Fundraising will always be a challenge for independent creators, but the launch of crowd sourced funding websites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo gave everyone from filmmakers to inventors a powerful new set of tools to harness resources through social media. This has given projects that might have been overlooked in traditional channel a renewed chance for success, and has been particularly useful for many LGBT creators hoping to share their stories through independent media. Below (in order of medium) is a list of 15 LGBT-inclusive fan-funded success stories from 2012 to check out now or look forward to.

BRIDEGROOM: An American Love Story is a documentary about tragedy befalling a gay couple and the discrimination that resulted from lack of marriage protections. On the one-year anniversary of his partner Tom Bridegroom’s death, Shane Bitney Crone posted a YouTube video titled “It Could Happen to You” about their relationship and the aftermath of Tom’s death that has since received over 3 million views and launched #EqualLoveEqualRights which has passed 50,000 Facebook likes. BRIDEGROOM, directed and produced by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason (Designing Women), blew through its funding goal to become one of the highest funded films in Kickstarter history. Watch the trailer below. 

Different From the Others, directed by Richard Oswald and co-written by famed psychologist Magnus Hirschfeld, is believed to be the only remaining film of a group of gay-friendly movies made during Germany’s Weimar Era that escaped systematic destruction by the Nazis. The film’s restoration was financed through crowd sourcing and a preview of the finished product was shown this October at Outfest’s Legacy Awards, the first time in nearly 100 years that it had been screened for an audience. Check out Michael Reisz from Outfest talking about the importance of preserving this film below.

Guinevere Turner has adapted Carol Lynn Pearson’s stage play Facing East into a full length feature film about a Mormon family who begin to reevaluate their lives and beliefs after their gay son dies by suicide. The play Facing East premiered in Salt Lake City in 2007 and followed their premiere with runs Off Broadway and in San Francisco. The film will begin shooting in late 2013. Turner, Pearson and director Will Swenson talk about the play, film and the importance of acceptance of LGBT individuals in religious communities below. 

Back on Board Greg Louganis is a new documentary film about Olympic gold medal winner Greg Louganis and his journey from child prodigy to Olympic diving champion and from pioneering gay, HIV-positive athlete to overlooked sports icon. Watch the Back on Board trailer below.

Model Isis King makes her acting debut in Hello Forever, a film about four Filipina women affected by human trafficking and sexual exploitation as they try to overcome obstacles and find a way out of poverty. Isis, the first transgender woman to appear on America’s Next Top Model, will play a transgender woman named Rommy, who is one of the four principal characters.

Limited Partnership is the true story of Richard Adams and Tony Sullivan. The couple was one of six gay couples to be legally married in Boulder, Colorado in 1975 and they filed the first federal lawsuit seeking equal recognition for same-sex marriages after Sullivan (an Australian citizen) was denied an application for resident status based on marriage. Unfortunately, Richard Adams passed away this Monday, December 20 at the age of 65. Lavi Soloway, an immigration lawyer who worked with the couple, said of Adams, "Richard never gave up on the belief that justice would prevail, and he never waited for others to do the job. He is one of the heroes on whose shoulders we all stand as we carry on the fight for full equality." Watch the trailer of Limited Partnership below.

Milestone successfully achieved funding to assist with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences restoration of lost film Portrait of Jason. Shirley Clarke’s groundbreaking documentary about a black gay hustler was one of the first no-holds-barred LGBT films in existence and will be preserved in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Film Archive in Los Angeles following its restoration 45 years in the making. Check out the trailer below.

Alan White’s Westerly: A Man, A Woman, An Enigma is a feature-length documentary about the life of 62-year-old Westerly Windina. Westerly, once known by the name Peter Drouyn, is a legendary surfer who introduced the sport to China and shaped modern surf competitions.  It wasn’t until her 50s that a near death experience prompted Westerly to finally come out as transgender. Watch the trailer below.

Scripted gay drama DTLA follows a group of friends trying to navigate love and find success in downtown Los Angeles. The series got its start with crowd sourced funding before premieres on Logo and Out TV Canada, making it the first Kickstarter-funded TV series that has acquired both domestic and foreign distribution. Watch the series trailer below. 

Hit web series Husbands from Jane Espenson and Brad Bell filmed and aired its second season thanks to funding provided by series’ fans. Husbands is set in a world where full marriage equality has been achieved and follows an actor and his baseball-star husband as they navigate married life following a drunken Vegas wedding. The franchise also recently saw the release of the first issue of the series’ spin off comic. Check out the first episode of Husbands below.

The Outs, a comedy web series about gay life and love in New York City, just finished airing its highly popular (and addictive) first season, which they partially financed through two Kickstarter campaigns. New episodes, including a holiday special, are set to debut in early 2013. Check out all current episodes at the series website.

