Exclusive Video: Michelle Paradise, J. Karen Thomas & Colette Divine Discuss Being Out in Hollywood
October 30, 2009 by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager
Michelle Paradise, the creator, writer and star of Exes and Ohs on Logo, and J. Karen Thomas and Colette Divine, partners of over 12 years and the co-stars of the PowerUp film Itty Bitty Titty Committee, speak to GLAAD about their experiences as lesbian members of the Hollywood creative community. Paradise was a speaker earlier this month at GLAAD and SAG’s Out in Hollywood panel discussion. Stay tuned for more GLAAD exclusives with out players in Hollywood.
Related Posts:The Vatican’s Bid for Breakaway Anglicans
October 30, 2009 by Ann @ GLAAD
Many Catholics are becoming more vocal about their support for marriage equality as evidenced in “No on 1 ads” and the organizing efforts in Maine. The Pope and Vatican leaders, on the other hand, raised eyebrows and hackles in its recent bid to persuade conservative, breakaway Anglicans to become Catholics on the basis of their shared ordination ban for women and LGBT people.
At a news conference on Oct. 20, Cardinal William J. Levada from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith announced that joining Anglicans would retain many of their traditions while still entering in “full communion with the Catholic Church.”
The Vatican stresses it was responding to requests from more conservative Anglicans from around the world and in no way meant to undermine Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams leadership. But what seemed like a simple ecumenical invitation has problems—even for conservatives.
More progressive Episcopalians noted that the door swings both ways and told a reporter from The Baltimore Sun that three former Roman Catholic clergy have recently joined the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton pointed out that many converts to the Episcopal Church are laypeople from the Catholic Church who are looking for a church moving in a more open and affirming direction.
Conservative Episcopalians who broke away tend to agree with the Roman Catholic hierarchy on barring women and LGBT people from the priesthood, but the historical tension between the Anglican Communion and the Vatican is still very much present. The split between Catholics and Anglicans happened in the 16th century, when King Henry VIII declared himself head of the Church in England. The Vatican has yet to lay out a plan for addressing central theological differences such as papal authority and the meaning of the Eucharist.
Meanwhile, news outlets such as USA Today and the Boston Globe report uncertainty from breakaway clergy and congregations in regards to the Vatican’s invitation. According to USA Today, one of the major deal breakers is the celibacy requirement for Catholic priests. Since the 1980’s, after women were first ordained in the Episcopal Church, some married Anglican clergy were allowed to convert to Catholicism and continue on as active priests.
Cardinal Levada said the celibacy waiver would apply to priests but not bishops nor future candidates for ordination. Levada acknowledged potential problems still remain. According to Times Online, the Apostolic Constitution, which will lay out the conditions for the new “Anglo-Catholic section of the Church,” is not ready for publication—despite the announced invitation.
There are also unanswered questions about what will happen to property of the breakaway congregations and whether or not the Roman Catholic Church would have a claim on them. The property battles could be huge and The Episcopal Church already has too many property law suits with congregations that broke away over openly gay bishops.
The Rev. Dr. Randall Balmer, a guest on the Steven Colbert Show, expressed concern that the church was trying to compensate for the increase of closed parishes and the decrease of men going into the priesthood. Despite Colbert’s comic approach, the conversation raised the important question of whether or not an invitation to membership should be based on who is excluded.
Take Advantage of the Early Bird Tickets for Trevor Project’s Cracked X-Mas in Los Angeles
October 30, 2009 by Amanda Morgan, GLAAD's Digital Initiatives Fellow
The Trevor Project would like to invite all members of GLAAD to their 12th annual Cracked X-Mas event on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at the Wiltern in Los Angeles! The event is hosted by Jeff Probst (Emmy-winning Host of Survivor) and will be honoring Neil Patrick Harris and AT&T.
Be the one who catches the worm and take advantage of The Trevor Project’s Early Bird Ticket Specials before November 1st!
All proceeds will go towards benefiting The Trevor Project, the only 24/7 crisis hotline for LGBT and questioning youth.
Click flier to enlarge.
Latest Statewide LGBT Developments
October 30, 2009 by Kellee Terrell, COAD Media Strategist @ GLAAD
Every week at state and local levels, there are numerous developments taking place about the many key issues that deeply affect our community—domestic partnerships, marriage, hate crimes, employment discrimination and DOMA, to name a few. GLAAD is ensuring the media is paying attention.
