several gay rights and civil liberties groups joined thompson in her efforts to reestablish her visitation rights and acquire guardianship. public awareness of the case was increased by local and international publicity, including fundraising concerts by lesbian singer and songwriter ann reed. events in 21 cities marked "national free sharon kowalski day" in august 1988. thomas b. stoddard, executive director of the lambda legal, an lgbt gay rights advocacy group, commented: "there is no other case that approaches this one in symbolic importance". he said the case "has touched the deepest nerve in the gay community across the united states because it triggers the two deepest fears of every gay person: a fight among loved ones and denial of personal wishes."