Photographer Jeff Sheng’s Fearless Project was exhibited in Pride House 2012 at the London Olympics. Since 2003, Sheng has photographed over 150 LGBT-identified high school and collegiate athletes in the U.S. and Canada. Nike recently donated shirts with the slogan “Fearless,” proceeds from which helped raise funds for the Fearless Project photography book. Creator Jeff Sheng talks about the importance of this project below. 

iO Tillet Wright’s Human Rights Campaign-supported Self Evident Truths project is trying to make a photographic record of LGBTQ America. They’ve traveled to several cities in the U.S. to take photos of LGBTQ individuals and hope to create a documentary following their travels that will allow the models to tell their stories. Learn more about Self Evident Truths below.

Out duo God-des And She were able to record and produce their fourth album, United States of God-des and She, this year thanks to crowd sourced funding. The new record will hit stores on February 5, 2013, but you can check out a 15-minute preview below now.

GaymerCon is the first-ever gaming and tech convention to focus on “LGBT geek culture” and their fundraising campaign was so successful that they earned more than triple their funding goal. GaymerCon is set to take place in San Francisco in August 2013 and has gotten huge support from gaming companies such as Xbox Live and EA.

Fans who can't wait until Glee's late January return can get their fix tonight with a showing of Glee: The 3D Concert Movie.

What to Watch: Monday, December 31

7:00pm: Glee: The 3D Concert Movie, HBO Family (1.5 hrs) REPEAT

The 3D concert movie acts as a musical documentary as it follows the season two cast of Glee on their live summer 2011 tour; blending performances with fan testimonials and highlighting the stories of three fans, including one young man who drew courage from watching Kurt's story to deal with being outed himself. Check out the film's trailer below.

This morning and afternoon, check your local listings for information about Ellen, The Talk (CBS) and The Chew (ABC). Days of Our Lives on NBC (check local listings for time) features gay character Will as a series regular; keep an eye out for developments between Will and Sonny.

____________________________________________________

About TV Gayed

Grab the remote or set your DVR! GLAAD brings you the most up-to-date listing of LGBT content on television every weekday. Check GLAAD Blog for daily TV Gayed posts!

About GLAAD
GLAAD amplifies the voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, see www.glaad.org, www.facebook.com/glaad, www.twitter.com/glaad and www.glaad.tumblr.com.

Tonight catch an all new episode of Emily Owens, M.D. on The CW.

What to Watch: Tuesday, January 1

9:00pm: Emily Owens, M.D., CW (1 hr) NEW

A female car accident victim is brought in and staff immediately blame her boyfriend for causing the accident which brings up painful memories for Will. Meanwhile, Emily's cancer patient refuses to undergo surgery out of fear for her career and Will must choose between Emily and Cassandra. Watch a sneak peek below.

This morning and afternoon, check your local listings for information about Ellen, The Talk (CBS) and The Chew (ABC). Days of Our Lives on NBC (check local listings for time) features gay character Will as a series regular; keep an eye out for developments between Will and Sonny.

____________________________________________________

About TV Gayed

Grab the remote or set your DVR! GLAAD brings you the most up-to-date listing of LGBT content on television every weekday. Check GLAAD Blog for daily TV Gayed posts!

About GLAAD
GLAAD amplifies the voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, see www.glaad.org, www.facebook.com/glaad, www.twitter.com/glaad and www.glaad.tumblr.com.

Tonight catch brand new episodes of American Horror Story: Asylum, Top Chef and Happily Divorced.

What to Watch: Wednesday, January 2

10:00pm: Top Chef, Bravo (1 hr) NEW

The quickfire challenge has the chefs putting their cutting, dicing and chopping skills to the test. In the elimination challenge, the contestants pay tribute to the most memorable Top Chef moments, but sabotage may be afoot. Check out a preview below.

10:00pm: American Horror Story: Asylum, FX (1 hr) NEW

The Monsignor confronts the Devil at Briarcliff , Dr. Arden's experiments reach a shocking conclusion and Dr. Thredson sets up a special reunion for Kit.

10:30pm: Happily Divorced, TV Land (30 mins) NEW

Peter is out of town and Fran is quickly getting fed up with her noisy next door neighbor. Things go from bad to worse when the neighbor shares some shocking news about Fran's flower shop. Watch a preview below.

Chicago's Cardinal Francis George is getting much media attention for a letter to parishioners in which he condemns civil marriage equality for same-gender couples in the state of Illinois.  But there's another element to this story that deserves the same amount of media attention—an element that shows, yet again, how much beyond the matter of marriage itself the other side's activism can and does go.

After talking about the damage civil marriage equality will supposedly bring to the Land of Lincoln, Cardinal George concludes his letter with the suggestion for supporters to visit ILCatholic.org.  On that site, the local Catholic Conference is pushing a so-called "marriage toolkit."  And in that toolkit, one will find this advice for "those who experience same-sex attraction":

[SOURCE: ILCatholic.org]

You might be aware of Courage, an organization that GLAAD has touched on several times in the recent past.  This is a Catholic organzation that has one and only goal: to tell LGBT people that our lives are built toward celibacy.  Rather than take the more evangelical approach that says gays can be prayed or therapized into "change," this Courage outfit simply tells LGBT people that chastity is our godly calling.  They don't really deny that we are geared a certain way—they simply tell us to stifle it.