Here is a brief summary:
Maine: Marriage
With Nov. 3 elections approaching soon, LGBT advocates and their allies are hoping that Maine voters vote “No” on Question 1 to ensure that marriage for gay and lesbian couples remains legal throughout the state. On Oct. 28, an hour-long televised debate took place at the University of Southern Maine.
The Associated Press wrote:
Brian Souchet of Stand for Marriage Maine and Mary Bonauto from Protect Maine Equality engaged in a wide-ranging hourlong debate at the University of Southern Maine in Portland on Wednesday.
Bonauto says the referendum is about fairness and allowing gay couples to join the institution of marriage. Souchet says it proposes a “radical redefinition” of marriage that could even lead to gay marriage being taught in schools.
LGBT proponents and allies have received serious support from statewide media. On Oct. 18, the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram urged its readers to vote for marriage equality. They shined a light on the “scare tactics” the opposition has used:
The ‘Stand for Marriage: Yes on 1′ campaign has struggled to come up with ways in which allowing this law to take effect would hurt traditional families. Too often they have resorted to inventing scenarios to scare voters.
The most prominent has been the charge that children would be forced to learn about same-sex marriage in school. All it takes is a quick reading of the law to see, however, that there is no mention of education in it. Curriculum in Maine is approved by local school boards, and those elected officials would be under no obligation to add lessons on marriage law to their areas of study.
But that’s not to say that children would be kept in the dark. They are smart, and they should be expected to notice that some of their classmates have two moms or two dads instead of one of each. This is not a function of the law, however, it is a reflection of reality. A ‘yes’ vote won’t make those couples go away. It would only make their lives more difficult.
For more information about protecting marriage equality in Maine, please visit the ‘NO on 1/ Protect Maine Equality’ website here‘.
District of Columbia: Marriage
Earlier this month, Councilperson David A. Catania introduced a bill 
that would allow gay and lesbian couples to legally marry in the District of Columbia. On Oct. 26, Washington D.C.’s council committee had an open forum to discuss the bill with its residents. Officials estimated that hundreds from both sides of the debate signed up to testify ―making this hearing the largest the council had ever moderated.
The Associated Press wrote that the language of the bill and other potential changes to the bill were discussed:
Take the terms “bride” and “groom” off D.C. marriage licenses and replace them with the word “spouse.”
That’s one change being suggested as supporters and opponents of a proposed bill to allow same-sex marriage in Washington take a hard look at the bill’s language. The bill was introduced earlier this month and had its first hearing in a city council committee Monday. Part of the reason for the hearing is to rigorously examine the bill’s language and propose changes.
Witnesses from a range of groups testified they have concerns about some of the wording. The bill, which is expected to be voted on as early as December, would let same-sex couples from both inside and outside the district marry in the city.
The Washington Post reported the hearings were emotional, especially for members of the LGBT community and straight allies who shared their personal stories and emphasized the need for this legislation to get passed.
More than 100 people showed up Monday night for a legislative hearing on the bill, which was co-sponsored by 10 of council’s 13 members.
Several same-sex couples broke into tears as they talked about the prospect of being allowed to get married. Marisa Levy went to the hearing to support her gay brother.
“Pass this bill and finally make my brother’s partner of 15 years my brother-in-law,” Levy said.
A second hearing took place on Monday before the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics. This hearing discussed whether or not they should be able to try to put a measure on the city ballot that would give voters the option of banning same-sex unions.
The Wall Street Journal wrote:
The Board of Elections began meeting Monday to hear testimony on an initiative that would go on the 2010 ballot. It would ask voters to decide whether they want “only marriage between a man and woman” to be valid in the city.
The two-member board won’t vote Monday on whether the measure meets requirements to go on the ballot. At Monday’s hearing, the board members seemed particularly concerned that the initiative may violate the city’s Human Rights Act, which among other things prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. According to D.C. elections law, a referendum cannot appear on the ballot if it violates the city’s human rights laws.
Earlier this year after Washington officials passed a law to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, the board rejected an effort to hold a referendum on the new law, citing the Human Rights Act.
