Rachel Maddow Debunks Former Congressman’s Claim against Marriage Equality
March 16, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow cut into former Congressman JD Hayworth on Monday for his outrageous assertion that marriage equality in Massachusetts would allow a person to marry a horse.
While speaking to a Florida radio program on Sunday, Hayworth said “You see, the Massachusetts Supreme Court, when it started this move toward same-sex marriage, actually defined marriage — now get this — it defined marriage as simply, ‘the establishment of intimacy’. Now how dangerous is that? I mean, I don’t mean to be absurd about it, but I guess I can make the point of absurdity with an absurd point — I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse.”
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But as Maddow points out, the language Hayworth cited in that interview does not actually exist.
“So here’s my question about that,” Maddow challenged Hayworth. “Where does the ‘establishment of intimacy’ thing come from? Where in Massachusetts law or in the Supreme Court ruling does it say ‘the establishment of intimacy’? I spent the whole afternoon sort of looking for that and couldn’t find it anywhere.”
Hayworth suggested that Maddow simply had a “disagreement” with him.
“Well it either is true or it isn’t. It’s empirical,” Maddow finally said.
MSNBC’s Chris Matthews also criticized Hayworth’s comments.
“Bringing up the connection between horse and rider in this debate really doesn’t show a lot of common sense or human understanding,” said Matthews.
Meanwhile, Hayworth issued a statement on Monday saying that he stands by his claim, but once again did not clarify where he found the language he cited.
GLAAD applauds Rachel Maddow for taking former Congressman JD Hayworth to task and ensuring that politicians be held accountable for their claims.
Related Posts:UPDATE: Mississippi Safe Schools Commission Reports Dozens of Offers to Host LGBT Inclusive Prom
March 15, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
The Mississippi Safe Schools Commission told USA Today on Monday that the group has received dozens of offers from across the nation to host an LGBT inclusive prom for the students at Itawamba Agricultural High School.
The offers come in response to that school’s decision to cancel prom after lesbian student Constance McMillen petitioned to bring her girlfriend to the event.
USA Today reports that “Matthew Sheffield of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition said his office was flooded by people looking to help.”
“We have so many people willing to donate money, resources, time,” Sheffield said. “We are trying to figure out what we are going to do.”
One such offer came from Sean Cummings, a hotel owner in New Orleans, who offered to supply transportation for all interested students, a venue and entertainment for the evening.
Openly lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes extended an offer of her own during Saturday’s episode of The Wanda Sykes Show on Fox.
SYKES: Constance, do you have any plans on April 17th?
CONSTANCE MCMILLEN: Uh, I don’t.
SYKES: You don’t? Well on April 17th, GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, they’re presenting me with the Stephen F. Kolzak award. It’s given to an openly gay member of the entertainment community for, you know, standing up and trying to fight homophobia. And GLAAD, they allow the recipient to choose the person who they want to present them with the award and Constance, I would be honored if you could come out to LA, bring your girlfriend and present the award to me.
MCMILLEN: Wow. Thank you.
SYKES: So what do you say?
MCMILLEN: I would be happy to do it.
(For more information about the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, click here)
GLAAD will continue to follow developments in this story. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:CNN Special Chronicles the Transition of Susan Stanton
March 15, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
In “Her Name was Steven,” Susan Stanton speaks about the challenges facing the transgender community and about her own journey from Steven to Susan.
In 2007, Largo, Florida, City Manager Steven Stanton came out as transgender. Steven was quickly terminated from Largo’s City Manager position, but courageously continued the transition process.
Now, Susan Stanton has resumed her role in Floridian politics and works as City Manager in Lake Worth, FL. Stanton says that although her title is the same, she is treated differently as a woman:
“You don’t realize how difficult it is to lead people as a woman because you don’t get the deference as a woman.
“As a guy, when I’m talking, people would stop. But now, sometimes I find myself saying, ‘Excuse me, stop interrupting me.’”
The CNN profile also revealed the isolation that Stanton faced simply by being who she was. Like many transgender people, Stanton says she contemplated suicide and battled depression.
