Media Highlights Efforts to Counter Anti-Gay Group NOM
August 31, 2009 by Kellee Terrell, COAD Media Strategist @ GLAAD
Last week, One Iowa spoke out against the National Organization of Marriage (NOM) by creating a petition for supporters of marriage for gay and lesbian couples to sign. NOM―a New Jersey-based anti-gay organization―launched their Reclaim Iowa campaign last week attempting to undermine existing law that extends marriage to gay and lesbian couples.
According to One Iowa’s website, the organization has collected 1,200 signatures so far. In addition, they state that the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board issued a letter to NOM warning the group about their campaign practices:
In a August 27 letter, the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, warns the National Organization for Marriage about their campaign activities in Iowa. Here are the key points of the warning:
- only an “insignificant and insubstantial amount” of NOM’s income is permitted to come from business organizations
- if advocacy activities in Iowa exceed $750, NOM must form a PAC and disclose contributors.
- “To continue to file an independent expenditure statement for future elections in Iowa would mean that your organization is not raising more than $750 from outside sources for such purposes”
On August 28, The Iowa Independent reported that One Iowa isn’t alone in fighting NOM. Fairness Fund Pac, an Iowa-based political action committee, has stepped up to the plate as well.
An Iowa-based political action committee that supports marriage rights for same-sex couples is working to raise $10,000 by midnight Friday in the hopes of countering the huge investment made by an anti-gay marriage organization in the special election in House District 90.
Fairness Fund PAC, which is associated with the state’s largest gay-rights advocacy group, One Iowa, is hoping a last-minute surge of money can help bring Democrat Curt Hanson to victory. The National Organization for Marriage (NOM), a New Jersey-based group that opposes same-sex marriage, spent nearly $90,000 on a television ad campaign for Republican candidate Steve Burgmeier.
“If Stephen Burgmeier wins this election, it will be spun as a victory for anti-gay marriage opponents in Iowa and across the country,” said Carolyn Jenison, executive director of One Iowa, in a post on the PAC’s blog. “We can’t let this happen.”
If their anti-gay efforts succeed, opponents of marriage equality won’t just negatively affect Iowa residents, but many other same-sex couples in neighboring states. On August 30, The Associated Press in the Kansas City Star reported that almost half of gay and lesbian couples who have been married in Iowa, are from out of town.
Between April 27 and July 27 there were 5,214 marriage certificates issued statewide. Of those, 676 were for same-sex couples. Gender was concealed on 339 marriage certificates.
Of the 676 same-sex couples, 312 couples weren’t from Iowa. They were from neighboring states.
Data show 57 couples were from Illinois, 38 were from Nebraska, 37 were from Missouri and 36 were from Minnesota.
GLAAD will continue keeping up with the latest developments around this issue.
Related Posts:UPDATE: Vigil Held to Mourn Death of Transgender Woman in D.C. Draws Support From Community and National Organizations
August 31, 2009 by Anna Wipfler, GLAAD's Transgender Advocacy Fellow
The vigil held at the site of Tyli’a “NaNa Boo” Mack’s death last Friday evening in Washington, D.C. brought family, friends, activists, and allies together to mourn the loss of a well-known member of D.C.’s transgender community as well as to denounce the ongoing violence against transgender people, particularly transgender people of color, across the nation.
As we reported in our blog on Friday, NaNa Boo and her friend, another transgender woman, were attacked and stabbed on the 200 block of Q Street, in Northwest Washington, D.C last Wednesday, August 26th. The surviving victim has recovered from her critical condition and is now preparing to appear before a grand jury to relate the events of the attack.
Pam’s House Blend posted a brief video depicting the scene at the vigil, where many mourners gathered despite the rainy weather. The same posting contains a handful of poignant Tweets from attendees of the vigil, organized by Transgender Health Empowerment, the transgender services organization where NaNa Boo is thought to have been taking her friend when the two were attacked walking down the sidewalk
Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality tweeted from the vigil, “The rain here does not feel cleansing today. Just sad.”
