Dear Mr. Rothschild, It has been a momentous year in the fight for gay rights.

President Obamas recent statement in support of gay marriage is a major victory for proponents of LGBT rights. However, North Carolinas recent vote to ban same sex marriage proved to be a major setback. Lost amongst these major stories is an important bill be pushed through the California legislature. SB 1172 would ban conversion therapy for gay and lesbian teens. This development is set to quietly become one of the years major victories in the fight for gay rights. I propose an article of about 2,500 words on SB 1172. This article will feature interviews with people who have been negatively affected by conversion therapy. It will also feature interviews with lawmakers on both sides of the debate, as well as conservative groups fighting this legislation. With all the major developments in the gay rights movement this year, this one is flying under the radar. I believe a progressive audience would be fascinated to know about this developing story. In addition the interviews will give your readers an interesting perspective on not only the victims of conversion therapy, but the proponents of it as well. This insight into the minds of victims and true believers will be of great interest to the politically minded readers of The Progressive. My experience includes writing for Mt. San Antonio Colleges award winning magazine Substance, as well as serving as opinion editor for the college newspaper, The Mountaineer. I have also received awards from the Journalism Association of Community Colleges and the California College Media Association. I look forward to hearing back from you as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Matt Foresta 1-(909)-322-9343 mforesta@student.mtsac.edu