Controversy Abounds Over Meta-Data in Senator Hutchison’s Website
July 31, 2009 by Amanda Morgan, GLAAD's Digital Initiatives Fellow
As noted yesterday by the Cox News website, the Austin American Statesman, ElectionMall Technologies, a company hired by the campaign Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX), was using hidden phrases in the source code of her webpage to drive traffic to her gubernatorial campaign site.
Putting hidden words and phrases in the source code, and as meta-data tags on a website, can cause the site to appear in searches for which it is not necessarily applicable. It is a controversial tactic and one that Google has said could jeopardize a website’s standing within its search engine.
Among the more than 2,200 phrases embedded in the meta-data of Sen Hutchison’s site was the phrase “Rick Perry Gay.” Some claim this could be an attempt to stir up rumors about her rival in order to turn off his supporters. A Hutchison spokesperson asserted that this was an automatically generated list based on popular search terms. Mark Miner, spokesman for Republican Governor Rick Perry called it slander and added:
“Senator Hutchison should be ashamed and embarrassed.”
In response to the controversy, Sen. Hutchison issued a statement:
“We did not know these offensive word associations were being searched for by hundreds of thousands of Texans everyday nor do we condone the computer-generated existence on our Web site.”
As of today, all meta-data has been removed from Sen. Hutchison’s site. However, some are still calling on her to clarify to what “offensive word” she was referring.
Related Posts:Welton Gaddy Calls for a New National Discussion on Marriage
July 31, 2009 by Ann @ GLAAD
The Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy, president of Interfaith Alliance, set off a firestorm of commentary in the Newsweek-Washington Post, “On Religion” blog, after putting out a call for a new kind of national discussion on extending marriage protections to same-sex couples. The blog post introduces the newly released paper “Same Gender Marriage & Religious Freedom,” wherein Gaddy lays out perspectives on marriage and recommends direction for the future. His first suggestion: leave religion out of it.
Dialogues about religion will not forge national consensus on any sociopolitical issue or serve as a source of national unity. The population of our nation is too diverse and the religions in our nation are too different for that to happen. Individual religious traditions are divided from each other externally and, internally, adherents within each of these traditions are divided from each other.
Citing recent studies that show a range of opinions among clergy and members of evangelical and mainstream churches, Dr. Gaddy suggests that law and not religious views (SHOULD)_be the starting point for any discussion on the government’s regulation of marriage:
Law, not scripture, is the foundation of government regulations related to marriage in our nation. Presently, the United States government recognizes marriage on the basis of a properly authorized, government-issued marriage license.
This Interfaith Alliance paper by Dr Gaddy invites a national conversation on the marriage. He cites Executive Director of Freedom to Marry, Evan Wolfson’s stance that marriage inequality results in second-class citizenship, but is clear that the country should protect the right of religious groups to define marriage for their own members:
All citizens should have equal access to civil marriage and to the benefits of marriage provided for citizens in this government. Couples who desire religious marriage can seek a house of worship in which to receive that blessing. But, as is the case now, no house of worship would be legally obligated to provide marriage for a couple whom it does not want to bless. All houses of worship should be free to advocate for, defend and perpetuate the view of marriage that is consistent with their religious traditions and convictions.
While wanting to sort out religion from government, Dr. Gaddy disagrees with Jonathan Turley in his USAToday op-ed which recommends that all couples have state-sanctioned “civil unions” while religious groups do “marriages.” Gaddy writes, “Civil marriages and religious marriages have existed side by side for an untold number of years. Both…have been respected and treated equally in our society. I see no reason for that situation to change.”
In this effort to invite more conversation Gaddy is hoping for a civil and respectful dialogue. “The subject of marriage equality merits our best thoughts and influential actions as United States citizens, whether or not we are religious people or individuals who adhere to no religion.”
As part of our overall work with communities of faith, GLAAD will continue to stay in regular contact with the Interfaith Alliance to lift up progressive faith voices that promote LGBT equality.