Allyson Robinson, Associate Director of Diversity with the Human Rights Campaign, tweeted the following comment from NaNa Boo’s mother, Beverly, during the proceedings:
I did not know my baby was so loved by you all. Thank you so much.
NewsChannel8 / ABC7 covered reactions from family, friends and representatives of Transgender Health Empowerment.
Organizations across the country issued condolences, including the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco, following official statements made by T.H.E. as well as the DC Trans Coalition (covered in our previous blog).
Matt Kailey, of the Examiner.com, wrote:
Trans women, and especially trans women of color, are particularly vulnerable to this type of violent attack. The Colorado Anti-Violence Program has informed me that one thing concerned citizens can do in these situations is to hold the media accountable for reporting this violence and for using correct names and pronouns in their reporting.
While overall NewsChannel8 provided fair and accurate coverage of the aftermath of NaNa Boo’s slaying, their reports contained repeated references to “transgenders.” Previous news coverage from other sources has referred to the incident as a stabbing of “transgender men” and persisted in referring to the victim by her given name. GLAAD is continuing to reach out to these media outlets to provide them with resources, including our Transgender Terminology Guide, to improve future reporting surrounding transgender-related news.
The latest reports indicate that the Metropolitan Police Department has still not confirmed their intent to investigate the stabbings as a hate crime, though they have acknowledged it as a possibility. So far, however, the evidence seems to point strongly toward that conclusion.
According to NewsChannel 8:
Patria Dickerson, Mack’s best friend, says Nana Boo did not take verbal abuse on the street silently. “Me and her [were] together an hour before she got murdered. She’s outspoken and she’s not going to let anybody say what they want to say to her,” she said.
The transgender community center says it’s providing grief counselors. “They’re hurt. They’re shocked — can’t believe this happened to Nana Boo,” said Anthony Hall of the Transgender Help Empowerment Center.
GLAAD is in contact with T.H.E. and is following the story closely to keep you updated with the latest information regarding the case.
Related Posts:Lil Mama Makes Controversial Critique on America’s Best Dance Crew
August 31, 2009 by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager
Underlying conflict rose to the surface for Vogue Evolution last night on America’s Best Dance Crew as Leiomy said she was homesick and was shown acting out in rehearsal footage. After their performance, judge Lil Mama waded into controversy with some of her comments to Leiomy.
Lil' Mama
After walking out of dress rehearsal, Leiomy says that she has decided to stay because she recognizes that she has become a prominent representative of the transgender community on television and does not want to let down her fans.
Lil Mama opens her comments by stating that she “live[s] for Vogue Evolution,” offers a critical analysis of their performance and then addresses Leiomy directly:
“Leiomy, come on. Your behavior…it’s unacceptable. I just feel that you always have to remember your truth. You were born a man and you are becoming a woman. If you’re going to become a woman, act like a lady. Don’t be a bird, like ‘Oh my god, I’m not doing this!’ You know what I’m saying? It gets too crazy and it gets confusing. You’re doing this for America. Even though you’re the face for transgenders, you’re the face of America right now with this group and it’s not about anybody else. It’s about y’all. You know what I’m saying? So do it for the team. Do it for the team.”
You can watch video of the performance here.
GLAAD has received a number of complaints from concerned constituents regarding Lil Mama’s comments. We are currently reviewing the events and have reached out to MTV. We hope to have an update soon.
Related Posts:What to Watch: Monday
August 31, 2009 by Callan Koenig, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Fellow
Things always look different in the light of day, something our fave undergrads will find out in the season premiere of Greek. Watch and see what unfolds after the party’s over and the hangovers set in.
Grant and Calvin...the morning after
Monday, August 31
9:00 pm Greek, ABC Family (1 hr) SEASON PREMIERE
Drama has already hit frat row in this season three opener, picking up right where it left off, with a new day after the “End of the World” party. After resisting the urge all season, Calvin finally kissed his frat brother, Grant, at the aforementioned party. Tune in tonight to see what happened after the make out session.