This, a goal that instructs millions of men and women to shut off their biologial attractions, goes well beyond the matter of civil marriage.  It's one thing to debate civil rights, which the Illinois legislature will begin doing any day now.  Sure, it offends many of us to watch LGBT people's deserved civil rights go up before a public back-and-forth.  However, if the opposition movement takes it all a step further and insists on debating whether or not we LGBT people should even be living as LGBT people in the first place?  Well that is much deeper.  That is much worse.  And sadly, that is what  the Illinois Catholic conference and media-friendly champions like Cardinal George are positing.

It is important to send a reminder that the opposition from the Roman Catholic hierarchy does not represent Catholic people. Over 70% of everyday Catholic people support LGBT equality, including marriage equality. Numerous LGBT Catholic Organizations like the Equally Blessed Coalition have been working consistently to send a voice of Catholic inclusion. And there are Catholic denominations who do not agree with the Roman Catholic hiearchy on LGBT equality. Voices like Cardinal George may garner media attention, but they do not tell the whole story of LGBT people and Catholicism.

With Illinois opening up the marriage debate, it is the perfect time for local media outlets to look a little more closely at what the opposition movement is saying about us.  We have Laurie Higgins and David Smith operating out of their Illinois Family Institute offices with bodies ofrhetoric that condemn every fiber of LGBT people's beings.  We have Cardinal George, a public figure who has gone so far as to liken the LGBT rights movement's potentiality to that of the KKK, a gross and inflamatory statement for which he has had to issue an apology.  And now we have Cardinal George's promoted Catholic conference pushing an admitted endgame that casts LGBT people into loveless lives where innate atttractions are not to extend beyond friendships.  

We are not making this up—they are saying it!  It's time to hold these spokespeople and groups accountable for the clearly-stated suggestions that they themselves are putting on the table.   

Philadelphia lawmaker Brian Sims, the first openly gay candidate elected to the Pennsylvania legislature, was sworn into office on Tuesday. Rep. Sims, who formerly served as board president of Equality Pennsyvlania, ran unopposed as a Democrat in the November election. He joins Republican Rep. Mike Fleck, who came out publicly as gay in December, as one of two openly gay lawmakers in the state legislature. 

Reflecting on the year's victories for LGBT equality, Rep. Sims said, "The tide has changed. 2012 will go down in history as when being anti-gay puts you in the minority." Rep. Sims hopes that the presence of two openly gay assemblymembers will make it easier for the legislature to recognize the importance of legal protections for LGBT people. 

This holiday, many were saddened to learn of the death of Hollywood photographer Brian Putnam, who passed away just over a week ago.  

Brian was a familiar and very friendly presence at LGBT events in Los Angeles, who was often on a first name basis with those he photographed on countless red carpets.  More than that, he was also a staunch advocate of the LGBT movement who was more than willing to volunteer his services to events and causes he wanted to help support. 

Brian worked with many of us here at GLAAD on dozens of occasions. He graciously donated his time and talent to capture many of our events and we remain thankful to him for his work, his passion, and his commitment.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to all his family and friends.  Brian will be missed.

Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” bill did not pass before the end of the year, but the LGBT community there is still feeling the impact of anti-LGBT sentiment in the country. Kaweesi Joseph, the founder of the Youth on Rock Foundation was arrested on Sunday on charges of “acts of homosexuality” and “recruitment.” He appears to still be in police custody several days later.

Although the “Kill the Gays” bill has not been passed, Uganda has had laws banning intimacy between gay men and lesbians for over 100 years. Those laws were written into sections 145, 146, and 148 of the penal code in 1950, though there is no mention of recruitment in any of the sections.

Additionally, the offices of SMUG (Sexual Minorities Uganda) were broken into last week and several computers were stolen. It is unclear what was on the computers, but it is possible that they contained lists of the organization’s membership. If membership lists are on the stolen computer, it is imperative that the information not be made public. Just shy of two years ago, SMUG founder David Kato was murdered after winning a lawsuit against a Ugandan magazine that had published the names and photographs of 100 LGBT Ugandans alongside an incendiary article urging violence.

SMUG leaders have filed a lawsuit against Scott Lively through the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), arguing that Lively’s 2009 anti-LGBT conference in Kampala, Uganda sparked worsening conditions for LGBT Ugandans and led to the introduction of the “Kill the Gays” bill. The CCR will be in court on January 7 in oral arguments against Lively’s motion to have the case dismissed. Frank Mugisha and other SMUG leaders will be in attendance. SMUG and the CCR filed the lawsuit under the Alien Tort Statute, which allows foreign nationals to sue U.S. citizens for violations of U.S. or international law committed overseas. We urge anyone who is able to attend the hearing in Springfield, Massachusetts, to do so. You can also show your support for SMUG’s case on Twitter by using the hashtag #StopTheHate. Write your own tweets in support of SMUG or use the ones written by the CCR:

• In #solidarity with @SMUG2004 & #Uganda's #LGBT community: Call on #ScottLively and other US evangelical Christian leaders to #StoptheHate!
• Help @SMUG2004 & @theCCR stop #LGBT persecution at one of its most insidious roots: here at home w/ the likes of #ScottLively! #StoptheHate
• Speak out against #ScottLively and other US evangelicals exporting their #LGBT hate agendas to #Uganda and other countries! #StoptheHate
• #Uganda #KilltheGays dead for the moment but violence against #LGBT Ugandans is ongoing. Help @frankmugisha @theCCR #StoptheHate!

