ABC Adds New Gay-Inclusive Comedy
December 18, 2008
ABC — affectionately known as “Gay-BC” by queer television bloggers because of its longstanding inclusion of LGBT issues in its programming — has just greenlit a comedy pilot that features a gay couple at the heart of the show.
An American Family, from Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd, revolves around three families living in the same suburb: a family composed of a working dad, stay-at-home mom and three kids; another that includes a 60-year-old man who becomes a stepfather after marrying a Colombian single mom 30 years his junior; and a gay couple with an adopted Vietnamese baby.
Though ABC has ordered the pilot, it does not guarantee that we will see An American Family on the air this fall. In the meantime, we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed that viewers can tune in to see a “first” on television: series regular gay parents.
The ‘Pulse of Equality’
December 3, 2008
Today, GLAAD released a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive in the wake of the passage of and protests against California’s Proposition 8.
The survey reveals that majorities of Americans favor a broad range of policies and legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
Laura Light, Vice President of Public Relations Research for Harris Interactive had this to say about the results:
In the Pulse of Equality survey, we observed a positive relationship between knowing a gay or transgender person and one’s attitudes toward them and the policy issues that affect their lives. Based on other surveys we have conducted on attitudes toward LGBT people and issues, the results of this survey suggest that public sentiment in the U.S. is trending toward greater acceptance of gay- and transgender-related policy issues.
Here are the survey’s key findings:
- Three-quarters of U.S. adults (75%) favor either marriage or domestic partnerships/civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. Only about two in 10 (22%) say gay and lesbian couples should have no legal recognition. (Gay and lesbian couples are able to marry in two states, and comprehensive civil union or domestic partnership laws exist in only five others and the District of Columbia.)
- U.S. adults are now about evenly divided on whether they support allowing gay and lesbian couples to legally marry (47% favor to 49% oppose).
- Almost two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults favor allowing openly gay military personnel to serve in the armed forces. (The current “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law bans military service by openly gay personnel.)
- About six in 10 (63%) U.S. adults favor expanding hate crime laws to cover gay and transgender people. (Hate crimes laws cover gay and transgender people in 11 states and the District of Columbia, and an additional – 20 states’ laws cover sexual orientation but not gender identity.)
- A slight majority of U.S. adults (51%) favor protecting gay and transgender people under existing laws that prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. (Existing non-discrimination laws cover gay and transgender people in only 12 states and the District of Columbia, and eight other states’ laws cover sexual orientation but not gender identity.)
- Nearly seven out of 10 U.S. adults (69%) oppose laws that would ban qualified gay and lesbian couples from adopting children. (In several states, gay and lesbian couples are banned from adopting.)
Commenting on the survey results, GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano had this to say:
The visibility of the past several years, and the intense conversations of the past few weeks, seem to have galvanized a majority of Americans’ support of equality for gay and transgender Americans.
While this expression of support is encouraging, particularly after the setbacks we experienced on Election Day, it’s not something we can rest on. There is a lot of work to be done. We must all do what we can to sustain and expand this emerging wave of grassroots activism so that it leads to laws and policies that extend full equality under the law to all Americans – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight.
Giuliano also suggested that one of the crucial issues facing LGBT people is that many Americans aren’t aware of the injustices that they face:
Majorities of Americans clearly favor equality for gay and transgender people,” Giuliano added, “but we’ve seen that too many still mistakenly believe that the intolerance and injustices we face are things of the past. So it’s more vital than ever that we tell our stories, illustrate the injustices we face, and remind people of the common ground we share.
To read all the survey results, you can click here.
Sign in and leave your thoughts and comments about the survey – start a conversation!
ABC’s The View – Mike Huckabee on LGBT Equality
November 20, 2008
The hosts of The View question former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee on his views regarding marriage equality and adoption by gay couples. Huckabee said the LGBT equality movement cannot be compared to the civil rights movement, and claimed that Ark.’s adoption ban is in the best interest of children. Many of the hosts disagreed.
11.19.08 10:42 am
The Human Rights Campaign’s response to Gov. Huckabee’s comments:
In a discussion on marriage equality, the governor implied the rights of LGBT people are not civil rights because the LGBT community has not had violence inflicted upon it.
“Unlike Governor Huckabee, we know that hate crimes tear into the fabric of our society and fragment communities because they target a group and not just the individual victim. The purpose of our government, first and foremost, is to protect all of our citizens — whether they are black, Christian, gay or transgender,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “From advocating that people with HIV/AIDS should be locked up to comparing gay sex to bestiality, Huckabee is merely a mouthpiece for homophobia.”