8:00 pm The Secret Life of the American Teenager, ABC Family (1 hr) NEW
Griffin and Ashley reworked their “no dating in high school” pact last week after Ashley showed interest in a boy. There’s still time for Griffin to find a boy of his own before next week’s season finale!
10:00 pm Rachel Zoe Project, Bravo (1 hr) NEW
Glamour is exhausting! Just ask Rachel as she hunts tirelessly for the perfect Oscar gown for Anne Hathaway. Meanwhile, Taylor is off on a shoot for Jennifer Garner but is also finding her job exhausting to the point that she’s thinking of leaving. She probably wont hear any complaints from Brad.
10:00 pm Making His Band, MTV (1 hr) NEW
Go Ruben!
Since Sean “Diddy” Combs’ other music series did so well, he has decided to use this spin-off to document the formation of his own band for his upcoming tour. Competing for one of the coveted back up singer spots is the talented Jaila Simms, a transgender woman from Chicago. Can this fabulous singer win a spot in Diddy’s new band? Better watch and find out!
10:00 pm Dance Your Ass Off, Oxygen (1 hr) SEASON FINALE
Who will walk away the winner after dancing off the most weight? Rueben’s come this far and with boyfriend John on his way to recovery nothing can stop him for winning it all! Go Ruben!
10:00 pm Weeds, Showtime (30 min) SEASON FINALE
Nancy runs for the hills after learning of Esteban’s fate, Andy decides to refocus his life, and Dean, Doug, and Celia come to an understanding. But I’m sure lesbian Isabelle can find other ways to disrupt her mothers’ life.
AEG Live and Live Nation Cancel Anti-Gay Buju Banton Concerts
August 29, 2009 by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager
Earlier this week, The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center and other LGBT organizations raised concerns regarding AEG Live and Live Nation’s planned concerts by anti-gay reggae artist Buju Banton later this year at various venues nationwide.
Buju Banton
Banton had previously raised protests from the LGBT community thanks to violently anti-gay lyrics in his music. In a popular song released in 1988 entitled “Boom Bye Bye,” Banton repeats the anti-gay slurs, “batty bwoy” and “batty man,” which are equivalent to the slur “fa**ot,” and says that they “have to die” and he will “shoot them in the head” or “burn them.” He continues to sing this song at his concerts today. In 2006, Banton was acquitted of charges that he participated in gay bashing in Jamaica.
After hearing from hundreds of concerned members of the LGBT community, AEG Live and Live Nation announced the cancellation of all planned Buju Banton concerts. We commend everyone in the community for their quick response and AEG Live and Live Nation for pulling the plug on Banton.
Related Posts:Sneak Preview: Behind the Scenes with ABDC’s Vogue Evolution
August 28, 2009 by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager
Yesterday, GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Team had the privilege of visiting the set of Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew and checking out Vogue Evolution as they rehearsed for the Bollywood themed episode that will air on Sunday.
Next week we’ll be posting video of the interview we conducted with Vogue Evolution. In the meantime, here are a few photos of the fab five to tide you over:
For this week's show, all crews must incorporate aspects of Bollywood into their dance
From left: Pony, Daeshaun, Prince and Leiomy (5th member Malachi was unable to attend the interview)
From left: Daeshaun, Entertainment Media Manager Jonathan Rosales, Pony, Leiomy, Director of Entertainment Media Taj Paxton, and Prince
Two Transgender Women Stabbed in Broad Daylight, One Dead
August 28, 2009 by Brendan Davis, Media Advocacy & Research Fellow
Two transgender women were stabbed in Northwest Washington D.C. on Wednesday, MyFoxDC reported. The attack occurred on the 200 block of Q Street, NW at 2:30PM and left one of the women dead and one in critical condition.
Officers found 21 year old Tyli A Nana Boo Mack and her friend in front of an apartment building after the stabbing. Mack died after being rushed to the hospital, and her friend, whose identity is being withheld by police, is still in critical condition.