Related Posts:Media Reports Anti-Gay Slur Issued by Football Coach
July 31, 2009 by Ted Rybka, GLAAD's Director of Sports Media
University of Hawaii Football Coach Greg McMackin
On Thursday second-year University of Hawaii football coach Greg McMackin apologized for repeatedly using an anti-gay word to describe a pre-game dance the University of Notre Dame football players performed before the Aloha Bowl last December. McMackin made the remarks while speaking to reporters at a media briefing at the Western Athletic Conference football preview in Salt Lake City.
According to published reports, McMackin said:
“I know most of the coaches in the country are rooting for us to beat Notre Dame,” McMackin said. “Charlie gives this talk, ‘We do something special at Notre Dame,’ and (the players) get up and they do this little cheer … this little fa**ot dance.”
Shortly thereafter, McMackin backtracked and asked the journalists in the room not to report on what he said:
“Don’t write that ‘fa**ot’ down. I was misquoted,” he said. “Just please … cover for me,” McMackin said Thursday. “Go ahead, say ‘fa**ot dance.’ No. Please cover for me on that, too — right Karl [Benson, the WAC commissioner]? I’ll deny it. Anything else?”
About fifteen minutes after McMackin left the press conference area he came back to apologize for the use of the slur.
Despite asking the press not to report on the issue, many did. While some reported the basic facts of the case, others used it as an opportunity to explain why that kind of language has no place in any forum.
Tiffany Edwards, of the Hawaiian Beacon, wrote that McMackin probably used it (as others do) to get a laugh.
The thing is, this is our University of Hawaii football coach. He’s a role model, who, up until today, was so esteemed he was given more annual pay than our governor. If he is speaking like this at a WAC conference, imagine how he is talking with the football players in the locker room. Having reported on one of the most heinous crimes against gays, the beating death of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in 1998, I really don’t have very much tolerance for any slur that perpetuates hate.
McMackin again apologized through official channels and issued a statement through the University of Hawaii:
“I sincerely apologize for the inappropriate words that I used,” he said in the statement. “My comments were out of character and I have no prejudices against anyone. I’m really upset with myself and I’m truly sorry for my remarks.”
Chicago White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen
Although anti-gay slurs used in the world of sports is not uncommon, it’s encouraging to see more journalists report on it. In June, 2006 Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen called then-Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti, “a fu**ing f*g” in front of members of the press.
Greg Couch, also of the Chicago Sun-Times, witnessed the tirade and reported. Shortly after he was interviewed by AfterElton and said he was amazed that others did not write about the incident.
The University of Hawaii has not announced if it will penalize McMackin. If you wish to send your thoughts, you can contact the University of Hawaii’s Athletic Director Jim Donovan at (808) 956-7301 or athdir@hawaii.edu.
Related Posts:GLAAD Wants FX to Go Back to Being Good
July 31, 2009 by Taj Paxton, GLAAD's Director of Entertainment Media
At this time last year, FX was the leader in LGBT content according to GLAAD’s 2008 Network Responsibility Index (NRI), thanks to the presence of LGBT characters in shows like Nip/Tuck, The Shield, Dirt and The Riches. In this year’s NRI, however, the cabler’s representation of lives of LGBT people dropped 34%, the biggest decline of any of the networks. Simply, LGBT people are showing up less and less on FX. When they do show up, some images have been problematic.
Daniel Sunjata plays Franco on "Rescue Me"
Take Tuesday night’s episode of Rescue Me. For all of season five, the men of Fire Station 62 have been wondering if Franco’s girlfriend Carla was a lesbian. In Tuesday night’s episode the guys have a party to help Garrity pay his outstanding medical bills and Franco’s girlfriend invites her friends, who turn out to be lesbians. The men flirt with the women in hopes they will “score.”
