Glaad 2001 Accomplishments.Qx4

2001 glaad was there january timeslot reaching an audience not often GLAAD’s Dissertation Fellowship Program exposed to gay or lesbian characters. 3 awards eight scholastic researchers with fellow- ships to foster and promote scholarship as a april vital form of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgen- der (LGBT) intellectual activism. The annual GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies recognize media for outstanding fair, accurate Throughout the year GLAAD’s internship pro- and inclusive LGBT representations.The cere- gram allows 19 students to earn college credit monies — April 16 in New York,April 28 in and to obtain valuable firsthand experience in Los Angeles, May 12 in Washington, D.C. and organized activism.The students are involved in June 9 in San Francisco — create a high visibil- all aspects of GLAAD’s work. ity for the community. Special honorees include actress Vanessa Redgrave, columnist february Liz Smith, producer/writer/director Paris Barclay, longtime lesbian activist Barbara GLAAD’s work drawing attention to hip-hop Gittings, and filmmakers Rob Epstein and artist Eminem’s homophobic and misogynistic Jeffrey Friedman of Telling Pictures. 4 lyrics is climaxed when he is given several Grammy nominations. GLAAD’s educational “AM/FM Activism” is launched on GLAAD’s campaign includes a rally at the Grammy Award Web page giving activists anywhere the tools to ceremony where GLAAD brings together a plan a structured response to offensive humor diverse coalition of LGBT and allied organiza- and inaccurate or biased reporting.When a tions concerned about Eminem’s hate lyrics and Washington, D.C., radio station begins “The Running of the Bull Dykes,” a contest based on 1 the lack of corporate responsibility in promoting such. In Los Angeles, GLAAD co-sponsors with lesbian stereotypes, GLAAD is alerted through the National Academy of Recording Arts & “AM/FM Activism.” By working with local Sciences the “Intolerance in Music:A Town Hall activists the contest is shut down. GLAAD is Meeting.” In New York,GLAAD mounts the able to educate the station and its listeners as “Homie-Sexual Hip-Hop Panel” to examine the to why stereotyping is offensive and gives per- intersection of hip hop, race and homophobia. 1 mission for violence. Later in the year, a Florida activist uses “AM/FM Activism” to rally commu- MediaEssentials, a core training designed to nity organizations and contact local media give a thorough introduction to media skills, is concerning a radio personality whose shtick is given at the University of California LGBT referencing the Taliban and terrorists with vari- 2 Association Conference.Throughout the year ations of “fag” and “queer,” e.g.,Talifags.The GLAAD gives this and other trainings, includ- activist and supporters contact the station. ing several specifically for communities of Working on another front, GLAAD contacts color, to AFL-CIO Pride at Work Conference, the radio personality’s manager.The anti-gay National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership humor noticeably lessens and then stops. 56 Forum, North American Conference on Bisexuality,YouthPride Atlanta and others. may march The Asian Pacific American Heritage Month kit is released.The Latino Heritage Month kit goes Laura Schlessinger’s television show, Dr. Laura, out in September.The media resource kits use is canceled after GLAAD runs a smart, high- nationally recognized heritage months as a profile campaign that exposes Schlessinger’s springboard to provide resources and informa- 3 unqualification to give life advice and for tion for coverage by mainstream and LGBT selective use of “facts” to promote her anti- media about LGBT people of color. gay rhetoric and extreme personal prejudices. The work, which wins PRWeek’s Non-profit PR The New York Post is taken to task for placing an Team of the Year for 2001 award, presents a opinion piece based on rumor and unsubstanti- clear, indisputable example of defamation and ated claims on the front page.The article, tells corporations, advertisers, media outlets “SCHOOL KILLS MOTHER’S DAY: Gay parents and the American public that the LGBT com- force principal to ban cards,” is then covered by munity will not be silent about disparagement Fox News Channel as a legitimate news story. and mistreatment. 