Project is nothing unless it is used to create a picture of LGBTQ America and add to the dialogue about how we win our rights in different parts of the country. That is my goal. To get to that point I’ve been logging the footage and editing a 15 minute clip that can be shown to potential editors. I do not have the time, talent, or technology to complete this film in the way I envision it. That is why I am hiring an editor; someone to work closely with me to help make the final product of The Driving Equality Project a reality.

I will keep you updated on future progress and let you know how you can help. Right now, the best thing you can do is share the Driving Equality website. There are many posts, photos, and interviews on the site. The other thing you can do to help is make a donation. In the next few months we will be making a big fundraising push in order to hire a qualified editor. You can get us started with your contribution today. Thank you.

I made it home safe and sound today. It feels good to be back in Cambridge. I am thinking about what my next steps will be. It will take some time to process the trip and adjust to being home.

You can help out the Driving Equality project by donating to the New Computer Fund. I need to raise $1700 more to purchase the computer. This computer will be used to edit the final documentary.