It is believed the D.C. council will pass the bill before Christmas of this year, but if a proposed ban gets on the ballot and receives a majority of the vote, it would overturn any law supporting the right for gay and lesbian couples to be legally married.
Iowa: Marriage
Six months ago, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously decided to extend marriage equality to committed gay and lesbian couples. Although this is a definite cause for celebration, these newly awarded rights are tenuous, as evidenced by the struggle in California. As the legislative session is gearing up to begin in January, anti-gay candidates are setting their sights on ending this freedom for devoted couples to marry. That’s why it is important to start garnering support now in order to continue the vital conversations regarding marriage equality.
One Iowa, the leading LGBT rights group in Iowa, is hosting public forum panel discussions around the state in order to represent and share the experiences of community members, giving the cause a local perspective with the aim of maintaining respectful dialogue around an issue that affects all of us. The first of the series of sixteen scheduled conversations will be held on Nov. 5 in Washington, Iowa.
Michigan: Nondiscrimination Ordinance
The Kalamazoo Gazette, Kalamazoo, Michigan’s largest newspaper, encouraged its readers to “stand for equality” and vote “yes” in its official endorsement of the City of Kalamazoo Ordinance No. 1856, a November ballot initiative that would make it illegal for employers, housing authorities as well as public accommodations to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell, the YWCA, NAACP and the League of Women Voters are all supporting the ordinance.
Read more here.
Washington State: Domestic Partnerships
Ref. 71 will be decided by the residents of Washington State. Ref. 71―the referendum that will decide whether domestic partnership will remain legal―has been supported by numerous Washington-based newspapers, celebs and organizations throughout the state. All ballots are due by November 3rd.
Read more about Ref. 71 and the Approve 71 campaign here.
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GLAAD will continue keeping up with the latest developments on legislative LGBT issues around the country.
Related Posts:Support Mounts for Kalamazoo Nondiscrimination Ordinance
October 30, 2009 by Kellee Terrell, COAD Media Strategist @ GLAAD
The Kalamazoo Gazette, Kalamazoo, Michigan’s largest newspaper, encouraged its readers to “stand for equality” and vote “yes” in its official endorsement of the City of Kalamazoo Ordinance No. 1856, a November ballot initiative that would make it illegal for employers, housing authorities as well as public accommodations to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
The paper’s editorial board wrote :
Either we are all equal, or we are not. Is it right, then, that a person in Kalamazoo can be fired or denied employment or housing simply for being gay? Voters in the city have the opportunity on Nov. 3 to remove that inequity and deliver a strong message about the type of community we want to have.
The paper continued saying:
We do not believe this is a morality issue, except to the extent that discrimination and inequality are immoral—and illegal.
Earlier this year, the Kalamazoo City Council passed the anti-discrimination ordinance for the city’s LGBT population , but anti-gay opposition gathered enough signatures to challenge the ordinance.
Narda Beauchamp, a retired school teacher whose daughters are gay, moved out of Kalamazoo fearing they would be discriminated against because of their orientation.
In an interview with the Michigan Messenger, she said, “After college our two daughters planned to stay in Kalamazoo. They grew up here and started their careers here,” she said. “But after a lot of heartfelt conversations with the family, they told my husband and I that they need to move to another state and another city that already provided protections for housing, employment and public accommodations,” Beauchamp said, listing the kinds of discrimination Ordinance 1856 would outlaw if passed by voters.
Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell also came out in support of the ordinance saying:
The Kalamazoo Promise being here at this moment at this time. We are a different place. We are a welcoming place. We need to be able to understand that everyone deserves a job, everyone deserves a house, everyone deserves accommodations. We need to affirm this on Nov. 3.
The endorsement is the latest boost for proponents of the nondiscrimination ordinance. The YWCA, NAACP, the League of Women Voters. A ministerial alliance was also formed among faith leaders supporting the ordinance.
Western Michigan University ‘s school newspaper, the Western Herald, also encouraged fellow students to support the ordinance saying:
Kalamazoo’s gay and transgender community deserves the same opportunity to succeed as anyone else. While it is sad that such protection has to be explicitly legislated, it is up to individual municipalities to provide it.
If voters on Nov. 3 uphold the ordinance, Kalamazoo will become the 15th city in Michigan to have nondiscrimination protections.
