A Le Grande, Oregon teenager died on Sunday at a Portland hospital following an apparent suicide attempt. The family of openly gay high school sophomore Jadin Bell made the difficult decision to take him off life support last week after he was hospitalized earlier in January. Superintendent Larry Glaze reported that Jadin had complained of bullying and sought help from a guidance counselor at his school. 

Last week, Le Grand High School students held a vigil for Jadin, during which attendees spoke about his life and expressed support for his family.

Sens. Sherrod Brown and Jeff Merkley, both of whom are Eagle Scouts, sent a letter to the Boy Scouts of America urging the organization to "to adopt inclusive membership and leadership policies that will allow for all Americans to participate in the Boy Scouts." In a letter provided to BuzzFeed, the Democratic senators told Wayne Brock, the chief scout executive, "We urge you to pursue a path which recognizes that all Americans should be welcomed into the Scouting family, regardless of sexual orientation."

Ousted scout mom Jennifer Tyrrell met with staffers at Brown's office in December (pictured right), and Scouts for Equality President Zach Wahls met staff members of both senators in January. Tyrrell was among scouts and leaders who delivered 1.4 million Change.org signatures to the headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America with GLAAD on Monday urging the organization to end its anti-gay policy.

“Today, I’m helping deliver more than 1.4 million Change.org petition signatures to the Boy Scouts of America, urging the national board to end ban on gay youth and parents, and give me the opportunity to once again serve my son’s Cub Scout Pack,” said Tyrrell, who launched her Change.org petition in April 2012 with support from GLAAD. “I do not want one more mother or father to have to look their child in the eyes and tell them that their parents aren’t good enough - or are different. The Boy Scouts of America can do better than that.”

GLAAD has worked with Tyrrell and other scouts and leaders to end the ban on gay scouts and leaders. The BSA last week announced it is considering changing the policy. 

Tonight catch the season premiere of Smash! Plus the Emily Owens, M.D. series finale and all new episodes of Pretty Little Liars and White Collar.

What to Watch: Tuesday, February 5

8:00pm: Pretty Little Liars, ABC Family (1 hr) NEW

Emily visits Dr. Sullivan to deal with her feelings over what happened with Nate, but Emily leaves the office with more knowledge than she planned on. Meanwhile, the DiLaurentis' are ready to bury Ali again, but the Liars are divided on whether they should attend her memorial or not. Watch a sneak peek below.

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

Tyra and Emily treat a woman together, but they worry that her erratic behavior is a result of her hoarding compulsions. Meanwhile, Emily's decision to start a relationship with Micah causes tension at work when Will becomes jealous.

9:00pm: Smash, NBC (2 hrs) SEASON PREMIERE

Following a successful run in Boston, Tom, Julia and Eileen run into issues in their personal and professional lives that could spell the end of Bombshell. Meanwhile, Karen is mentored by Broadway start Veronica Moore (guest star Jennifer Hudson), a new talent (Jeremy Jordan) is discovered in an unlikely place and Derek deals with an accusation that could seriously damage his career. Check out the season trailer below.

10:00pm: White Collar, USA (1 hr) NEW

Peter and Neal start working on a forgery and money laundering case, but their undercover plans may put Diana into danger that she is unable to handle.

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.

This is a guest post written by media advocate and founder of Queer Women of Color Media Wire (QWOC Media Wire) , Spectra Speaks. Spectra Speaks was also a participant in 2011 GLAAD's National People of Color Media Institute.

By Spectra Speaks

Award-winning acoustic soul artist Shishani got her big break when she performed at the 2011 Namibian Annual Music Awards in the capital city of Windhoek, where it’s still illegal to be gay.  And though, she says, she’s made no real attempts to hide her sexual orientation, she hasn’t come out as an “out lesbian artist” until now. "I wanted people to get to know my music,” she says, “I’m an artist first, before being a gay artist.”

Born to a Namibian mother and a Belgian father, Shishani spent her early childhood in Windhoek, before her family relocated to the Netherlands far away from her homelands. She shares that due to her mixed race ancestry, she was already used to being perceived as an “outsider”, but was shocked at how much more ways segregation could happen when she returned to Namibia.

“Being raised abroad gives you a certain freedom... I knew I was gay from being young. It took some time before my parents were okay talking about stuff, but I was living with my former partner of four years, it was different... But living in Namibia, it became so clear to me how much more people are discriminated against for different reasons, including their sexuality.”

Being LGBT is illegal in a number of countries in Africa, including Namibia. Even though Namibia has been independent for over 20 years, and its constitution views all people equal under the rights of the law, punitive colonial laws against sodomy (though not enforced) have remained. Thus, LGBTI people risk harassment  and violence due to a strong culture of stigma in part reignited by religious leaders and government officials.

In 2001, past President Najoma’s called for “anyone caught practicing homosexuality to be arrested, jailed, and deported”. And, just over a year ago, Namibia’s first gay pageant winner, Mr. Gay Namibia, was beaten and robbed shortly after securing his title.

But Shishani, who upon her return in 2011, found a safe haven in Windhoek’s art performance communities, is optimistic that the current climate for gays will improve. She recently became an honorary member of the board of Out Right Namibia (ORN), a human rights advocacy that aims to address widespread homophobia in the country, and is eager to continue evolving as an artist, while using her platform as a musician to advocate for freedom and equality.

Since her breakout two years ago, Shishani has released indie tracks such as “Raining Words”, an acoustic ballad about a new relationship,  “Clean Country”, a soulful, melodious call to action to raise awareness about climate change, and--inspired by Alicia Keys’ chart-topping tribute to New York--"Windhoek", a song that celebrate the beauty of her hometown. Her music has been described as a fusion of sounds from such political music icons as Tracy Chapman, Bob Marley, and Nneka. “Minority” is the first single through which the 25-year old songstress seeks to address the issue of same-sex love.

“Two years ago, I was really just trying to get my face out there.... When I returned to Namibia, I started booking my own gigs, performing solo, writing new songs. When I was invited to perform at the Namibian Music Awards, I was afraid to perform “Minority”  because people didn't know who I was. But to make a statement, you have to be strong.”

