GLAAD is working with Darnell "Dynasty" Young

GLAAD has gotten involve with the Darnell "Dynasty" Young issue. They are making sure everyone hears this story.

Aaron McQuade from GLAAD said:

GLAAD has been working closely with Dynasty (called "Darnell" in this clip) and his family to make sure his story is told responsibly and accurately. This piece from Good Morning America does a good job of showing how school officials often blame the victims of bullying for the actions of their tormentors, and the lengths to which a family can feel forced to go if school officials won't keep kids safe.

See here



GLAAD encourages the media to cover this story and ask why the school has failed in protecting and supporting Darnell.

Dominic Dieter is an Asshole

GLAAD is going after this Ohio DJ for a dumbass statement about a young lesbian. During the Rover's Morning Glory show, Dominic talked about a letter written by a father of gay daughter.

He said:

"You should get one of your friends to screw your daughter straight." 

Really, Dominic, really? Was he drunk or something? As soon as this really got out to public, GLAAD quickly stepped in.

Aaron McQuade, GLAAD's director of news and field media, released the following statement: "It was appalling and dangerous for this show to tell a father that he should have one of his friends rape his daughter. That's essentially how Dieter responded to this listener, and this is no laughing matter in a world where people are too often the victims of violence and sexual assault based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. And Dieter gave this vile advice to everyone who was listening, including educators, parents and children — sending the message that it's okay to physically or sexually abuse people who are perceived to be gay."

Dominic needs to apologize to the victims of violence and sexual assault, then do a public apology to the father and his daughter.

Then stick his head in some horse manure.

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Herndon Graddick is GLAAD's New President

GLAAD have chosen Herndon Graddick as their new President. Herndon has a solid background in media and has worked in GLAAD for years.

Here's more about him:

Herndon is the current Vice President of Programs and Communications at GLAAD, a position he assumed in 2010. In his role, he has lead GLAAD's media initiatives and oversees the organization's National & Local News; Entertainment; People of Color; Religion, Faith & Values; Advertising; and Spanish-Language Media programs. Under his leadership, GLAAD has engaged in numerous highly visible and impactful campaigns including 'Stand Up For Ellen,' which prompted the group One Million Moms – a project of the American Family Association – to end their call for J.C. Penney to fire Ellen DeGeneres as its new spokesperson because she is gay.

Herndon also oversaw GLAAD's work on the Commentator Accountability Project – an initiative launched in March to highlight the extreme rhetoric of anti-LGBT activists who currently appear in national news outlets. He is leading efforts with the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) on the “I AM: Trans People Speak” video series as well as with film director Brett Ratner to develop a series of videos with GLAAD featuring high-profile celebrities and public figures speaking out for LGBT equality. Herndon has also put resources behind GLAAD's work to share stories of LGBT people of color and allies with African American media, sports media, and Spanish-language news outlets, among others.

Prior to his work at GLAAD, Herndon served as the Executive Producer of the Global Observatory, a media and communications effort which aimed to bring public awareness to the climate change crisis. He also served as Supervising Producer at E! Networks and the day-of-air news division director at CURRENT TV, the youth-oriented news and entertainment network created by former Vice President Al Gore. As a producer at CNN, Herndon also contributed to the creation of daily primetime programming such as "Paula Zahn Now," "Anderson Cooper 360," and "Live from the Headlines." 

Good luck, Herndon!

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GLAAD comes for Kirk Cameron

After Kirk Cameron touted his Anti-Gayness on CNN, GLAAD's Herndon Graddick had this to say:

“In this interview, Kirk Cameron sounds even more dated than his 1980s TV character. Cameron is out of step with a growing majority of Americans, particularly people of faith who believe that their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters should be loved and accepted based on their character and not condemned because of their sexual orientation.”

....

“With an increasing number of states recognizing marriage equality, Americans are seeing that marriage is about committed couples who want to make a lifelong promise to take care of and be responsible for each other and that gay and lesbian couples need equal security and legal protections. That’s not ‘redefining’ anything.”

GLAAD said they will watch Kirk's media events and inform all in the entertainment industry about his foolishness.