Follow @theCCR on January 7 to keep up to date on court proceedings.

Uganda’s parliament will resume in February and may take up the “Kill the Gays” bill again; a number of religious leaders in Uganda called for the bill’s passage in their New Year’s addresses.

On December 29, Maine's new marriage equality law went into effect, allowing many same-sex couples across the state to marry. To commemorate this historic day, Sam Ferrigno of HooplaHa.com traveled to Portland and prompted 13 newlywed couples to describe each other with one word written on sketch pads. Imran Jaffery photographed the heartwarming results of this exercise, which you can see below:

Lucie Bauer and Annie Kiermaier


Shari Russell and Sandy Duhamel


Suzanne Blackburn and Joanie Kunian


Chris Kast and Byron Bartlett


Roberta Batt and Mary Donaldson


Michael Snell and Steven Bridger


Wendy West and Rebecca Leeman


Steven Jones and Jamous Lizotte


Nancy Barba and Cynthia Wheelock (and their daughter, Eliza)


Jeff Burdick and Josh Laton


Jen Stuart and Jillian Farrell


Marie Francis and her partner Carrie


Allegra Hirsh and Robin Wright

HooplaHa.com is dedicated to spreading smiles and positivity. The site is meant to inspire, inform, enlighten, engage and above all entertain. GLAAD worked to tell the stories of loving, committed couples in states like Maine during the election. Read more about our work around marriage equality.

Pop star Ke$ha is Seventeen magazine’s February cover girl, wherein she discusses being attracted to both men and women and anti-LGBT bullying.

"I don’t love just men. I love people. It’s not about a gender. It’s just about the spirit that exudes from that other person you’re with,” she said. Ke$ha previously talked about her relationships with both sexes in a 2010 interview with Out, "I like people. I wouldn't say I'm gay or straight - I don't like labeling things anyway. I just like people."

Ke$ha also speaks out about her stance against anti-LGBT bullying. "I'm all about standing up to gay/lesbian/transgender bullying, but it’s also about my little brother. He's 13 and he gets made fun of because he has a stutter. I just have zero tolerance for people making fun of others."

"Ke$ha's comments not only serve to inspire and support young people who may be struggling to come out, they also echo the support of a generation that overwhelmingly agrees that every person should be able to love openly and honestly," GLAAD spokesperson Seth Adam told MTV Act Blog.

Seventeen magazine has also stood up against anti-LGBT bullying. Spirit Day founder Brittany McMillan was a finalist in the magazine’s ‘Pretty Amazing’ scholarship contest.  Seventeen’s social media presence went purple for Spirit Day and Editor-in-Chief Ann Shoket wrote a blog post encouraging readers to go take a stand against bullying and support LGBT youth.

In an open letter on the game’s website, Star Wars: The Old Republic Executive Producer Jeff Hickman has announced that long awaited same-sex romance options will soon be available to players soon via game updates coming this spring.  This should come as good news for the legions of TOR users who have lobbied for the addition of same-sex romances since before the game was even released.

Hickman first apologized for the year-long delay in providing confirmed information about the update, and explained the reasoning behind it:

First of all, I want to apologize that this is taking so long to get in the game. I realize that we promised [Same Gender Romance] to you guys and that many of you believed that this would be with a companion character. Unfortunately, this will take a lot more work than we realized at the time and it (like some other pieces of content we talked about earlier in the year) has been delayed as we focused on the changes required to take the game Free-to-Play. As we have said in the past, allowing same gender romance is something we are very supportive of.

Though romances with in-game companion characters will remain delayed, the letter also revealed that the new planet of Makeb, which is part of the digital expansion Rise of the Hutt Cartel, will feature non-playable characters who are available for same-sex romantic relationships.  He continued by saying developers also intend to add more same-sex romantic options in the future about which more details will be eventually revealed.

Fans of the TOR began requesting same-sex romantic options before the game had even officially launched, as developer Bioware already had a terrific track record in that department thanks to the Dragon Age and Mass Effect series.  Following additional press attention and outreach from organizations like GLAAD, the mounting outcry over the exclusion of such options eventually paid off, as developers announced that they would be added to the game post launch.  Though it has a ways to go before matching the inclusiveness of those aforementioned games, this is a terrific first step on Bioware’s part towards recognizing the diversity of their user-base.

Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell, who was ousted as a leader of her son Cruz's Boy Scout troop because she is gay, was named among the 'Best Parents of 2012' by Parenting magazine. She is raising four children with her partner Alicia Burns. Jennifer has been working with GLAAD since early 2012 to call for an end to the Boy Scouts of America's discriminatory ban on gay scouts and LGBT leaders. A petition started on Change.org demanding that the BSA revoke the policy garnered over 300,000 signatures, whcih Jennifer hand-delivered to the national Scouting organization's headquarters with GLAAD. Since then, more and moreindividual scouts, local scout troops, entire scout councils, national leaders, celebrities, organizations and companies have spoken out in support of ending the BSA's anti-LGBT ban.

While the policy stands, Jennifer remains committed to reversing it and challenging all forms of anti-LGBT bullying and discrimination. Her story continues to inspire people around the country, helping them to see that no one should be denied the option to participate in an organization like the Boy Scouts of America just because of who they are. 

Tonight catch a showing of the biographical drama J. Edgar.

What to Watch: Thursday, January 3

9:00pm: J. Edgar, HBO Signature (2 hrs) REPEAT

This biographical drama focuses on the life and career of 50-year FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.  See the official trailer below.

This morning and afternoon, check your local listings for information about Ellen The Talk (CBS) and The Chew (ABC). Days of Our Lives on NBC (check local listings for time) features gay character Will as a series regular; keep an eye out for developments between Will and Sonny.

____________________________________________________

About TV Gayed

Grab the remote or set your DVR! GLAAD brings you the most up-to-date listing of LGBT content on television every weekday. Check GLAAD Blog for daily TV Gayed posts!

About GLAAD
GLAAD amplifies the voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, see www.glaad.org, www.facebook.com/glaad, www.twitter.com/glaad and www.glaad.tumblr.com.

Tomorrow night’s episode of CBS’ Emmy-award winning reality seriesUndercover Boss will feature a CEO making same-sex partner benefits a company-wide policy after meeting a lesbian employee who has been in a committed relationship for 27 years.  Airing at 8:00 pm, the episode follows Mood Media CEO Lorne Abony as he goes undercover as an employee of the company and meets fellow-worker Eileen, who has raised four children with her partner.

After spending some time working alongside Eileen and getting to know her and her life, Abony is inspired to make some big changes.  “Effective today, Mood Media will always provide same-sex partner benefits. […] It’s something that I think is essential,” Abony says. He goes on to tell Eileen he is “humbled by” her and her commitment to balancing work with her partner and four children. Watch the clip below.

The episode’s storyline is a reminder that the more Americans get to know LGBT people and their stories, the closer we move towards full equality. Be sure to catch Undercover Boss on CBS Friday, January 4 at 8:00pm.

This weekend catch the season premieres of Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best, Downton Abbey and The Biggest Loser. Plus all new episodes of Underemployed, Say Yes to the Dress, Undercover Boss, Revenge and The Good Wife.

What to Watch: Friday, January 4

8:00pm: Undercover Boss, CBS (1 hr) NEW

Mood Media CEO Lorne Abony goes undercover and works at his own company. He is inspired by his discussions with an out employee to announce a company-wide policy change that will provide benefits and recognition to same-sex couples.

9:30pm: Say Yes to the Dress, TLC (30 mins) NEW

Holiday weddings are featured as one bride plans a Black Friday ceremony, another wants to find a dress inspired by ice and snow and a third bride-to-be seeks parental approval of her desire for a holiday-themed ceremony.

10:00pm: Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best, TLC (30 mins) SEASON PREMIERE

Randy recalls the top ten memorable mothers he has had to deal with who have accompanied their daughters for dress fittings.

10:30pm: Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best, TLC (30 mins) NEW

A look back at some of the most expensive dresses and big budget ceremonies that Randy has worked with.

This morning and afternoon, check your local listings for information about Ellen, The Talk (CBS) and The Chew (ABC). Days of Our Lives on NBC (check local listings for time) features gay character Will as a series regular; keep an eye out for developments between Will and Sonny.

What to Watch: Saturday, January 5

8:00pm: Underemployed, MTV (1 hr) NEW

Sophia releases her novel and worries about the first reviews. Meanwhile, Daphne must make a decision about staying with Todd or taking the chance on Miles and Lou begins applying to graduate school programs.

What to Watch: Sunday, January 6

9:00pm: Revenge, ABC (1 hr) NEW

Victoria begins plotting her next scheme and, surprisingly, actually wants to involve Emily in the planning. Meanwhile, Emily works to set up her next target and Declan makes a discovery that could threaten the Stowaway's future.

9:00pm: The Good Wife, CBS (1 hr) NEW

Will's current case, which could bring the firm millions if he wins, hangs in the balance as Alicia works to block Louis Canning's efforts to keep a crucial piece of evidence from getting discovered by the firm. Meanwhile, Will and Diane take a stand against Clarke and an old enemy returns to challenge Eli.

