A story in today's Los Angeles Times details the disturbing fact that crimes against gay, lesbian and transgender people rose by an alarming 13 percent in 2010.

Most often targeted were minorities and transgender women.Twenty-seven LGBT people were killed in hate crime violence. The data was compiled by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs.

Among those killed was Colle Carpenter, a transgender Cal State Long Beach transgender student who was cornered in a campus restroom by an assailant who carved "It" on his chest.

These kinds of stories create grief and anger in those of us committed to equality for all people.

Remember, though, we are not powerless. Join us as we work to advance civil liberties for LGBT people in Montana and across the U.S. through public education, policy and the courts.

Sign the Fair is Fair petition. Learn more about our domestic partnership case. And if you aren't a member, please join the ACLU.