According to the network, “CNN followed Stanton’s life for more than two years [and] the resulting portrait is sensitively told in Stanton’s own voice, with arresting candidness and honesty.”
GLAAD is encouraged to see CNN devote a significant amount of coverage to transgender people. Transgender people are our neighbors, coworkers, and friends. They contribute greatly to the rich tapestry of the world and they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Programs like CNN’s “Her Name was Steven” are the right step in moving the conversation forward about transgender people.
For more information on “Her Name was Steven,” visit CNN Presents’ website here.
Related Posts:Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir Confirms: ‘Stars on Ice’ Deemed Him “Not Family Friendly” Enough to Perform
March 12, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
Earlier this week we reported that U.S. Champion and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir had been denied a spot on the 2010 ‘Stars on Ice Tour,’ because he is “not family friendly.” We obtained the information from a source who wishes to remain anonymous. In an interview with Access Hollywood on Friday, Weir confirmed that he will be excluded from the tour after tour sponsors deemed him “not family friendly.”
“It’s for real,” Weir said. “I’ve never been invited to do ‘Stars on Ice’ before, which is the only figure skating tour in the U.S. It’s disappointing that I can’t perform for my American fans… all because I’m not ‘family friendly’ enough.”
Following the news GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios issued a statement denouncing Johnny Weir’s rejection from ‘Stars on Ice.’
“Johnny Weir is a two time Olympian and three time U.S. champion. Other athletes of his caliber would be granted the opportunity to perform during national tours like Stars on Ice. By choosing not to bring the performances and talent of Johnny Weir to American audiences, Stars on Ice is reinforcing an unfortunate double standard that is too often applied to gay athletes and athletes perceived to be gay.
“GLAAD calls on Stars on Ice to invite all eligible figure skaters because today people of all gender expressions and sexual orientations are part of the fabric of our culture. Athletes of Weir’s caliber deserve the same rights to perform on this, and any, tour.
“We urge community members to speak out against this apparent double standard and call on Stars on Ice and corporate sponsor Smucker’s to demand equal opportunities for all athletes.”
Take Action Now:
GLAAD has generated an online petition telling the sponsors of ‘Stars on Ice’ that it is unacceptable to exclude Weir from the tour’s lineup because they find him “not family friendly.”
Contact information for ‘Stars on Ice’ and Smuckers (a corporate sponsor of ‘Stars on Ice’):
Jennifer Cosgrove, Spokesperson ‘Stars on Ice’
jcosgrove@rbcpr.com
Phone: (201) 760-0200 Ext. 107
Maribeth Badertscher, Director of Corporate Communications, Smuckers
Maribeth.badertscher@jmsmucker.com
Phone: 1-330-682-3000
GLAAD will continue to post any new developments. Be sure to check GLAADblog.org for updates.
Related Posts:UPDATE: ACLU Sues Mississippi School after District Cancels Prom over Lesbian Couple
March 12, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit on Thursday against a Mississippi high school that cancelled its prom after a lesbian student asked to bring her girlfriend to the event, according to ABC News.
“All I want is the same chance to enjoy my prom night like any other student. But my school would rather hurt all the students than treat everyone fairly,” said Constance McMillen, an 18-year-old senior at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Mississippi. “This isn’t just about me and my rights anymore – now I’m fighting for the opportunity of all the students at my school to have our prom.”
Christine Sun, McMillen’s attorney and Senior Counsel with the ACLU national LGBT Project, told CBS’ The Early Show that the ACLU is “fighting tooth and nail” to the get the prom reinstated so “Constance can bring her girlfriend to the prom, wear a tuxedo, and everyone can be themselves.”
The lawsuit specifically asks the court to reinstate the prom for all students, charges that the First Amendment guarantees students’ right to bring same-sex dates to school dances, and cites cases holding that other parties’ objections don’t justify censorship. The ACLU also said that the school further violates McMillen’s free expression rights by telling her that she can’t wear a tuxedo to the prom.
GLAAD will continue to follow developments on the story. Be sure to check GLAADblog.org for updates.