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Raynard Jackson gets it Wrong about Roland Martin and the LGBT community

I just read Raynard Jackson's interesting article in Black Enterprise. It's called “Did Black America Turn Its Back on Roland Martin?" In his piece, Raynard said Black leaders were silent as GLAAD dragged Roland through the mud.

Raynard wrote that Black leaders should have come to Roland’s rescue and defend his "innocent words".

 But most disturbing is the loud silence from within the Black community, I know first hand that many of the so-called Black “leadership” were quick to call Roland to get on his TV show or to get him to write a supportive newspaper column about one of their causes. But, now that he is in trouble not one voice is to be heard supporting him. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous, Marc Morial, the Congressional Black Caucus—your silence is so loud!

No Raynard; their silence confirmed that Roland was wrong. Roland’s tweet was very insensitive and his responses were worse. Why would any Black leader defend him or those statements? In fact, why would anyone claim that Roland was in the right?

Black leaders did the right thing by standing aside. Roland is a big boy. He got himself into the mire; and he can get himself out. If anything, Black leaders should have called him out on his tweets and held him accountable for his foolishness.

But that's not all to this article; near the end of this piece, Raynard wrote:

Gays don’t deserve special protection because of their sexual preference, but they do deserve equal protection because of their humanity.

This statement proves he has no idea about LGBT people, or the struggles we endure. It only seems that Raynard wanted to make this issue a race issue, but that was a failed plan. There were many Black LGBT folks who were pissed and called Roland to the carpet.  I guess Raynard didn't bother to notice that.

Now, I do agree that calling for Roland's termination was a bit much. But after seeing that tweet and Roland's ridiculous comments; GLAAD's initial response was appropriate. I'm highly disappointed in Raynard's approach to this article. It was very telling of his views about Black Leadership and the LGBT community. Maybe if Raynard would get off his soapbox, he will see that holding Roland accountable was an act of leadership.

So What Happened when Roland Martin met GLAAD?

After the drama of Roland/Twitter/GLAAD, a meeting was set up for Roland and GLAAD to work through the issues.

On their website, GLAAD had this to say:

Update: Today, Herndon Graddick, the Senior Director of Programs at GLAAD, and Roland Martin met in Los Angeles. The introduction is the beginning of an open and honest dialogue. Both parties came away with a better understanding of one another and look forward to continuing this dialogue.

That's it? That's all we get? Again, after the drama of GLAAD threatening CNN to fire Roland, this is all we get?

Seems like a lot hoopla for nothing. 

Should Roland S. Martin be Fired? No.

Earlier, I posted Roland's tweet about smacking a dude if he's excited about David Beckham's underwear. Since then, gay activists and Roland has been going back and forth on Twitter and beyond. He claims it was a joke, but refuses to see how it could be harmful.

Now GLAAD wants him to be fired:

“Martin has a history of anti-LGBT views. GLAAD is calling on him to be fired, joining many other LGBT activists and bloggers,”

 So far, CNN hasn't respond, but when I thought about it, this may be a bit much.

Yes, Roland was wrong and his weak apology on his website ain't cute either; however, this doesn't render Roland to be fired. For one, he wasn't at his job, he was at home. If he was on CNN running his mouth on TV, then yes, kick him out. But he was at home, off the clock.

Second reason, the statement was not directly advocating violence against gays. The statement was loose and far tamed than many things we have seen against us. However, it was not okay and Roland needs to seriously think about what he said.

So to wrap this up; I believe he should be seriously reprimanded, but I can't see this as a reason for Roland to be fired.

Please let me know what you think.

GLAAD's Outstanding Comic Book Nominees for 2012

For my gay geeks, I wanted to show you the nominees for Outstanding Comic Book in the GLAAD Media Awards!  All of these are great books and the storytelling is on point.

Batwoman, DC Comics

The Avengers: The Children Crusade, Marvel Comics

X-Factor,  Marvel Comics

Veronica Presents: Kevin Keller, Archie Comics

Secret Six, DC Comics

Interesting Quote: Christopher Barron

I am incredibly disappointed that Ratner gave into the bullying of GLAAD. Ratner should never have penned the ridiculously over-the-top apology letter that he did (or should I say sign the ridiculous letter that was clearly written by GLAAD’s PC communications department). Instead of agreeing to be sent to GLAAD’s re-education camp, Ratner should have stood up to the gay Gestapo. He apologized for what he said, he admitted it was stupid, and agreeing to become the latest pawn in GLAAD’s never-ending ideological warfare is akin to negotiating with terrorists. Every time Ratner or another Hollywood idiot gives into GLAAD, they are simply encouraging GLAAD to continue its partisan jihad.