The attacker has not been caught, but witnesses say that they saw a man in his 30s fleeing the scene. The Washington Post reports that police are investigating the attack as a possible hate crime based on information that they received from the victim when they arrived at the scene. The attack occurred two blocks away from the offices of Transgender Health Empowerment (THE), an organization that, according its website, hopes to “enhance the quality of life of the diverse transgender populations we serve”. THE released a statement condemning the stabbing:
As our organization strives to enhance the quality of life of the diverse transgender populations throughout the Metro Washington, D.C. area we are too often reminded that even our basic right to life without hate and the threat of violence and even death is in constant jeopardy.
The D.C. Transgender Coalition, an organization dedicated to fighting for human rights and equal access for the transgender community, also issued a statement which said:
The incident took place close to the offices of Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc (THE) and reminds us that the lives, health and safety of transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming people are under siege by hate and ignorance. Attacks such as this one threaten our entire community.
In the statement, the Coalition urged police and media to be respectful of transgender people in the process:
Too many times, police and media correspondents have failed to accurately identify and respect the gender identities of trans people, in spite of the commonly accepted Associated Press guidelines that clearly state that reporters should use pronouns and names in accordance with the individuals identity. This disrespect only perpetuates the ignorance that so often fuels verbal harassment and physical violence.
Beverlyn Mack, Tyli A Nana Boo’s mother, spoke out about the violence, remaining supportive of her daughter. She said, “I don’t like it ’cause my child was born the same way as everyone else– through a mother’s womb, and I don’t think it’s fair for people to take other people’s lives.”
As MyFoxDC reported in a follow up story, the D.C. police have offered a reward of $25,000 for help in tracking down the person who committed the crimes.
The D.C. Transgender Coalition is holding a vigil at the scene of the crime at 6:30 on Friday.
GLAAD will continue to monitor all further media coverage of developments surrounding this story.
Related Posts:UPDATE: WWE Chairman Apologizes for “Gay” Comment
August 28, 2009 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
As GLAADblog.org reported on Tuesday, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon criticized a pair of Cirque du Soleil performers’ outfits by saying, “Those masks are really gay.” (Video of the incident can be seen here). McMahon made the comment on Monday’s episode of WWE/RAW which airs on the USA Network.
McMahon, however, has since contacted GLAAD and issued the following apology:
I apologize. My comment was not meant to be used in a derisive manner. [GLAAD’s] point is well taken and I agree that people should be more cognizant about their usage of the word ‘gay’.
GLAAD appreciates McMahon’s apology and acknowledgement of the problematic nature of his comments. We will continue to keep in touch with the WWE and offer resources on fair, accurate and inclusive terminology.
Related Posts:What to Watch: This Weekend
August 28, 2009 by Callan Koenig, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Fellow
The fabulous Vogue Evolution is blowing up the Americas Best Dance Crew stage, and if you haven’t been watching, I’d definitely tune in now. Watch as the crew adds a little Bollywood to their Ballroom style!
Friday, August 28
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, so check it out!
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There Goes the Neighborhood's rainbow team
Saturday, August 29
9:00 pm Color Splash, HGTV (30 min) NEW
Gay interior designer David Bromstad reworks living spaces. Tonight he spices up a dining-living room in a beach cottage style.
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Sunday, August 30
8:00 pm Big Brother, CBS (1 hr) NEW
Gay housemate Kevin better stay on top of his game as eviction nominations are announced tonight.
9:00 pm There Goes the Neighborhood, CBS (1hr) NEW
Be sure to watch the Mullennix-Goff-Hatcher family, Clarissa “Chris”, her partner Renee, and sons Nathanael and Keith, as they compete against seven other families in this social experiment. Surrounded by a 20-foot-wall, the families are cut off to the world as they compete in challenges in hopes not being voted off and winning $250,000.
Vogue Evolution
9:00 pm Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew, MTV (1 hr) NEW
ABDC is back and better then ever! Watch as the remaining seven crews compete for the $100,000 grand prize and title of America’s Best Dance Crew. One of the hot new crews competing, Vogue Evolution, is the first on ABDC to feature openly gay and transgender dancers. Let’s see if the fabulous five can pass this week’s test by fusing Bollywood dance moves with their own style.
