The GLAAD Media Institute just reached a huge milestone: more than 10,000 storytellers trained!

In 2017, The GLAAD Media institute was created with the goal of equipping and empowering advocates and storytellers to strengthen their media impact and accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ community. The goal of educating 10,000 storytellers was set at the program’s inception, taking only three years to achieve. GLAAD took to Twitter to highlight some of the institute’s alumni.

The Institute has helped increase accurate and inclusive storytelling in media, educate Hollywood film and TV creators to create compelling LGBTQ storylines, improve reporting about LGBTQ issues and people by national and local news outlets, and create a database of research and resources on best practices. Head over to GLAAD.org/institute to find out more about the GLAAD Media Institute. 

But wait, there’s more! Read on to learn about a a groundbreaking development  in the video game world, the LGBTQ-inclusive Emmy nominations and how GLAAD celebrated International Non-Binary People’s Day.

GLAAD praises groundbreaking ‘The Sims 4’ box art with a LGBTQ couple

The Sims 4 game unveiled a new cover last week, and it features the first LGBTQ couple ever from a major gaming company. The characters, Dela Ostrow and Mia Hayes, pictured in the bottom left-hand corner, are girlfriends in the game. Sims Mobile was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in the inaugural Outstanding Video Game category earlier this year and after GLAAD began focusing on driving LGBTQ inclusion in video games. The gaming franchise added transgender and gender expansive characters in 2016 thanks to a collaboration between GLAAD and Electronic Arts.

9 young people explain what being non-binary means to them

July 14 was Internaional Non-Binary People’s Day, and GLAAD took to Twitter with some tips on how to use  gender inclusive language. For example, instead of saying “you guys,” try using “folks.” Nine GLAAD Campus Ambassadors spoke about what being non-binary means  to them. Check it out here.

2019 MTV Video Music Awards nominations are here…and very queer! Lil Nas X, Lady Gaga, Halsey, Panic! at the Disco, Taylor Swift, Lizzo and more land big in major categories

It’s a busy time for award season nominations, with the latest coming from the MTV Video Music Awards. Allies Taylor Swift, Lizzo, and Ariana Grande lead the pack, including  nominations for Video of the Year. Grande’s “thank u, next” and Swift’s anti-hate anthem and GLAAD-boosting “You Need To Calm Down” are nominated. Country rapper Lil Nas X, who recently came out on social media, also picked up several nominations, including Best New Artist. Check out the full list of nominees here.

Ricky Martin and music artists lead Puerto Rico protests

Ricky Martin, who received GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, is among the several activists who called for the resignation of Puerto Rico governor, Ricardo Rosselló. At the Premios Juventud Awards, Martin and many other musicians used their platform to speak about the political crisis in Puerto Rico. Martin was one of many people criticized in the more than 800 leaked communications from Rosselló, which include homophobic and misogynistic statements, as cruel remarks about hurricane victims. GLAAD has been supporting LGBTQ advocates on-the-ground via social media and on Wednesday, Ricardo Rosselló officially resigned as governor. 

6 steps to supporting the LGBTQ community as an ally after Pride Month

Pride Month is over, but there are still ways to support the community after the month of June and all year round. “Speak up when you hear people using anti-LGBTQ slurs or making discriminatory statements,” Mathew Lasky, GLAAD’s Director of Communications, told Billboard. “Use your privilege to create space for less privileged people.”

71st Emmy Nominations: Billy Porter, Laverne Cox, Cherry Jones, Ben Whishaw, 'Pose,' 'Queer Eye,' 'Drag Race' and more!

ICYMI: Billy Porter became the first openly gay black man to be nominated for Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and therefore could become the first openly gay man to win in the category. GLAAD Media Award-winning series Pose, in which Porter is a character, picked up six nominations. Click here for a rundown on the LGBTQ representation in this year’s Emmy nominations.

Must-See LGBTQ TV: Final season of ‘Orange Is The New Black’ and season two of ‘Light As A Feather’

Prepare to cry because Orange Is The New Black’s final season dropped Friday. We hate to say goodbye to our favorite characters on the GLAAD Media Award-winning Netflix series. But don’t fret. There are other LGBTQ shows to fill that jumpsuit void in your heart. Check out all of the LGBTQ shows you should be streaming this week, including season two of Light As A Feather.

GLAAD and social connection app Chappy provide sweepstakes winner a ‘phenomenal experience’ at WorldPride

One lucky Chappy user won the chance of a lifetime: to march with GLAAD at WorldPride. The social connection app teamed up with GLAAD for its Chats for Charity initiative, which donates to GLAAD everytime a chat is sent. The winner, LaReco Dixon, had some kind words to say about the experience: “Thank you once again to GLAAD & Chappy for allowing us to experience WorldPride. I have to say my heart is overwhelmed, and I'm so happy to have been a part of this phenomenal experience.” You can read LaReco’s full experience here.

That’s it for now. Make sure you’re following @GLAAD on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest in LGBTQ representation across all forms of media.