Related Posts:Viva el Sueño Incluye Discusión Positiva Sobre Orientación Percibida/Top-Rated Talent Competition Includes Positive Discussion of Perceived Orientation
October 30, 2009 by Monica Trasandes, GLAAD's Director of Spanish Language Media
Esta nota escrita por consultor Alex Paris
- Fedro
El programa popular de la cadena Univision, Viva El Sueño, tiene un concursante, Fedro, cuyo estilo de rockero llama la atención igual que algunas críticas sobre su orientación sexual percibida. Hasta hace poco Fedro había mantenido el silencio acerca del asunto.
El 18 de octubre, Fedro hablo de los comentarios que se le dejaron en la cartelera de Univision.com. Un mensaje dijo “eres uno de los mejores en la competencia. No hagas caso a los malos comentarios. Tómalos como apoyo para seguir adelante. ¡Eres el mejor!” y otro dice “Descendiente de Sodoma y Gomorrah, te quiero mandar a la hoguera, vete del concurso.” Fedro no les resto importancia a los comentarios negativos y dijo que “estaba muy contento por todos los comentarios.”
También dijo que le encantaba vivir el sueño y “mostrarme como soy” y que quiere mostrarle a “la gente diferente” que merecen vivir el sueño y ser exitosos en la vida.
Los jueces le dieron mucho apoyo. Enrique Santos le dijo “Mira, esto ha sido un tema muy difícil. Y quizás me busco problema por decirlo, pero lo tengo que decir. Hay muchas personas que no están votando por ti por tu sexualidad. Y eso me molesta.” Santos también le pregunto cual seria su mensaje para estas personas. Sin ni siquiera un parpadeo, Fedro les reto a que se dieran la oportunidad de conocerlo antes de pasarle juicio.
Nosotros decimos viva Fedro y viva el programa por su punto de vista inclusivo!
Para ler mas, visite:
Top-Rated Talent Competition Viva el Sueño Includes Positive Discussion of Perceived Orientation
This post was written by Alex Paris, consultant
Univision’s popular show Viva el Sueño, an American Idol-style song contest includes a contestant, Fedro, whose glam-rocker looks have commanded attention as well as some criticism about his perceived sexual orientation. Until recently, he remained silent on the issue.
On the October 18 show, Fedro discussed comments left to or about him on Univision.com message boards. One message said “Don’t let the negative comments get to you, use them to help carry you forward. You’re the best!’ While another viewer said ‘You, descendent of Sodom and Gomorrah… leave the competition.’ Fedro took it all in stride and said he was “touched by all the comments.”
He went on to say that he loves being able to live the dream and ‘show myself the way I am’ and hopes to encourage ‘people who are different’ to go for their dreams, a statement that got much applause from the audience.
The judges were very supportive. Judge Enrique Santos said ‘Look, this has been a difficult topic, I may get in trouble for saying this, but I think that many people may not be voting for you because of your sexuality. And I’m really troubled by that…’ When Santos asked what he would say to these people, without skipping a beat Fedro said he would challenge them to give themselves the opportunity get to know him before judging him.
We say, “Go Fedro and go Viva el Sueño for having such an inclusive attitude!”
To read about Fedro visit:
Primera Hora
Luna de Sal y Miel – Blog
Related Posts:Where We Are on TV: An Update
October 30, 2009 by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager
In the ever-changing television landscape, nothing is ever certain, particularly when it comes to LGBT representation. Just weeks after GLAAD released its 14th annual “Where We Are on TV” study, noteworthy changes have already occurred in the broadcast TV landscape.
FlashForward's Janis Hawk (Christine Woods)
The study reported that Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy would be the only lesbian series regular on network television. That changed when plot developments revealed that FBI agent Janis Hawk (Christine Woods) is a lesbian on the hit new series FlashForward, also on ABC. In last week’s episode, Janis went on a first date with an attractive woman named Maya. Although Janis was shot at the end of the episode, Janis does survive…though in the violent world of FlashForward she should watch her back lest our lesbian count drop back down to one. ABC recently announced it had picked up the series for an extended 25-episode first season.