9:00 pm True Blood, HBO (1 hr) NEW
Everyone’s being tested in the second to last episode of the season. Lafayette and Sookie are crazed trying to keep Tara out of trouble, Jessica pushes Hoyt’s bonds with his Mama and Bill turns to the Vampire Queen for guidance on the craziness on how to defeat Maryann. Who will win the battle of Bon Temps? Better watch and see!
10:00 pm Mad Men, AMC (1 hr) NEW
Though art director Sal Romano remains deeply closeted, he finally got some action at the start of this season with a frisky bellboy. Too bad a fire alarm and a startled Don Draper killed the mood! Keep watching to see if Don will ever confront Sal about what he saw.
10:30 pm Entourage, HBO (30 min) NEW
Everyone is frantic tonight as Andrew tries to save his job, Eric tries to choose between Sloan and Ashley, and Vince tries to secure his house. I bet Lloyd could help out if only Ari weren’t overworking the poor guy!
One Iowa Speaks Out Against National Organization for Marriage
August 27, 2009 by Kellee Terrell, COAD Media Strategist @ GLAAD
This past April, history was made when the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously voted to uphold the right for gay and lesbian couples to marry in their state. They wrote in their decision that their state’s statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution. While LGBT advocates celebrated, they were still aware that anti-gay activists were gearing up to undermine this landmark victory.
They were right.
The Sioux City Journal reported today that the National Organization for Marriage (NOM)―a New Jersey-based anti-gay organization―has crossed state lines to launch their Reclaim Iowa Project. Their campaign is targeting legislative races in hopes to elect candidates who will support putting marriage equality up for a vote on future ballots.
The group’s effort is beginning with a Sept. 1 special election in southeastern Iowa’s House District 90, where Republican Stephen Burgmeier is running against Democrat Curt Hanson for the seat vacated when Democratic Rep. John Whitaker resigned to take a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The organization has endorsed Burgmeier and spent $90,000 on television and radio ads supporting him, Brown said. The ads began airing Monday.
NOM is not new to organizing and rallying against marriage for gay couples. They were a main supporter of California’s Proposition 8 and took part in similar campaigns in Maine, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont.
TheLos Angeles Times reported on August 24 that NOM is expanding their fundraising efforts outside of Iowa.
Brian Brown — who spearheaded the National Organization for Marriage’s efforts in California, and is now the group’s executive director — also wrote supporters that donations could be used nationwide, to “allow us to rapidly intervene … in key races across the country where a handful of House or Senate seats could make the difference between whether a same-sex marriage bill or state marriage amendment passes or fails.”
One Iowa, the statewide organization that was a key player in pushing public awareness around this ruling, is fighting back and asking its constituents to take action. They stated the following in a call for action:
This week the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) started flooding rural Iowa with nearly $90,000 worth of ads trying to scare Iowans into voting for an anti-gay legislative candidate.
It takes some nerve for a New Jersey-based group, with ties to the Mormon Church to fund a “Reclaim Iowa” project on behalf of wealthy out-of-state extremists. NOM doesn’t want you to know who is behind these efforts and they pledge to shield their donors from outside scrutiny by refusing to release this information.
Take Action: Demand that NOM disclose those funding these attacks!
This is not an isolated effort, but an organized, well-funded, full-throated assault on civil marriage equality across the country. The same extremists that bankrolled ballot initiative efforts in Maine and California are now spending money to buy an election in Iowa.NOM has a history of funneling money from the Mormon Church into anti-gay measures, while refusing to disclose the source of their funds.
Voters deserve to know who is behind these anti-gay campaigns across the country!
NOM refers to their Iowa campaign as a “targeted intervention” into Iowa politics. With less than a week to go until election day, voters are being bombarded with negative ads funded by out-of-state extremists. We can’t let NOM win this election and use it as a blueprint to elect anti-gay candidates and overturn marriage in Iowa and across the country.
Don’t let them get away with it!
One Iowa is urging for their supporters to sign a petition demanding a full disclosure of NOM’s anti-gay funding. Sign the petition here.