Before GLAAD or anyone else on the gay left get to hold others accountable, they should be forced to hold themselves accountable. GLAAD should be forced to live by the standard it expects the rest of the world to live by.

Chris thinks GLAAD is the bully and Brett Ratner is the victim.


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GLAAD vs Huffington Post over Gay Sugar Babies and Daddies

The other day, Huff Po did a piece on Gay Sugar Babies and Daddies. Many of us read it and rolled our eyes. It wasn't new news, this has been going on for awhile. But GLAAD wasn't happy with the writing on this post.

In fact, they were heated about it:

The author quotes someone as saying these gay students “used the money to afford the extravagant and often lavish gay lifestyle,” while another said, “In the gay scene, all you really have is your age or your money.” Fairbanks herself writes, “Unlike in the straight world, many say they find working as an escort on the gay scene to be an accepted, even applauded practice.” Another person tells her, “The gay community were really the first to embrace the sugar lifestyle, even more so than the straight community.” She interviewed yet another person who told her that he “finds the gay culture more accepting of one-night stands and casual relationships.”

The “gay culture.”
The “gay scene.”
The “extravagant and often lavish gay lifestyle.”
The community embraces the “sugar lifestyle.”

These are not phrases that should appear in any piece of responsible journalism (that’s not debunking them as myths) let alone one published by an outlet that frequently publishes positive and affirming stories about the true diversity of the LGBT community. But this article doesn’t stop at just presenting the “gay scene” as a single-minded monolith – it also claims that this gay monolith supports prostitution.

I get that GLAAD is upset, but this what the Sugar Babies told the writer. She is quoting the Sugar Babies. I don't get the anger. Believe it or not, this is a reality in our community. Hell, it's known that many of the twinks in WeHo are kept boys.

I think this is an issue GLAAD could move on and over.

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GLAAD Grades the TV Networks

GLAAD has graded the TV networks on their LGBT content and characters. Here are their key findings in their research:

• This year, ABC Family becomes the second network, cable or broadcast, to receive an "Excellent" rating in this report due to the quality and diversity of its many LGBT impressions.  Of the 10 cable networks evaluated, ABC Family posted the largest increase (+18%) and ranked highest for LGBT-inclusive original content. Out of 103 total hours of original primetime programming, 56.5 (55%) hours included LGBT impressions.  ABC Family was also the most racially diverse this year, with 35% white impressions, 25% black, 13% Latino/a, and 28% multiracial.
• Compared to last year's NRI, GLAAD has found that the five major broadcast networks have all remained relatively steady in the percentage of LGBT-inclusive hours found in their primetime programming.  There has been no change in their rankings relative to one another based on these figures, though The CW, Fox, and ABC all experienced slight declines, while NBC and CBS both experienced slight increases.  ABC saw the greatest decline at -3%, while CBS saw greatest increase at +3%.
• For the second year in a row, The CW is the top broadcast network in this report with 171 (33%) LGBT-inclusive hours out of 521 total hours of original programming. Last year, The CW reached 35% LGBT-inclusive hours, which remains the highest percentage ever recorded for a broadcast network since this report's inception. The CW's programming also reflected the second greatest racial/ethnic diversity among its LGBT impressions of all the broadcast networks.
• Once again, ABC had to settle for third place behind The CW and Fox in terms of the percentage of its LGBT-inclusive primetime hours. However, ABC led all the broadcast networks in total hours of LGBT inclusion. Of the 1108 total tracked hours of primetime programming, 253 (23%) included LGBT impressions.
• For the third year in a row, CBS remains in last place among the broadcast networks. Since GLAAD began the NRI, CBS has demonstrated the least overall improvement over a five year period. This year however, it posted the largest gain of any network with a modest 3% increase; 114 (10%) LGBT-inclusive hours of programming out of 1110 hours total. Because of this, CBS' score was raised from "Failing" to "Adequate."
• Showtime made a stronger showing this year with 35.5 (37%) LGBT-inclusive hours out of 96.5 total. Though it didn't feature the most racially diverse range of impressions (85% white), it did include a strong showing for both lesbians (54%) and bisexuals (48%) in its LGBT-inclusive hours.
• Another network that showed improvement was USA, which increased from 4% LGBT-inclusive hours to 18% thanks to the upgrading of Diana Berrigan on White Collar to regular status.  This improvement moves USA from a score of "Failing" to "Adequate."
• A&E and TBS continue to reside at the bottom of our rankings and earn "Failing" grades with only 5% LGBT-inclusive programming hours each.  Those numbers are a slight improvement over the 2% and 1% they respectively posted in last year's NRI.