Another noteworthy development came this past Monday when NBC’s Trauma definitively revealed the identity of its gay character, who was counted but unidentified in our study. Word had spread earlier that San Francisco paramedic Tyler Briggs (Kevin Rankin) was the gay character. Sure enough, in the Halloween-themed episode, Tyler came out to his partner Cameron Boone after Tyler had had enough of Boone’s homophobic jokes in the middle of the Castro. Unfortunately, NBC announced Wednesday that it would not be picking up additional episodes of Trauma beyond the original 13-episode order. The remaining eight episodes are expected to complete production and make it to air.
Trauma's Tyler Briggs (Kevin Rankin)
Besides the impending loss of Trauma, NBC also announced the cancellation of the critically-acclaimed Southland before its second season could even premiere. But there is still hope for Southland’s Officer John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz) as TNT is reportedly interested in picking up the show. This news does not bode well for NBC’s LGBT representation, which looked promising coming into the new season. NBC’s primary LGBT characters now reside on The Office, Heroes and Mercy, which recently received a full season pick-up.
Additionally, if recent internet speculation on AfterEllen and other sites proves true, The Good Wife could become the only scripted series on CBS to feature a series regular member of the LGBT community. Though CBS has not yet confirmed this, subtle dialogue has suggested that investigator Kalinda Sharma (Archie Panjabi) could indeed be bisexual. We look forward to following this story and hope the The Good Wife will signal some progress for a network that has been lagging in scripted LGBT representation.
In the coming months The CW will see a rise in LGBT inclusion. Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello confirmed yesterday that 90210’s barely-there lesbian, Gia (Rumer Willis), will be getting some major screen time come January when she embarks on a relationship with series regular Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes). If the following statement from executive producer Rebecca Sinclair is any indication, we may have to start counting Adrianna as a bisexual character as this likely won’t be a mere ratings stunt:
“This isn’t a fling,” insists executive producer Rebecca Sinclair. “We’re coming at this [relationship] from a genuine place and not going, ‘Let’s do a titillating story that will grab some promotion.’ This is a real aspect of teenager life that’s interesting… And there’s been a real void in the 90210 universe in terms of gay and bisexual characters.”
This is shaping up to be an interesting season on many fronts! Check the glaadBLOG for TV Gayed, our weekly listings that bring you the latest on what’s LGBT on TV!
Related Posts:What to Watch: This Weekend
October 30, 2009 by Callan Koenig, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Fellow
Be sure to catch this Sunday’s Bored to Death and the case of the missing lesbians. Not to worry though! Jonathan is on the case and will no doubt have the couple back and buying more of his best friend’s…umm…well, just watch and find out.
Friday, October 30
8:00 pm Ugly Betty, ABC (1 hr) NEW
As fate would have it Marc becomes Betty’s temporary assistant as she works on a big piece…wonder how he’ll handle that? Meanwhile Hilda becomes a political liability and Natalie’s group leader takes an interest in Daniel.
9:00 pm Stargate Universe, SyFy (1 hrs) NEW
Yet again another vital resource is slowly disappearing from the ship: water. This forces Col. Young and Lt. Scott to travel to a frozen planet in search of drinkable substances. Meanwhile the crew tries to snare an intruder.
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Saturday, October 31
9:00 pm Color Splash, HGTV (1 hr) NEW
Gay interior designer David Bromstad reworks living spaces. Tonight he makes over a dinning-living room in a beach cottage style
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Sunday, November 1
8:00 pm The Amazing Race, CBS (1 hrs) NEW
Only six teams remain as the brothers McMillen journey to the Netherlands in this 21-day, eight-country race around the globe! Go team McMillen!
Out designer Michael Moloney helping change lives on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
8:00 pm Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Ty and the team head to Kentucky replaces the crumbling trailer of the Mattingly family whose firefighter father is injured and EMT mother and tween daughters have fallen on hard times. Country singer Clint Black helps the team. Out designer Michael Moloney helps with the build.
8:00 pm The Simpsons, Fox (30 min) REPEAT
If you missed Treehouse of Horror XVIII from season 18 now is your chance to catch it. In a three-vignette fashion watch as the Simpsons parody movies like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, E.T., and Se7en.
9:00 pm Desperate Housewives, ABC (1 hr) NEW
The cracks are beginning to show on Wisteria Lane as Bree gets closer and closer with Karl, Katherine continues fighting for Mike escalating her conflict with Susan, Gaby gets Juanita expelled from school, Lynette finds out that Tom is cheating on his midterm, and Angie covers up for her mom.
