Gay and lesbian rights groups had tried to combat violence by legislating against hate and supporting queer students in schools, but these projects did not address the root of the violence – the prejudice and hatred that children learned at an early age. To forestall hate crimes, queer rights advocates consequently turned their attention to educational curricula, lobbying schools to identify same-sex sexuality as a matter of benign difference. These advocates met with intense resistance, which restricted their ability to secure even limited reforms. What ultimately transformed the social and legal landscape were the straight family members of gays and lesbians, who came out in droves in the 1990s. These mothers and fathers drew national attention to the plight of their sons and daughters, helping make violence visible. They also helped the country see that support for families and support for gay and lesbian rights were one and the same.