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Six GLAAD Board Members have Resigned

Jocelyn Bramble, Kelly Dermody, Humberto Mata, James Walker, Gary Bitner and Randi Weingarten have resigned due to the fallout of the AT&T/T-Mobile drama.

Politico reports:

Some board members were said to have resigned because of concerns that GLAAD failed to adhere to its conflict of interest standards and to protest GLAAD's failure to protect its president, Jarrett Barrios, who submitted his letter of resignation to the group Saturday amid a growing backlash in the gay blogosphere over the group's AT&T stance.

Barrios had signed the letter GLAAD sent to the FCC in support of the wireless mega-deal.

GLAAD board member Gary Bitner confirmed in an email to POLITICO on Tuesday that he had resigned. Five other board members — including Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers — also have submitted their resignations, according to the POLITICO source who is familiar with the matter.

This incident has reduced their board to 23 now. Will there be more resignations to come?

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios Resigns

After Jarrett dealt some shade cards with AT&T/T-Mobile merger, his group called for his resignation.

Here's the story:

POLITICO's Eliza Krigman reported recently that GLAAD was among a number of progressive groups with no obvious institutional interest in telecom issues who received money from AT&T and subsequently issued public statements supporting AT&T's merger with T-Mobile. Another letter was sent from GLAAD to the FCC opposing possible net neutrality rules. GLAAD later rescinded the letter, claiming it was sent in error. The issue had created an uproar in the gay blogosphere.

A source familiar with the board's deliberations told POLITICO that the executive committee voted in favor of removing president Jarrett Barrios, who refused to resign. Barrios may now take the issue to the full board of directors. A GLAAD spokesman declined to comment on the board's internal deliberations.

Jarrett has finally stepped down.

For the whole story, check out Phil Reese's piece from Washington Blade.

GLAAD presents "Tune Out Trump"

Like many of us, GLAAD has had it with Donald Trump's foolishness. So they have started Tune Out Trump a boycott campaign:

GLAAD said that Trump had recently rejected the concept of civil unions and even medical benefits for same-sex partners, and offered this smattering of Trump quotes to support their point:

"I'm not in favor of gay marriage. They should not be able to marry."

"I just don't feel good about it. I don't feel right about it. I'm against it… I'm opposed to gay marriage."

Trump's businesses stretch across the country, including in New York:
--Trump World Tower
--Trump Tower
--Trump Plaza
--40 Wall Street
--1290 Avenue of the Americas
--West Side development
--Trump Park Ave. (Delmonico Hotel)
--Trump International Hotel
--The Residences at Trump National in Westchester County

Elsewhere:
--Bank of America Center, San Francisco
--Trump Entertainment (casinos) (Atlantic City)
--Trump Las Vegas
--Mar-a-Lago (Palm Beach, FL)
--Trump Chicago
--Miami Beach Hotel/Trump International Beach Resort (Miami, FL)

Golf Courses:
--Trump International Golf Club, Raffles Resort (Canouan Island, The Grenadines)
--Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster (Bedminster, NJ)
--Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
--Trump International Golf Club (West Palm Beach, FL)

On TV:
--The Apprentice (and various spinoffs)
--Miss Universe / Miss USA Pageants
--Fox and Friends (Fox News)  

This could take off. I would like to see this work. Call Trump out!