9:30 pm Bored to Death, HBO (30 min) NEW
Always the Good Samaritan, Ray enlists Jonathan to help track down the missing lesbians who’ve been buying his sperm. Jonathan discovers shocking evidence after breaking into the couple’s apartment. The fabulous Bebe Neuwirth guest stars.
Bored to Death's crack pot P.I. team
10:00 pm Brothers and Sisters, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Kevin and Scotty finally agree to start a Walker clan of their own while Kitty’s spirits are boosted by a surprise visit during a chemo treatment. Elsewhere, Sarah considers telling her kids about Luc and Rebecca helps Holly with a business move.
10:00 pm Mad Men, AMC (1 hr) NEW
A candidate impresses Don while Peggy’s taste in men proves questionable and Pete makes a major career decision. But where’s Sal? Can Sterling Cooper really stand to continue without him?
GLAAD Applauds Scholastic Inc. for Their Decision to Feature an LGBT-Inclusive Book in its Book Fairs
October 29, 2009 by Taj Paxton, GLAAD's Director of Entertainment Media
Earlier this week, members of the LGBT community alerted GLAAD that Scholastic Inc. was excluding Lauren Myracle’s Luv Ya Bunches from its book fairs across the country. The book features a young girl, Milla, being raised by lesbian parents. “Scholastic is offering Luv Ya Bunches in our Book Clubs. We decided we would not offer this title in Fairs… We review thousands of books each year and only a limited number can be carried in our channels,” was the statement on their Web site. Scholastic added that the company was still reviewing it for possible inclusion in the spring.
GLAAD reached out to executives at Scholastic to ask that the company reconsider its decision. In addition, Change.org, the web-based organizing community, generated over 4,000 signatures on its petition requesting that people make their voices heard.
After discussions with GLAAD and concerns from community members and allies, Scholastic yesterday issued the following statement: “Scholastic does not censor books…we are committed to a review process that considers all books equally regardless of their inclusion of LGBT characters and same sex parents. Having completed our review of Luv Ya Bunches, Scholastic Book Fairs will carry the title in our spring fairs for middle school. Scholastic is proud of our long history of providing books that will appeal to the wide range of interests and reading abilities of children in the many diverse cultures and communities we serve. Luv Ya Bunches is just one example.”
“We applaud Scholastic’s decision to include Luv Ya Bunches in its spring book fairs and appreciate the work already being done by Scholastic to promote the book in its book clubs,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “In communities across this country there are children like the character of Milla, who are being raised by loving and committed gay and lesbian parents. When children read about families like Milla’s, it helps reduce the kinds of intolerance, bullying and harassment that gay youth–and the kids of gay parents–often face on a daily basis.”
Related Posts:Chaz Bono Two-Part Interview with ET Begins Airing Tonight
October 29, 2009 by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager
Chaz Bono, the son of Cher and Sonny Bono, will sit down tonight with Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart for his first on-camera interview since publicly announcing he would be transitioning from female to male.
Chaz Bono's two-part interview with Entertainment Tonight begins airing tonight. Check local listings.
Via People.com comes this quote from the interview:
“Still not anywhere near what I will look like, but really for the first time I am feeling much more comfortable with how I look physically,” he says. “The most important thing about this for me is that my outsides are finally starting to match my insides,” Chaz tells ET. “I feel like I’m living in my body for the first time, and it feels really good.”
TMZ reported last month that Chaz had signed a deal with publisher Dutton to have his memoir, “Coming Clean,” released in Spring 2011.
Check your local listings to catch part one of the ET interview tonight. Part two airs tomorrow. In the meantime, you can catch a preview that was posted yesterday on the ET website.
Related Posts:UPDATE: Chiefs Suspend Larry Johnson
October 29, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
The Kansas City Chiefs released a statement yesterday announcing Larry Johnson had been issued a two-weeks suspension for “Conduct Detrimental to the Club”. He can return to practice and other team activities on November 9, the day after the Chiefs play the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Since this is a bye week for the Chiefs, Johnson will only sit out one game. In addition, he will not be paid for the duration of his suspension. The two week hiatus amounts to a loss in compensation for the running back, equivalent to about $660,000.
Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer, told the Kansas City Star that “we respectfully disagree this punishment doesn’t fit the action.” He plans to file an appeal with the Chiefs on behalf of Johnson.
The National Football League has not weighed in on Johnson’s status yet and may or may not discipline him separately.
GLAAD will continue to follow this story and provide updates.
Related Posts:What to Watch: Thursday
October 29, 2009 by Callan Koenig, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Fellow
Scranton pulls out all the stops this Halloween as they make a haunted house for children. Can Michael behave? Be sure to catch an all new The Office!
Thursday, October 29
Out creator of The Vampire Diaries, Kevin Williamson
8:00 pm The Vampire Diaries, The CW (1 hr) NEW
Bonnie surprises Dan with her psychic abilities as his attempts fail in retrieving a necklace she’s wearing that belongs to him. Matt decides to take Vicki to the school’s Halloween haunted house but when events turn truly scary what’s he to do? Created by out producer Kevin Williamson.
9:00 pm Grey’s Anatomy, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Derek pushes the chief in a case about the hospital lab tech and a tumor wrapped around his spine.
9:00 pm The Office, NBC (30 min) NEW
It’s Halloween in Scranton and Michael is in his element. The branch decides to organize a haunted house for children while Michael literally falls into an important meeting. Meanwhile Pam and Andy try cold-calling to bring in more business.
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. Who will stay and who will hear Heidi bid them auf wiedersehen?
Bea Arthur leaves 300k in her will to the Ali Forney Center
October 28, 2009 by Amanda Morgan, GLAAD's Digital Initiatives Fellow
Bea Arthur and Carl Siciliano, Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center
Bea Arthur, perhaps best known for her role as Dorothy Zbornak on the popular television series Golden Girls, was also a staunch advocate for LGBT youth. During her life, she participated in many fundraisers for the Ali Forney Center, a New York City-based organization that provides emergency and transitional housing for LGBT youth as well as health and educational services. Arthur even had her own official Ali Forney Center email address.
Now, after her death, Arthur is still giving to AFC in the form of $300, 000, which she bequeathed to the center in her will. AFC will be putting the money towards a new transitional residence that will house twelve LGBT youth and be named in Arthur’s honor.
Executive Director Carl Siciliano spoke on behalf of the organization:
Related Posts:“We are overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person, and that she placed so much value in the work we do to protect them, and to help them rebuild their lives.”
President Obama Signs Expanded Federal Hate Crimes Bill into Law
October 28, 2009 by Anna Wipfler, GLAAD's Transgender Advocacy Fellow
As President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act at the White House this afternoon, civil rights advocates and the families of those who have been victims of anti-LGBT hate crimes expressed their pride and thanks for the promise of federal consequences for any and all such future crimes, while noting that this landmark is not an endpoint.
First introduced in 1996 after the brutal killing of college student Matthew Shepard, the bill passed the senate on October 22 with a 68-29 vote, and has finally landed on the President’s desk after a 13-year struggle. It is now a federal hate crime to assault an individual based on the person’s actual or perceived gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation. As NPR’s Ari Shapiro reported, the new law will also allow the Justice Department to help state and local officials prosecute hate crimes by providing funding and personnel assistance.
Later this evening, President Obama will host a signing ceremony in the East Room, accompanied by Attorney General Eric Holder, LGBT advocates, lawmakers, and families of past hate crime victims. In addition to Matthew Shepard’s family, the families of Sean Kennedy and Jimmy Wheeler – both victims of anti-gay beatings which led to their deaths – will also be in attendance.
While President Obama reserved extensive commentary about the signing until this evening’s event, he prefaced it by saying:
“After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we’ve passed inclusive hate-crime legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are.”
Jimmy’s mother, Susan Wheeler, appeared on CNN’s The Situation Room on Tuesday and shared her feelings on the legislation: “I feel like this is a triumph for not just members of the gay community, but for us a civilization. It shows that we value all life.”
Sean’s mother, Elke Kennedy, who has received media training and advice from GLAAD during the past two years she has spent educating communities and schools about LGBT harassment and violence, told CNN, “This is a huge milestone, but it is not the end of the fight.”
