GLAAD explained

GLAAD
Founded Date: (as Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
Key People:Sarah Kate Ellis (President)
Area Served:United States
Focus:Discrimination in media
Method:Media monitoring

GLAAD ([1]) is an American non-governmental media monitoring organization. Originally founded as a protest against defamatory coverage of gay and lesbian demographics and their portrayals in the media and entertainment industries, it has since expanded to queer, bisexual, and transgender people.

History

Formed in New York City as Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in 1985 to protest against what it saw as the New York Posts defamatory and sensationalized AIDS coverage, GLAAD put pressure on media organizations to end what it saw as homophobic reporting. Initial meetings were held in the homes of several New York City activists as well as after-hours at the New York State Council on the Arts. The first reported meeting occurred on November 14, 1985.[2] The founding group included film scholar Vito Russo; Gregory Kolovakos, then on the staff of the NYS Arts Council and who later became the first executive director; Darryl Yates Rist; Allen Barnett;[3] and Jewelle Gomez, the organization's first treasurer.

In 1987, after a meeting with GLAAD, The New York Times changed its editorial policy to use the word "gay" instead of harsher terms referring to homosexuality.[4] GLAAD advocated that the Associated Press and other television and print news sources follow. GLAAD's influence soon spread to Los Angeles, where organizers began working with the entertainment industry to change the way the gay and lesbian community were portrayed on screen.

Entertainment Weekly has named GLAAD as one of Hollywood's most powerful entities,[5] and the Los Angeles Times described GLAAD as "possibly one of the most successful organizations lobbying the media for inclusion".[6]

Within the first five years of its founding in New York as the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Defamation League (soon after changed to "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" after legal pressure by the Anti-Defamation League), GLAAD chapters had been established in Los Angeles and other cities, with the LA chapter becoming particularly influential due to its proximity to the California entertainment industry. GLAAD/NY and GLAAD/LA would eventually vote to merge in 1994, with other city chapters joining soon afterward; however, the chapters continue to exist, with the ceremonies of the GLAAD Media Awards being divided each year into three ceremonies held in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Following the 2011 resignation of Jarrett Barrios from the GLAAD presidency, Mike Thompson served as interim president until the announcement of Herndon Graddick, previously GLAAD's vice-president of Programs and Communications, to the presidency on April 15, 2012. Graddick is the younger son of Charles Graddick of Mobile, a circuit court judge and the former Attorney General of Alabama.

In 2013, the year GLAAD changed its name from Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to GLAAD,[7] and Jennifer Finney Boylan was chosen as the first openly transgender co-chair of GLAAD's National Board of Directors.[8]

Name change

On March 24, 2013, GLAAD announced that it had formally dropped the "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" from their name and would now be known only as GLAAD to reflect their work more accurately; the name change was a commitment to incorporate bisexual and transgender people in their efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community in its entirety.[9]

Executives

Sarah Kate Ellis is the current president and CEO of GLAAD.[10] Ellis took the positions in 2014 and under her leadership GLAAD's revenue grew by 38%. In 2015, Ellis promoted Nick Adams to the newly created position of Director of Transgender Media & Representation. Adams started working at GLAAD in 1998 and had previously been GLAAD's Director of Communications & Special Projects. In 2022, Ellis renegotiated her contract with GLAAD, receiving a $150,000 signing bonus and an average annual salary of $441,000 per year, increasing by 5% each year.[11]

In August 2024, GLAAD and Ellis were the subjects of a The New York Times report that explored the organization's reimbursements of Ellis's "pattern of lavish spending", including luxury travel, home renovations and vacation property rentals.[12] In response, GLAAD released a statement defending their commitment to Ellis's leadership and their payments towards her expenses.[13]

GLAAD/NY Executive Directors (1985–1994)
GLAAD Early Board Members/Officers
GLAAD/LA Executive Directors (pre-1994)
Post-merger (1994–present)
Other executives

Programs

GLAAD Media Awards

See main article: GLAAD Media Award.

