Marina Gatto, an honor roll student & junior at Mercy High Burlingame has dedicated countless hours of activism nationwide. She served as President of her Sophomore Class, has been a successful athlete in two varsity sports, captaining her varsity soccer team this year. She was an integral part of helping pass Assembly Bill 205- The Domestic Rights and Responsibilities Act in 2004. Marina’s main passion and focus as an activist has been to work tirelessly in the fight for marriage equality, raising awareness of LGBT issues, and combating homophobia. As the daughter of two lesbian mothers, she has overcome prejudice and hardship to become an amazing and inspirational LGBT advocate and leader. As a member of the COLAGE Youth Leadership & Action Program, and the Director of Equality California’s Family Media Project, Marina has helped to affect great change in the world for children like her, from LGBT families. Marina has worked with media appearing on such TV programs as the Today Show, a Nickelodeon special with Rosie O’Donnell, the ABC Family Show “Switched”, The Montel Williams Show, countless news specials and programs, and most recently an HBO documentary about LGBT families. She speaks weekly at schools, community centers, to elected officials, at the State Capitol, and with S.M. County’s KLEAR program, educating people about diversity and tolerance. Her efforts have taken her all over the country, speaking both nationally and internationally. She received the Respect Award from GLSEN in 2004, and was in January 2004’s issue of Cosmogirl Magazine as one of Cosmogirl Magazine’s “Born to Lead” Cosmogirl Of the Year Award Winners. Marina has been the youngest Grand Marshall ever of the Pride Parades in San Francisco 2003, and San Jose 2004. June 23, 2004 was declared “Marina Gatto Day” in San Francisco by S.F. Mayor Willie Brown.