In GLAAD’s statement today, president Jarrett Barrios said of the law’s passage:
“This is a landmark step in eliminating the kind of hate motivated violence that has taken the lives of so many in our community including Brandon Teena, Matthew Shepard, Fred Martinez, Gwen Araujo, Sakia Gunn, Sean Kennedy, Angie Zapata, Duanna Johnson, Lateisha Green and so many others. The visibility of these tragic losses and the conversations that they sparked brought us to today’s historic step toward ending this violence.”
You can view GLAAD’s full statement here.
Related Posts:GLAAD Calls for The Dallas Morning News To Issue Retraction
October 28, 2009 by Kellee Terrell, COAD Media Strategist @ GLAAD
In the October 25th edition of The Dallas Morning News, business reporter Cheryl Hall used problematic language in referring to the LGBT community when writing about two of Stephen Jarchow’s media companies. In the article, “Dallas executive amassing a gay media mini-empire,” Hall refers to The Advocate and Out magazines owned by Jarchow’s Here Media Inc., as “two alternative lifestyle magazines.” She also refers to his Regent Entertainment film company as catering to an “alternative lifestyle audience.” Furthermore, she labels the gay community as a whole as an “affluent, well-educated minority group.”
She wrote in the story:
“Gay.com will culturally and technically mesh with its new sister companies: HereTV, an online, cable and satellite service that reaches 54 million households, and Out and The Advocate, two alternative lifestyle magazines”
“They are building a gay-targeted multimedia mini-empire because they understand this largely affluent, well-educated minority group, believe advertisers want to tap into it and think other media companies don’t want to touch it.”
“Since 1995, Regent has produced or released 150 movies, a third of which were aimed at an alternative lifestyle audience.”
Out is a “lifestyle” magazine, as are other lifestyle magazines like GQ or Marie Clare that mix news, features, fashion and celebrities. The Advocate on the other hand is a news magazine. This mislabeling goes far beyond the magazines’ descriptions. The term “alternative lifestyle” is one that is typically used to denigrate gay people, who are as diverse in their lives as anyone. There is no single lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender lifestyle. The phrase “alternative lifestyle” is used to disparage the gay community suggesting that their sexual orientation is a choice and therefore can be “cured.” The Dallas Morning News and the Associated Press have marked this term as inappropriate and against their style guidelines.
In terms of Hall’s comments that gay people are a “largely affluent, well-educated minority group,” the data shows otherwise. A 2009 study reviewing Census data on poverty revealed that, far from being “largely affluent,” gay men for example experience poverty at rates that are as high as or higher than rates for straight adults.* While, GLAAD encourages Hall’s focus on Jarchow’s investment in reaching gay audiences, her reporting lacks a true understanding of the diversity and economic struggles that many in the LGBT community face.
GLAAD contacted Hall on Monday October 26, to discuss these issues. While, she acknowledged that she made an error in going against the guidelines of her newspaper, she said she could not make a retraction and repost the story. However, she suggested that GLAAD write a letter to the editor, which GLAAD has done.
GLAAD is not alone in finding Hall’s language problematic. John Wright from The Dallas Voice, a Texas-based LGBT media source wrote the following:
The Dallas Morning News ran an interesting piece in this Sunday’s Business section on Stephen Jarchow, a straight Dallas resident who’s chairman of Here Media Inc., which owns Here TV, Out, The Advocate and Gay.com. But as Rafael McDonnell at Resource Center Dallas pointed out to me this morning, someone at The DMN needs to check their Associated Press Handbook. That’s because the AP Stylebook, which is essentially a bible in this industry, specifically says to avoid the term “alternative lifestyle” when you mean “gay,” and yet the DMN uses “alternative lifestyle” not once but twice in the story about Jarchow. As McDonnell put it, “I know The DMN’s laid off some editors, but what is this, 1970?” Indeed, while I generally try to avoid coming across as the politically correct LGBT police, there’s really no excuse. “Lifestyle” implies choice, and being gay or lesbian is no more a lifestyle than being straight. If someone at The DMN needs additional reference material, they should turn to style guides published by the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
GLAAD is asking The Dallas Morning News to issue a retraction both in print and online and re-post the story on its website.
*Revisiting the Income Penalty for Behaviorally Gay Men: Evidence from NHANES III by Christopher S. Carpenter, The Paul Merage School of Business, University of California at Irvine.
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