WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese will embark on a whirlwind national tour this summer to cities and towns across this country to enlist the support of Americans in this struggle for equality. The "Count Me In" summer tour will make its way from the rolling plains of Oklahoma City, Okla., to the bustling streets of Chicago.

"The momentum in this country is toward equality and this summer we are keeping that force moving forward by talking with Americans about joining the fight for fairness," said Solmonese. "We know that as more Americans come to know gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in our neighborhoods, at our jobs and in houses of worship, they move toward fairness and equality, not away from it."

The nationwide summer tour will include town hall meetings, roundtables with religious leaders, meetings with corporate leaders and employees and conversations with the American people. The tour's launch comes days after a high-profile debate in the U.S. Senate on whether to write discrimination into the U.S. Constitution. The Human Rights Campaign was a leading voice in opposition to the amendment, which failed to garner even close to the number of votes needed for passage. In fact, two senators switched their votes and stood on the side of equality.

"We have to accelerate education and outreach like never before. As more of the American people understand that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have the same hopes and dreams as everyone else, stereotypes will evaporate and fairness will prevail," Solmonese added. "Our challenge is to reach out to the straight married couple who supports the gay family next door and say to them, 'We need you in this struggle - standing with fairness means standing with us.'"

Tour stops are continuing to be added, but at this time stops have been confirmed in: Oklahoma City, Okla. Kansas City, Kan. Portland, Ore. Chicago Minneapolis, Minn. Columbus, Ohio Philadelphia Allentown, Pa. Las Vegas Seattle New Orleans San Antonio, Texas Dallas and Madison, Wis.

Follow HRC's "Count Me In" summer tour by visiting www.hrc.org/countmein. The site includes an informative travelogue, photos and streaming video of events and a list of upcoming stops.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.