The men of “Rescue Me” are lovable every-men and in this episode, they are hoping fortune finds them in the hands of a lesbian woman. To be fair, this type of sexualizing of conventionally feminine lesbians is commonplace in television. However, the show takes a problematic turn when lesbians who are less conventionally feminine enter the bar. These characters are portrayed as rogue and overly aggressive towards the men.
One of the firefighters tells the others to “batten down the hatches and put locks on the men’s room door” and then says, “I’ve got the chains, who’s got a trailer hitch.” Both statements suggest an adversarial tone between straight men and lesbian women and play to misconceptions about lesbian and straight male interaction. The reference to a truck and chains is troubling because of the aggression it implies. GLAAD’s Los Angeles office received calls from concerned viewers wanting to know our response to the show.
GLAAD has enjoyed a solid working relationship with FX. Rescue Me has worked to include stories of the lives of gay and lesbian people since its first season in 2004. Past storylines have included the gay son of the Chief talking about gay firefighters who died on 9/11; Mikey, the show’s resident nice guy, exploring his sexuality; and Tommy’s high school-age daughter Colleen dating a girl.
In response to this show and in an effort to reinvigorate FX’s position as an industry leader, GLAAD and FX Public Relations will re-open a dialogue to support the network and the show in more accurately representing the lives of lesbian characters and the different forms of gender expression.
Related Posts:Salt Lake City Prosecutor Drops Charges Against Gay Couple
July 31, 2009 by Adam @ GLAAD
As we mentioned here on July 15th, a gay couple was detained and roughed up by Mormon Church Security Guards for kissing on the church-owned Main Street Plaza in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Plaza quite literally used to be one block of Main Street, but the city sold it to the church over a decade ago, and the church turned Main Street into a pedestrian walkway.
Matt Aune and Derek Jones were walking home early in July when they stopped to hug and exchange what they describe as a peck on the cheek on the Main Street Plaza. Church security guards confronted the men and accused them of inappropriate behavior.
Derek Jones and Matt Aune, pictured in The Salt Lake Tribune
When the men didn’t immediately leave, and confronted the security guards on their double standard (straight couples are often seen kissing and being physically intimate on the Main Street Plaza), the security guards forcibly separated the men, forced Derek to the ground and physically detained them while waiting for Salt Lake City Police to arrive at the scene.
Police cited the men for “trespassing.” On Wednesday, Salt Lake City Prosecutor Sim Gill dropped the charges against Jones and Aune. “The two individuals believed — albeit mistakenly — that they had the right to be there,” Gill is quoted as saying in The Salt Lake Tribune. “Fairness requires that either that property be not open to the public or you condition that [openness] in a way that the person who comes on understands that it is private property.”+
The Salt Lake Tribune editorialized in favor of the prosecutor’s decision.
The Mormon Church released video surveillance showing their own security guards forcibly detaining the gay men to the city prosecutor, and The Salt Lake Tribune obtained and posted that video through an open records request.
As for Aune and Jones, they, along with their attorneys, held a press conference held after the charges against them had been dropped. “We never thought we were doing anything wrong,” Aune said Wednesday. “We’re glad the city agreed with us.”
Related Posts:De los Mejores Segmentos en los Medios en Español que Incluyeron Historias LGBT
July 31, 2009 by Monica Trasandes, GLAAD's Director of Spanish Language Media
De los Mejores Segmentos en los Medios en Español que Incluyeron Historias LGBT
En nuestro monitoreo diario de los medios, vemos imágenes LGBT. A veces vemos o escuchamos segmentos difamatorios o simplemente problemáticos. Pero, afortunadamente, a veces también vemos, leemos o escuchamos programas o historias que son veraces, influyentes e inclusivas.
Si tu vistes un buen segmento por favor ponte en contacto. Eres una parte importante de nuestro trabajo en GLAAD, entonces por favor, también ponte en contacto si vez o escuchas algo difamatorio, con un correo electrónico a: espanol@glaad.org
Al Rojo Vivo—ARV hizo dos segmentos que aplaudimos. En la primera, nos invitaron a los representantes de GLAAD para que expliquemos porque criticamos comentarios despectivos hechos por Niurka Marcos sobre la supuesta boda de su ex esposo, Yanixán, con una mujer transgénera.