Related Posts:Mississippi School District Cancels Prom over Lesbian Couple
March 11, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
A Mississippi school district cancelled a local high school’s prom on Wednesday after an openly lesbian student asked to bring her girlfriend as a date, The Associated Press reported on Thursday.
In a statement released by the Itawamba County school district, school board members state that “Due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events, the Itawamba County School District has decided to not host a prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School this year.”
The student, Constance McMillen, 18, told Jackson, Miss. newspaper The Clarion Ledger that the cancellation is retaliation for her request to bring her girlfriend to the event.
“I feel like I should be able to go and be myself and not have to worry about what clothes I’m wearing or who I am bringing or who I’m dancing with,” McMillen said.
USA Today reports today that “school officials told McMillen last month that she could not bring her sophomore girlfriend to the prom and also told her she could not wear a tuxedo. The school then circulated a memo that prohibited same-sex dates.”
McMillen then contacted the Mississippi chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union about the ordeal.
ACLU attorney Christine Sun told USA Today that the ban on same-sex dates is a violation of McMillen’s constitutional rights. “We believe the law is pretty clear,” Sun said. “The school just can’t arbitrarily say you have to bring an opposite date to the prom.”
In hopes of circumventing the law, however, Itawamba County school district officials are urging citizens to organize a “private event” for the high school’s juniors and seniors. A private affair would not require LGBT inclusivity.
GLAAD will continue to follow developments in this story.
Related Posts:National Media Continues to Follow Proposed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal
March 4, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) introduced a bill on Wednesday that would repeal the ban on openly gay men and lesbians in the United States armed forces, The New York Times reports.
“If Americans want to serve, they ought to have the right to be considered for that service regardless of characteristics such as race, religion, gender or sexual orientation,” said Lieberman.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman with Maj. Mike Almy who was discharged in 2006 (New York Times)
It is unclear whether Lieberman’s bill, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, will garner the 60 votes needed to pass in the Senate.
“I think a guess right now — and this is really a guess — if this bill came to a vote tomorrow, we’d have over 50 votes and that’s saying a lot,” Lieberman told the Advocate “Do we have 60? Not clear yet, but possible.”
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) told The Washington Post on Thursday that a vote on Lieberman’s bill will most likely come in May as part of the annual defense authorization bill.
The repeal is still facing some staunch opposition from Republican lawmakers, however.
Rachel Maddow sternly criticized one such opponent last night on her MSNBC program, The Rachel Maddow Show.
Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that the amount of service members lost to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is “not significant.”
Maddow answered Rep. Wilson’s outrageous assertion with the story of Air Force Major Michael Almy, who was discharged after 13 years of service because of his sexual orientation.
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GLAAD commends Rachel Maddow and other mainstream journalists who continue to shine a spotlight on the concrete harms of barring qualified gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the United States Armed Forces. We will continue to follow the media’s coverage of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. For more information on the myths and facts surrounding the impact of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell click here to read about our collaboration with Media Matters for America.
Related Posts:Salt Lake City DA Files Charges in Alleged Hate Crime
March 3, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office has filed charges against seven individuals accused of physically assaulting two men in an alleged bias-motivated crime.
According to Salt Lake City Weekly, on July 5, 2008, DJ Bell, an openly gay man, claims he heard a knock at his door. Upon answering, Bell says he discovered a neighbor’s 2 year-old child and that child’s 4 year-old cousin. Before Bell could contact his neighbor about the wandering children, he heard screams from next door and was approached by his livid neighbor who accused him of kidnapping the two toddlers. Multiple suspects, presumed to be related to the mother, then broke into Bell’s home and severely beat him and his partner, Dan Fair. Bell suffered multiple head wounds, laceration of his throat and toe, and a loss of hearing in his right ear as a result of the brutal attack.
Bell and Fair allege that anti-gay bias is at the root of the assault.
Initially, Salt Lake City Police arrested Bell on charges of kidnapping. In a trial, however, jurors were not convinced, reportedly saying that the wrong person was on trial.
That jury later acquitted Bell of all charges.
Now, nearly 2 years later, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has filed a total of sixteen charges against the seven suspects accused of physically assaulting Bell and Fair.
