GLAAD and Instagram send messages of love to trans youth around the world

To provide some hope in this uncertain time, GLAAD partnered with Instagram for the 10th annual celebration of International Transgender Day of Visibility, which is spearheaded on the GLAAD front through our Transgender Media and Representation department.

The global social media initiative served as a launch for GLAAD’s #TransLoveStory series. Each week on IGTV through April, GLAAD will amplify the diverse stories of trans people in loving relationships, including Chala and Noah who are pictured below. (Photo by Landyn Pan).

The beacon of light and positivity comes at a time as the nation suffers from the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, which will likely disproportionately affect transgender people in the U.S. due to the discrimination, unemployment rates, and inability to access healthcare trans people already experience. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality’s national survey 23% of trans people did not see a doctor when they needed for fear of being mistreated. 33% did not see a doctor when needed because they could not afford the care.

Because of these staggering statistics and the escalation of anti-trans legislation by the week (more on that later), GLAAD aims to demonstrate the love and support the transgender community does have in some places but urgently deserves everywhere. Click here to see GLAAD’s posts about TDOV.

GLAAD’s Transgender Media team calls attention to cruel bills signed into law

On the eve of Transgender Day of Visibility, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed two anti-trans bills into law. The first prohibits people from changing gender markers on their birth certificates, and the second bars transgender girls from competing in sports. Associate Director of Transgender Represention Alex Schmider said the following: “Tonight, on the eve of Transgender Day of Visibility and while the United States is overwhelmed with a massive public health crisis, Idaho Governor Brad Little passed legislation targeting some of the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community – transgender children. Although medical experts, sport governing bodies, and Idaho’s major employers have spoken out against these two bills, Governor Little has instead sided with discrimination. Now, more than ever, transgender people need to be supported, not subjected to state-sponsored discrimination and suffering.”

GLAAD Media Institute responds to anti-LGBTQ CEO Franklin Graham opening a hospital in Central Park

Last week, Samaritan’s Purse, run by LGBTQ attacker and CEO Franklin Graham, constructed a tent hospital in Central Park to meet the need for hospital beds during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a Twitter video, CEO Franklin Graham put out a call for Christian doctors, nurses, paramedics, or other medical professionals to work in his privately run tent hospital. The move drew wary concerns from LGBTQ advocates and governement officials. Graham’s continuous marginalization of communities contradicts his pleas for unity. GLAAD's Ross Murray responded Wednesday with the following statement: “Franklin Graham’s call for people to ‘unite and work together’ would be much better received if not for his track record of publicly and vocally vilifying LGBTQ people and other marginalized groups. By continuing to enforce a strict anti-LGBTQ ‘statement of faith’ among his staff, Graham is not creating a safe space for New Yorkers during this crisis, especially without affirming that his tent hospital will abide by New York City’s human rights law.”

Programs Officer, Communities of Color Dashawn Usher highlights importance of monitoring the news during COVID-19 pandemic

GLAAD calls for immigrants in ICE custody to be protected during the COVID-19 pandemic

GLAAD, the Congressional HIspanic Caucus and many other organizations are calling on the government to release immigrants currently in ICE custody and allow them to await trial from the comfort of their homes. The battle against ICE has been relentless, but the need to release is immediate with the COVID-19 outbreak. Monica Trasandes, GLAAD’s Director of Spanish-Language and Latinx Media released the following statement: “Too many trans people, LGBTQ people and vulnerable immigrants are in ICE custody and scared that cramped conditions and lack of supplies will mean they get very sick and possibly not survive. It’s important to remember that most folks in detention are only there because they came to the U.S. seeking asylum or to work, and do not have documentation to stay. In many cases, they came to save their lives or their kids’ lives, to work hard and make a new life in our country. They deserve to be protected from this deadly virus.”