Y en un segundo segmento, ARV hizo una nota interesante sobre un marino abiertamente gay quien fue asesinado en Camp Pendleton Marine Base en San Diego.
Cristina—El show de Cristina del 29 de junio fue dedicado a gays de la tercera edad, y mostro un retrato bien considerado y conmovedor de hombres y mujeres latinos y gays de mayor edad.
Noticiero Telemundo y Noticiero Univision—Ambos programas incluyeron cobertura sobre la extensión de algunos derechos legales a las parejas del mismo sexo de empleados federales.
Noticiero Univision Canal 34—Cecilia Bogran entrevistó a una mujer transgénera quien dice haber sido discriminada en el consulado Mexicano de Los Ángeles.
Noticiero Telemundo—En el noticiero del 23 de julio, en una historia balanceada, Carlos Botifoll reportó sobre el tema de adopción por parejas del mismo sexo.
http://content5.catalog.video.msn.com/e2/ft/share5/067b/0/noti_adopcion_072309_0500.flvPaparazzi TV-En un segmento del 25 de junio, Paparazzi TV hizo un historia sobre la muerte de Angie Zapata, una mujer transgénera quien fue asesinada.
Quién Tiene La Razón?—El programa del 25 de junio incluyó la historia de una mujer transgénera cuya madre no la acepta.
Some of the Best LGBT Segments on Spanish Language TV
In our daily media monitoring at GLAAD, we look at stories with LGBT content. We often, unfortunately see defamatory or problematic stories. But we also come across stories that are fair, accurate and inclusive.
Listed below are a few of the stories we’ve seen recently that featured LGBT content. Please be sure to let us know if there is something we missed. Also, please contact is if ever you see, read or hear defamatory portrayals of LGBT people in Spanish-Language media. You are an important part of our work at GLAAD, so contact us at espanol@glaad.org.
Al Rojo Vivo-ARV did two segments recently that we applaud. In the first, they invited GLAAD to discuss defamation as it relates to comments made by singer-dancer Niurka Marcos in which she used the wor “f****t” in Spanish and defamed the transgender woman her ex husband had allegedly married. Al Rojo Vivo also did a story on the openly gay Marine killed June 30 at Camp Pendleton Marine Base in San Diego
Cristina—Cristina Saralegui’s June 29 show was entirely dedicated to elderly gays, offering several thoughtful and moving portrayals of elderly Latino gay men and lesbians.
Noticiero Univision Canal 34—Cecilia Bogran interviewed a transgender woman alleging discrimination at the Mexican consulate in Los Angeles.
Noticiero Telemundo and Noticiero Univision—Both national news shows featured strong coverage of President Obama’s decision to grant some limited benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.
Noticiero Telemundo—The July 23 nightly news featured a balanced story by Carlos Botifoll on adoption by same-sex couples.
http://content5.catalog.video.msn.com/e2/ft/share5/067b/0/noti_adopcion_072309_0500.flvPaparazzi TV—A June 25 segment on Angie Zapata told the story of the transgender young woman’s murder.
Quién Tiene La Razón?—The day time chat show featured an episode June 25 featuring a transgender woman whose mother would not accept her as transgender.
Related Posts:What to Watch: This Weekend
July 31, 2009 by Callan Koenig, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Fellow
Things are super dramatic this weekend starting with the Degrassi season finale where guns and feelings are flying all over the place. Plus the Darlings are a hot mess with the return of closeted gay Rep. Whatley on Dirty Sexy Money and Ari is running Lloyd ragged on Entourage. How much longer can he take it?
Friday, July 31
8:30 pm Degrassi: The Next Generation, The N (30 min) SEASON FINALE
The drama never stops on Degrassi and the season eight finale is no exception. Holly J and Spinner are held at gunpoint at work forcing Holly to reveal her feelings for Spinner. Meanwhile, Clare and KC join Connor in trying to reunite the gang.
