Wonder what we’re up to at GLAAD?
Be sure to check out GLAAD Blog each week for updates about our latest work to build support for LGBT equality through news, entertainment and online media.
As soon as the puff of white smoke appeared and Pope Francis was announced, GLAAD was ready to use the Papal transition to call for an end to the Vatican's persecution of LGBT people. GLAAD President Herndon Graddick appeared on CNN, and his quote calling out anti-LGBT practices in the Catholic church was carried in Reuters, The Los Angeles Times, and The New Yorker. Read more.
In just one week, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the so-called "Defense of Marriage" Act (DOMA) and the discriminatory Proposition 8. Former President Bill Clinton has come out against the policy, and GLAAD continues to mobilize thousands of people to rally in DC or in their own home towns. Join us at glaad.org/marriage. Read more.
GLAAD called out Josh Duggar, the oldest child on 19 Children and Counting on TLC for his intention to join the staff of the Family Research Council, which has been certified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its continued lies and attacks against LGBT people, their friends and family. GLAAD called on TLC to refuse to give a platform for such extreme and harmful rhetoric by featuring Josh and his work at FRC. Read more.
GLAAD's Entertainment Media Strategist, Max Gouttebroze, spoke about the impact of images in entertainment television on cultural and societal acceptance of the LGBT community at the Media & LGBT Visibility Forum organized by the Center for the Study of Equality and Human Rights at Eastern Michigan University. Using data from GLAAD's Network Responsibility Index and Where We Are on TV reports, as well as academic studies and recent polls, he spoke of the importance of getting to know LGBT television characters who can, in the long term, allow viewers to get a better understanding of the community.
GLAAD elevated the voices of LGBT-affirming Christian and Catholic organizations and Argentinean advocates commenting on the appointment of Pope Francis. A statement from Federación Argentina LGBT said, "While we have no expectations of change from the Vatican, the choice of someone who promoted a "war of God" against marriage equality, is disappointing. His radical position on this issue, on the gender identity law and on safe, legal and free abortion, keeps us from being optimistic." Read more.
GLAAD promoted the findings of recent polls showing that majority of Catholics support marriage equality. A Quinnipiac poll showed 54% of Catholics supporting marriage for all, while a New York Times/CBS poll found Catholic support for marriage equality even higher at 62%. Read more.
GLAAD celebrated and promoted the appointment of an openly gay man as head of the Jewish Reconstructionist movement. Rabbi Jason Klein is the first openly gay man to head a national rabbinic association in the United States. Read more.
To get the latest updates and take part in GLAAD’s work to build support for LGBT equality, be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!