As an African musician who is now proudly declaring that she is part of the LGBTI community, the lyrics of “Minority” no doubt challenge the infamous meme "Homosexuality is unAfrican". Still, Shishani insists, her song is about much more than being gay.

”Minority” argues for equal rights for all people regardless of their cultural backgrounds, economic status, sexuality, religion,” she says, “There is so much systemic discrimination against people, for so many reasons.”

The release of “Minority” is timely; January is the month in which people in the U.S.--perhaps even all over the world--celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a power civil rights political leader and icon. His call for freedom and equality of all people has been taken up by activists all over the world, including Shishani, who shares his principles of love and unity.

“Homophobia all over the world comes from the same place; colonialism, apartheid, racial segregation. All our struggles are connected.”

When asked about being a visible lesbian African artist, especially in light of the hardships experienced by LGBTI people in countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, she says:

“My music is popular in Namibia. I’ve made my mark, so I feel stronger, now. I may lose some fans, but it's okay. So many others have it way worse than me. So many others activists are risking much more. It is an honor to be viewed as a role model. So, if I can support the movement through my music, I'm happy to.”

To learn more about Shishani, visit her website at http://www.shishani.nl or follow her. 

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, tried his best to make gay people sound like dangerous predators - as we've seen a great many anti-gay activists do since news broke that the Boy Scouts of America was considering dropping its national ban on openly gay troops, leaders and volunteers.  Fortunately for the audience, CNN "Starting Point" anchors Brooke Baldwin and John Berman refused to let him get away with his monologue:

This is a little different from some of the acocuntability we have seen in the past.  Berman and Baldwin didn't haul out comments from Land's past so viewers would learn more about his patterns of engagement.  Instead, the anchors calmly and quietly challenged most everything Land put on the table.  They saw right through his obvious goal of connecting gays with child sexual abuse (despite his protests to the contrary) and reacted in the spirit his words deserved.  The anchors didn't talk over him—they simply refused to let their network serve as Richard Land's echo chamber.  Bravo.  

For more on Land and his body of anti-gay rhetoric, see his GLAAD CAP profile: Richard Land.

You can contact the Boy Scouts and tell them to end the ban here.

You can see a timeline of some of the most significant milestones in the decades-long effort to get this ban overturned, including highlights from GLAAD's involvement, here.

If you're a fan of the reality genre or enjoy engaging documentaries about the LGBT community, chances are you're familiar with Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato's body of work.  The duo is behind some of television's biggest hits and many GLAAD Media Award-winning and nominated projects, including Becoming Chaz; RuPaul's Drag Race; TransGeneration; Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys; The Strange History of Don't Ask, Don't Tell; Sex Change Hospital and The Fabulous Beekman Boys. 

Their accomplishments are being feted today with the release of The World According to Wonder, a coffee table book looking back at the many series and documentaries they have put on the air and celebrating the many "Wowlebrities" they have created along the way.

The World According to Wonder features never-before-seen photographs and exclusive tales of the duo and their many famous friends.  The book retraces Fenton and Randy's 21 years at the head of World of Wonder by telling the stories of their successes but also some disappointments as they evolved with the changing landscape of unscripted television. 

During their journey they have told the stories of many LGBT people, showing their subjects in a candid and relatable way.  From helping Chaz Bono tell his story of transition, to broadcasting the trials and tribulations of a drag queen turned goat farmer and his uptight boyfriend, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato have reached American living rooms in all corners of the country and along the way have helped foster a better understanding of what it means to be a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person.

The book is available today on Amazon.com.

On Monday, Huffpost Live host Marc Lamont Hill lead a discussion regarding the comparison between the LGBT rights movement s and the African-American Civil Rights Movement.

The discussion began with author John McWhorter, who recently wrote an opinion piece for the New York Daily News entitled, "Gay Really is the New Black" and also included Reverend Deborah Johnson,  author Ishmael Reed, BuzzFeed LGBT channel editor Saeed Jones, and author Keith Boykin.

In his Op-ed, McWhorter cites President Obama's discussion of Seneca Falls, Selma and Stonewall and argues that "African Americans have a special responsibility to fight for equality for all oppressed peoples." The comparison of African American and LGBT civil rights is especially apt this Black History month with the Supreme Court set to rule on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) next month.

President Obama has remained a champion for LGBT issues and recently expressed his support for LGBT people participating openly in the Boy Scouts. Marc Lamont Hill is a 2013 GLAAD awards nominee. Keith Boykin is the author of the award winning book, For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough: Coming of Age, Coming Out, and Coming Home.

The culture surrounding football, and more commonly the NFL, is sometimes thought to contain an extensive amount of homophobia. And some of the pre-Super Bowl comments made by a handful of players didn't do much to dispel this belief. However, recent testimonials by current and former professional football players have proven that many people within the NFL are beginning to embrace the idea of an openly gay teammate in their locker room. Recently, Outsports.com compiled a list of 14 more NFL players who have vocally supported the possibility of having an openly gay teammate in the locker room. The story comes in response to 49ers play Chris Culliver, who issued anti-gay statements on a radio-show leading up to his playing in the Super Bowl last Sunday, and his teammates Ahmad Brooks and Isaac Sopoaga who said they didn't know that "It Gets Better" was meant to encourage LGBT young people when they participated in the project. The list is meant to showcase the many current NFL players who possess contrary viewpoints to the anti-gay sentiments released by Culliver on the radio show.

This recent story comes in conjunction with recent statements released by star NFL players who recounted their feelings about having a gay teammate. Earlier in 2012, Outsports.com interviewed Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots about how he felt about having a gay teammate and, although apprehensive at first, said, "If that’s how they are, that’s how they are. I mean, we’re teammates so, as long as he’s being a good teammate and being respectful and everything, that’s cool.” Robert Griffin III, who is the stand out rookie quarterback for the Washington Redskins, recounted a time when one of his teammates in high school came out as gay. Griffin said that his teammate stopped playing football after he came out. Even though Griffin III has gay friends and does not care if a teammate is gay he remembered the instance as a time when perceived homophobia in football may have prevented his teammate from playing the game. 