Top Stories Today – 10.07.2008
October 7, 2008
Remembering Matthew Shepard:
- Rocky Mountain News (CO) – Federal Hate Crimes Bill Remains a Goal
- Rocky Mountain News (CO) – Laramie Hopes Shepard Case Stigma Will Ebb
- Jackson Hole Star-Tribune (WY) – Shepard’s Family Campaigns Against Hate
- Pam’s House Blend – James Byrd and Matthew Shepard – tragically linked forever 10 years ago
- Queerty – Judy Shepard Commemorates Sad Anniversary
- Joe.My.God – Matthew Shepard: Ten Years Later
- Towleroad – 10 Years Ago Today, Matthew Shepard was Beaten and Left to Die
- Box Turtle Bulletin – Today In History: Before Matthew Shepard
- Box Turtle Bulletin – Today In History: “Baby, I’m So Sorry This Happened”
- Box Turtle Bulletin – Also Today In History: Two Arrested
- Out in Asheville – Stop the Hate dedicates academic year to memory of hate crime victims
National News:
- Los Angeles Times – Gay Marriages in California Surpass Those in Massachusetts
- Associated Press – Gay Marriage Ban Attracts Big Money in Calif.
- Associated Press – Transgender Ga. Official Wins Legal Battle
- Associated Press – ‘Bride’ and ‘Groom’ to Return to California Marriage Forms
- Associated Press – Mistrial Ends San Diego Gay Pride Harassment Case
Regional News:
- Associated Press (AR) – Arkansas Judges Oppose Measure to Ban Gay Adoption, Foster Care
- Orlando Sentinel (FL) – Orlando Takes Up Gay Rights, Parramore, Cleanup
- FOX 11 [Los Angeles] (CA) – LA County Tops in Gay Marriages
- Associated Press (AZ) – TV Ad Released Against Ariz. Gay Marriage Measure
- The San Jose Mercury News (CA) – Gay Man’s Asylum Appeal Denied
- San Diego Union-Tribune (CA) – Personal Beliefs Fuel Prop. 8 Fundraising
- The Boston Globe (MA) – A Positive Change on Reality TV
- Associated Press (CA) – Fresno Priest Speaks Against Ban on Gay Marriage
- The Olympian (WA) – COLUMN: Path to New Law Made Up of Lots of Baby Steps
International News:
- BBC News (United Kingdom) – Tattoo Gay Men, Clergyman Writes
From the Blogs:
- The Huffington Post – Fox News: Barney Frank Escaped Blame for Fannie Mae’s Problems Because He Is Gay
- Queerty: CA Gay Fight Bringing In Record Dough
- Joe.My.God – Julia Louis-Dreyfus Says No To Prop 8 (So She Can Stay Married To Wanda Sykes)
- Gay News Blog – Harvey Milk Biopic To Include Gay Sex Scenes
- Towleroad – Gay Idaho Student Targeted in Hate Crime Threat
- The Bilerico Project – Gender Identity and Expression- A Vital Part of ENDA
- Towleroad – California Passes Massachusetts in Number of Same-Sex Marriages
- Queerty – LA Gays.
- Towleroad – Georgetown Med Student Assaulted in Anti-Gay Hate Crime
- Queerty – “Mistrial”
- Out in Asheville – Greenville Gay Man found dead in church parking lot
- Gay News Blog – Arkansas Judges Oppose Measure to Ban Gay Adoption, Foster Care
- Box Turtle Bulletin – New Poll on Prop 8 is Troubling
- Towleroad – Drew Barrymore Moved to Tears by Need for Gay Rights
- PageOneQ – Unique challenges facing gay seniors
- Queerty – Fox News And Savage Tag Team Barney Frank
Top Stories Today – 10.01.2008
October 1, 2008
National News:
- Associated Press – Mont. Former Same-Sex Partner Gets Parental Rights
- Associated Press – California Governor Vetoes Harvey Milk Bill
- USA Today – Liberty to Allow Gay Group to Visit Campus
- The Washington Post - Palin Gives Beliefs, Demurs on Policies
Regional News:
- The Washington Post (MD) – ACLU Seeks Data on Spying for 32 Groups
- The Gainesville Sun (FL) – Gender Ordinance Laid Out for Debate
- Los Angeles Times (CA) – Harassment Suit by Four San Diego Firefighters Ordered to Ride in Gay Pride Parade Goes to Jury
- Contra Costa Times (CA) – EDITORIAL: Reject Proposition 8
- East Valley Tribune (AZ) – Poll: Arizonans Support Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
- San Francisco Chronicle (CA) – OP-ED: Prop. 8 Protects Rights of Those Who Support Traditional Marriage
- Kingsport Times News (TN) – Bristol Man Arrested in Park Sex Sweep Sues Police Chief, Johnson City; Alleges Excessive Publicity
- Palm Beach Post (FL) – Question Asks to Restrict Marriage
- Miami Herald (FL) – Florida’s Gay Adoption Ban Faces Court Challenge
- San Francisco Chronicle (CA) – COLUMN: Same-Sex Marriage Foes Feature Newsom Video
- Missoulian (MT) – Court: Same-Sex Parent Has Custody Rights
International News:
- The Times of India (India) – Ramadoss to Take up Gay Rights Issue with PM
- The Canadian Press (Canada) – Deadline Looms for Same-Sex Partners Hoping to Collect CPP Survivor Benefits
From the Blogs:
- The Huffington Post – Right-Wing Activists Plan Private D.C. Briefing on Gays in the Military
- Queerty – Wentz Joins Marriage Fight
- The Huffington Post – McCain On Gay Rights: No Marriage, No Adoptions, No HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan
- GLBT History Month.com – October Is GLBT History Month
- 365Gay.com – LGBT History Month: 31 days of gay
- Good As You – Brush up on your carols (who love carols)
- Right Wing Watch – More Layoffs at Focus on the Family
- Gay News Blog – $1 million @ Price Tag for Firemen’s Gay Parade Trauma?
