Hi Friend,

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

As Pride Month came to an end, GLAAD brought huge affirming Pride messages to LGBTQ people everywhere with virtual events from P&G, iHeartMedia and Pride Live.Our work during Pride emphasized the history of Pride and also focused on #BlackLivesMatter and other issues facing LGBTQ people today. Last week, GLAAD also revealed a cast of 20 LGBTQ changemakers under the age of 20 in the inaugural 20 Under 20 list with Teen Vogue. GLAAD also responded to the Archdiocese of Indiana’s targeting of transgender students through new harmful policies.

Read on to learn more about GLAAD’s work.

GLAAD brings Pride messages from President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Geena Rocero, Justin Tranter, Shea Diamond, and more during Pride Live’s Stonewall Day

On Friday, Pride Live held its third annual Stonewall Day, a global campaign to elevate awareness and support for the Stonewall legacy and the continuing fight for full LGBTQ equality. This year’s event was hosted by transgender model and advocate Geena Rocero and included segments on #BlackLivesMatter and the dangerous rise of violence facing trans women, especially Black trans women. GLAAD returned for the second consecutive year to lead press and media outreach. Stonewall Day raised critical funds for four LGBTQ organizations severely affected by COVID-19. To open Stonewall Day, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden delivered a surprise message to the LGBTQ community. During the event, President Barack Obama also addressed the LGBTQ community. Notables, including Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Christian Siriano, and George Takei, sent powerful video messages to the LGBTQ community during #StonewallDay. Check out the videos here. Other guests and performers included Ellen DeGeneres, Cynthia Erivo, Kesha, Hayley Kiyoko, Katy Perry, Justin Tranter, Alok Vaid-Menon, Bob the Drag Queen, Blossom C. Brown, Shea Diamond, Ryan Jamaal Swain, and more. Check out Pride Live’s Stonewall Day on Logo’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

News and Rapid Response

GLAAD responds to Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ new, extreme, and harmful attempts to target and exclude transgender students

GLAAD is working with LGBTQ people in Indiana to  denounce the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ new policy that targets transgender young people for rejection and exclusion in all areas of school life. The archdiocese’s “Policy and Complementary Norms on Sexual Identity in School Ministries of the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis” is signed by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson and Chancellor Annette “Mickey” Lentz, effective June 8, 2020. The eight-page policy is filled with inaccurate claims and terminology regarding gender identity, and even says that if there is an attempt to legally change a student’s gender, the student will be forced to withdraw from school.“The Indianapolis archdiocese’s attempt to target transgender young people rather than create safe and accepting environments for them is shameful and dangerous,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Research shows transgender youth face a higher risk of suicide from just this kind of rejection and refusal to see their authentic identity. To codify this rejection further isolates and threatens the very young people in need of love and protection.” 

Shelly’s Voice, the Indiana-based advocacy group formed to defend and protect LGBTQ teachers from discrimination and unjust dismissal, including at least five Indianapolis educators in the past two years, called out the policy’s hurtful exclusions and goals: “Shelly’s Voice Advocacy is frightened and dismayed by the new Archdiocesan policy which denies the trans community their dignity and rights. Within the eight-page policy that refuses to use the term transgender, it states ‘any student whose ‘gender’ has been legally changed from their biological sex, or who has chemically and/or surgically altered their given biology, may not be eligible for enrollment.’ This policy advises schools to not allow transgender students to enroll, and advocates for ‘trained’ professionals to help adolescents who are confused about their gender identity by defining ‘issues of self identity’ in accordance with the Catholic teaching.”

Youth Engagement

GLAAD and Teen Vogue debut Rising Stars 20 Under 20 list highlighting LGBTQ young people accelerating acceptance

Last week, GLAAD revealed its inaugural Rising Stars 20 Under 20 list, spotlighting 20 young LGBTQ people, ages 20 and under, who are accelerating acceptance of LGBTQ people while shaping the future of media and activism. The 20 Under 20 list, which is presented exclusively by Teen Vogue, features a diverse collection of young changemakers, including model Aaron Philip, rapper Kidd Kenn, actors Ian Alexander, Joshua Rush, Josie Totah, and Logan Rozos, activists Emma González, Jazz Jennings, Jamie Margolin, and Sarah Rose Huckman, among others. “At a time when millions across the country are taking a unified stand against racial injustice, we are reminded of the undeniable impact that young people have when they use their voice and platform to call for change,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “LGBTQ young people continue to shape the future of LGBTQ visibility, representation, and activism in unique and exciting ways, and this year’s 20 Under 20 list is a true reflection of the changemakers who are advancing the dialogue and accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people.” Full profiles of the 20 Under 20 honorees can be found here. Throughout the week, GLAAD spotlighted each of the 20 Under 20 honorees individually on Instagram, finishing on Friday with a powerful montage video about this year's list. For more information about the Rising Stars program, click here.