One of the most vocal supporters of gay rights within the NFL, and one of those compiled within Outsports.com's list of gay-supportive players, has been Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens. Not only did Ayanbadejo use the big stage of the Super Bowl to publicly advocate for gay rights but, in an interview with Russell Simmons, the football star discussed how the more scrutiny he got for supporting gay rights the more steadfast he stood in support for the issue. On top of this, and in the midst of his son's heart surgery, Ayanbadejo conducted an interview yesterday with Don Lemon on CNN in which he stated, ""Now that I'm a Super Bowl champion, my voice just projects that much further and hopefully it can lead to more change and more positive things for the LGBT community". These recent comments by Ajanbadejo and other NFL players show that professional football is quickly becoming a home to some of the most vocal advocates for LGBT rights.

National Boy Scouts of America (BSA) leadership have communicated to local and regional that some of the biggest religious organizations with the most Boy Scout charters have come out in support of policy change.

In a memo sent by the Old Hickory Council in North Carolina that was obtained by qnotes, national BSA leadership held a conference call with local and regional scout leaders to outline the potential policy change, the reasons for reconsidering the policy, and what a policy change might mean for local troops.

While media has continued to name the religious sponsors of scouts as the primary opposition to changing the policy, on the call, BSA leadership admitted that some of the largest sponsors of scout troops are advocating for the policy. A number of religious organizations who are the top chartered partners with the BSA nationally have come out in support of this potential change because it allows their local churches more control over their leadership and membership standards.

GLAAD has been calling on the media to be fair and balanced when reporting on the relationship between religious sponsors and the BSA ban on gay scouts. Instead of citing religious opposition to the policy change, the media needs to listen to the significant number of denominations and congregations that have called for dropping the ban. When citing religious opposition to dropping the ban, media need to keep in mind the following facts:

• The United Church of Christ, as an entire denomination, has been calling on its members to contact the BSA to support dropping the ban. Many congregations hung a banner outside on Scout Sunday, which read, "We Support ALL Boy Scouts." The denomination also created People of Faith for Gay Scouts and Scout Leaders on Facebook.
• Two organizations affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Men and the United Methodist Board of Church and Society have called for policy change.  This is especially significant, as the United Methodist Church continues to hold anti-gay policies for its own leadership.
• Two Presbyterian pastors, Rev. Dr. Chris Iosso and Rev. Patrick Heery, who both spent years participating in the Boy Scouts and are both Eagle Scouts, have formed a petition on Groundswell asking the Boy Scouts of America to end their ban on gay, bisexual, and transgender scouts and leaders, stating that "lifting the ban will provide an opportunity for Scouts all over this great nation to discuss and wrestle with questions [of inclusion]—to do so bravely and openly as leaders for today."
• Rev. Glenn Blackmon, a Lutheran pastor in Olympia, Washington, wrote an essay for the Huffington Post that described why his congregation both sponsors a Boy Scout troop, as well as has a published welcome for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The congregation uses their welcome statement to advocate for dropping the ban on gay scouts.
• The Mormon Church has been relatively silent on the proposed policy change, according to the New York Times. However, Mormons have been increasingly LGBT-supportive in recent years, including marching in Pride Parades around the country last summer.
• Mormons, United Methodists, Catholics, Presbyterians, and Lutherans are the five faith organizations with the highest number of chartered units.

Given the widespread religious support for dropping the ban on gay scouts and leaders, why do the media continue to focus on anti-gay groups, like the Family Research Council, that co-opts events like Scout Sunday to push an anti-gay agenda? It is becoming more and more clear that anti-gay activists like those in the the Family Research Council do not speak for Christians or people of faith in general, but only speaks to their narrow, anti-gay agenda.

GLAAD asks the media to include religious voices that support dropping the ban on gay scouts and leaders. Those who claim to speak for all people of faith rarely do so, and their words must be put into proper context. Instead, tell the stories of clergy who support rescinding the ban, congregations that organize to change the policy, and the admission of BSA leadership that there is significant religious support for dropping the ban on gay scouts and leaders.

Join the millions of people, denominations, organizations, congregations, leaders in supporting the Boy Scout policy change. Visit www.glaad.org/tellbsa to make your voice heard.

Tonight catch all new episodes of Modern Family, Suburgatory, Chicago Fire and Happily Divorced!

What to Watch: Wednesday, February 6

9:00pm: Modern Family, ABC (30 mins) NEW

Cameron is directing the school production of Phantom of the Opera, but family tension rises when Luke and Manny are in competition for the lead role. Meanwhile, Jay and Phill have a "golf-off" against Pepper and Mitch and Sophia takes Alex along to see a psychic.

9:30pm: Suburgatory, ABC (30 mins) NEW

Dallas panics when she learns that a portion of her property is in East Chatswin and she is kicked out of the country club and Dalia is forced to transfer schools. Meanwhile, Tessa is named producer of a school TV show, but has trouble navigating her duties when Ryan is announced as the show's host.

10:00pm: Chicago Fire, NBC (1 hr) NEW

Clarice and Shay learn they have a new obstacle to overcome together. Meanwhile, Severide is shocked when he realizes the new Lieutenant and he share a questionable past and Boden and the team rush to help when a bad batch of drugs hits the streets. Check out a sneak below.

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

Fran believes her debt with her neighbor is settled after she saves his life, but letting go of that particular grudge may not be as easy as she believed. Watch a preview 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.

After anti-gay activists began claiming that opening the Boy Scouts to openly gay scouts and leaders would put kids in danger, nearly 100 experts from the fields of sex abuse prevention, psychology, social work, psychiatry, child advocacy, faith outreach, criminology, education and coaching have co-signed an open letter to concerned parents and educators this week, and the list is still growing.

Following the Boy Scouts of America’s announcement that it would consider lifting the organization’s discriminatory ban on gay scouts and leaders, many anti-gay activists have insinuated, implied, or even overtly claimed that youth would be at risk if there were gay people in positions of authority. Such claims rely on false and offensive stereotypes about gay people and the sexual abuse of minors that have been widely discredited and dismissed by experts.

