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GLAAD responds to Vanity Fair cover featuring Caitlyn Jenner, releases updated tip sheet for journalists
On Monday, June 1, "Vanity Fair" published its cover story featuring Caitlyn Jenner. GLAAD immediately released an updated tip sheet with information on how to respectfully and accurately write about Caitlyn Jenner in the media. More than 200,000 people viewed GLAAD's tip sheet and it was shared on Facebook over 47,000 times. Fielding dozens of media interview requests, GLAAD staff appeared on "NBC Nightly News," "Entertainment Tonight," E!, "The Diane Rehm Show," "FOX News Radio," the Outsports podcast, and more. Over the next several months, GLAAD will be working with E! to provide resources that will help the network fairly and accurately create a docu-series about Caitlyn Jenner. GLAAD has already provided materials to the Jenner/Kardashian family to help them use respectful terminology when speaking to the media about their parent, and GLAAD has conducted 3 trainings for E! staffers to help them report fairly and accurately about transgender issues. GLAAD's work on Caitlyn Jenner's story was picked up by several outlets, including ABC 7 San Francisco, Bangor Daily News, BBC News, Bustle, CBS New York, Cosmopolitan,CNN,CTV News Channel,E! Online, Gay Star News, The Guardian, Inquisitr, Los Angeles Times, MTV News, National Review, Newsday, Newsweek Pakistan, The New Yorker, The New Zealand Herald, The Mary Sue, People, PR Week, The Standard, The Sydney Morning Herald, USA Today, US News & World Report, The Wrap, and Yahoo Sports. Read more here.
GLAAD ensures accurate coverage of Caitlyn Jenner in Spanish-language outlets
With so much interest in Caitlyn Jenner's "Vanity Fair" cover, GLAAD's Monica Trasandes and Janet Quezada translated the tip sheet created by GLAAD for media outlets to ensure accurate reporting about Caitlyn Jenner. Trasandes and Quezada helped connect Latino/a transgender people with reporters to discuss Jenner and being trans. Trasandes was a guest on CNN en Español's programs, "Realidades en Contexto" (along with transgender advocate Mariana Marroquin) and "Café CNN." Both programs are viewed by millions nationally as well as internationally. In addition, Trasandes appeared on the local Los Angeles-based program, "Noticiero Telemundo," to discuss the lives of transgender Latinas/os.
GLAAD amplifies students' voices in the South
GLAAD worked with students and alumni at Clemson University in South Carolina, who started a Change.org petition asking Clemson head football coach, Dabo Swinney, to bow out of an anti-LGBT fundraiser. After over 1500 people signed on, Swinney issued a statement indicating that he would indeed withdraw. GLAAD worked with South Carolina Equality and the Clemson LGBTQ Task Force to elevate the story in national and sports outlets, including USA Today, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Outsports, and others. USA Today quoted GLAAD's Zeke Stokes, who explained in a statement: "The Palmetto Family Council's values are out of line with the values of love and acceptance for all people, and I hope the Coach will reconsider the message that his alignment with them sends." Read more here.
GLAAD works with Viacom to ensure accurate transgender coverage
GLAAD's Nick Adams and Dani Heffernan met with over 30 executives from Viacom Standards & Practices for a discussion about fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of transgender people in the media. These executives work at various Viacom networks, including MTV, VH1, Logo, BET, Comedy Central, Spike, TV Land, Nickelodeon, and Country Music Television. 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 helps Roman Catholic priest voice support for the LGBT community
After Warren Hall, a Roman Catholic priest, posted a NOH8 photo on his Facebook wall, he was removed from his position as chaplain at Seton Hall University. Reverend Hall reached out to GLAAD for support and advice, and was able to talk through what happened and how he should best speak out. GLAAD connected Hall with Outsports for an exclusive coming out interview. The interview was picked up by outlets including, The New York Times, Crux Now, and The Advocate. GLAAD is continuing to offer support to Reverend Hall. Read more here.
GLAAD assists TLC ahead of Jazz Jennings' series
GLAAD's Nick Adams and Matt Kane met with senior executives at TLC for a discussion about fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of transgender people in the media. Later this summer, TLC will be launching "I am Jazz," a reality show about trans teenager Jazz Jennings. GLAAD presented an overview of the way the media has historically portrayed transgender people in scripted and reality television, and outlined best practices for telling transgender-related stories.
GLAAD interviews Orphan Black's Tatiana Maslany on why she's an LGBT ally
GLAAD's Claire Pires interviewed Tatiana Maslany, the star of BBC America's hit show "Orphan Black," for GLAAD's video series GLAAD: All Access. Maslany got teary eyed discussing her personal reasons for being an LGBT ally, and she discussed the importance of the LGBT characters on the show. In addition, Maslany participated in GLAAD's #GotYourBack campaign, which aims to amplify the voices of LGBT people and allies. The interview garnered over 76,000 views and was published on 10 outlets including, SheWired, Gossip and Gab, GlobalNews.ca, PinkNews, AfterEllen, Bustle, TheMarySue.com, ET Canada, Huffington Post, Towleroad, and NewNowNext. Watch the interview here.
GLAAD and La Opinion work together on Latino/a transgender series
GLAAD's Monica Trasandes and Janet Quezada worked closely with editors and writers at La Opinion, the nation's highest circulated Spanish-language newspaper, on a series about transgender Latinos/as. The team is helping them plan the series and is connecting them with Latino/a transgender people nationwide to interview.
GLAAD amplifies LGBT families' stories with Mombian
GLAAD shared the original, diverse stories of LGBT families as part of Mombian's annual LGBTQ Families Day. This year, GLAAD amplified the experiences of an adoptive mother, a gay fertility specialist helping other LGBT people start families, families of color, and more. GLAAD is proud to once again participate in Mombian's online event to celebrate LGBT families and bring attention to pertinent issues impacting their lives. Read more here.
GLAAD continues to help survivor Kristene Chapa tell her empowering story
GLAAD's Alexandra Bolles connected survivor Kristene Chapa with Autostraddle, a media outlet for LGBT women and genderqueer people. Chapa spoke openly about the tragic attack in 2012 that took her girlfriend Mollie's life and left Chapa with paralysis, and she spoke about her determination to recover. Chapa made headlines after her moving speech at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, and she has set up a medical fund to help with her recovery where anyone can donate.Read the article in Autostraddle here.
Gap Inc. produces a powerful video for GLAAD's #GotYourBack campaign
On June 1, Gap Inc. posted a moving video as part of GLAAD's #GotYourBack campaign, which encourages LGBT people and allies to speak out in support of acceptance. The video features thirteen Gap Inc. employees speaking about their experience coming out, and promising "we have your back." The stories range from heartbreaking to heartwarming. One man recalls his father's reaction to him coming out: "My dad wanted to talk to me. He gave me two options: 1) to change or 2) to get out." Others remember worrying about losing their jobs or being bullied because of their LGBT identities. These negative reactions and fears speak to a larger issue of discomfort surrounding the LGBT community. GLAAD began the #GotYourBack campaign after publishing the Accelerating Acceptance report, which found that despite the recent advances in marriage equality, many non-LGBT Americans still feel uncomfortable around LGBT people. The Huffington Post wrote a great article about it, quoting GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis: "From classrooms to board rooms, locker rooms to living rooms, it's critical that allies take an active role in accelerating acceptance of their LGBT friends, family and neighbors. By sharing the moving stories of LGBT employees, Gap Inc. is sending an important message about the power of love and acceptance." Watch the video here.
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