9:00pm: Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey, PBS (2 hrs) SEASON PREMIERE

Family and staff prepare for Matthew and Mary's wedding ceremony. Meanwhile, Robert gets bad news about an investment, O'Brien sets up her nephew with a job as the new footman and Anna promises to prove John's innocence.

9:00pm: The Biggest Loser, NBC (2 hrs) SEASON PREMIERE

The weight loss competion returns with a new twist: this season will include three teenagers working to get healthy in addition to the 15 adult contestants. Out trainer Jillian Michaels returns and the season's cast includes the show's first out contestant, Jackson Carter, who has dealt with bullying for his weight and his orientation. Watch a first look at the new season below.

____________________________________________________

About TV Gayed

Grab the remote or set your DVR! GLAAD brings you the most up-to-date listing of LGBT content on television every weekday. Check GLAAD Blog for daily TV Gayed posts!

About GLAAD
GLAAD amplifies the voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, see www.glaad.org, www.facebook.com/glaad, www.twitter.com/glaad and www.glaad.tumblr.com.

Today in Mobile, Alabama gay and lesbian couples will take a stand for marriage equality as part of the WE DO Campaign, a strategy by the Campaign for Southern Equality, to encourage loving and committed couples in the south to request marriage licenses in order to call for full acceptance and recognition under state and federal law.  

Earlier this week, five couples requested marriage licenses in Hattiesburg, Mississippi as part of the WE DO Campaign and were rejected. Watch their story here:

The WE DO Campaign is traveling travel across seven Southern states – Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia – and Washington, D.C.

According to the campaign:  38 couples in 10 cities across North and South Carolina have sought marriage licenses as part of the WE DO Campaign, with over 500 friends, family members and clergy standing with them in support. Media coverage of the WE DO has included the Winston-Salem Journal, video and article, CBS News and many other outlets. Learn more about the WE DO Campaign here.

 Join the WE DO Campaign:

1) Send a message of support to the couples here.
2) To keep up-to-date with all the photos and videos of the couples like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
3) Support the WE DO Campaign with a tax-deductible donation.
4) Join us for a WE DO Campaign action.

The full schedule for Stage 4 is:  

January 2 – Hattiesburg, Mississippi

January 4 - Mobile, Alabama

January 7 – Decatur, Georgia

January 9 – Morristown, Tennessee

January 11 – Greenville, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina

January 14 – Wilson, North Carolina and Winston-Salem, North Carolina

January 17 – Arlington, Virginia and Washington D.C.

On January 17, the final day of Stage 4, couples will be denied licenses in Arlington and we will begin a 4.5 mile march into Washington, DC. We will end at the Jefferson Memorial in an action that includes a blessing honoring the legal marriage under D.C. law of one couple from North Carolina, Mark and Tim. The final day of action is an expression of resistance to current laws and celebration of our community. The actions on January 17 are intended to highlight the lives and stories of LGBT people from across the South; the powerful reality that in our nation’s capital LGBT people have the right to marry; and the injustice that legal marriages between same-sex couples are not recognized in the South.

Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBT-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.

1) Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his fiancé Justin Mikita hit the road in Illinois to launch “Marriage Equality Days of Action” to lobby for the passage of marriage equality by the state Senate. "I certainly respect everyone's right to their opinion, but I think at the end of the day we all have to agree that treating any American as a second-class citizen is not OK,” Tyler told the press on Wednesday.  Tyler and Mikita represented their bowtie fashion line Tie the Knot, which raises funds to support organizations working for marriage equality, on Thursday’s Bow Tie Lobby Day in Springfield, IL.

2) Chris Colfer’s debut film Struck by Lightning is holding a one-night-only interactive screening on Sunday, January 6 in cities nationwide to coincide with the movie’s red carpet premiere. Colfer will be holding a live Q&A webcast following the film and viewers will have the opportunity to ask questions via social media. Struck by Lightning is available now through On Demand services and opens in limited theaters January 11. Find a screening location near you and check out the trailer below.

3) LGBT gaming and tech organization Gaymercon revealed they will be changing their organization’s name to GaymerConnect moving forward, while this year’s upcoming convention will now be called Gaymer X. The name-change was accompanied by the announcement that Gaymer Connect is also officially launching a new web-based service that will allow LGBT and ally gamers to chat about specific games, find LGBT-friendly guilds and meet other gamers to challenge based on mutual games or location. Gaymer X will be held August 3-4 in San Francisco.

4) Adrien Brody stars in French singer/songwriter PacoVolume’s new music video for his single “Olaf & Paul.” The video is the poetic story of the overwhelming love between two men who live in very different worlds. Watch “Olaf & Paul” below.

PACOVOLUME – Olaf & Paul (Official Video) feat. ADRIEN BRODY from Jack Antoine Charlot on Vimeo.

5) Out model AzMarie Livingston, best known for competing on America’s Next Top Model: British Invasion, recently released her first music video. Check out “Morning Guarantee” below.

