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Sarah Kate Ellis to Ireland: GLAAD's #GotYourBack
As Ireland becomes the first country in the world to hold a nation-wide referendum on marriage equality, GLAAD is adding its voice to the growing chorus asking Irish citizens to vote "yes" for marriage equality. With a new video, posted to the Irish marriage equality web site, www.votewithus.org, GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis urged a "yes" vote for marriage equality on May 22. GLAAD's participation in the grassroots #VoteWithUs campaign was covered by Irish Central. Watch the video here.
GLAAD empowers FOX with tools for quality trans representation
Last week, GLAAD's Director of Communications & Special Projects Nick Adams and Director of Entertainment Media Matt Kane met with more than 30 executives from FOX Standards & Practices for a discussion about fair, accurate, and inclusive media representations of transgender people in entertainment. GLAAD presented a brief history of transgender people who have appeared in scripted and reality television, and outlined best practices for telling transgender stories.
GLAAD introduces "New Girls on the Block" as an innovative portrayal of trans lives
GLAAD's Video & News Strategist Claire Pires interviewed the cast of "New Girls on the Block," ahead of the reality show's premiere on the Discovery Life Channel last Saturday. "New Girls on the Block" is a new reality series that follows the lives of eight people, six of whom are transgender women, who live in Kansas City, MO. In the interview, which took place on the red carpet at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, the cast told Pires how the show is the first of its kind to focus on the lives of transgender women, why it's important, and what to expect. The interview was shared by Bustle and quoted by On Top Mag. The cast also created a PSA on how to be an ally to the LGBT community as part of GLAAD's #GotYourBack campaign. Watch the interview here.
GLAAD discusses transgender inmates' access to medical treatment
GLAAD's spokesperson Tiq Milan appeared on "MSNBC Live with Thomas Roberts" to discuss the Georgia State Prisons decision to deny a transgender inmate hormone treatment and subject her to potential violence as an inmate in a men's prison. Milan explained what it means to be transgender, the Department of Justice's efforts to validate transgender identities, the ways in which the Georgia-based prison both violated existing laws and perpetuated violence against the trans woman, and how a culture of discrimination is connected to disproportionate rates of imprisonment. Watch the interview here.
GLAAD talks to Latino audience about so-called "'ex-gay conversion therapy"
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media Monica Trasandes was interviewed for popular Spanish-language network "Noticiero MundoFox" about so-called "'ex-gay conversion therapy." Trasandes also helped producers find a Spanish-speaking expert, Sara Train, from the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, who explained the harms of these so-called therapies from a medical perspective.
GLAAD shines light on Puerto Rican lesbian couple advocating for marriage
GLAAD's Strategist Janet Quezada interviewed Puerto Rican lesbian couple Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro & Zulma Oliveras Vega, who joined the case Conde-Vidal v. Rius-Armendariz, at the Puerto Rican Supreme Court to bring marriage equality to the island. Quezada and GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media Monica Trasandes will share the piece with outlets to ensure LGBT Latina inclusion in stories about marriage equality during the run-up to the U.S. Supreme Court hearings. Read more here.
GLAAD promotes importance of LGBT inclusivity on television
GLAAD's Director of Communications Seth Adam spoke with The Associated Press about a pilot for ABC with which LGBT advocate Dan Savage is affiliated. The AP wrote, "Seth Adam, spokesman for GLAAD, said Savage should be commended for helping gay, lesbian, and transgender young people comfortable with who they are. 'What's clear is that inclusive shows are succeeding in the ratings and audiences not only accept LGBT characters but are beginning to expect LGBT characters.'" Read more here.
GLAAD talks to Brazilian readers about importance for lesbian love story in soap opera
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media Monica Trasandes was interviewed for popular Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo for an article about a lesbian love story on a Brazilian telenovela. Producers are thinking of cancelling the show because of protests from religious fundamentalists. Transandes emphasized the need for LGBT storylines in mainstream media. Read more here.
GLAAD informs readers about Los Tigres del Norte's LGBT-inclusive music
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media Monica Trasandes and Strategist Janet Quezada worked with the Associated Press reporter Sigel Ratner-Arias on pieces in both Spanish and English about the Mexican regional band, Los Tigres del Norte, who are LGBT allies and wrote an LGBT-inclusive song. GLAAD awarded them with a Special Recognition GLAAD Media Award for their song, "Era Diferente." Read more here.
GLAAD partners with It's On Us for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
GLAAD has partnered with the sexual assault advocacy campaign It's On Us for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the #ItsOnUs Week of Action to address the culture of sexual violence and bring awareness to sexual assault. The campaign is a pledge to hold others accountable for their behavior, be respectful of other people's right to consent or not, and to intervene before it happens. This month, we are also focusing on the under-publicized effects of sexual assault on the LGBT community. Read more here.
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