The letter directly addresses and dispels the myths being put forward in the media by anti-gay activists, who are seeking to scare parents and educators by telling them that children and minors will be less safe with gay men than they would be with straight men.

The letter is co-signed by organizations invested in the welfare of children and minors including the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), National Alliance for Youth Sports, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and individuals including APA Distinguished Fellow Jack Drescher and dozens of other experts from the fields of psychology, forensic psychology, education, social work, and medical practice.

If you or your organization wish to co-sign this letter, you can do so here.

You can contact the Boy Scouts and tell them to end the ban here.

You can see a timeline of some of the most significant milestones in the decades-long effort to get this ban overturned, including highlights from GLAAD's involvement, here.

The letter states:

There is no link between gay people and the sexual abuse of minors

Dear concerned parents and educators,

Our nation’s leaders and experts have rightly decided over the last several decades that our children are not at greater risk when openly gay people are placed in positions of authority over youth. Openly gay people are our children’s trusted teachers, coaches, nurses, caregivers, chaperones, babysitters, clergy, and counselors.

It is important that parents and educators understand that sexual abuse is about power, not attraction.

Gay people are no more likely to abuse children, and pose no more of a threat to our young people, than the general population.

This has been accepted among experts for decades:

• In 1978, researchers studied 175 adult males who were convicted in Massachusetts of sexual assault against a child. 47% were classified as "fixated;" 40% were classified as regressed adult heterosexuals; 13% were classified as regressed adult bisexuals. None were classified as gay.
• In 1989 researchers in Canada measured the actual arousal of various groups of men when viewing certain photos. They found that gay men were no more attracted to young boys than straight men were to young girls.
• In 1991 researchers surveying sex abuse victims in Denver found that only 2% of them had been victimized by someone who identified as gay or lesbian.

There has been hardly any research done in the decades since, because this is a settled issue among experts.

Often, those who oppose gay people will claim or imply that there is a connection between gay people and sexual abuse, in an effort to curtail efforts by the gay community to gain acceptance.

We, the undersigned, speak as some of America’s leading voices for child advocacy and welfare. We want to assure America’s concerned parents and educators that minors are as safe with gay people as they are with straight people. Claims to the contrary stem from a place of general opposition to homosexuality, rather than from actual expertise on the topic of sexual abuse of minors.

Sincerely,

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)

Christina Ricci,
Actress & RAINN Spokesperson

KaDee Strickland,
Actress & RAINN Spokesperson

Adam Richman  
TV Host & RAINN Supporter

Victim Rights Law Center
Boston, MA

Jack Drescher, MD
President, Group for Advancement of Psychiatry
Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association

The Rev. Brian D. Ellison,
Executive Director,
Covenant Network of Presbyterians

Idit Klein,
Executive Director,
Keshet

Rev. Dr. Cindi Love,
Executive Director,
Soulforce

Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence

Andrew G. Lang,
Executive Director,
Open and Affirming Ministries,
United Church of Christ

Rape Victim Advocates
Chicago, IL

Dr. Jamie Ann Meyers,
Professor Emerita,
Winona State University

James Renola, LCSW

The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation

Barry J. Richman, MD

Susan Rankin, Ph.D.
Principal, Rankin & Associates, Consulting
Associate Professor, Education, Penn State University (Retired)

Campus Pride

Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls
Prelate of the Southern Jurisdiction
Unity Fellowship Church Movement and Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church Charlotte

National Center for Lesbian Rights

Lee Crespi, LCSW

Stanley E Harris, MD DFAPA
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences,
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Chair, Southern California Psychiatric Society Committee on GLB Issues

Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D.
 President and CEO,
Sheppard Pratt

Ronald E Hellman, MD

Mindy MacDougall. LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Salt Lake City, Utah

Crystal Steltenpohl,
Graduate Student, Department of Psychology,
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Peace Over Violence
Los Angeles, CA

Michele Schwartz, M.A. LCSW

Pat Griffin Ed.D.
Professor Emerita
UMass Amherst

April Riney, ACMHC

Kye Allums
#IMEnough Project

Johanna Tiemann, Ph.D.

Rev. Moonhawk River Stone, M.S., LMHC,
Psychotherapist, private practice.

Dr. Rob Nilson

Marianne Duddy-Burke
Executive Director, DignityUSA

Lourdes Rodriguez-Nogues, Ed.D.
President, DignityUSA

Dr. Jay Michaelson
Director, Nehirim

Most Rev. Mark Shirilau, Ph.D.
Archbishop and Primate, The Ecumenical Catholic Church

Sarah Rothstein, CSW

Macky Alston
Vice President for Strategy, Engagement and Media,
Auburn Seminary

Dr. Maya A. Poran

Rev. Mark C. Johnston, Ph.D.
(Eagle Scout)
Licensed Psychologist, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Bernhard Bruno Zinkgraf
(Eagle Scout)
Community of Saint Benedict

Jennifer McDonald, PhD

Christian Huygen, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Rainbow Heights Club and Heights-Hill Mental Health Service
South Beach Psychiatric Center Community Advisory Board, Inc.

Judith Clarke, LCSW

William Womack, MD

Michael I Loewy, Ph.D.
Clinical PHD Program Director Fellow,
Rockway Institute
California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University

Margaret Nichols, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Institute for Personal Growth

Paul J Rinaldi, PhD,
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Jessica Harbaugh

Jennifer Bevan LCMHC, NCC
Salt Lake City Utah

Michèle M. Schlehofer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology,
Salisbury University

Darkness to Light
Charleston, SC

Lynne C. Rustad, PhD

Joseph P Merlino, MD, MPA,
Professor of Psychiatry,
 SUNY Downstate School of Medicine

Dr. Carmen Cruz, Psy.D, Licensed Psychologist

Abraham L. Halpern, MD,
Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry,
New York Medical College

Gerry Weinberger, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Ashland, VA

Jay Frankel, Ph.D,
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor,
Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy,
New York University.

Marianne T. Guschwan,
M.D. Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,
New York University School of Medicine,
Treasurer,
New York County District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association

Erin Buzuvis
Western New England University School of Law
Center for Gender & Sexuality Studies

Victoria Pollock, RSW

Catherine J. Massey, PhD,
 Associate Professor of Psychology,
Slippery Rock University

Dr. Jason C. Baker
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Cornell University
New York, NY

The Rev. Debra W. Haffner,
President,
Religious Institute, Inc.