9:00 pm Mental, Fox (1 hr) NEW
Things get a bit spooky tonight as a man being treated for trauma after an accident on the job is actually remembering an accident that happened over 100 years ago. Lesbian psychiatrist Chloe Artis better be on call to help with this haunting.
10:00 pm Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO (1 hr) NEW
This no-holds barred news show is broadcast live, so you never know what to expect. Bill regularly discusses LGBT issues and features gay panelists and commentators, such as Rachel Maddow, who will beon the panel tonight. Calm yourselves, ladies!
11:00 pm Jeffery and Cole Casserole, Logo (30 min) NEW
YouTube sensations Jeffery Self and Cole Escola bring their hilarious web videos from the small screen to the slightly bigger screen.
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John Schneider guest stars tonight as Congressman Whatley on Dirty Sexy Money
Saturday, August 1
10:00 pm Dirty Sexy Money, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Closeted gay Congressman Whatley is back and this time his wife has a few things to say to Patrick Darling. Plus: business celebrations, fake murders, babies, and jilted lovers makes this just another day in life of a filthy rich Darling.
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Sunday, August 2
8:00 pm Big Brother, CBS (1 hr) NEW
The game is constantly changing so gay housemate Kevin and bisexual Lydia better be on their game if they want to stay off the chopping block when eviction nominations are announced tonight.
9:00 pm True Blood, HBO (1 hr) NEW
Will Bill be able to save Sookie before it’s too late? Will the Fellowship of the Sun condemn their star pupil Jason? And how long will Sam be able to run from Maryann? Better watch and find out!
Fab gay Design Star contestant Nanthan Gulai
10:00pm Design Star, HGTV (1 hr) NEW
For the contestants’ third challenge, they must design a 10X10 room with the products bought at one store. Let’s see if gay constants Jason and Nathan will be able to handle the pressure.
10:00 pm Brooke Knows Best, VH1 (30 min) NEW
OMG! Brooke, like, sooo tries to go green and get her roommates involved as well. Let’s see if gay BFF Glenn thinks the environment is, like, such a good cause too.
10:30 pm Entourage, HBO (30 min) NEW
Ari, still riding Lloyd, puts him on Andrew watch duty to monitor his extracurricular activities. Meanwhile Drama prepares for his character’s new romance and Turtle goes shopping with Jamie-Lynn, leaving poor movie star Vince all alone. How ever will he pass the time?
GLAAD Network Responsibility Index Covered by The Tonight Show; SyFy Promises Change
July 30, 2009 by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager
GLAAD’s third annual Network Responsibility Index, which analyzes the quantity, quality and diversity of LGBT images on television, spread across the internet, radio and television following its release early Monday morning.
The Associated Press broke the story at 12:01am on July 27 and was promptly picked up numerous outlets, including popular blogs such as Towleroad, Socialite Life and AfterEllen. The story was also carried by major news outlets, including The Huffington Post, ABC News, USA Today, and Entertainment Weekly.
In print, The Hollywood Reporter ran a front page story on the Network Responsibility Index. The print editions of The New York Times and The New York Daily News also picked up the story.
GLAAD’s Senior Director of Media Programs, Rashad Robinson, was interviewed about the report by CBS Radio and KFWB in Los Angeles. On TV, CNN’s Showbiz Tonight and American Morning reported on GLAAD’s findings, but perhaps the most memorable (and hilarious) reference to the Network Responsibility Index came courtesy of Conan O’Brien on The Tonight Show:
TV Guide‘s Matt Mitovich also did an excellent job of covering GLAAD’s report. After his initial story, Mitovich reached out to the networks that received Failing grades in the Network Responsibility Index. Although most declined comment, SyFy’s executive vice president of original content, Mark Stern, touted several gay characters on upcoming series.