- The Bilerico Project – Tennessee: public gay sex sting results in lawsuit over bias
- 365Gay.com – An American gay history timeline: 1903 – 2008
- Joe.My.God – Palin: Homosexuality Is A Choice
- Pam’s House Blend – Busted – Elaine Donnelly’s secret, desperate meeting to preserve DADT
- Gay News Blog – Actor: More positive portrayals of gays needed
- Queerty – No Hate In “Anti-Gay” Attack, Says Lawyer
- The Bilerico Project – CA republican state senate candidate opposes Prop 8
- Towleroad – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Vetoes ‘Harvey Milk Day’ Bill
- Gay News Blog – Miley Cyrus Birthday Bash Leaves Gay Community Out In The Cold
Top Stories Today – 09.22.2008
September 22, 2008
National News:
- The New York Times - Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Tied to Obama Factor
- Associated Press – McCain, Obama Wary of Fueling Gay-Marriage Debate
- The Washington Post – Transgender Va. Woman Wins Discrimination Lawsuit
- The New York Times – Like the Makeup Model, Warts and All?
- The New York Times – George Michael Apologizes For Latest Drugs Bust
- The New York Times – Several Portraits Emerge of Engineer in Crash
Regional News:
- Orlando Sentinel (FL) – EDITORIAL: What We Think About Florida’s Amendments
- Palm Beach Post (FL) – EDITORIAL: End Gay Adoption Ban
- Redding Record Searchlight (CA) – OP-ED: Gay Marriage Hurts Families? There’s No Evidence
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) – OP-ED: The Next Page: Same-Sex Marriage — an Informed Conversation
- The Sacramento Bee (CA) – Protesters Target Kevin Johnson’s Church for his Proposition 8 Stand
- Boston Herald (MA) – Reported Hate Crimes on Rise in Boston
International News:
- The Times of India (India) – Govt May Scrap Outdated Gay Law
- Agence France-Presse (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Fears of Violence Ahead of Bosnia’s First Gay Festival
From the Blogs:
- Political Perceptions (The Wall Street Journal) – Why McCain and Obama Duck the Issue of Gays in the Military
- The Huffington Post – Worried About Marriage in California
- The Huffington Post – A Walk on the Wilde Side
- The Huffington Post – What the Media Missed in a Plan for Repeal
- Rod 2.0 – Rod 2.0 Exclusive: Melody Thornton of the Pussycat Dolls Talks Gays and Total “Doll Domination”
- OnTopMag.com – Report: The Mormon money flow against gays in California
- Pam’s House Blend – Southern Baptist bookstore chain yanks magazine with female pastors on cover
- Good As You – North Carolina Baptists are gay friendly ( no sarcasm intended this time )
- AfterElton.com – 2008 Emmy Awards Not So Gay
- GayNewsBlog – Boycott Launched Against Bolthouse Farms Over Founder’s …
- Pam’s House Blend - No on Prop. 8 Rally – Monterey’s Window on the Bay
- BoxTurtleBulletin – LA’s Black Cat Bar To Be Designated A Historic Cultural Monument
- Andrew Sullivan – Keep Marriage For All In California
Top Stories Today – 09.18.2008
September 18, 2008
National News:
- Associated Press – Obama Won’t Repeal ‘Don’t Ask’ On His Own
- Associated Press – Brad Pitt Donates Money to Support Gay Marriage
- Newsweek – The New Transgender Reality
- The New York Times – Supreme Court’s Global Influence Is Waning
- Associated Press – Okla.’s Inhofe on Attack Again in Senate Race
- Los Angeles Times – OBITUARY: John Burnside Dies at 91; Gay Rights Activist, Teleidoscope Inventor
Regional News:
- The Press-Enterprise (CA) – Field Poll: Opposition Grows to Initiative that Would Ban Gay Marriage
- Arkansas Democrat Gazette (AR) – Group Shifts Strategy Over Adoption Ban
- The Seattle Times (WA) – Gay Immigrant, Detained in Tacoma, Gains Reprieve