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GLAAD launches their LGBT People of Color Media Training Institute

GLAAD move forward with a new initiative for LGBT people of color.

Here's their press release:

New York, NY, February 8, 2011 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced the launch of its People of Color Media Training Institute as a part of the organization's National People of Color Media Initiative. The Media Training Institute, funded by the Arcus Foundation and created specifically for people of color who are LGBT or LGBT allies, will develop a group of passionate and visible leaders to speak in national media outlets about issues that impact the lives of LGBT people and their families.

The Institute will consist of a two-day, advanced spokesperson training program in New York and Los Angeles, where GLAAD staff, leading journalists and talking heads and key media trainers will develop Institute participants in the areas of framing and messaging for on-camera and radio interviews.

Applicants to the Institute are asked to submit an application through GLAAD's website: http://www.glaad.org/programs/pocmedia. The program will be limited to 25-30 people, and participants will receive ongoing support, coaching and training from GLAAD staff, including quarterly progress reviews.
"While the visibility of LGBT people and issues continues to grow, far too often the voices, views and faces of people of color are underrepresented, if represented at all, in American news, entertainment and online media," said GLAAD's Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson. "This initiative will help us elevate more voices and continue GLAAD's ongoing effort to ensure that LGBT issues are represented in a fair, accurate and inclusive way - celebrating the rich diversity of the community and our allies."

Sounds good

GLAAD calls out SNL on their Transphobic skit

GLAAD is putting SNL on blast for an ugly skit that picks on Transgendered people. Here is their statement:

This Saturday, on an airing of Saturday Night Live, NBC (a subsidiary of Comcast) broadcast a dangerous and blatantly transphobic segment which they called ‘Estro-Maxxx’ - the punchline of which was the lives of countless transgender people across the country. 


The piece was a mock commercial for estrogen replacement therapy and featured men with facial hair wearing dresses, meant to represent transgender women. This segment cannot be defended as “just a joke” because there was no “joke” to speak of. The attempted comedy of the skit hinges solely on degrading the lives and experiences of transgender women. Holding people up for ridicule simply on the basis of their identity fuels a dangerous and hurtful climate and puts people in danger, especially given how infrequently the media shines a fair and accurate light on the lives of transgender people.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation calls upon Comcast and NBC to apologize and remove the segment from Hulu and all future airings of the show.

Here's the skit if you missed it

GLAAD's Nominees for Outstanding Comic Book

GLAAD put out their list of nominees for the Media Awards!

The one I really, really care about is well, the Comic Books!

OUTSTANDING COMIC BOOK

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, by Scott Allie, Brad Meltzer, Joss Whedon (Dark Horse Comics)
Fogtown, by Andersen Gabrych (Vertigo/DC Comics)
Veronica, by Dan Parent (Archie Comics)
X-Factor, by Peter David (Marvel Comics)
Young Avengers: Children's Crusade, by Allan Heinberg (Marvel)

I have to say that Young Avengers should get it. Two of their lead characters are teen lovers and I think they send a great message to gay teenagers out there.

Facebook and GLAAD are teaming together to stop Anti-Gay Bullying

After multiple reports of cyber bullying and anti-gay rants, Facebook and GLAAD are partnering up to prevent this foolishness from continuing.

Anti-gay bullying has been in the spotlight recently after the suicides of several gay teenagers, including Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi, garnered national attention. According to police, the 19-year-old jumped off the George Washington Bridge after his roommate secretly recorded him with another male student and distributed video online.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said it reached out to Facebook last week after Internet bullies flooded a page set up to honor teens who recently killed themselves in response to anti-gay hate.

The page, set up by a Facebook user, asks supporters to wear purple next Wednesday in memory of the teenagers. Purple represents "spirit" in the rainbow flag that's the symbol of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. On Friday afternoon, most of the comments on the page were from supporters.

Facebook said that its policies prohibit hateful content and that it has systems in place to take down such posts as soon as possible. But the company also said it wants its users to be able to express unpopular opinions and as such must strike a careful balance between removing harmful content and letting people speak freely.

"Facebook has taken an important first step in making social media a place where anti-gay violence is not allowed," said Jarrett Barrios, the president of GLAAD.

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