Ming-Na as Camille Wray in Stargate: Universe
From TVGuide.com:
“On Stargate Universe, one of the main female characters, we discover, is a lesbian and has a wife at home. It’s a pretty important facet of who that character is,” he says. ER alum Ming-Na plays intergalactic diplomat Camille Wray, while 24’s Reiko Aylesworth recurs as her wife.
Similarly the Galactica prequel spin-off Caprica has at least two main characters depicted as being in gay relationships. “[One] is a ‘goodfella’-type, and we discover in a nonchalant way that he is gay, with a husband,” Stern says. “It was very interesting to me to take what is traditionally a very heterosexual role in an organization that we think of as being extremely homophobic, and put a gay character in that world in a very normalized way.”
We commend SyFy for working to ensure the LGBT community is fairly represented in their original programming and hope that the other networks will take our recommendations to heart as well.
Related Posts:President Obama to Honor Harvey Milk, Billie Jean King With Presidential Medal of Freedom
July 30, 2009 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
President Obama today announced the 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Among those honored will be LGBT rights pioneer, Harvey Milk, as well as openly lesbian tennis champion and gender equality activist, Billie Jean King.
Milk and King are the first openly LGBT people to be honored by the distinguished prize.
The Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors.
In a statement released Thursday, President Obama expounded on the prodigious accomplishments achieved by the honorees:
Each [of the recipients] has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way. Their relentless devotion to breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens sets a standard to which we all should strive. It is my great honor to award them the Medal of Freedom.
Others presidential honorees include Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), South African activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Reverend Joseph Lowery, all of whom have championed LGBT equality across the globe. Tutu was honored by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) in April 2008 for his remarkable strides to end homophobia.
Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, an organization devoted to “identifying, training and electing LGBT leaders to all levels of office in every corner of America,” noted the significance of the president’s selection of Harvey Milk:
We are thrilled President Obama is honoring Harvey Milk with the Medal of Freedom. He’s an American hero and trailblazer whose election more than 30 years ago triggered a political awakening that inspires us still today. This recognition sends an important message about how critical political leadership will be in making all Americans equal in the eyes of the law.
The eleven other laureates are Nancy Goodman Brinker, Pedro José Greer, Jr., Stephen Hawking, Jack Kemp, Joe Medicine Crow, Sandra Day O’Connor, Sidney Poitier, Chita Rivera, Mary Robinson, Janet Davison Rowley, and Muhammad Yunus.
GLAAD will continue to watch for more coverage on the Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:What to Watch: Thursday
July 30, 2009 by Callan Koenig, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Fellow
Be sure not to miss a second of these three fabulous reality series: Big Brother, So You Think You Can Dance, and Most Popular.
Thursday, July 30
Other half of Big Brother's team rainbow, Lydia
8:00 pm Big Brother, CBS (1 hr) NEW
Another housemate is evicted tonight. Hopefully it’s not gay housemate Kevin or bisexual Lydia, but you better watch and see.
9:00 pm So You Think You Can Dance, Fox (1 hr) NEW
The tension builds as two more dancers are eliminated tonight. The show often features out choreographers Adam Shankman and Brian Friedman, among others.
10:00 pm Most Popular, We (1 hr) NEW
The fabulous Graham Norton is back hosting a new game show all about first impressions. This week a doctor with a philandering husband, a woman who graduated high school at 20 years old and an adult film star are sized up by the 100 audience members in hopes of being voted Most Popular and going home with $10,000. Let the catfights begin!
Kid Rock Calls Twitter “Gay” in Latest Issue of Rolling Stone
July 29, 2009 by Callan Koenig, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Fellow
In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, rap-rocker Kid Rock let out his true feelings about social networking site Twitter, calling it “gay.”
Kid Rock
“It’s gay. If one more person asks me if I have a Twitter, I’m going to tell them, ‘Twitter this s***, motherf***er, I don’t have anything to say, and what I have to say is not that relevant. Anything that is relevant, I’m going to bottle it up and then squeeze it onto a record somewhere.”