Francis DeBernardo,
Executive Director,
New Ways Ministry

Markus P. Bidell, PhD, LMHC,  
Associate Professor of Counseling,  
Hunter College

Sherry Katz-Bearnot, MD

Paige Holliman, M.Ed., M.T.S., LPC/MHSP
Licensed Professional Counselor
Holliman Psychotherapy Services

Paul Joannides, Psy.D.

Gregory N. Shrader, Ph.D.
Professor, Clinical Psychology
Associate Director of Clinical Training
Arizona School of Professional Psychology
Argosy University

Jennifer Mijangos, LCSW
Oncology Social Worker
Salt Lake City, UT

Helen H. Hsu, Psy.D.
Clinical Supervisor
City of Fremont - Human Services Department Youth & Family Services

Joyce Hunter, DSW
Research Scientist/Assistant Clinical Professor
Global Community Core
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies/NYSPI/Columbia University

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

Anna Aagenes
Executive Director
GO! Athletes

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Gary Collins MD

William S. Meyer, MSW, BCD
Associate Clinical Professor
Departments of Psychiatry and Ob/Gyn
Duke University Medical Center

Steve Goldstein, MD

Leticia Y. Flores, PhD, LCP
Associate Professor
Director, VCU Center for Psychological Services & Development

Mary Beth Heller, Ph.D., LCP, NCSP

Dr. Richard C. Pillar
Professor of Psychiatry
Boston University School of Medicine

Julia A. McAninch, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Fred Engh
President/CEO
National/International Alliance for Youth Sports

Dulcinea Pitagora

Professor Eric Anderson
University of Winchester

Patrice LaMariana, L.P.

Sally Moskowitz, Ph.D.
Faculty and Fellow,
The Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research

Nadav Antebi
Graduate Student
Columbia University

Curley Bonds, MD
Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Psychiatry,
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Associate Professor and Chair,
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Medical Director,
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Scrtvices Los Angeles, California

Dr. Judith A. Kramer
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Colts Neck, NJ

Stephen Nadeau, MD

New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Melissa Boege
Graduate Student
Monmouth University

Joanne Belknap, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Problem Behaviors
Institute of Behavioral Sciences
University of Colorado

Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault

OAASIS (Oregon Abuse Advocates & Survivors in Service)

Robert Agnew, PhD
Professor of Sociology
Emory University
 

After more than a week of reports that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) would consider lifting its national ban on gay Scouts and leaders, the organization’s Board of Directors decided in a closed door meeting today to form a task force to study the issue, and will in the interim keep the discriminatory policy on the books -- preventing openly gay Scouts and Scout leaders from serving in the organization.

Gay Scouts and Scout leaders, as well as GLAAD and Scouts for Equality, have been working for more than nine months to end the BSA’s discriminatory ban. More than 1.4 million people have signed onto their petitions on Change.org calling for the BSA to end its national ban.

“After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy,” the organization said after their Board meeting concluded.

Jennifer Tyrrell, a gay mom from Bridgeport, Ohio, who was ousted as the leader of her son’s Cub Scout Pack in April 2012 because of her sexual orientation, helped spark a national movement calling on the Boy Scouts to change its policy. Tyrrell, with the support of GLAAD, started a petition on Change.org that rallied hundreds of thousands urging the Boy Scouts to welcome gay Scouts and leaders.

Despite objections by the newly-installed Archbishop of Canterbury, the United Kingdom's House of Commons has voted to approve marriage equality. The bill, introduced by Prime Minister David Cameron, passed by a vote of 400 to just 175. Members of both the Labor and Liberal Democrat parties broadly supported the bill, along with about half of the House's Conservative MPs. Gay and lesbian couples in the UK now must wait for the bill to pass in the House of Lords if it is to become law. If passed, the bill would become law in 2015 and would allow gay and lesbian couples access to both civil and religious marriages in England and Wales. Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, is also planning to introduce a marriage equality bill over the objections of some clergy within the Church of Scotland.

The Rt Rev Justin Welby, who began his tenure as the Archbishop of Canterbury on Monday, immediately reiterated his opposition to marriage equality in the UK. The Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Rev Peter Smith, urged his parishioners to pray for the defeat of the bill. Rev Smith is the second most senior Roman Catholic cleric in England and Wales. The bill contains provisions allowing religious organizations to opt out of performing marriages for gay and lesbian couples.

Canada legalized marriage equality in 2005. Now that the United Kingdom is moving closer to doing the same, some Australians feel that they are lagging behind other Commonwealth Realms in terms of equality. A marriage equality bill in Australia was defeated in September 2012, but in the wake of the bill passing the UK House of Commons, several supporters in Australia's Parliament have vowed to make marriage equality a priority.

Editor's Note: This guest post from long-time GLAAD volunteer, Dan Bacalzo, is part of GLAAD's effort to draw more attention to theater projects with LGBT content.

By Dan Bacalzo

Fault Line Theatre’s From White Plains recently received a GLAAD Media Award nomination in the Outstanding New York Theater: Off-Off-Broadway category. The company-created work had a brief run last summer, and is now returning to the New York stage, playing Off-Broadway at the Pershing Square Signature Center, February 8 through March 9.

“We found out about the nomination the first day of rehearsal for the new run,” says Michael Perlman, who came up with the initial concept for the play and serves as the production’s director. “It was a nice reminder that people really responded to the piece when we did it last year.”

The work addresses the bullying of LGBT high school students from an uncommon vantage point – that of a former bully. In the play, 30-year-old Ethan is exposed on national television as someone whose behavior years ago contributed to the suicide of a former classmate. As Ethan struggles to accept responsibility for his past actions, he also has to deal with the repercussions that this revelation has on his present-day life.

The initial writing process for the piece was swift, with the version presented last year written between January and May of 2012. While Perlman did the bulk of the writing, parts of the show were developed in the rehearsal room and the script received constant feedback from the four-person cast: Craig Wesley Divino, Aaron Rossini, Jimmy King,
and Karl Gregory. “These guys are really smart and brave, and deign to take risks,” says Perlman. “The characters come from them, and while there are definite differences, they’re not always exposing the best parts of themselves. We were interested in finding the grays, finding the complexity.”

