Here is our latest update!

Transcript of Sign to Sign Update Announcement #1:

[Time lapse of female and male in front of a black chalkboard, writing text with yellow chalk.]

Jonathan: Hello! The Sign to Sign video was released two weeks ago, and the community engaged in the momentum of support for marriage equality. Friends, families, organizations, individuals, couples signed their support, inspiring the Sign to Sign team.

Now, some of you asked how we came up with this campaign. A bit of history; one year ago a group of us discussed how many oppressed groups work alone in advocating for their causes.

We discussed, why don’t we have two different groups working together for their causes and push for change. ASL is an oppressed language, denied to many deaf children across the country… and marriage equality has not been achieved on the federal level. Put together, we advocate for marriage equality through ASL!

[Time lapse of female and male in front of black chalkboard, with another male coming in and out of the shot]

Derrick: Sign to Sign has some long-term goals: First, complete petitions done in ASL, which promotes videos, personal connection, discourse, and unification in the community. Second, encourage more intersectionality, focusing on ASL joined with different causes for support.

[Time lapse]

Antonio: Goal is to have marriage equality passed in all 50 states.

[Time lapse]

Josh: Goal is to FUNDRAISE for Sign to Sign to grow and expand advocacy for more causes.

[Time lapse]

Antonio: Goal is to expose people to learn signs and advocate for language rights.

[Time lapse]

Jonathan: Ultimately, our goal is to promote community activism to support different causes that will in turn support our causes—specifically ASL—unifying all communities. When society changes, the system will also change.

[Time lapse]

MJ: Many of you created wonderful videos expressing support for marriage equality through sign language!

Now some of you want to know why Sign to Sign did not share your video. Remember, that Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have privacy settings, and be sure to set your video to PUBLIC. Also, you can tag your friends and family members and encourage them to share their videos as well.

If you want to be more involved, we are looking for volunteers who can contribute to Sign to Sign. For example, if you have website design or public relations skills, please do contact us to help out!

Also, if you are interested in forming a group to outreach and filming the general public, we will gladly support and collaborate with you!

Lastly, don’t forget to hashtag! #signtosign

Group: Sign to Sign!

The first video can be seen below:

Take a PART in this VISUAL REVOLUTION

for MARRIAGE EQUALITY!

To express LOVE is a human right.

To express in SIGN LANGUAGE is a human right.

To petition for marriage equality using sign language is a

VISUAL REVOLUTION.

“I SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY“

Be a part of the visual revolution by uploading your own video in American Sign Language following the given tutorial to sign “I support marriage equality” and share it via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and everywhere else using the hashtag #signtosign!

Transcript for the video:

TRANSCRIPT:

**Sign Language/ASL is used throughout the video.

Narrative Shot with Jonathan: Brown-hair, white male with black t-shirt and a short beard stands. Background reveals a dark blue poster with the white lettering: “SIGN TO SIGN” and logo of hand merged into a pen.

Jonathan: Throughout history, people have used petitions to promote change in our society. Signatures are collected and presented to those in positions of power in order to convey a need for action. But names on a page are just that.

Shot reveals two women on sidewalk next to a street full of cars, the female assistant on the left hands the woman on the right a clipboard and a pen.

Shot reveals a male assistant looking at two employees behind a counter inside a market, both employees looking at a clipboard, one of them signing with a pen.

Shot reveals Jonathan with pen in his mouth, holding some pens and markers in one hand, and holding a backpack against the back of a car with the other hand.

Shot reveals female assistant signing: “first time doing this kind of thing” as the male next to her signs a clipboard with a pen–on sidewalk of busy street.

Jonathan: Our team has come up with a new campaign idea. We are calling it “Sign to Sign.” This time we are collecting clips of people using American Sign Language to represent signatures.

Shot reveals Jonathan inside a building, holding a camera, focused on a female.

Shot reveals female assistant on sidewalk, holding camera, focused on a male.

Jonathan: Rather than signatures, we are using American Sign Language to spread awareness for our cause. Our hands and faces will show just how important this is to all of us.

Shot reveals two white males dressed in red t-shirts, the male on the left wearing a hat, and male on the right sporting a beard. Both are inside, background is brick with a bookshelf and an indistinct picture.

Male with Hat: Well, think about it this way: Imagine telling a straight couple that they couldn’t get married. Perhaps then they would feel the same way we do

Male with Beard: Yeah, I think marriage should be permitted on the federal level. It shouldn’t be left up to states to decide whether or not somebody can get married. I think it’s ridiculous. It doesn’t matter who you love; it’s a person’s right to marry whomever they want.

Jonathan: To love is a human right. To use sign language is a human right. By combining the two, we are showing our support for marriage equality.

Shot follows behind Jonathan walking inside, holding camera.

Shot reveals Jonathan looking into camera, and then pans to a woman standing, ready to sign.

Shot reveals female assistant and male assistant helping another male and female sign.

Shot reveals male assistant teaching the sign “support marriage” to two male employees behind a counter.

Shot reveals female counting, “1, 2, 3” to male standing in front of Jonathan and his camera.

Jonathan: ASL is a marginalized language just as marriage equality has been denied to those who love one another. This has to change!

Male with Hat: Yeah, that would be tough if I couldn’t get into the hospital to see if he was okay. I’d want to make sure everything was all right. If that weren’t possible then I don’t know what I would do.

Shot behind female assistant teaching the sign “support” to a woman, facing her.

Shot shows female assistant teaching the sign “support marriage” to three people at a corner of a street. Black male helps black female sign “support.”

Male with Beard: And for legal reasons. Again, related to hospitals…if I were in the hospital and you wanted to visit me, it’s important that you could. Suppose you had to make a decision for me in the case that I couldn’t

Shot of female assistant teaching the same woman the sign: “support.” Jonathan holds the camera from behind.

Shot of Jonathan holding camera with female assistant helping.

Male with Hat: You really are denying someone the opportunity to see if their loved one is all right.

Shot shows Jonathan holding camera and female assistant guiding three people in signing.

Jonathan: Want to get involved? Show your support by SIGNING for Marriage Equality!

Male: I support marriage equality. [with text shown on screen]

Shot of female signing “I support marriage equality.”

Four consecutive shots show four different women signing “I” “Support” “Marriage” “Equality”

Four different shots of four women signing “I support marriage equality” at the same time.

Female: I support marriage equality

Female: I support marriage equality

Female: Marriage Equality

Two Employees: I support

Female: Support

Male: Support marriage

Male: Support

Two male employees: Support marriage equality

Female: Marriage equality

Female: Equality

Male and Female: Equality

Male: Equality

Female: Support marriage equality

Male: I support marriage equality

Male: Marriage equality

Female: I support

Male: I support marriage equality

Three people: I support marriage equality YAY!

Female with Flannel Shirt: I support marriage equality.

Male with Beard: Any issue regarding human rights should not be left up to a popular vote. To me it just doesn’t make any sense.

Female: I support marriage equality.

Shot shows Jonathan and female assistant cheering with female.

Shot of couple giving thumbs-up sign.

Shot of female with flannel shirt cheering.

Male with Beard: So which do you love more, me or basketball?

Male with Hat: Tough question!

Blonde female on sidewalk views the video of the male couple and then signs: “I support marriage equality.” She shares the video on Instagram through her phone.

Logo against black screen, [@signtosign] and http://www.signtosign.com