GLAAD will continue to follow the media’s coverage of this case. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Crate & Barrel Holds Inclusive ‘Ultimate Wedding’ Contest, Anti-Gay Blogger Attacks
March 1, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
Contemporary houseware giant Crate & Barrel is giving one lucky couple $100,000 to make their ‘Ultimate Wedding’ dreams come true. The winning couple can be gay or straight, the company says.
‘The Ultimate Wedding’ sweepstakes asks couples to post a small profile to Crate & Barrel’s website that gives a brief synopsis of their love story. The couple must then earn votes from online users in order to advance to the next stage of the competition. The 50 contestants who receive the most votes will move to the final round of the contest and Crate & Barrel judges will select one lucky couple to win their ‘Ultimate Wedding’.
Numerous same-sex couples are already strong contenders in the race. Longtime partners Gregory Jones and Jonathan Howard, for instance, currently hold the #2 spot for most votes earned.
Howard was the victim of a bias-motivated crime in August 2008, during which he suffered significant head and spinal injuries. Howard says his love for Greg helped him get through the attack.
“After the attack and the trial Greg stood by my side,” Howard writes. “He held me up and he pushed me forward. He was there with me through the constant nightmares and my struggle to understand. He was also the one who helped me gain the courage to speak out about what happened to me.”
Now, some bloggers are harassing Jones and Howard about their success in the competition. One Chicago-based blogger who claims to be in the “law enforcement industry” was particularly menacing with a post that called Jones and Howard a “fruit loop couple” and made other crude and defamatory comments.
Anonymous comments following the post referred to the couple as “flammin fa**ots.”
That content has since been removed from the blogger’s website.
Discouraged by the comments, Howard considered dropping out of the contest, but quickly realized he had to stay visible and make a difference:
“I think about all that I have been through,” Howard writes on his blog. “My struggle to come out, the lack of acceptance, being attacked for being true to myself, finding the perfect man and loving him openly and honestly, getting engaged and making the decision to enter a contest knowing that it would be a difficult road.
“There is no way that I can drop out of this competition and retreat. I cannot stop being who I am and I need to make a difference. Words are powerful, and so are actions. And just like words of hatred can have power over people, words of hope can have power over people as well. We have the power to change society, we have the power to make a difference.”
Other same-sex couples who are performing strongly in the contest include ‘Mikey and Earl’, ‘Emily and Rachel’, and‘Ed and Erwin’.
Be sure to support your favorite couples at http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/
GLAAD applauds Crate & Barrel for its inclusive rules in the ‘Ultimate Wedding Contest’ which give visibility to loving and committed same-sex couples everywhere. We also commend Gregory Jones and Jonathan Howard for their courage in standing up and celebrating their love despite some defamatory attacks.
For more information, visit http://www.crateandbarrel.com
Related Posts:Sports Illustrated Profiles Hockey Legend Brian Burke after the Tragic Loss of His Son, Brendan
February 26, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
Sports Illustrated features a heart wrenching profile of hockey legend, Brian Burke, in its March 2010 issue.
Burke, the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the United States Olympic hockey team, suffered the tragic loss of his son, Brendan, earlier this month.
Brendan and a freind, Mark Reedy, were killed in a weather-related car accident in Indiana on February 5.
Brendan had come out to his father two years ago, but only recently stepped onto the national landscape as a stellar LGBT advocate who worked to eradicate homophobia in sports.
ESPN profiled Brendan and Brian late last year in an incredibly moving piece about coming out in a sports-centric family. Brian Burke is quoted as telling Brendan, “Of course we still love you. This doesn’t change a thing,” after Brendan told his father and stepmom that he was gay.
Now, Brian Burke has vowed to take on LGBT advocacy work of his own after the loss of his son, according to Sports Illustrated. “Brendan’s causes are Brian’s now,” writes SI reporter Michael Farber.
Burke says he will march in Toronto’s Gay Pride parade in June. “I’d promised him I would march with him,” says Burke. “He won’t be there, but I will.”
Brian Burke and his family will join GLAAD at the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City on March 13 to celebrate the nomination of ESPN’s article, “We Love You. This Won’t Change a Thing,” which spotlights Brendan’s heartfelt coming out story.
