As I thought about a New Year's resolution, I didn't just want to get in shape. I'd like to do something that is a big goal and benefits everyone, not just me.

That's why I decided to run the 2012 Honda LA Marathon with Team Courage to help put an end to discrimination against LGBT Americans. I'm doing so because I believe we must change more hearts and minds to advance equal rights, and that's what we do at the Courage Campaign Institute: using public education, strategic research and training to help create a more equal society and defend and extend human and civil rights. But I need your help: please sponsor me with a small contribution!

So, what kind of work will your contribution go to fund?

• Changing minds on marriage equality across the nation through projects like "Courageous Conversations", organizing supporters to talk to friends and family at the holidays about marriage.
• Educating the public on what the Defense of Marriage Act is and why it has to go.
• Training thousands of people to organize their communities for equal rights through our accaimed Camp Courage program.
• Cutting-edge web videos and social media projects to capture energy and attention, like our "Fidelity" video from thousands of same-sex married couples asking the California Supreme Court to please "don't divorce us" after Prop 8 passed. It became the most-watched video in California political history and the Court ruled that 18,000 couples should stay married.

Any contribution you can make will help fund projects like these and help meet my marathon goal. You'll get a tax deduction, have a chance to win a cool Crowdrise prize, and you'll know that your contribution went to a good cause.

I'll be joined by some great partners -- 67 other Courage members are running either 13.1 or 26.2 miles with me. I know I can do this with your help: after going down with a shoulder injury last year, I got myself back in shape and ran the Baltimore half-marathon in 2 hours and 3 minutes. I'm pumped to take the next step and go all 26.2 miles!

I've pledged to raise $2,000. Please dig deep to help me cross the finish line, and help LGBT Americans become just as equal as everyone else!