After GLAAD was alerted to Kid Rock’s comments, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Media Programs, Rashad Robinson, released the following statement:
“Such a misuse of the word ‘gay’ sends a message that these kinds of words can be used to insult our community. It reinforces what so many young people experience in their schools everyday, where a word that describes who they are is used to denigrate. We see today that media recognize the disrespectful nature of using this word as a pejorative and we hope Kid Rock will take this opportunity to clarify his word choice and educate his fans on the harms of such uses.”
Related Posts:Godcasts and Radio: LGBT People of Faith Explore Spirituality on Airwaves
July 29, 2009 by Tania Torres, GLAAD's Religion, Faith & Values
From radio to ‘Godcasts,’ religious themed podcasts, LGBT people are reclaiming their voice within religious and faith communities. Hitting the digital airwaves is a rapidly growing trend and here are a few shows that deserve attention:
Tony Sweet
As the host of one of the top LA Talk Radio shows, Tony Sweet, a gay Christian musician, engages LGBT people of faith in Los Angeles and across the country. Reaching more than 50,000 listeners per show, On Air with Tony Sweet hosts people of all faiths to empower and strengthen his audience through music and on-air conversations with individuals from both the religious and entertainment world. A Gospel singer, Tony sang at a major rally against Prop 8 and was also in the cast of a YouTube video response to NOM’s “Gathering Storm” called “Weathering the Storm.”
Alicia Ross
Inspired by her own spiritual journey, Alicia Ross set out to help LGBT people who were trying to reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation. She charted new territory at LOGO with the video webcast, Oh God I’m Gay, which quickly became one of LOGO’s most popular webcasts. Ross now hosts One Gay Under God and invites faith leaders from many faiths and backgrounds to explore religious and social issues affecting the LGBT community that are often not covered by mainstream media.
Candace Chellew-Hodge
Fighting to claim a place for LGBT Christians in the Bible Belt is Whosoever, an online magazine for LGBT Christians founded in 1996 by Candace Chellew-Hodge. Whosoever regularly features podcasts on its website with the goal of providing LGBT Christians a space and the necessary resources to rekindle their faith and build welcoming communities by reaching out to both LGBT people and their straight allies. Whosoever won the first 2009 Pride Choice Award for best gay and lesbian focused nonprofit in the Southeast. Candace is currently promoting her book, Bulletproof Faith.
Justin Lee
Over at the Gay Christian Network (GCN) Radio, a weekly podcast on issues pertaining to LGBT Christians, Justin Lee and co-host Brian Eckstein cover a wide range of topics from the Catholic transgender experience to helping people recover from so-called “ex-gay” ministries. Lee, the Executive Director of GCN, founded the nonprofit ministry in 2001 to provide resources and support to help individuals reconcile their faith and sexuality. GCN builds networks of supportive Christian communities and works with families, friends, and churches to create respectful dialogue on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Related Posts:Merce Cunningham Dies at 90
July 29, 2009 by Anna @ GLAAD
Openly gay choreographer Merce Cunningham died in his NYC apartment on Sunday, July 26, at age 90.
Over the course of his 60-year career, Cunningham established himself as one of the leading pioneers of dance theater. He founded the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, in which he performed in every single show until he turned 70.
As several LGBT blogs have noted, Cunningham was renowned not only for his avant-garde choreography, but also for his professional and romantic partnership with musician John Cage. In an interview with The Guardian in 2000, Cunningham was quoted saying, “I don’t think I was guarded about my personal life. John and I were together. We did our work together. We traveled together. What more is there to say?”
By the 1950s, they had became known as a groundbreaking force in the world of dance. His and Cage’s contribution to dance is widely recognized in art circles, and is one important example of the LGBT community’s participation in the evolution of art and culture.
A collection of his notable performances can be found on YouTube.
