Hi Friend, 

Welcome to our bi-weekly newsletter about GLAAD’s programs and activities that your investments make possible.

GLAAD continues to leverage the media to move hearts and minds toward LGBTQ acceptance. This includes overturning anti-trans legislation by equipping journalists with facts they need to know and moving to protect the most vulnerable in our community. GLAAD also announced the nominees for the GLAAD Media Awards, the most visible LGBTQ awards show that recognizes the best of the best in media. Keep reading to learn more.

GLAAD Media Awards 

GLAAD announced that out actress and producer Niecy Nash will host the virtual ceremony for the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which will stream on GLAAD’s YouTube on Thursday, April 8 at 8pm ET/5pm PT. For the first time ever, the virtual ceremony will also stream on Hulu on April 8 starting at 10pm ET. The awards will be available to stream on-demand on Hulu until the end of June.

"I am so thrilled to be hosting this year’s GLAAD Media Awards, honoring the LGBTQ stories and images that change the world by growing acceptance and understanding,” said Niecy Nash. “My wife Jessica and I are still thriving in newlywed bliss, and I’m looking forward to bringing that love and joy to GLAAD’s biggest night. Be ready for a surprise or two!”

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES

News and Rapid Response

Newsweek, CNN, The New York Times, and other media outlets receive failing grades in GLAAD’s Media Report Card on coverage of the Equality Act 

Earlier this month, GLAAD released a Media Report Card on the Equality Act coverage from February 25, when the landmark legislation was passed by the House. The Media Report Card comes after LGBTQ voices were largely left out of mainstream media coverage of the House passage in leading digital and print outlets. GLAAD is calling on mainstream media to do better when it comes to writing about prominent LGBTQ issues, especially when false, inaccurate, and harmful anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is part of the story. The Report Card offers suggestions, best practices, and links to helpful resources.

For a full look at the Report Card, click here.

EXPOSING ANTI-LGBTQ ACTIVISTS 

The 'Promise to America’s Children' coalition was exposed by GLAAD as a group of anti-LGBTQ organizations opposing the Equality Act and targeting transgender Americans

A coalition of anti-LGBTQ organizations called the Promise to America’s Children coalition formed in an effort to stop the passage of the Equality Act and promote policies targeting transgender Americans at the federal and state levels. This coalition is backed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Policy Alliance, Heritage Foundation and other national and local anti-LGBTQ groups. GLAAD monitored a Heritage Foundation event on February 23 during which the coalition was announced, and has since been working with the media to expose the anti-LGBTQ history and motives behind the organizations and groups involved in the coalition. 

CLICK HERE READ MORE

As the former president continued spreading falsehoods and attacking transgender Americans at CPAC, GLAAD stepped up to expose his activity.

Former President Trump addressed the The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Halfway through his hour and a half speech, Trump turned his attention to trans athletes, criticizing Biden for advancing protections for LGBTQ people.

GLAAD responded to the speech on Twitter, writing: “He’s getting cheers from the CPAC crowd for attacking trans Americans. His administration deployed multiple departments to target trans people looking for a job, going to school, trying to see a doctor, or to access safe shelter.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON OUR BLOG 

Communities of Color

GLAAD responds to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s decades-long absence of Black voting members for the Golden Globes.

Ahead of the 78th Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, GLAAD responded to the news that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has no Black voting members. On February 26, Time’s Up launched the hashtag #TimesUpGlobes calling on the HFPA for reform among its membership and nominating process, which has been joined by many other leaders and organizations within Hollywood.

GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis responded to the news with a statement on Twitter: “GLAAD stands in solidarity with Time's Up, Color Of Change, and all who are calling on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to do better, in light of the recent news about not having any Black members for the Golden Globes in decades. Though data for LGBTQ members of the HFPA has not been released, we encourage and implore the HFPA to address these loud calls for change in an intersectional way by including LGBTQ and other diverse communities. Representation matters. Accountability matters. Moving forward, the HFPA must make substantial and transparent changes to ensure that all diverse voices are represented and celebrated amongst its membership and nominees.”

GLAAD support the AAPI Community

In response to the horrific attacks in Atlanta, GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis issued the following statement, "GLAAD stands alongside #StopAsianHate and the AAPI community in calling for an end to the hatred and violence that the AAPI community has been confronting for too long. We've reached out to AAPI organizations to offer solidarity and support, as we continue to listen to our partners and monitor the situation unfolding in Georgia."

GLAAD Media Institute

GLAAD hosts Employee Resource Group Summit on improving diversity and inclusion in the tech community

GLAAD hosted an Employee Resource Group (ERG) Summit focused on diversity and inclusion in the tech community. Attended by 100 of the industry’s ERG leaders, the Summit offered insights and practices to help corporate change agents in tech engage with the LGBTQ community, their own staff, and other consumers with information that can create a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ people

The GLAAD Media Institute conducts trainings on LGBTQ issues and inclusion to executives at Bumble and Microsoft 

This week, Alex Schmider, GLAAD’s Associate Director of Transgender Representation, and Ross Murray, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Education and Training, presented a multi-level training to the executives and spokespeople for the dating apps Bumble and Badoo. The presentation included information about the LGBTQ community in the U.S., pressing issues being faced, the current cultural context, overview of the dating landscape, and the business case for LGBTQ inclusuion and competency to help spokespeople feel more empowered and confident to include LGBTQ people in priorities and intitiatives.

Entertainment Media

GLAAD praises former First Lady Michelle Obama for her support of Zaya Wade during virtual Q&A session 

Zaya Wade interviewed Michelle Obama for a virtual Q&A session on Instagram following the release of Obama's young reader's edition of Becoming.

During the conversation, Michelle and Zaya discussed advice they would share for teen readers of Becoming. Michelle praised Zaya, stating: “I am just so proud of you...for being just an amazing role model and embracing your truth.” Michelle also told teens to "be patient" with themselves and to embrace change and new opportunities in their own journeys to self-acceptance and becoming who they are.

GLAAD responded with a statement from Serena Sonoma, GLAAD’s Communications Coordinator and Regional Media Lead for the U.S. South: “Michelle Obama’s support for Zaya Wade sends a powerful message to trans kids around the world that they are seen, heard, and celebrated. In essence, this is all that trans youth need: to simply be affirmed in their identity and know that being trans is both beautiful and powerful. Our children are the leaders of tomorrow, which includes transgender youth, who deserve to thrive and feel encouraged about whoever they strive to become.” 

Spotlight

GLAAD Honors International Women’s Day with Spotify 

On March 8th, Spotify launched EQUAL, a new initiative highlighting the women creators on its platform and working towards equity for women in the audio industry. As part of the initiative, GLAAD partnered with Spotify to curate a unique playlist to spotlight diverse known and emerging LGBTQ women artists in honor of International Women’s Day. Check out the playlist here. 

GLAAD Celebrates LGBTQ winners at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards

The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards took place Sunday night in Los Angeles, with Trevor Noah hosting the toned-down affair on CBS from a rooftop at the show’s long-term home at the Staples Center. And this year, the nominees and winners lists were filled with both familiar and new names from the LGBTQ community. GLAAD celebrated all the show’s queer moments and winners on social media and website. Check out the winners here. 

Keep up to date by following @GLAAD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.