The GLAAD Media Awards were established in 1989. Ceremonies are held annually in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.[15]

Announcing Equality Project

Established in 2002, GLAAD's Announcing Equality project has resulted in more than 1,000 newspapers including gay and lesbian announcements alongside other wedding listings.[16]

Commentator Accountability Project

In March 2012, GLAAD launched the Commentator Accountability Project, which seeks to index and document frequent contributors, guests and pundits who regularly express anti-LGBT bias and misinformation in their contributions to journalism outlets.[17]

Studio Responsibility Index

In August 2013, GLAAD launched its first annual Studio Responsibility Index, which indexes "the quantity, quality and diversity of images of LGBT people in films released by six major motion picture studios".[18]

GLAAD Media Reference Guide

The GLAAD Media Reference Guide is a style guide of recommendations for writers, especially journalistic outlets, to reference in positive, inclusive depiction of LGBT people. It has been published since the 1990s (then known as the GLAAD Media Guide to the Lesbian and Gay Community[19]), with the 11th edition, being the most recent, published in 2022.[20]

Social Media Safety Index

The 2021 GLAAD Social Media Safety Index, based on an analysis of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube, assessed that social media was "effectively unsafe for LGBTQ users."[21] [22]

Movements

GLAAD has begun the Together Movement, which encourages all to join in support of those discriminated against including women, Muslims, immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community.[23]

In 2010, GLAAD launched Spirit Day. Spirit Day is an annual national day of action to show LGBTQ youth that they are not alone.[24]

In 2016, Spirit Day was the world's largest and most visible anti-bullying campaign. The campaign works to bring anti-bullying resources to classrooms all around the world by inspiring educators to take action against bullying through hosting events and rallies. The campaign also created a GLAAD's Spirit Day kit for use in classrooms, which is available in 6 languages.

On social media, people are encouraged to wear purple or go purple online in order to stand united against bullying. Large media companies such as NBC Universal and Viacom show support for Spirit Day on the airwaves, and change their on-air logo to purple for the day. They also enlist people who wear purple during the day's broadcast. The hashtag #Spirit Day has become a trending topic on Twitter and Facebook every year. On social media, people such as Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and President Barack Obama have shown their support for the campaign.

Media consultation

GLAAD has at times worked with companies and studios in a consultative role to help with the depiction of LGBT characters and themes in specific projects. In 2004, Fox provided GLAAD with an advance copy of their reality television special Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay for review. Upon review of the special, GLAAD condemned it as "an exercise in systematic humiliation."[25] The special was shelved only hours before a scheduled meeting between GLAAD and Fox entertainment president Gail Berman to discuss the network's on-air depictions of gay men.[26] Ray Giuliani, an executive producer of Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay, largely attributed the special's cancellation to pressures that Fox faced from GLAAD.[27] Following the cancellation of the special, Fox organized another meeting with GLAAD for discussion over how to improve their on-air representations of the LGBT community.[28] Following the cancellation of Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay the executive producers of the TBS series He's a Lady consulted GLAAD for review of the transgender representation in their own program.[29]

The crossover fighting game Street Fighter X Tekken, developed by Japanese video game developer and publisher Capcom, was released in 2012.[30] The game features Poison, who is a transgender woman, as a playable character.[31] Capcom worked closely with GLAAD on the game's script[32] to ensure they do not "alienate anybody" in regard to Poison's representation, and "anything that might be offensive has been very tailored to not be".[33]

Tell Me Why is an episodic narrative adventure game developed by French studio Dontnod Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios in 2020.[34] The game focuses on twin siblings Alyson and Tyler Ronan, who is a transgender man.[34] Tell Me Why was the first Triple-A game to feature a transgender protagonist.[35] GLAAD helped in creating Tyler's character,[36] with the game's director Florent Guillaume described GLAAD as "invaluable" in developing Tyler's character and making him a "realistic hero".[35] GLAAD's director of transgender representation Nick Adams served as consultant who, amongst other areas, helped ensure that Tyler would be played by a trans actor; August Black.[34] Adams described authentic representations of trans people in media as a "powerful tool for acceptance and understanding".[37]

