A petition is more than a form with names – it's a tool to unite people around a cause and demand action. When you launch a petition, you're rallying voices from across your community (and beyond) to make it impossible for decision-makers to ignore your call for change. Petitions can help shape laws, shift public opinion, and elevate voices that are too often silenced.

Before writing anything, take time to reflect on the issue you want to address. What’s happening? Who is affected? What needs to change?

Start by researching the problem. The more you know, the stronger your campaign will be.

Then, define your goal in concrete terms. Are you calling for the rejection of a harmful bill? Demanding accountability after an anti-LGBT+ attack? Asking for a trans activist to be released from prison?

The more specific and tangible your demand, the more powerful your petition will be. Ask yourself: Is there a key moment coming up, like a vote or a trial? What’s the window of opportunity to act?

Every strong petition needs a clear target – the person, group, or institution that has the power to meet your demand. This could be a politician, a government department, a court, or even the CEO of a company.

Do some research. Look into who makes decisions related to the issue you're raising. Try to find someone who has shown support for LGBT+ rights in the past – it's often more effective to appeal to someone already sympathetic to your cause.

Write a message directly to your target. Keep this personal and direct. It helps show that you're not just making a general statement – you're asking someone specific to act.

Your petition title is the first thing people will see, so make it count. It should be clear, direct, and emotionally compelling.

Use strong action verbs – think "Protect," "Stop," "Free," "Defend." It should also reflect the urgency or injustice behind your campaign. Mention the name of your target, or where the problem is happening, if it makes your petition more relatable.

The main petition text should explain what’s happening and what you want people to do about it – in around four short paragraphs.

Make the urgency of the issue clear: Why is now the time to act?

Try to keep it personal and emotional without being overwhelming. If you have a personal story that relates to the petition – or can share someone else’s with their consent – that can be a powerful way to connect with potential supporters.

End by explaining why every signature matters, and what kind of impact the petition could have.

Your petition image is the face of your campaign – it will appear whenever you share the petition on social media, so choose it carefully. Use a high-quality image that reflects your campaign’s focus. If your petition supports trans rights, a photo with a trans flag might work well. If your petition is about a specific local incident, try to find a photo that feels relevant to the place and people affected.

Avoid adding text directly onto the image, since it may get cropped on mobile screens. Make sure the main visual elements are centered, and try to use photos that are either yours, copyright-free, or taken with permission. Free image libraries like Unsplash, Pexels, Nappy.co, or Wikimedia Commons can be good resources. And if you use a personal photo, get consent from anyone in it.

When you create a petition on All Out's petition platform Megaphone, you'll be asked to fill out several fields. Each one plays an important role in telling your story and mobilizing support. Here's how to approach them:

Petition title

This is the headline of your campaign. Keep it short, powerful, and action-driven. Use strong verbs like "Stop," "Protect," "Defend," or "Free." If it helps make your cause clearer or more urgent, include the name of the target or the place the issue is happening.

Short description

This is a one- or two-sentence summary that appears right under your title. It's what people read before deciding whether to click. Be clear about the issue and what's at stake. Highlight the urgency.

Long description

Use this space to tell the full story – but keep it focused. Aim for four short paragraphs that explain what's happening, what needs to change, why this matters right now, and what supporters can do by signing. Make it personal, concrete, and emotionally engaging.

Name of decision-maker(s)

Here, list the person or institution that has the power to act on your demand. This could be a lawmaker, government official, court, company executive, or other authority figure. Be specific – naming the actual person (e.g. "Minister of Justice Ana López") can make your campaign more direct and effective.

Letter to target

This is a message addressed directly to your decision-maker(s). It's the version of your ask they'll receive when you deliver the petition. Keep it respectful and to the point. Explain what the problem is, what change you are asking for, and why this issue matters to the broader public. The tone should be persuasive, not aggressive.

Petition image

This image will appear at the top of your petition and in all social media previews. Select one of our provided options or upload a high-quality, relevant image (minimum 1440×1440 pixels if possible). Avoid adding text, as it may get cropped on different screens. Make sure the image is culturally appropriate for the region your campaign is focused on, and only use photos you’ve taken yourself or have permission to share. You can also find free, rights-cleared images on Unsplash, Pexels, or Wikimedia Commons.

Submitting your petition

At the end of the petition form, you’ll see a checkbox that says "I wish to be anonymous." If you prefer not to have your name displayed on the public petition page, check this box before submitting.

Preview your petition and proofread everything carefully. Double-check for any typos or grammar issues – a clean and polished petition helps build credibility and trust with potential signers.

When you're ready, click the button labeled 'Submit for Review'. This sends your petition to an All Out staff member, who will double-check that everything looks good. You can continue editing your petition until a staff member begins the review.

You'll get an email notification letting you know if your petition has been approved or rejected. If it's rejected, you'll receive direct feedback from the reviewer explaining what needs to be changed or added before it can be published.

As soon as your petition is approved, it goes live – and that's your moment to start sharing it, gathering support, and building momentum!

Once your petition is live, your next job is to get it in front of as many people as possible.

Start with your own networks – email, social media, messaging apps. Always include the direct link to your petition and make it easy for people to understand what it’s about.

You don’t need to share every detail – focus on what's urgent and meaningful. Simple language works best. Share real stories behind the issue, and always get permission when doing so.

Try different formats: post a video, share a photo carousel, or write a short personal post. (Our design team has created templates you can use to share your petition on social media.)

You can also reach out to other activists, content creators, or organizations who might support your cause and ask them to share your petition too.

People sign your petition because they believe it will reach the right person – so don't let the signatures sit there.

Download them from your petition dashboard and deliver them to your target in the most impactful way you can.

To download your signatures:

• Go to your petition dashboard.
• Next to "Petition Statistics," click the button that says "Start signature download".
• A pop-up will ask you to confirm your request.
• After you confirm, you'll receive an email with a link to download a PDF file containing all your signatures.

You can deliver this file electronically via email if you have your target's contact information, or you can print it and mail it.

If your target is local, consider delivering the petition in person. This can be a powerful moment – especially if you invite media or supporters to join you. Some petition starters even organize creative actions or small protests during the delivery to increase visibility.