Prior to and during the ruling, GLAAD worked extensively on the ground to raise awareness around the issue. Back in April, we emailed our members urging them to support One Iowa. GLAAD also served as media liaison for One Iowa and worked with local journalists, bloggers and newspapers to ensure fair and accurate coverage of the ruling. We also provided media trainings to numerous couples who were married in Iowa and wanted to share their story with the press.
GLAAD will continue keeping up with the latest developments around this issue.
Related Posts:Ang Lee’s Taking Woodstock Opens Tomorrow Nationwide
August 27, 2009 by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager
Taking Woodstock, the latest film from director Ang Lee and screenwriter James Schamus, opens tomorrow in wide release. GLAAD’s Entertainment Media team screened the film and is pleased to report that Taking Woodstock follows in the LGBT-inclusive vein of Lee’s previous work.
Demetri Martin (l.) and Liev Schreiber (r.) in "Taking Woodstock"
The film tells the real life story of Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin), a key figure in organizing 1969’s monumental Woodstock Festival. Elliot, who is gay, had been active in post-Stonewall riots in New York before returning to his parent’s home Bethel, NY. Through a series of events, Tiber helps bring Woodstock to Bethel where he meets thousands of colorful characters.
Among these is Vilma (Liev Schreiber), a transgender woman who is an acquaintance of Elliot’s ex-boyfriend and offers to work security. Though a few jokes are made, Vilma is not played for laughs and easily becomes one of the most likable characters in Taking Woodstock. Indeed, she develops a close friendship with Elliot’s elderly Jewish father that is quite touching. Elliot also finds romance among the visitors in town for three days of peace and music.
Lee, the director of gay cinema classics such as The Wedding Banquet and Brokeback Mountain (for which he won an Academy Award), and Schamus, a GLAAD Media Award Special Honoree in 2008, have again delivered a film that does an excellent job of portraying LGBT stories. Be sure to check it out this weekend in a theater near you.
Related Posts:Transgender Mayoral Candidate to Sue Twitter over Defamatory Fake Account
August 27, 2009 by Anna Wipfler, GLAAD's Transgender Advocacy Fellow
A transgender woman currently running for Mayor in Nampa, Idaho is planning to sue the social networking site Twitter for allowing a false account posted in her name to remain accessible for weeks after requesting that they take it down.
Melissa Sue Robinson, who entered the mayoral race in June, told KTRV she was shocked to find a link under her name to a Twitter account titled “WomanWithAPenis.” This same account was also reported to have sent lewd tweets to a Michigan reporter. Robinson recounted:
I checked Google and I saw something very lewd, very malicious, just downright nasty with my name on it… I e-mailed Twitter and called them and did the same thing with Google and asked them to remove it and that was [a] month ago and they haven’t removed it.
As of Wednesday, Aug 26th however, the false account had been removed in the aftermath of the incident’s national publicity.
Citing KTRV’s primary coverage (which improperly hyphenates the term transgender), The Advocate.com reported that Robinson plans to file suit for defamation of character and violation of privacy. Digital Media Wire explained that Robinson hopes the court will order Twitter to identify the offending account holder so that she can launch a personal suit against him/her.
The Advocate reported, “A self-described progressive, her [campaign platform] plans include the passage of an LGBT rights ordinance, transportation improvements, and the development of the downtown area.”
It is unfortunate that for the time being her energy will have to be diverted from promoting these priorities. Robinson reflected to KTRV, “If you’re just a transgender person living your life out, you’re working hard doing things to help society, people shouldn’t be malicious against you.”
This is not the first time Robinson has encountered difficulties during a political campaign. As a 2003 candidate for Mayor in Lansing, Michigan, Robinson battled a Michigan law that compelled her to include her given name alongside her preferred name on the ballot. ClickOnDetroit.com chronicled her 2003 debate with the City over the law, which discriminated against transgender candidates.