Perlman estimates that the new production has about 20% new material, although the basic arc of the piece remains the same. “It’s a richer, more sophisticated play this time around,” he says about the changes.

For the new run, Fault Line has reached out to high schools and universities, as well as to LGBT organizations such as The Trevor Project and the Tyler Clementi Foundation. Perlman hopes that bringing in audiences from such groups will “spark conversation, not just about the play, but the subject of bullying.”

Quinnipiac University today released a poll indicating that a majority of Americans believe that the Boy Scouts of America should drop their ban on openly gay members. Strongest support for ending the ban comes from women and Roman Catholics, but a plurality of men and mainline Protestants also support ending the ban. African American and Hispanic people polled showed strong support for ending the ban.

• White Catholics support gay scouts 63 - 25 percent.
• 57 percent of Black and Hispanic people support gay scouts.
• 62 percent of 18-29 year-olds and 61 percent of 30-44 year-olds support gay scouts.

The poll also pointed to the decline in membership numbers. One troubling finding for Scouting in America is that 54 percent of voters say they were Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, while only 36 percent of voters, including 55 percent of former scouts, say they have children in Scouting.

The Boy Scouts announced today that a vote on ending the ban on openly gay members would be postponed until May. But with support for ending the ban crossing race, gender, and religious lines, they should think carefully about the best way to ensure that their organization can continue to provide a safe, supportive environment for all.

A study in 2009 showed that a staggering 84.6% of LGBTQ students reported being verbally harassed while in school because of their sexual orientation. An additional 40.1 % identified encounters with physical harassment and 18.8% with physical assault for the same reason. The study also showed that having a GSA on campus considerably improved the quality of life for LGBTQ students, including "hearing fewer homophobic remarks, less victimization because of sexual orientation and gender expression, less absenteeism because of safety concerns and a greater sense of belonging to the school community." However, despite this research, many students have been denied the right to form GSAs, particularly on religious campuses.

GLAAD supports the work of GSAs across the country, and urges you join us today in celebrating groups that champion the value and dignity of LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff on school campuses. A live Tweet Chat will begin today at 3pm PST, and everyone who supports GSAs is encouraged to participate. More information can be found about this event on the GSA Day website. You can also like their page on Facebook to show your support and stay connected. 

Read about the religious support for lifting of the Boy Scout ban.

The Boy Scouts of America dominated the news media again this week, and religious support continued to strongly favor dropping the ban on gay scouts and leaders. The United Church of Christ released a statement of support and participated in National Scout Sunday. Presbyterian and Methodist leaders also spoke out against the ban. Under pressure to make a decision, the BSA elected to push back the vote to their national meeting in May.

Read more about the Presbyterian Church's response.

Across the pond, the UK Parliament passed marriage equality legislation in spite of opposition from the  Archbishop of Canterbury, and a Hindu temple in Sussex will begin performing weddings for same-sex couples. An anthology of gay Hindu stories was also released this week. Unrelated, an awesome grandma stormed out of a homophobic sermon in a show of support for her grandson.

Read about the Family Research Council trying to co-opt Scout Sunday.

Multiple articles this week called on the evangelical church to evolve on their position about LBGT equality. LGBT Jewish families were excited this week when they discovered a new kids' book for Purim that features two dads.  A transgender teacher at a Catholic prep school in Queens was fired after working for 32 years and is suing the school for discrimination; students have started a petition in support of the teacher, who was well liked and popular.

Anglican

• Over Objections of New Arch. Of Cant., UK Okays Marriage Equality
  • Religion Dispatches, February 5, 2013

Baptist

• Baptist Leaders Predict ‘Mass Exodus’ From Scouts Over Gay Leader Decision
  • Christian Post, January 29, 2013
• The First Time I Heard the Word 'Lesbian'
  • The Huffington Post, January 30, 2013
• Would you confront a pastor as this gay man did?
  • John Shore, January 30, 2013

Boy Scouts

• Boy Scouting community divided over news that national group may lift ban on gays
  • The Washington Post, January 28, 2013
• BSA: Gay, OK?!
  • Religion Dispatches, January 29, 2013
• For Gay Boy Scouts, the fight goes on
  • The Washington Post, February 1, 2013
• Connecticut UCC member and former Boy Scout pushes for anti-gay policy change
  • United Church of Christ News, February 1, 2013
• United Church of Christ congregations call for Boy Scout policy change during National Scout Sunday
  • United Church of Christ News, February 1, 2013
• Anti-gay group tries to co-opt "Scout Sunday," but people of faith call for inclusion
  • San Diego Gay and Lesbian News, February 2, 2013
• Where do the Mormons stand on the gay scouting issue?
  • Box Turtle Bulletin, February 4, 2013
• Salt Lake Scouts: Keep no-gay policy—for now
  • The Salt Lake Times, February 4, 2013
• Presbyterian Clergy Call for End to Ban on Gay Scouts
  • GLAAD, February 4, 2013
• Commentary: Boy Scout policy shift would benefit everyone
  • United Church of Christ News, February 5, 2013
• Loyal and Obedient: a Perspective from a Gay Eagle Scout
  • Reconciling Works, February 5, 2013
• Southern Baptist Convention: "Catastrophe" to lift gay ban on Boy Scouts
  • CNN, February 5, 2013
• Boy Scout leaders to vote on ending ban against gay membership
  • CNN, February 6, 2013
• UCC advocates disappointed by delay of Boy Scout's anti-gay policy revision
  • United Church of Christ News, February 6, 2013
• Deferred Boy Scout decision forces churches to make choice of their own
  • Houston Chronicle, February 6, 2013

