GLAAD @ Work: Faking It cast on LGBT and intersex storylines, Venezuela progresses in LGBT movement, student journalists write for equality & more

GLAAD's Video and News Strategist, Claire Pires, interviewed cast members, Rita Volk and Michael Willett, from MTV's hit show, Faking It, for the third episode of GLAAD's new video series, "GLAAD: All Access," which features interviews with newsmakers, hit-makers, and people making a difference.  The interview covered the new intersex character on the show, the main character's identity, and how the show continues to incorporate LGBT issues into story lines for its young audience. The show, which helped MTV earn an "excellent" rating in GLAAD's annual Network Responsibility Index, features main characters that identify as LGBT further closing the cultural gap for LGBT people in mainstream media. GLAAD's interview garnered over 5,600 views and was picked up by outlets including Out and SheWired. Watch the interview here.

Writers and producers for Telemundo's popular Telenovela's strive to be inclusive
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media, Monica Trasandes, met with Telemundo's telenovela team, headed by respected writer and producer Perla Farías. Trasandes discussed ways that GLAAD can be a resource to writers and producers of the popular soap operas. Telemundo, owned by NBCUniversal, reaches over one-hundred countries in over thirty-five languages.

Counteracting stigma toward LGBT and HIV-positive people in Venezuela
GLAAD's Spanish-Language Media team participated virtually in a conference entitled "LGBTI Diversity and HIV in Venezuela: the road to inclusion" convened by Organizacion StopVIH in Venezuela to counteract stigma and discrimination towards LGBT and HIV-positive individuals. GLAAD highlighted the importance of fair and accurate representation of LGBT people in the media in this three day event attended by over 160 people at the Universidad Corporativa de Sigo on Venezuela's Margarita Island.

LGBT advocate, Clare Byarugaba, highlights violence and oppression in Uganda
GLAAD's Video & News Strategist, Claire Pires, interviewed Ugandan LGBT advocate, Clare Byarugaba, for the second episode of GLAAD's new video series, "GLAAD: All Access." Byarugaba discussed her advocacy organization, The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law, and talked about her personal experience being treated poorly by doctors, her family, and her community as an openly queer advocate. The interview brings a humanistic view to the violence and oppression for LGBT Ugandans as GLAAD continues to work with advocates internationally. Watch the interview here.

California State University, Northridge Spanish-Language students learn accurate terms
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media, Monica Trasandes, was a guest speaker at a class in Spanish-Language Journalism at California State University, Northridge. Trasandes spoke with students about the importance of including LGBT people in their work using accurate pronouns and terms. Transandes' lesson on LGBT coverage in the media helps these future journalists cover stories within the LGBT community in an informative way.

GLAAD comments on Ariana Grande's departure from church
A week after the Vatican concluded the Extraordinary Synod on Marriage and Family with an anti-LGBT-welcoming attitude, pop singer Ariana Grande shared with UK's The Telegraph that she had left the Roman Catholic Church after her gay brother told her that God doesn't love him. GLAAD called Grande's message a "wake up call' for all faith leaders to examine how their messages hurt their own ministry. GLAAD's commentary was picked up by outlets, including New Ways Ministry. Read more here.

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