6)Kam Kardashian: A Webseries follows Kameron Kardashian, the (fictional) long-lost lesbian Kardashian sister who has been cut off and kicked out of the family. They are looking for funding help for the series second season which sees Kam working to get her life together, become a positive role model and find happiness even though her family won’t acknowledge her. Visit their Kickstarter page for more information, visit their YouTube to watch the first season and check out the trailer below.

Next week, Linda Jernigan will head down to Springfiled to lobby lawmakers on the pending marriage equality bill.  Here is David Smith, president of the Illinois Family Institute, making the announcement:

So who is Linda Jernigan and what does she believe?  Let's examine.

First thing to know is that Linda is an "ex-gay."  I don't mean that she is someone who simply used to have same-sex relationships and who now chooses celibacy.  No, no—I mean to say that Linda is a professional "ex-gay" activist who routinely aligns herself with groups like the IFI and Peter LaBarbera's Americans For Truth group for the purpose of demonizing LGBT people and our rights.  Like so many "former homosexuals," Linda has made it her mission to carry water for the anti-LGBT movement.

But not only is Linda against our rights— she is really against us, as people.  Linda's rhetoric is among the worst you will find anywhere, denying gays of peace, happiness, God, and anything decent that we might claim.  To wit:

Facts

-- Claims expanding homosexuality is "Satan's plan"

-- Says: "To say that homosexuals have gay pride is an oxymoron because based on how they are and based on how they present themselves, there is nothing to be proud about" (at :35)

-- Says of gays: "The Devil has stolen their identity, he kills their joy, and then he ultimately destroys their lives"

-- Claims Christians have "a mandate from God" to "UTTERLY DESTROY any kingdom that attempts to oppose and defy the standards, laws, and principles of our God."  Clarifies that this doesn't mean she wants to "promove violence towards homosexuals" but that she wants to "confidently annihilate demonic forces that oppose the expansion of the kingdom of God"

-- Claims homosexuality is "rooted in Satan" (at 1:51)

-- Claims "Satan's desire is to place the church under arrrest in our communications"

-- Says the gay rights movement was created by a "demonic spirit" and that it is what you will find at gay pride events today

-- Claims "you have to be in inebriated state" to perform some gay acts (at 7:20); says being in another state "allows the demons and the devil and his agenda" so that gays will be able to perform 

-- Says (at 4:57) "if homosexuals don't want to go to hell..they need to put their faith and trust in Jesus and they too will be able to live in the truth of the Lord"

-- Says homosexuality is a "transformable beahvior" like marijuana or cocaine (beginning at 6:27)

-- Instructs gays to "not believe the lies of the Devil"

-- Describes her past lesbian relationship as "from the pits of hell" (at 14:52) and "knitted together by the Devil" (at 15:02)

LINDA JERNIGAN [GLAAD CAP]

This is not someone simply opposed to marriage policy.  This is not a lobbyist.  This is someone who comes right out and says it: She thinks gays are demonic, Satan-controlled, and in need of "change."

And this is who the opposition thinks is fit to speak to the merits of civil legislation?  This is what they consider to be rational debate?  This is what passes as dissenting opinion in this crucial civil rights conversation?  This is what those Illinoisians who demand free, fair, and reasoned debate are told to dignify as if it's mere conservative advocacy?

The Illinois Family Insitute, the state's leading "pro-family" policy group, seems to think so.  Here's hoping the local media addresses the IFI's chosen advocacy for the hostility that it so clearly is.

Join GLAAD at the off-Broadway musical BARE on Wednesday, January 9, at New World Stages in New York City. $20 from each ticket sold using this link will be donated to GLAAD's work to bring culture-changing stories of LGBT people into millions of homes and workplaces every day.

Following the 8:00 PM performance, BARE will host a “TalkOUT” discussion with Ross Murray, GLAAD’s Director of Religion, Faith & Values, and cast member Missi Pyle. Ross and Missi will discuss themes of religion, youth, and LGBT equality, and lead a conversation with audience members. The event is part of a series of conversations with leading LGBT equality organizations.

Last October, the cast of BARE joined millions of people going purple on Spirit Day, and they went a step further by creating a video talking about the importance of taking a stand against bullying, supporting LGBT youth and celebrating differences.

Set in a co-ed Catholic boarding school, BARE explores the subject of teens exposed to the issues of identity, sexuality and religion. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling rock score, the musical demonstrates how today’s generation is forced to navigate, for the first time, the tightrope between adolescence and adulthood and how far they will go to keep their world intact. Featuring music by Damon Intrabartolo and book & lyrics by Jon Hartmere, BARE will be directed by Olivier Award nominee Stafford Arima (Carrie, Altar Boyz) and choreographed by Emmy Award nominee Travis Wall (So You Think You Can Dance).  Additional music is by Hartmere and Lynne Shankel (Altar Boyz, Cry-Baby, Company).  Music supervision and arrangements are also by Lynne Shankel.  

Join Ross, Missi, and your fellow GLAADites for an evening of musical theater and provoking conversation. Remember to purchase tickets at this link to have $20 of each ticket go to GLAAD.

