Robin Tyler is a pioneer within the grassroots movement of the gay civil rights fight. She has played a seminal role in the struggle for equal right both in her current role as Executive Director of The Equality Campaign and as the first lesbian plaintiff to sue the state of California challenging the ban on same sex marriage. She has fought California's Proposition 8 professionally by producing PSA's and personally when she and her wife filed a brief to the state Supreme Court on November 5th challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8.

Tyler and her partner of over 15 years, Diane Olson, became heroes to many when, in February, 2004, they turned their personal fight to marry into a public case for the world to see as the first lesbian plaintiffs in California Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage lawsuit challenging the ban on Same-Sex marriage (Tyler et al v County of LA). When the San Francisco marriages were subsequently annulled, attorneys filed on behalf of the San Francisco couples on March 11, 2004 and the cases were consolidated. In May, 2008 the Supreme Court decision in Tyler et al v County of LA became historical not only for granting equal marriage rights but because, for the first time in American history, gay men and lesbians were granted total equal protection under the law.

As leaders in this fight and original plaintiffs in this case, the County of Los Angeles granted Robin & Diane permission to be the only couple to receive a license in Los Angeles County on Monday, June 16, 2008 the evening before licenses were available to the public at large. They were married that day surrounded by loved ones, friends and the media in front of the Beverly Hills Courthouse where they had previously been denied their license.

To further cement Robin and Diane's seminal role in the fight for equal rights, on June 27, 2008, the City of Los Angeles awarded Robin and Diane a special community service award for being original plaintiffs in this monumental case, and called them the Rosa Parks of the lesbian and gay movement. In addition, the City Council unanimously voted for June 16, their wedding day, to be forever known as "Marriage Equality Day" in Los Angeles.

Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage, passed in California on November 4, 2008. The following day, Robin and Diane filed a brief asking for the Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, arguing it is not legal in the State of California. Since November 5th, 2008, Robin and Diane have resumed their grassroots organizing to fight for their civil rights including protesting with tens of thousands of their gay, lesbian and allies who were enraged by the passing of Proposition 8. During this time, Robin produced 18 Public Service Announcements (PSA's) which had many celebrities coming out against Prop 8. One PSA was in Spanish and featured Dolores Huerta. Their lawsuit has become the face of the new civil rights movement of this century; the starting point of what now has become the Second Stonewall.

This lawsuit is not the first time Tyler has stood up to pave the way for equal rights. In the 1970's, Robin was the first openly gay or lesbian comic on stage, on national television, on records and in concerts and clubs.

In the very early 1960's, Robin auditioned and was hired as a "female" impersonator at the 82 Club in New York City, and was the only woman in the show, impersonating Judy Garland singing in her own voice with a 10-piece orchestra. All the waiters were women, dressed like men. Many of the performers and patrons have mustaches as they took hormones. It was a dangerous time to be queer. When they excited the 82 Club at night, men would be waiting and threatening everyone and calling them "faggots."

On the night of October 21, 1962, the Police made an unexpected raid at the Exotic Ball and Carnival of the National Variety Artists at the Manhattan Center. They arrested forty four men for female impersonation and Robin for wearing slacks to the dance. As she was allowed one phone call, Robin called the New York Post and on Sunday morning, October 23, the headline read "Cops Grab 44 Men - And a Real Girl in Slacks."

In 2002, Robin was featured in Paul Cain's book "Leading the Parade," which included conversations with America's most influential lesbian and gay citizens.

Additionally, the Canadian- born, Tyler is the first North American speaker to address major rallies in England, Canada, France, Mexico, South Africa and Russia. Her message is to end violence and discrimination against the LGBT community.

Tyler has written numerous articles for the LGBT press, co-authored a chapter in the newly released 3-volume book set "Defending Same Sex Marriage," and pens an opinion column on the Huffington Post (www.huffingtonpost.com/robin-tyler). In 2007, she revived "Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Groom"- her one-woman, award-winning comedy show about growing up a Jewish lesbian, and wanting to get married. http://www.robintylertours.com/alwaysabridesmaid/,
This show is set to be filmed in 2009. Additionally, Tyler has produced 25 major outdoor Women's Music & Comedy Festivals, the Women's Philharmonic at the Kennedy Center and the first International Queer Comedy Festival, which was held in Sydney, Australia in 1994.

Tyler is the national chairperson and co-creator of The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) LGBT committee. She is one of the leading activists, speakers and special event producers of the LGBT, AIDS & women's movements- most notably as the main stage producer of the 1979, 1987, and 1993 Marches on Washington for LGBT rights. Tyler was also the co-founder and national rally coordinator for StopDrLaura.com. In 2003, she organized national protests or celebrations all over the USA, so when the Federal Supreme Court ruled to overturn the sodomy laws, thousands of activists poured out to the streets of 50 cities to celebrate the decision.

After appearing as a petitioner in the CA Supreme Court hearing on March 5, Robin created www.Dayofdecision.org, and started organizing for National Protests or Celebrations on the Day the CA Supreme Court hands down their decision.

Robin was the first to call for the 1979 March on Washington (first LGBT March on Washington) and the 2000 (Millennium) March on Washington. She produced the main stages for the first 3 Marches on Washington - 1979, 1987 and 1993. On Nov. 14, 2009, Robin called for a Fifth and FINAL March on Washington, for Oct. 10, 2010. "Because of the inaction by President Obama and the Democratic Party, this March will happen."