Robinson has also petitioned the City of Lansing to adopt a transgender-inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance and lobbied the State of Michigan to extend existing anti-discrimination laws to cover transgender individuals. Coincidentally, The Associated Press reported Wednesday on a bill before Michigan’s House Judiciary Committee, which would do just that. However, The AP added that “similar legislation introduced in Michigan in recent years has not advanced.”
GLAAD will continue to keep you updated of media surrounding Robinson’s case.
Related Posts:Harvey Milk Inducted to CA’s Hall of Fame; Next Stop ‘Milk Day’?
August 27, 2009 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Schriver announced on Tuesday that LGBT rights pioneer Harvey Milk will be inducted into the state’s ‘Hall of Fame’.
The couple noted that each of the 13 inductees “embody California’s innovative spirit and have made their mark on history.”
The Milk honor, however, comes amidst a debate surrounding a new state bill that would honor the slain supervisor by deeming May 22 as ‘Milk Day’ in the Golden State. The Associated Press writes that the bill “would designate Milk’s birthday, May 22, as a ‘day of special significance,’ but not an official holiday.” That bill awaits approval from the CA Assembly before reaching the Governor’s desk.
But as The Sacramento Bee reports, it was just last year that Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a nearly identical bill because it would be more appropriate, he believed, to honor Milk on a local level.
The governor’s decision to include Milk in the state’s Hall of Fame, however, may imply that Mr. Schwarzenegger now recognizes Milk as a much more influential figure than he had first thought.
Schwarzenegger spokesman Francisco Castillo clarified in Tuesday’s Sacramento Bee that “The governor does recognize the positive impact that Harvey Milk had globally and nationally.”
Milk’s legacy recently garnered national attention after President Barack Obama honored the LGBT rights stalwart with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – an award bestowed on 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. The president noted that Milk’s “voice stirred the aspirations of millions of people.”
In any case, the governor’s office said no decisions have been made regarding the new bill. In fact, Schwarzenegger has taken to his twitter page to ask the public’s opinion on Harvey Milk Day.
GLAAD will continue to share the media’s coverage of Harvey Milk Day. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:What to Watch: Thursday
August 27, 2009 by Callan Koenig, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Fellow
Kick off your Thursday with a little runway, Project Runway that is. Catch all the style, drama, and witty banter you can handle…just remember to make it work!
Thursday, August 27
Dynamic duo of Project Runway
8:00 pm Big Brother, CBS (1 hr) NEW
Another housemate is evicted tonight. Hopefully it’s not Kevin, the last member of team rainbow, but you better watch and see.
10:00 pm Project Runway, Lifetime (1 hr) NEW
While the packaging may be a little different it’s still essentially the same fierce show, but the action has moved to LA and a few other twists are likely in store. As always, there are a slew of openly gay contestants, six in total. Who will stay and who will hear Heidi bid them auf wiedersehen?
WWE Chairman Uses “G” Word on National Television
August 26, 2009 by Ted Rybka, GLAAD's Director of Sports Media
On the most recent episode of WWE/RAW, which airs Mondays on the USA Network, Vince McMahon belittled a pair of Cirque du Soleil performers’ outfits by saying, “Those masks are really gay.”
McMahon is the Chairman of the Board of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
The episode included a birthday celebration for McMahon that included Vegas showgirls and the aforementioned Cirque du Soleil performers. As the performers bounced into the wrestling ring on springboard-type stilts, McMahon utters, “Those masks are really gay,” and later, “Just what every man wants on his birthday.”
McMahon here wasn’t implying the performers were gay, however, he used the term in a derogatory manner. It’s just another example of how people throw around the word “gay” derisively.
This came from the leader of a $500 million-plus organization who holds a lot of power in what he says and what he does.
The WWE’s website states, “WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG content across all of its platforms including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing.” However, off-handedly using “gay” in a derogatory manner is anything but family-friendly.
WWE programming reaches 16 million viewers each week. McMahon needs to understand that the words he uses and how he uses them can greatly affect people’s lives.
GLAAD is reaching out to McMahon and the USA Network.
You can view McMahon’s comments here (they occur at the 8:41 mark):