20 Under 20 honoree Leo Rocha takes over GLAAD’s Twitter for weekly AmpU chat

Former GLAAD Campus Ambassador and 20 Under 20 honoree Leo Rocha led last week’s AmpU chat. In it, Leo talked about media representation and asked GLAAD’s followers, “When was the first time you saw yourself represented on-screen? What did that feel like for you?” Check out the discussion 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.

Communities of Color

GLAAD Media Institute alum pens ‘Queerty’ op-ed about being Black in America

GLAAD Media Institute alum Justice Horn penned an op-ed titled “Systemic racism calls for a multi-faceted uprising that creates systemic change,” which ran in Queerty. In the powerful statement, Justice writes: “I believe we need to build that coalition to include every American if we want to quash the racism in this country. Solving racism is going to take a variety of solutions, all within a variety of different contexts. Some will march. Some will organize. Some will run for office. All these actions, and so much more, will be needed to move our city and country forward.” Read the full op-ed here.

Spanish Language and Latinx Representation

GLAAD calls on Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) to take actions against Mega TV host Antulio “Kubbo” Santarrosa over racist rhetoric

GLAAD demanded last week that immediate action be taken against Antulio “Kobbo” Santarossa, host of Mega TV’s La Comay, for his racist remarks about Ana Irma Rivera Lassén, an out lesbian and Afro-Latina running for state senate in Puerto Rico. Santarrosa made the remarks on his June 1 show in the voice of his life-sized puppet, La Comay. “GLAAD unequivocally stands against the racist rhetoric of Antulio “Kobbo” Santarrosa and calls on Mega TV and its parent company, the Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), to take forceful action to stop this commentator or any other from thinking racism is somehow acceptable,” said Monica Trasandes, GLAAD’s Director of Spanish-Language & Latinx Media and Representation. “Santarrosa has a long history of using homophobic comments as a way to gain attention. Homophobia, transphobia, racism and any other speech that hurts communities has no place on public airwaves."His previous show SuperXclusivo, which aired on WAPA TV, was cancelled in 2013 after years of criticism for homophobic commentary. GLAAD supports Puerto Rican LGBTQ activists who are calling for Santarrosa’s show to be canceled.

Transgender Media Representation

GLAAD’s Nick Adams appears in Netflix’s ‘Disclosure’ and joins discussion around transgender representation in film and TV

The Motion Picture Association and Netflix hosted on Friday the virtual panel “Film School Friday: Creating for an Authentic Future.” Timed to coincide with Pride Month, the event discussion focused on trans representation, inclusion and depiction in film and television. The transgender and LGBTQ creators of the groundbreaking Netflix documentary Disclosure, including executive producer Laverne Cox, director/producer Sam Feder, and producer Amy Scholder, served as panelists. GLAAD’s own Nick Adams, director of transgender representation who appears in the film, also joined the conversation, which was moderated by MPA’s John Gibson. MPA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin and Congressman and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ Equality Caucus, David Cicilline, provided opening remarks. To watch the event, please visit FilmSchoolFriday.com.

GLAAD Media Institute

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

As we near Primaries and our Presidential Election, 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

Pride

GLAAD, P&G and iHeartRadio show the world that you ‘Can’t Cancel Pride’ 

P&G and iHeartMedia teamed up on Thursday to host “Can’t Cancel Pride: A COVID-19 Relief Benefit for the LGBTQ+ Community,” of which GLAAD was a beneficiary along with other national LGBTQ organizations. Hosted by Laverne Cox and Elvis Duran, the event featured appearances and performances by some of the biggest artists, including Adam Lambert, Ben Platt, Big Freedia, Billy Porter, Katy Perry, Kim Petras, Melissa Etheridge, Sia, Ricky Martin and more. Can’t Cancel Pride streamed on Hulu, as well as iHeartRadio’s Facebook & Instagram pages, and iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com. You can watch the full event here.

GLAAD partners with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire for ‘Drag Queen Mukbang’ content series

In honor of Pride Month, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire is releasing “Drag Queen Mukbang,” a branded content series that pairs two popular Millennial food trends: ​mukbang ​and the drag queen brunch. The four-episode series will feature LGBTQ stars serving up a virtual dining experience filled with food and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, while they also discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their lives and the LGBTQ community. With an aim to champion organizations and initiatives that support the LGBTQ community, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire has partnered with GLAAD and various local nonprofits across the country for its campaign. Through July 18, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire will release a new episode featuring each of the stars of the series on JackFirePride.com. The series kicked off with Patrick Starrr on June 20, with the next episode featuring Eugene Lee Yang to be released on July 4. Click here to check out the first episode.

GLAAD and Audible team up for ‘Hear My Story’ interview series

GLAAD has partnered with spoken-word entertainment giant Audible to co-curate and produce a three-episode written interview series featuring LGBTQ spoken word artists. The first interview features poet, actor, and performing artist, Staceyann Chin, interviewed by Anthony Ramos, GLAAD’s Head of Talent. Chin proudly identifies as Caribbean, Black, Asian, lesbian, a woman, and a resident of New York City, as well as a Jamaican national. Click here to read Staceyann's interview.

That’s all for now. Keep up to date by following @GLAAD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. See you next time!