Related Posts:Hate Crimes Mar World OutGames
July 29, 2009 by Ted Rybka, GLAAD's Director of Sports Media
World OutGames, Copenhagen 2009
According to local news reports and on-the-ground reports from OutSports.com, several explosive devices were thrown and detonated at a track meet during the World OutGames in Copenhagen, Denmark on Tuesday, July 28, 2009.
The World OutGames is a sporting, cultural and human rights event for LGBT people. The first World OutGames, held in 2006, drew as many as 12,000 participants to Montreal, Canada. The second World OutGames started July 25 and run through August 2.
Although Denmark is considered to be very gay-friendly (in 1989 it became the first country in the world to recognize same-sex partnerships), two hate crime incidents have taken place since the opening ceremonies.
According to local reports, two men were arrested for yelling anti-gay epithets and attacking three athletes following the Opening Ceremonies. The three men, from England, Norway and Sweden were hospitalized for injuries incurred after being punched and kicked and later released.
The police are charging the two attackers with hate crimes and the judge has ordered them to remain in jail until the end of the World OutGames. According to Danish law, a hate crime requires proof that the person charged was motivated by sexual orientation, religion or race. Hate crimes are considered aggravating circumstances and can result in longer jail terms.
After the attack, a member of the Canadian curling team told Danish TV, “Obviously it’s scary. That fear will haunt you forever. Hate crimes go beyond bruises, go beyond broken bones and they affect you as an individual and it scars you for life.”
Koga with injured hand continues to compete.
The second attack came yesterday at a track and field event. According to reports from Outsports.com, the Advocate and other sources several explosive devices were hurled onto the track just prior to a race. Police arrested a 31-year-old man and have charged him with a hate crime for the attacks. A Seattle-area athlete, Dean Koga, was taken to the hospital to remove shrapnel from his hand and released.
In an exclusive interview with Outsports.com, Koga related his story:
“The [bomb] container hit the ground and everyone yelled to run,” said Koga, who was in his running lane and then headed for the infield area. “That’s when I felt the impact” from the shrapnel that ricocheted off the ground and into the top part of his right hand.
Koga returned the next day to compete in the 800 meters.
Stephen Stuehling, another athlete present during the attack, said, “I was scared and shocked. It was just disheartening to see that. Because of how open Denmark is, I felt pretty darn safe and this kind of corrupts that feeling.”
“The World OutGames are intended to create a safe space and bring together LGBT athletes and artists from all over the world, many from countries where being gay remains illegal,” said Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson.
“Attacks of this kind affect not only the individual athletes, but frighten participants and mar the experience for all attending. We urge the media to report these incidents and continue to delve into the dangers of homophobia here and abroad.”
GLAAD will continue to monitor coverage of this and other events.
Related Posts:What to Watch: Wednesday
July 29, 2009 by Callan Koenig, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Fellow
It’s finally here! The Champions Round of Top Chef Masters! Place your bets and watch as the six winning chefs compete for the grand prize and title of Top Chef Master!
Wednesday, July 29
Lesbian chef Anita Lo fighting for team rainbow
8:00 pm So You Think You Can Dance, Fox (2 hrs) NEW
The top 6 dancers perform to decide who will have to dance for their life. The show often features out choreographers Adam Shankman and Brian Friedman, among others.
9:00pm Bad Girls, Logo (1 hr) NEW
The hit British series continues to delve deeper into the drama, love and betrayal that unfolds between the inmates, correctional officers, and prison administrators of the Larkhall women’s prison facility.
10:00 pm The Real World: Cancun, MTV (1hr) NEW
Watch and see what kind of shenanigans gay housemate Derek gets into this week as all eight housemates continue drinkin’ and soakin’ in the Cancun sun!
10:00 pm Top Chef Masters, Bravo (1 hr) NEW
It’s the beginning of the end as the six winning chefs compete in round one of the Champions Round. They must create their signature dish then they must recreate a fellow competitors’ dish. Will lesbian chef Anita Lo be able to win the $100,000 grand prize to the charity of her choice?