For more information, click here.
Related Posts:NCAA Scraps Focus on the Family Ad because of the Group’s Anti-Gay Stance
February 26, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has pulled an ad from its website that was produced by the conservative Christian group ‘Focus on the Family’ because of that group’s anti-gay stance.
According to The Associated Press, “the NCAA made the decision after some of its members — including faculty and athletic directors — expressed concern that the evangelical group’s stance against gay and lesbian relationships conflicted with the NCAA’s policy of inclusion regardless of sexual orientation.”
Interestingly, the NCAA website is maintained by CBS Sports and the ad was part of Focus on the Family’s Superbowl advertising package. That deal ignited controversy earlier this month after CBS aired a ‘Focus on the Family’ anti-abortion ad during Superbowl XLIV. the AP reports, however, that while CBS sells ads for the NCAA website, the NCAA has the final word in deciding which ads appear on the site.
To read more about GLAAD’s work to demand higher standards in CBS’ advertising, click here.
According to the AP, The ad pulled by the NCAA, “featured a father holding his son and the words, ‘All I want for my son is for him to grow up knowing how to do the right thing.’” It also “included the address of Focus on the Family’s Web site and the slogan, ‘Celebrate Family. Celebrate Life.’”
Blogger Jeremy Hooper at GoodasYou.org writes that ‘Focus on the Family’ is denying that the NCAA had any credible reason to pull the ad, but notes also how the group fails to acknowledge the overwhelming amount of anti-gay content on its own site.
NCAA spokesperson Bob Williams said that “the decision to pull the ad was based not on the message but on the messenger.”
GLAAD will continue to follow the media’s coverage of the NCAA’s decision to pull advertising produced by the anti-gay group ‘Focus on the Family’. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Media Takes Notice as Top Military Brass Speak Out on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
February 25, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
Gen. James Conway
Marine General James Conway, the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that he supports the Pentagon’s study on the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT). Gen. Conway was clear, however, that repealing DADT must take a back seat to the military’s ability to protect the country, according to The Associated Press.
Conway’s testimony comes on the heels of similar testimony by Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that both Generals “expressed reservations about moving too swiftly to change the policy, and both endorsed the decision by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to deliberately review the issue before acting.”
Earlier this month, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael G. Mullen told Congress that he personally supported lifting the ban on openly gay men and lesbians serving in the United States armed forces:
“No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.”
(To read GLAAD’s original blog post about Adm. Mullen’s testimony, click here)
International leaders are also weighing in on the repeal. According to PinkPaper.com, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sang the praises of his military’s gay and lesbian service members and suggested Americans could reap the same rewards if the ban is overturned:
“You are the pride of our country and we thank you very much,” Brown told an audience of LGBT people and supporters. “We know this debate continues in America today. I would say to people who still favor ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, look at our experience in Britain.”
Yesterday, GLAAD joined Media Matters for America in calling on the mainstream media to cover Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell fairly and accurately. For more information about GLAAD and Media Matters’ open letter to the media, click here.
GLAAD will continue to follow the media’s coverage of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. For updates, check out GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:GLAAD Joins Media Matters, National Organizations to Demand Honest Media Coverage of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
February 24, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
GLAAD has joined Media Matters for America and other national organizations to demand fair and accurate coverage of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell from mainstream media outlets.
(To read Media Matters’ full press release, click here)
Media Matters also published a comprehensive review of the myths and falsehoods media conservatives have pushed in their efforts to prevent a repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) law to its website.
Among the other organizations and activists who have signed on to an open letter that calls on media outlets to cover DADT fairly and accurately are Courage Campaign’s Rick Jacobs, Human Rights Campaign’s Joe Solmonese, Knights Out’s Becky Kanis, National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Kate Kendall, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Rea Carey, National Security Network’s Heather Hurlburt, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network’s Aubrey Sarvis, Servicemembers United’s Alex Nicholson, Truman National Security Project’s Rachel Kleinfeld, VoteVets’ Jon Soltz, and Lt. Dan Choi, US Army Infantry Officer and Arabic Linguist.
