This year, we’re celebrating more than family, friends, food and exciting progress in the fight for LGBT equality. Why? Because December is also about health. Your health. Your family’s health. Your friends’ health. Our community’s health.

For too long, health care has failed to meet the needs of many in the LGBT community. It has failed to provide coverage when we needed it most, failed to recognize our families and failed to protect us from financial ruin.

Our community deserves better. Which is why we join Out2Enroll in excitement about the new affordable options that are now available thanks to health reform!

Out2Enroll has provided resources to help individuals understand the benefits health reform can offer you and your family. For the first time for many:

• Financial assistance is available to help you afford low- or no-cost health insurance
• You may be able to apply jointly with your same-sex partner
• The new marketplaces and coverage cannot discriminate against LGBT people

You can expect the same access to services that non-LGBT people receive, and you can no longer be denied coverage or charged more simply for being yourself.

December 23 is the date you need to enroll in health insurance to make sure you have coverage on January 1, 2014. You can still sign up next year, but it’s important to start the new year off healthy – and covered!

State leaders have a critical role to play in getting these resources out into the community. Health insurance is complicated, and LGBT people in your state need resources and information to navigate the system. You know your communities best -- so Out2Enroll is relying on state leaders like you to help get the word out about all the tools that are available.

You can help get the LGBT community in your state out to enroll by December 23 by:

• Liking Out2Enroll on Facebook and sharing their post
• Following Out2Enroll on Twitter and tweeting about Out2Enroll with your followers 

Here's a sample tweet: #Dec23 is the LAST DAY to be #Out2Enroll w/ affordable health insurance on Jan. 1. Learn more at out2enroll.org #getcovered

• Sending an email to your supporters about Out2Enroll and signing up by December 23 -- if you'd like a sample email language, just shoot me an email.

This holiday season, make sure you tell your supporters to check out www.out2enroll.org and connect with www.healthcare.gov to explore new coverage options by December 23! We're counting on state leaders like you to spread the word!