The third season of Young Justice consulted GLAAD on the subject of representing minority characters and narratives.[38]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The ABC Book: G. National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Library of Congress. October 1, 2021. November 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231106103200/https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/standards-guidelines/abc-book-f-to-j/#g. live.
  2. News: October 3, 2013 . GLAAD History and Highlights, 1985-Present . March 16, 2022 . GLAAD . en . November 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106085229/https://glaad.org/about/history . live .
  3. Web site: Barnett, Allen (1955–1991). glbtq.com. March 25, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121015085839/http://www.glbtq.com/literature/barnett_a.html. October 15, 2012.
  4. News: GLAAD for Clay Aiken . Claynewsnetwork.com. December 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130528101434/http://claynewsnetwork.com/2009/03/26/glaad-for-clay-aiken/. May 28, 2013. live.
  5. Web site: Entertainment Weekly's 101 Most Influential People (1992). Amiannoying.com. November 25, 1976. December 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120419070859/http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(43aaeuu0nzfzqv2q4zqrrz45))/collection.aspx?collection=366. April 19, 2012. live.
  6. Book: Myers. Daniel J.. Daniel M.. Cress. Authority in Contention. Emerald Group Publishing. 2004. 0-7623-1037-5. 200.
  7. Web site: 2023-05-22. Staff Reports. 2013-04-03. GLAAD 'no longer an acronym,' alters name as part of broadened mission. lgbtqnation.com. November 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231106103235/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/03/glaad-no-longer-an-acronym-altering-mission-to-better-embrace-bisexual-transgender-people/. live.
  8. News: Reynolds. Daniel. GLAAD Appoints First Transgender Cochair. Advocate.com. November 8, 2013. December 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131111083544/http://www.advocate.com/politics/media/2013/11/08/glaad-appoints-first-transgender-cochair. November 11, 2013. live.
  9. News: Jase . Peeples . GLAAD Affirms Commitment to Trans and Bi People, Alters Name . . March 24, 2013 . March 25, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130327032957/http://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/03/24/glaad-affirms-commitment-trans-and-bi-people-alters-name . March 27, 2013 . live .
  10. The woman who saved GLAAD: how Sarah Kate Ellis brought the faltering nonprofit into the 21st century. Ramin Setoodeh. Variety. 0042-2738. September 27, 2016. 333. 12. 50. July 13, 2021. October 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231010163848/https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/sarah-kate-ellis-glaad-1201870674/. live.
  11. News: Steel . Emily . 2024-08-01 . A Pattern of Lavish Spending at a Leading L.G.B.T.Q. Nonprofit . 2024-08-06 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  12. News: Steel . Emily . 2024-08-01 . A Pattern of Lavish Spending at a Leading L.G.B.T.Q. Nonprofit . 2024-08-01 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  13. Web site: Kuznikov . Selena . 2024-08-05 . GLAAD Supports CEO Sarah Kate Ellis After Lavish Spending Allegations: ‘We Are Certain That She Is the Right Leader’ . 2024-08-06 . Variety . en-US.
  14. News: Reynolds. Daniel. GLAAD Announces Sarah Kate Ellis as President. The Advocate. November 25, 2013. January 18, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222436/http://www.advocate.com/politics/media/2013/11/25/glaad-announces-sarah-kate-ellis-president. December 2, 2013. live.
  15. Web site: October 3, 2013 . GLAAD History and Highlights, 1985-Present . March 17, 2022 . GLAAD . en . November 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106085229/https://glaad.org/about/history . live .
  16. Web site: Announcing Equality. glaad.org. March 25, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20110901213611/http://www.glaad.org/announcingequality. September 1, 2011. live.
  17. Web site: Commentator Accountability Project (CAP) . GLAAD . February 16, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130116150645/http://www.glaad.org/cap/ . January 16, 2013 . live .
  18. Web site: First annual Studio Responsibility Index finds lack of substantial LGBT characters in mainstream films. GLAAD. Max Gouttebroze. August 21, 2013. October 7, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130929115746/http://www.glaad.org/blog/first-annual-studio-responsibility-index-finds-lack-substantial-lgbt-characters-mainstream. September 29, 2013. live.
  19. Web site: "GLAAD Publications", as archived on 5 February 1997 . https://web.archive.org/web/19970205073945/http://www.glaad.org/glaad/publications.html . February 5, 1997 . February 5, 1997 . December 3, 2013.