If you see Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell coverage in the media that misses the mark, contact GLAAD’s National News team at: nationalnews@glaad.org. Be sure to include the outlet’s name, the date of the problematic coverage and a brief synopsis of the offense.
Be sure to log onto GLAADblog.org for the latest updates on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in the media.
Related Posts:Talks Continue on Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
February 22, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
Top military officials will appear before Congress this week to testify about the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, The Associated Press reported today.
New York Daily News also reports that Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) will announce next week that he is “taking the lead on the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the 1993 law that prohibits gay people from serving openly in the armed forces.”
In an exclusive interview with the Daily News, Lieberman told [reporter James Kirchick] that his commitment to repealing DADT is twofold. First, allowing gays to serve openly fulfills the bedrock American promise of providing citizens with “an equal opportunity to do whatever job their talents and sense of purpose and motivations lead them to want to do – including military service.” Second, and no less important for a lawmaker whose commitment to national security the Pentagon can’t doubt, is that “When you artificially limit the pool of people who can enlist then you are diminishing military effectiveness.”
Sen. Lieberman went on to speak of his experience on the Armed Services Committee:
“My own experience as a member of the Armed Services Committee, visiting our troops on bases here in this country and abroad, particularly in war zones, the most remarkable quality you’ll find is unit cohesion. What matters is not the gender of the other person in your unit or the color or the religion or in this case the sexual orientation. It’s whether that person is a good soldier you can depend on. And that’s why I think it’s going to work.”
Similarly, The New York Times published an article today about a new Palm Center study which indicates that a speedy repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell would not endanger or disrupt American troops.
That study, “Gays in Foreign Militaries 2010: A Global Primer,” is set to be released Tuesday.
The Santa Barbara-based research center surveyed existing policies that allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in Britain, Canada, Australia, South Africa and other countries.
“On implementation, the study said that most countries made the change swiftly, within a matter of months and with what it termed little disruption to the armed services,” The New York Times reported.
The New York Times article also noted that General David H. Patraeus spoke on the subject of repeal on NBC’s Meet the Press program on Sunday.
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In that interview, Gen. Patraeus said that a review of the policy barring gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the U.S. armed forces is “warranted.” Although Gen. Patraeus declined to give his own opinion on the policy, he said that he would do so if prompted by lawmakers.
When asked by host David Gregory if men and women “serving on the ground and in the field care one way or the other if their comrade in arms are gay or lesbian,” Gen. Patraeus replied, “I’m not sure that they do.”
GLAAD will continue to follow the media’s coverage of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Some Media Miss the Mark in Covering Olympic Men’s Figure Skating
February 18, 2010 by Seth Adam, GLAAD's National News Fellow
In recent days, GLAAD has received several reports indicating that some national media outlets are missing the mark with their coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
OutSports.com reported today that an afternoon radio host on 105.3 KRLD-Dallas made defamatory comments about American Olympic figure skater, Johnny Weir.
“Yeah we know you’re gay, queen,” radio host Gregg Henson reportedly quipped. “It’s your choice to live that ‘lifestyle’.”
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough also made unfair inferences about the Men’s Figure Skating event on Thursday morning’s program.
WILLIE GEIST: Joe, I know you’re very, very excited about the uh Men’s Figure Skating tonight. It should be a real battle.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: Well, it’s always, every four years I look forward to it. It’s a great chance for me to do a couple things at once. It’s usually where I get my nails buffed and polished while sitting there watching Men’s Figure Skating.
GUEST COMMENTATOR: One thing it does do though, it gives you a preview of what Willie will be wearing when he comes back here to New York.
GLAAD will be contacting both KRLD-Dallas and MSNBC’s Morning Joe to voice concern about their faulty coverage.
The Olympic Games draw the world’s fiercest athletes together in a global celebration of sport and athleticism. It is unacceptable that these Olympians are subject to undue mockery about their perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
If you see or hear unfair Olympic coverage that degrades athletes on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, contact GLAAD’s National News team at: nationalnews@glaad.org. Be sure to include the outlet’s name, the date of the problematic coverage and a brief synopsis of the offense.
GLAAD will continue to monitor the media’s coverage of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
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