Catholic

• “An English Gay Catholic”
  • Patheos, January 29, 2013
• Colorado Catholic Adoption Agencies Say They Won’t Serve Gay Couples, Suggest It’s Not ‘Safe’: Video
  • Towleroad, January 29, 2013
• Transgender teacher sues Catholic prep school for alleged discrimination
  • CNN, January 29, 2013
• Catholic Bishops to SCOTUS: Deny Marriage Equality Because Being Gay is Just 'Conduct'
  • Think Progress, January 30, 2013
• Don't legalize gay marriage, bishops tell Supreme Court
  • The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 31, 2013
• Vatican signals options for protecting gay couples
  • Religion News Service, February 4, 2013
• Catholic bishops conflicted over gays, immigration
  • Associated Press, February 6, 2013

Christian

• Proposed B.C. Christian law school attacked pro-gay activists over voluntary morality pledge
  • Lifesite News, January 29, 2013
• What conservative Christians should learn from Dan Cathy
  • The Washington Post, January 31, 2013
• Five simple lessons from Shane Windmeyer's friendship with Chick-fil-A's Dan Cathy
  • The Washington Post, January 31, 2013
• UK: Pro-gay Christians urged to pray ahead of same-sex marriage vote
  • Pink News, February 1, 2013
• Top gay Christian says new archbishop's plan to attack gay marriage is 'horrific'
  • Gay Star News, February 4, 2013
• Grandma Storms Out of Homophobic Sermon, Makes Gay Grandson Proud
  • Queerty, February 5, 2013

Episcopal

• Bishop Gene Robinson Accepts Award For Commitment to LGBT Equality
  • Believe Out Loud, January 29, 2013

Evangelical

• Evangelical Churches Refine Message On Gay Issues
  • The Huffington Post, January 31, 2013
• Evangelical churches try to find right balance on gay issues as public opinion evolves
  • The Washington Post, January 31, 2013
• Megachurch Pastor: We're "American Al Qaeda" for Opposing Homosexuality
  • Religion Dispatches, February 3, 2013
• 'Ex-Gay' Blogger for the 'Christian Post' Caught on Grindr, Admits his 'Disobedience to Christ'
  • Towleroad, February 5, 2013
• To Matt Moore, the Christian "ex-gay" blogger found on Grindr
  • John Shore, February 5, 2013

Hindu

• A gamut of gay voices
  • The Hindu, February 2, 2013
• Same-sex couples can now marry at Hindu temple in Ifield
  • Sussex, February 2, 2013

Jewish

• LGBT Jews Excited About Kids' Purim Book with Two Dads
  • The Jewish Press, January 31, 2013
• Schmekel: 100% Trans Jews
  • Keshet, February 1, 2013
• Chuck Hagel: Time for liberal Jews to decide
  • The Washington Times, February 1, 2013
• It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a gay Jewish superhero!
  • The Times of Israel, February 5, 2013
• French Jewish leaders weigh in against gay marriage
  • The Times of Israel, February 6, 2013

Lutheran

• Rockford area churches join movement for LGBT inclusivity
  • Rockford Register Star, February 5, 2013

Marriage Equality

• RI State Council of Churches Endorses Same-Sex Marriage
  • The Providence Journal, January 31, 2013
• IL Takes First Step Towards Gay Marriage With Senate Executive Committee Approval
  • Queerty, February 6, 2013
• Why Orthodox Jews Should Not Oppose Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage
  • The Jewish Press, February 6, 2013

Metropolitan Community Church

• An Open Letter to Obama on the National Prayer Breakfast and LGBT People
  • Huffington Post, February 7, 2013

Mormon

• Mormon-owned Marriott against anti-gay-marriage law? Hardly a surprise
  • The Salt Lake Tribune, January 29, 2013
• LDS Church won’t comment on possible change in Boy Scouts’ gay policy
  • Standard Examiner, January 29, 2013
• Younger Mormons more accepting of gay Utahns, panel says
  • The Salt Lake Tribune, January 31, 2013

Muslim

• Imam in US Mosque: Islam Does Not Ban Homosexuality
  • Mermi, January 30, 2013
• UK: Government minister Sayeeda Warsi condemns anti-gay east London ‘Muslim vigilante’ groups
  • Pink News, January 30, 2013
• A Muslim Voice for Gay Rights
  • Gay Star News, February 1, 2013
• "Hidden Voices" brings awareness to LGBT Muslims
  • The Michigan Journal, February 5, 2013

Politics

• Gay Controversies Tempered as National Prayer Breakfast Returns
  • Time, February 6, 2013

Quaker

• Gay Marriage: The struggle for equal rights is a Quaker one, too
  • The Independent, February 2, 2013

Unitarian Universalist

• Door County: Courts will decide on same-sex marriage
  • Greenbay Press Gazette, January 30, 2013
• UN Tackles Gay 'Conversion Therapy' For First Time
  • The Huffington Post, February 1, 2013
• Truth and Meaning: Civil rights for all
  • Midland Daily News, February 2, 2013

United Church of Christ

• Otis Moss III to headline Open and Affirming Banquet at General Synod 2013
  • United Church of Christ, February 5, 2013

Tonight catch all new episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Glee, Scandal, Archer and What Not to Wear!

What to Watch: Thursday, February 7

9:00pm: Grey's Anatomy, ABC (1 hr) NEW

A transgender teen couple works with Alex and Jackson. Meanwhile, Seattle Grace seeks a new brand ambassador to become the new face of the hospital resulting in competition among several doctors.

9:00pm: Glee, Fox (1 hr) NEW

It's"Diva Week" and Finn encourages the glee club to channel their "inner powerhouses." Meanwhile, tensions rise between Kurt and Rachel in New York, as Kurt calls Rachel out for her pretentious attitude. Also, Emma prepares for her upcoming wedding. Check out a sneak peak below:

10:00pm: Scandal, ABC (1 hr) NEW

The truth about the Cytron case is uncovered by David as things begin to unravel for the five conspirators. Cyrus, Mellie, Verna, Hollis, and Olivia go to unspeakable lengths to cover their tracks and to protect themselves.

10:00pm: Archer, FX (30 min) NEW

The tension-filled relationship between Archer and his step-dad develops. Meanwhile, the unlikely pair are on the run from gangsters.

10:00pm: What Not to Wear, TLC (1 hr) NEW

A transgender woman seeks a wardrobe and make-over that reflects the confident woman she has become over the past nine years. Co-hosted by out fashion consultant and media personality, Clinton Kelly.