2 With a GLAADAlert Today, GLAAD exposes the sensationalistic reporting and the connection GLAAD’s efforts to bring LGBT visibility to between the outlets — both are owned and daytime television pays off when ABC’s All My operated by Rupert Murdoch’s News 4 Children begins a major-role, teenage-lesbian sto- Corporation. GLAADAlert is used during the year ryline. Soap Opera Digest acknowledges to draw attention to other outlets such as the GLAAD’s part in this key development in a Associated Press and USA Today. june both mainstream and LGBT media. Other ini- To mobilize support for PBS’ P.O.V. airing Scout’s tiatives include “Lesbian Representations on Honor, a documentary about the Boy Scouts of Daytime Television:The Case of All My Children” America’s ban on gay boys and men, GLAAD and “When in Rome: Homophobia, Masculinity issues the national GLAADAlert Today and the five and Sports Talk Radio.” All three are released before the year ends. regional Call to Actions.This is to counter attacks 5 on local PBS outlets by anti-gay political action GLAAD is a strong presence in Cortez, Colo., groups demanding the show not air. LGBT the small town where 16-year-old Fred 7 activists respond and no stations cancel. Martinez, Jr., an openly gay,Two-Spirit Navajo For Pride Month, GLAAD staff works with sev- youth, was murdered. His alleged killer is quot- eral groups around the country to organize ed in a police affidavit bragging he “had beat up events and media coverage. GLAAD staffs a a fag.” GLAAD works to ensure fair and sensi- booth at many festivals. For the media, GLAAD tive coverage.Through GLAAD’s efforts, several issues its annual Pride Media Guide to encour- media outlets take deeper looks into Martinez’s 6 age varied and non-stereotypical coverage of life and hate crimes. GLAAD helps organize vig- events and parades. During the year, other ils in several cities and encourages media media guides are issued for Valentine’s Day and coverage of anti-gay violence. bl Memorial Day, plus GLAAD’s Lesbian, Gay, GLAAD presents on LGBT media representa- Bisexual & Transgender Media Reference Guide tions to 150 students in the master’s program 8 is updated. at Columbia School of Journalism.Also, GLAAD presents at Northwestern University and is a july featured speaker at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Kansas. GLAAD GLAAD continues its regional work, addressing obtains media coverage for other campuses’ 7 local defamation. For example, when a Bronx Pride days and LGBT-themed school events. health agency places ads in bus-stop shelters to target men who have sex with men, Infinity Outdoor pulls them for being “inappropriate.” september GLAAD works with local groups to have the Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, GLAAD ads replaced and brings the story to several contacts media professionals one-on-one and local outlets and the Associated Press, exposing issues a media resource kit to give guidance for the unfair treatment and the underlying issue of LGBT-inclusive reporting. GLAAD collects and 9 homophobia preventing health care. posts LGBT-related stories to its Web page as a After Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic resource for continued coverage. GLAAD con- uses the word “faggot” to reference a linesman tacts CNN after it runs as legitimate news Jerry with whom he disagreed, the remark is not Falwell and Pat Robertson blaming, among oth- commented on in the ensuing coverage of the ers, gays and lesbians for the attacks. FOX 8 match. Many media outlets had no problem Family Channel is contacted about its contract with a major sports figure using a defamatory to run Robertson’s shows, regardless of con- word. GLAAD contacts ESPN about the lack of tent. GLAAD posts a complete timeline of the coverage and comment.The outlet then runs a controversy following the Falwell/Robertson segment on SportsCenter and posts a detailed statements. It includes broadcast transcripts and article to its Web site about homophobia in links to Web pages, making it easy for reporters sports media. and others to follow the story. GLAAD’s Sept. 11 work continues throughout the year. bm In Oklahoma City, GLAAD works with commu- In response to unchallenged anti-gay nity group Cimarron Alliance to develop a 9 media plan after the mayor forces his homo- comments made on a Kansas City television phobia on the city. Cimarron paid to hang 44 program, GLAAD contacts the station.A banners promoting Pride on utility poles.The policy meeting is held to define the program’s mayor has them removed saying they are inap- boundaries. Producers decide future defama- propriate, irreligious and that aspects of being tion will not go unaddressed. gay “are illegal.” With GLAAD’s help, Cimarron is able to draw media attention to the issue october and many of the banners are replaced. bk GLAAD and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center organize a New august York gathering to remember and honor those Research initiative “Sex, Class and the Making lost in and affected by the Sept. 11 terrorism. 