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (PA) – Obama: Go Slower on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
- The News-Press–Fort Myers (FL) – Editorial: Florida Wrong on Gay Adoption
- Winston-Salem Journal (NC) – Same-Sex Domestic Violence: Harder to Get Help
- The Salt Lake Tribune (UT) – Ex-Mormon Donates $1M to Kill LDS-Backed Prop. 8
- San Diego Union-Tribune (CA) – Firefighters Testify About Reluctance to Take Part in Gay Pride Parade
- The Capital Times (WI) – Man Arrested After Alleged Gay Slurs, Scuffle
International News:
- Philippine Daily Inquirer (The Philippines) – Call him Jeff, Says SC; he Used to Be Called Jennifer
From the Blogs:
- Towleroad – Obama Clarifies Process for Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
- Good As You – Lewis and Clark discuss sex between same
- Box Turtle Bulletin – One-Third of “Yes for Prop 102″ Contributions Come from Mesa, Arizona
- Wayne Besen – Alaskans Protest ‘Ex-Gay’ Conference
- Good As You – Gavin knew some students would wanna help out
- Box Turtle Bulletin – Mormons and California’s Prop 8
- 365Gay.com – Ark. gay group abandons legal challenge to adoption measure
- Mombian – Kentucky Forbids Same-Sex Stepparents
- 365Gay.com – Deadly crash investigation focuses on gay engineer
- The Bilerico Project – Media picks up the slack on Sarah Palin’s LGBT record
- Brad Pitt Donates to Fight California’s Proposition 8:
- Joe.My.God – Brad Pitt Gives $100K To Fight Prop 8
- The Bilerico Project – Brad Pitt donates $100,000 to fight California Prop 8
- Queerty – Brad Pitt is my Hero
- Gay Rights Watch – Brad Pitt Gives $100k to Fight California Marriage Ban
- Box Turtle Bulletin – Brad Pitt Gives to Fight Proposition 8
- Towleroad – Brad Pitt Donates $100,000 to Fight Same-Sex Marriage Ban
- Pam’s House Blend – Brad Pitt donating $100,000 to fight gay marriage ban
- Good As You – Brangelina’s ‘Bra’ backs nups where such are either doubled or nixed
Top Stories Today – 09.16.2008
September 16, 2008
National News:
- The New York Times – EDITORIAL: Family Values
- USA Today – OP-ED: Gay Marriage? Not in the South
Regional News:
- Louisville Courier-Journal (KY) – Appeals Court Rejects Adoption by Lesbian Couple
- Wisconsin State Journal (WI) – Wisconsin Church Music Director Fired for Openly Gay Life
- Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY) – Investigated Rochester Police Officers Plan to Sue City, Others
- Newsday (NY) – Groups Challenge School District Over Human Rights Law
- New York Post (NY) – Killer Mom Gets 20 Years
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel (FL) – EDITORIAL: Florida’s Shameful Gay Adoption Ban Takes Another Hit
- New York Post (NY) – Sex Film a Dis-”Grace”
- San Diego Union-Tribune (CA) – Ministers Define Marriage at Forum
- San Mateo Daily Journal (CA) – County Officials to Back Gay Marriage, Oppose Prop. 8
- New Hampshire Business Review (NH) – Study Sees More N.H. Interest in Gay Marriage
International News:
- BBC News (United Kingdom) – Star Trek’s Takei Marries Partner
- Irish Times (Ireland) – Hotel Ordered to Pay €3,000 to Gay Men
From the Blogs:
- Queerty – Firemen Trial Begins
- After Elton – NBC’s Bob Costas Discusses Gays in Sports
- Towleroad – Galveston Gay Bar Becomes Place of Comfort After Hurricane Ike
- Box Turtle Bulletin – Galveston Gay Bar “More Than A Life Saver”
- After Elton – McCain/Palin Ticket: No Laughing Matter For Gay Community
- AMERICAblog – When in doubt, make out
- HRC Backstory – LGBT activists march and make a bold statement for marriage equality in New York
