GLAAD, the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ Community in the media, was founded in New York in 1985 by Vito Russo, together with a group of activists and writers.
The first major public initiative saw some demonstrators protesting outside The New York Post headquarters to denounce hateful headlines regarding Aids, promoting an inclusive image of the LGBTQ community. Their initial victories included public apologies and disciplinary measures against media outlets regarding unfair and offensive comments.
The Associated Press and other newspapers changed their editorial policies, eliminating the use of derogatory terms and adopting respectful language.
The organization GLAAD also focuses on diverse ethnic groups such as Latin American and Native American.
The President & Ceo of GLAAD, Sarah Kate Ellis, explains: “ GLAAD is a political powerhouse ensuring LGBTQ issues stay central, holding politicians, journalists and other public figures accountable for their anti-LGBTQ attacks and ensuring authentic representation, through training, consulting and research, the GLAAD Media Institute provides the tools for everyone from students and activists, to journalists and film producers, to build the core skills and competency to advance positive cultural change. GLAAD is reshaping the way Americans see the transgender and gender non-conforming communities, working through news, entertainment, and online media to share stories that build understanding and support. GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.
GLAAD’S PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES:
The GLAAD Media Institute offers training, consulting, and research programs for media outlets and companies to improve the representation of queer identities.
The social media safety index protects LGBTQ users from online hate.
The GLAAD Media Awards take place in 1989 in New York, in Los Angeles, and San Francisco. It is an annual gala honoring media, public figures, and artistic productions that portray LGBTQ people respectfully and fairly. Nominations are submitted by various sectors and approved by the GLAAD Board of Directors, with members of the organization voting online to select the winners.
COMMON GROUND PROJECT
GLAAD’s Common Ground Project aims to counter media misinformation and create a public narrative that raises awareness on social media. The project focuses on overcoming prejudice, including through media outreach, inviting newspapers, podcasts, television programs, and social media to share the initiative. GLAAD has launched a series of events to raise funds for the Common Ground Project; you can also participate on web site: https://glaad.org/
Eric McBride, Membership Manager of GLAAD, said: “ The data is clear: there are 86 million Americans who are undecided on LGBTQ issues, who are willing to listen. Trust in traditional media has shifted, yet Americans spend up to 12 hours a day consuming other forms of media, with over 25 million people listening to podcasts each day. That’s why we’re partnering with trusted creators in podcasting, sports, gaming and more to ensure our stories are told alongside our shared values of freedom, family and fairness.”
Respecting every person — including LGBTQ individuals — with empathy and supporting their rights is a universal value, it’s a matter of both reason and spontaneous feeling that we can share together, starting with ourselves.
ANNA & MARIA SCIACCA
TOGETHER ( FOR LGBTQ )
Your identity is a free nature without boundaries,
to love within a fluid and complex image,
ever changing in its nuances but authentic
wonder why…
forget your difficult days,
defend your uniqueness and dignity,
we are who we truly are
overcoming social prejudices,
there is no shame or fear of the past
in the courage to go beyond the silence together,
a story written and rewritten
that asks only for mutual understanding:
love and respect,
I see you, and I am with you
MARIA SCIACCA