10 of the LGBT Market” begins. It looks at the Almost 1,000 people come together to demon- production of LGBT-oriented advertising in strate renewed commitment to combating hate, intolerance and prejudice. GLAAD obtains parks, GLAAD organizes a response with sev- national and local media coverage to remind the eral LGBT organizations.The group meets with public of the community’s losses. bn the station manager, who makes a commitment to provide more nuanced and well-researched GLAAD responds immediately to an Associated LGBT stories and asks GLAAD to provide Press photo taken aboard the USS Enterprise. story ideas. It’s of an Afghanistan-bound bomb with “High Jack This Fags” scrawled on the side. AP pulls GLAAD continues media work on Sept. 11 the photo and asks media outlets to remove it LGBT issues.When the New York City Anti- 11 from files because it contains an “offensive slur.” Violence Project begins distributing fund checks GLAAD advocates for outlets to examine the to families of gay men and lesbians who were photo’s inherent homophobia. bo killed, GLAAD pitches the story and obtains coverage in such outlets as ABC, the Associated Because of GLAAD’s entertainment media Press and MSNBC to ensure this precedent- work, the new television season presents for setting local story goes national. the first time more LGBT characters in dra- mas than comedies. GLAAD consults with producers, writers and actors to shape story- lines and provide background material. One photo captions 12 example is GLAAD’s work with CBS’ The 1. GLAAD and allied organizations rallied outside Education of Max Bickford, which includes a the Grammy Award ceremony to bring attention recurring transgender character. Related to to Eminem’s violent lyrics. the show, a transgender reference guide is dis- 2. For its successful Laura Schlessinger campaign, tributed to 300 mainstream media GLAAD won the PRWeek Award for professionals in anticipation of coverage. bp Outstanding Non-profit PR Team of the Year. 3. Eden Riegel plays the lesbian daughter of Susan Lucci on All My Children. GLAAD consulted with november writers on the storyline. GLAAD staff attends the NGLTF’s annual 4. Actress Vanessa Redgrave accepted the Creating Change conference to present several Excellence in Media Award at the 2001 GLAAD Media Awards ceremony in New York. 13 well-received media workshops and panels. 5. GLAAD led the response to stop this radio Yearly, GLAAD participates in many events, show contest that was based on stereotypes. including the Geffen Symposium, the National 6. Activists around the country are able to access Religious Leadership Roundtable, Pridefest, and and use this GLAAD feature to fight defamation conferences for the Society of Professional in their own communities. Journalists, SMAAC Youth Center, and the 7. Conservative groups tried to stop the airing of National Communication Association. Scout’s Honor,Tom Shepard’s award-winning doc- umentary. The GLAAD Fairness Awards ceremonies rec- 8. Volunteers and GLAAD staff worked in Pride ognize institutions and individuals who have festival booths across the country. taken active, front-line positions in the work for 9. GLAAD stepped in when the ad company fair, accurate and inclusive representation of removed this Bronx Lesbian and Gay Health 14 lesbians and gay men. Honorees are AT&T and Resource Consortium ad from bus-stop shelters. Lifetime Television in New York; Pacific Bell and 10. The Cimarron Alliance called on GLAAD’s help Sun Microsystems in San Francisco; and Bright to combat homophobia in Oklahoma City. Kauffman Crane Productions and Lee Rose 11. The late Fred Martinez, Jr., an openly gay,Two- Productions in Los Angeles. bq Spirit Navajo youth murdered in Cortez, Colorado. 12. GLAAD’s Web page was a main resource for december LGBT-related Sept. 11 reporting. GLAAD meets with The Atlanta Journal- 13. Attendees at the close of “In Memoriam:A Constitution, an outlet that sets a tone for Gathering of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community and Our Allies,” held 15 southern states, to discuss coverage of the after Sept. 11. LGBT community.Throughout the year 14. GLAAD contacted the Associated Press as soon GLAAD contacts and works with many other as this photo was released. In response,AP print outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, pulled it from its files. Newsweek, The New York Times, Time, the 15. The Education of Max Bickford features Helen Washington Post and USA Today; and with all Shaver (middle) as college professor Erica, a broadcast networks, plus others such as transgender woman.The cast includes (from left) CNN, FOX News Channel, HBO, Lifetime Marcia Gay Harden and Regina Taylor. and Showtime. 16. At the San Francisco Fairness Awards: Mayor Willie Brown, GLAAD Executive Director Joan 16 After a St. Louis television station runs a three- M. Garry and Laura Fennell, vice president legal, day, sensationalistic series about public sex in for honoree Sun Microsystems.