  20. Web site: August 25, 2011 . GLAAD Media Reference Guide – 11th Edition . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123153907/https://www.glaad.org/reference . January 23, 2023 . January 28, 2023 . GLAAD.
  21. News: Silva . Cynthia . Top social media platforms 'unsafe' for LGBTQ users, report finds . May 11, 2021 . NBC News . May 11, 2021 . May 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510234537/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/top-social-media-platforms-unsafe-lgbtq-users-report-finds-rcna889 . live .
  22. News: Cohen . David . GLAAD Calls the Entire Social Media Sector 'Unsafe for LGBTQ Users' . May 11, 2021 . Adweek . May 11, 2021 . November 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106085431/https://www.adweek.com/media/glaad-calls-the-entire-social-media-sector-unsafe-for-lgbtq-users/ . live .
  23. News: Take the Together Pledge. January 31, 2017. GLAAD. September 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170929140136/https://www.glaad.org/together#what. September 29, 2017. live.
  24. GLAAD hopes to stem bullying of LGBTQ youth on Spirit DayAuthor: Adams, S.Journal: PRweek (U.S. ed.)ISSN: 1524-1696Date: January 8, 2016Volume: 19 Issue: 8 Page: 16
  25. Web site: Seriously, dude, it's cancelled. June 1, 2004. Chicago Tribune. en-US. April 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220403001836/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-06-01-0406020036-story.html. April 3, 2022. live.
  26. Goodridge. Mike. Seriously, dude, it was a joke. The Advocate. 924 . 85–7. October 12, 2004.
  27. Graham. Chad. Growing Pains at GLAAD. The Advocate. 937 . 36–7. April 26, 2005.
  28. Web site: FOX yanks gay-themed reality show. Welsh. James. May 28, 2004. Digital Spy. en-US. April 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220403174058/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a14601/fox-yanks-gay-themed-reality-show/. April 3, 2022. live.
  29. Goodridge. Mike. Dude looks like a lady. The Advocate. 925. 60. October 26, 2004.
  30. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . Tekken producer confirms the death of Tekken X Street Fighter . . . February 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211130012206/https://www.polygon.com/22543485/tekken-x-street-fighter-canceled-katsuhiro-harada-bandai-namco-capcom . November 30, 2021 . June 21, 2021 . live.
  31. Web site: Henley . Stacey . Street Fighter's Poison is a metaphor for the evolution of trans characters . . . February 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121184548/https://www.techradar.com/news/street-fighters-poison-is-a-metaphor-for-the-evolution-of-trans-characters . January 21, 2021 . January 20, 2021 . live.
  32. Web site: Kane . Matt . 2012: Reviewing the Year in Gayming . GLAAD . February 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220222130718/https://www.glaad.org/blog/2012-reviewing-year-gayming . February 22, 2022 . December 25, 2012 . live.
  33. Patterson . Eric L. . EGM Interview: Street Fighter X Tekken's Yoshinori Ono . . EGM Media, LLC . February 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150104174455/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/egm-interviewyoshinori-ono/ . January 4, 2015 . October 10, 2011 . dead.
  34. Web site: Martens . Todd . 'Tell Me Why' makes video game history with a transgender lead role . . February 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211214120208/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-09-01/tell-me-why-makes-video-game-history-with-a-transgender-lead-role . December 14, 2021 . September 1, 2020 . live.
  35. Web site: Henley . Stacey . Meet Tyler Ronan, the first transgender triple-A video game protagonist . . . February 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220222011806/https://www.vg247.com/meet-tyler-ronan-first-transgender-triple-video-game-protagonist . February 22, 2022 . February 18, 2020 . live.
  36. Web site: Farokhmanesh . Megan . Life is Strange developer unveils new mystery game, Tell Me Why . . . February 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118040144/https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/2019/11/14/20964923/life-is-strange-tell-me-why-dontnod-xbox-pc . January 18, 2022 . November 14, 2019 . live.
  37. Web site: Silva . Cynthia . Tell Me Why: Video game features transgender lead character . . February 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210729235849/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/tell-me-why-video-game-features-transgender-lead-character-n1239123 . July 29, 2021 . September 3, 2020 . live.
  38. Web site: Weisman . Greg . Greg Weisman . Question #25191 . Ask Greg . February 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220223210457/https://www.s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/search.php?qid=25191 . February 23, 2022 . October 25, 2021 . live.

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