Hi Friend,

Welcome to our bi-weekly newsletter about GLAAD’s programs and activities.

This week we celebrated the historic victory for LGBTQ people at the Supreme Court and our staff participated in massive rallies to support Black transgender lives in New York City and Los Angeles. This Pride Month and beyond, GLAAD will continue our work and commitment to center and lift up the voices of Black LGBTQ people. There can be no pride if it is not intersectional.

The spirit of Pride continues to live on in our community’s resilience in the fight for equality and acceptance for all. At this very time in our country’s history, this fight has never been more significant.

Read on to learn more about GLAAD’s work during Pride month and check out our Pride Guide with over 100 virtual Pride eventsto participate in!

News and Rapid Response

Victory! Supreme Court rules that workers cannot be fired for being LGBTQ

History was made as the Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ workers are protected from job disrimination. The decision said Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes it illegal for employers to discriminate because of sex, race and other factors, also covers LGBTQ workers. GLAAD was front and center across media including MSNBC, CNN.com, ABC News, USA Today, Univision, MTV.com, and more to respond to the historic ruling and speak about the road ahead for LGBTQ people. GLAAD also worked with Gerald Bostock, one of the plaintiffs in the cases, to share his story with the TODAY show and MSNBC. Our News and Rapid Response team equipped journalists with our guide for covering employment discrimination to make sure that Americans everywhere received the facts about this important moment in LGBTQ, and American, history.

GLAAD remembers tragic Pulse shooting four years later

June 12 marked four years since the tragic mass shooting at the Pulse NightClub in Orlando that took the lives of 49 people. Those who shared one or more identities in common with those taken and the survivors—LGBTQ, Latinx, people of color, and immigrants of many nationalities—are still grieving and processing what the shooting means about identity and safety. GLAAD’s Twitter on Friday was transformed into a feed of remembrance. GLAAD also elevated its media guide for journalists on how to cover and talk about Pulse.

GLAAD to register voters during annual NYC Pride rally

GLAAD is proudly partnering with  NYC Pride on a virtual rally on June 26. During the event, GLAAD will speak on the importance of registering and pledging to vote this year alongside an inspiring line-up of LGBTQ activists. The NYC Pride Rally will take place June 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET on NYC Pride's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube pages. Register for the free event here. 

Pride

GLAAD’s Anthony Ramos, Nico Tortorella and Alex Newell to discuss current state of Pride in Thoery’s Be Heard Campaign

Contemporary fashion brand Theory is expanding its Be Heard IGTV to be more inclusive, and GLAAD is partnering for a Pride panel. Head of Talent Anthony Ramos will moderate a discussion between writer, actor and activist Nico Tortorella and singer and actor Alex Newell. The trio will discuss how COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement has shaped Pride 2020 and highlight ways we can celebrate during these times. Visit Theory’s IGTV channel on June 24 to watch.

GLAAD is proudly supporting the “Black Queer Town Hall,” hosted and produced by Black LGBTQ advocates and entertainers Peppermint and Bob the Drag Queen. Performers and advocates slated to appear during the virtual event include Laverne Cox, Mj Rodriguez, Angelica Ross, Todrick Hall, Isis King, Shea Diamond, Tiq Milan, Alex Newell, and more. The event will stream on GLAAD’s YouTube and Facebook pages each day from 6:30-8pm EST beginning on Friday, June 19 and through Sunday, June 21.

#StayLoudStayProud: A Cameo & GLAAD Pride Partnership

GLAAD is partnering with Cameo for Pride month. Cameo connects fans with their favorite celebrities by giving them a platform to buy a personalized video shout-out, creating the most unique and authentic fan experiences in the world. Throughout the month of June, GLAAD will receive a portion of the video booking fee from all of the incredible LGBTQ people & allies who have opted-in to this amazing donation program. See here for the full list of celebrities supporting GLAAD, and get your Cameo today!

Transgender Media Representation

‘Disclosure’ documentary on Netflix highlights evolution of transgender images on TV and in film

GLAAD’s Director of Transgender Representation Nick Adams and Associate Director of Transgender Representation Alex Schmider are two of several producers on the upcoming Netflix documentary Disclosure. The powerful new film, directed by Sam Feder, documents several decades of transgender representation in TV and film and includes 30 trans people talking about the impact of those harmful portrayals. Nick Adams is one of the people interviewed. Executive produced by actress Laverne Cox, the documentary features Mj Rodriguez, Brian Michael Smith, Jamie Clayton, Jen Richards, Lilly Wachowski, Yance Ford and many more. Check out the trailer here, and watch Disclosure when it drops on Netflix on June 19.

GLAAD Media Institute and Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations team up and train Local Journalists

Over the past few weeks, GLAAD has led a push for better understanding and respectful coverage of transgender and gender non-conforming people after a KDKA Pittsburgh radio show host misgendered Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine in May. Regional media reported the host referring to Dr. Levine as “sir” at least three times, with her replying, “Please don’t misgender me.” GLAAD worked with the city of Pittsburgh’s Commission on Human Relations on a training program for media professionals and appeared on a panel with members local Pittsburgh journalists and transgender residents. GLAAD consulted on the program and educational materials, which included research from GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide. The webinar was attended by dozens of journalists. Click here to read more. 

Election 2020

Make sure you’re registered to vote and take the pledge to vote in November

It is important now more than ever to ensure your voice is heard. GLAAD is on the frontlines urging people to vote for pro-equality candidates. It is imperative that we reverse the erosion of LGBTQ rights, including reversing the trans military ban and making sure all marginalized communities are seen and heard. Take the pledge to vote now. 

Youth Engagement

Campus Ambassador Nasir Anthony Montalvo takes over GLAAD’s Twitter for weekly AmpU chat

GLAAD Campus Ambassador Nasir Anthony Montalvo at the Stevens Institute of Technology took over GLAAD’s Twitter for the weekly AmpU chat. In the discussion, Nasir asked followers to share how they’re healing during this time. Check it out here. AmpU was introduced to provide youth, who are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis, the opportunity to connect in a positive way. The weekly thread highlights GLAAD’s Campus Ambassador program, which is present on 147 college campuses in 47 states.

Adam Lambert launches second eBay auction to support GLAAD and chats with Campus Ambassadors

Adam Lambert and his Feel Something Foundation teamed up with eBay for Charity to celebrate Pride month with another exciting costume auction to benefit GLAAD’s Youth Engagement work. Adam and his foundation conducted a similar campaign for GLAAD in April. Adam kicked off the auction by hosting a panel with GLAAD’s Head of Talent Anthony Ramos and four GLAAD Campus Ambassadors, the volunteer network of LGBTQ and ally college and university students who work with GLAAD and their local communities to build an LGBTQ movement to accelerate acceptance and end hate and discrimination. The group talked about what Pride means to them. You can see the full video here, and check out the auction at ebay.com/adamlambert. 

Entertainment Media

GLAAD supports Human Rights Watch Film Festival digital screening of Kenyan  ‘I Am Samuel’

Through the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, GLAAD is supporting the LGBTQ documentary I Am Samuel. Filmed over five years, the documentary follows Samuel as he travels from his small farm town in Kenya to its capital, Nairobi. In the capital, Samuel finds an accepting queer community and falls in love with Alex. GLAAD consulted on the documentary as part of our work  to amplify the international stories of LGBTQ acceptance. To learn more about the film, click here.