AMERICAblog Gay reported that their website, as well as a number of other LGBT blogs and websites including GLAAD's website, were being blocked by military computers because they are categorized as LGBT.

This is just the latest in a series of problems for corporations and institutions blocking access to LGBT content on the web. In recent years, Amtrak has made news for blocking some LGBT websites through its on-board wifi service.

But why are institutions like the Department of Defense or Amtrak able to block access to LGBT websites in the first place?

There are two problems: one, IT administrators at institutions are choosing to block websites in the LGBT category. And second, web filtering software companies are still selling and maintaining products that include a filtering category called LGBT, thus allowing the institutions to block access to LGBT-categorized content.

GLAAD found that the Department of Defense uses a web filtering product made by Blue Coat Services, a company based in Sunnyvale, CA. We have reached out to them to discuss their practices around LGBT sites.

Blue Coat categorizes websites into ninety categories that range from type of content (e.g. "Audio/Video Clips"); to audience (e.g. "For Kids," "Adult/Mature Content"); to topic (e.g. "Travel," "Hacking"). There is a category called "LGBT," which Blue Coat explains in a statement. As many advocates have pointed out, there are no filter categories based on race, ethnicity or gender -- LGBT is the sole category based on core identity. See the full list of Blue Coat's categories below.

A young LGBT person seeking support could be blocked from accessing the suicide prevention services found on The Trevor Project's website or the support resources found on GLSEN's website -- simply because the young person's school IT administrator chose to block access to the LGBT category.

LGBT blog Towleroad was caught in Blue Coat's filter (image via AMERICAblog Gay):

The Department of Defense gave the following statement to AMERICAblog Gay:

"No filter is perfect and some sites may have unnecessarily been blocked. The Department Chief Information Officer will work with relevant components to address these situations."

It is true that web filtering categorization is imperfect. Blue Coat categorizes the National Organization for Marriage's website as "Society/Daily Living." The anti-gay organization is profiled on GLAAD's Commentator Accountability Project (CAP).

Many institutions and companies ban discrimination against LGBT people and strive to treat their LGBT employees equally. If employees of the company are permitted to view a news website about straight people, shouldn't they be allowed to visit a website containing news stories about LGBT people?

The institutions choosing to use their web filter software to block websites categorized as LGBT could be inconsistent with or even in violation of their nondiscrimination policies. By allowing customers to block access to websites categorized as LGBT, the web filtering companies are aiding in this discriminatory practice.

Bob Witeck, President, Witeck Communications, communications expert and consultant, said:

"I have worked with major corporations and nonprofits for nearly two decades. Almost all rely on state-of-the-art software providers and web filters to power their essential links with their employees and customers. So do many public schools, libraries and universities. All aim to deliver content and information safely and responsibly to all.

However, the painful truth is, for the LGBT community, many fail.

Outdated attitudes, ignorance, misguided supervision, intrusive and paternalistic policies, and at times, homophobic anxieties, too often block or censor legitimate and vital LGBT websites and media channels.

The prescription? We quickly need a higher and evolved standard of practices for all software and web-filtering services – along with a commitment made by business, government and academia to insist that LGBT audiences, households and needs be protected, respected and equally served."

It is 2013, and it is time to stop blocking access to LGBT websites. GLAAD is working to end both practices: institutions should cease choosing to block websites in the LGBT category, and web filter companies should eliminate this category that facilitates discrimination.

Take Action: Tell Blue Coat to stop allowing sites to be blocked based on LGBT content.

Blue Coat website categories:
Abortion
Adult/Mature Content
Alcohol
Alternative Sexuality/Lifestyles
Alternative Spirituality/Belief
Art/Culture
Auctions
Audio/Video Clips
Blogs/Personal Pages
Brokerage/Trading
Business/Economy
Charitable Organizations
Chat/Instant Messaging
Child Pornography
Computers/Internet
Content Servers
Dynamic DNS Host
Education
Email
Entertainment
Extreme
Financial Services
For Kids
Gambling
Games
Government/Legal
Greeting Cards
Hacking
Health
Humor/Jokes
Illegal Drugs
Informational
Internet Telephony
Intimate Apparel/Swimsuit
Job Search/Careers
LGBT
Malicious Outbound Data/Botnets
Malicious Sources
Media Sharing
Military
News/Media
Newsgroups/Forums
Non-viewable
Nudity
Online Meetings
Online Storage
Open/Mixed Content
Pay to Surf
Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
Personals/Dating
Phishing
Placeholders
Political/Activist Groups
Pornography
Potentially Unwanted Software
Proxy Avoidance
Radio/Audio Streams
Real Estate
Reference
Religion
Remote Access Tools
Restaurants/Dining/Food
Scam/Questionable/Illegal
Search Engines/Portals
Sex Education
Shopping
Social Networking
Society/Daily Living
Software Downloads
Spam
Sports/Recreation
Suspicious
Tobacco
Translation
Travel
TV/Video Streams
Vehicles
Violence/Hate/Racism
Weapons
Web Advertisements
Web Applications
Web Hosting