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.

Today marks the 13th observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). Founded in 1999 by five organizations-- the Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; Health Watch Information and Promotion Services, Inc.; Jackson State University - Mississippi Urban Research Center; National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council; and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS--NBHAAD, is a mobilization effort designed to provide education, offer accessible testing options, encourage community involvement, and connect those already affected by HIV/AIDS with adequate treatment within African American communities nationwide. 

Currently, nearly 20,000 African Americans in the United States test positive for HIV each year. In 2008, the diagnosis rate of HIV among African Americans was as much as 9 times that of white Americans. Given the disproportionate toll this terrible epidemic has had on the African American population, it is critical that we proactively implement and support education and prevention efforts that are specifically aimed towards the Black community.

In addition to the general African American population, studies show staggering rates of new HIV infection among gay and bisexual African American men. As reported by the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), nearly 1 in 3 gay and bisexual black men living in an urban area is infected with HIV, and the majority does not know they are infected. The CDCalso reports that among transgender persons, the highest percentage of newly identified HIV infections are among African Americans (4.4%). In New York City alone, from 2005-2009, there were 206 new diagnoses of HIV infection among transgender people, 95% of which were among transgender women. Approximately 90% of transgender people newly diagnosed with HIV infection were Black or Hispanic.

GLAAD stands in solidarity with the rest of the LGBT community and those working to end the HIV/AIDS epedmic to raise visiblity about the infection and its impact on families and individuals.

For more information National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and to learn how you can get involved, please visit NationalBlackAIDSDay.org and continue to follow the GLAAD blog for more LGBT-inclusive coverage during Black History Month.

*Hat tip to Fenway Health for a very informative graphic. 

ParaNorman is the first animated feature film to be nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for its portrayal of Mitch, a broad-shouldered, flat-headed lunk of a teenager who loves cars and sports -- and who just happens to be gay.  The PG-rated film also received an Academy Award nomination this year for Best Animated Feature Film alongside blockbusters like Wreck-It Ralph and Brave.

GLAAD had the opportunity to ask Chris Butler, the out writer and co-director of the film, some questions about the inclusion of Mitch in this film.

Mitch is the first character in a major animated film geared toward a PG audience to feature an openly gay character.  What was the inspiration behind including a gay character?

The inspiration is there in the fabric of the story. This is a story about tolerance. It is very much concerned with how people who differ from the accepted norm can be punished for it, and how this can have tragic consequences. We see this around us every day, and it has received renewed attention in the news over the last few years with internet bullying, and even bullying-related suicides. Tackling narrow-mindedness is the heart of our movie, and it seemed if we were truly going to say something about tolerance, if we were going to champion the idea of accepting people for who they are, then we should really have the strength of our convictions, and that meant breaking a few taboos. Mitch being gay was one of them.

How did the public respond to Mitch, especially the film’s younger audience?

It depends which part of the public you're talking about. I witnessed theaters full of people at early screenings who whooped and hollered and even cheered at Mitch's revelation. I've heard a lot of delighted laughter. I've also read (on the internet), that in some places the whooping and hollering was possibly more of a baying-for-blood kind of deal than applauded equality. Some adults were outraged, but they were also the kind of adults who just sat through an hour and a half of story explaining why intolerance can be so damaging and cruel and apparently didn't understand any of it!

I think the younger audience, left to their own devices, would happily embrace it without question. There's nothing quite so refreshing as seeing a kid accept something wholeheartedly because they don't share the baggage and accumulated bias of their parents! I've been to many screenings which have included a lot of kids, and they like Mitch because he is a big thick-headed goofball. He looks out for his little brother and says dumb, but funny, things. That's all a kid needs to know, and that's the important truth… We should like (or dislike) Mitch because he's Mitch, not because of his sexuality.

The film has a strong message about accepting people who are different, and against bullying.  Yet at the same time the film is not preachy or overly-didactic.  Did you set out to write a film that explicitly dealt with the issue of bullying?  Or did that theme come out as you were creating the characters?

The bullying theme was there pretty much from the start. The original idea, many, many years ago, was simply, "how cool would it be to make a stop motion zombie movie for kids?" It would have been very easy to just make a colorful, silly, gross-out pastiche, but I wasn't interested in that. I looked at what makes the best zombie movies tick, and it is always social commentary. Look at Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and more recent movies like 28 Days Later and in all of them zombies are used as a metaphor to say something else about the human condition.  I thought it'd be cool to use this same approach, but for a subject matter that applies to kids.

It seemed that the biggest issue we face when we're growing from children into adults is fitting in; successfully being "part of the crowd." It was pretty easy to delve back into my own childhood and mine those feelings of awkwardness and confusion about how you fit into the world. I got really excited by playing with this idea of contrasting the fictional horror of monster movies with the real horror of what it's like to be 11 years old when you're not one of the popular kids. Those themes of tolerance and bullying, and how that reflected Aggie's witch hunt story, all came together pretty easily when I knew what I wanted to say.

On television, programs geared toward a younger demographic are often inclusive of the LGBT community. There's Degrassi on TeenNick and several shows on ABC Family.  Why do you think that hasn’t translated as much to film?

Honestly,  I don't really know. I only know that the MPAA gave us a PG rating for our movie, which is a definite move in the right direction, as usually any mention of sexuality outside of the heterosexual "norm" gets a PG-13 rating or higher.

What was your reaction to the GLAAD Media Awards nomination announcement, especially considering ParaNorman is the first animated feature film nominated for a GLAAD Media Award?

We've been nominated for a lot of awards, and it's always a thrill to have your peers enjoy your work, acknowledge your efforts and respect your craft. The GLAAD nomination went somewhere else entirely. This nomination doesn't just say, "we like your movie," it says, "your movie did something progressive and socially important," and THAT… nothing is a bigger accolade than that.

Can we expect to see a ParaNorman 2, and if so, do you think we'll get to meet Mitch's boyfriend?

As much as I'd love to see the further exploits of this band of misfits, there's no current plans for a sequel. So Mitch's boyfriend will have to remain a source of speculation!