Ellen and Portia Chat with Oprah
November 9, 2009
On today’s episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen DeGeneres talks about her experiences coming out, the blow of her first show’s cancellation and the hard work she puts into her current hit talk show. Oprah comments on her glow and Ellen shares how lucky she feels having found true love with Portia di Rossi. Today’s episode was their first interview as a married couple.
The happy couple: Ellen and Portia
Ellen’s coming out story in 1997 was one of the biggest stories in the nation. She was featured on the cover of Time magazine and has become one of the most popular lesbian women in the world today. When she married Portia in 2008, their wedding was covered by CBS News and featured in People magazine.
Now a year into marriage the couple still seems overjoyed to be in each other’s presence, laughing and joking about how they met and the three years it took Portia to express her true feelings to Ellen.
As women like Ellen and Portia continue to share their stories, people understand the universal story of love that exists for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples everywhere. We celebrate Ellen and Portia and all of the ways they continue to share their unique story with the world.
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Maine Education Officials Dispute Claim that Marriage for Same-Sex Couples will be Taught in Schools
September 25, 2009
The Maine-based newspaper Sun Journal reported on Wednesday that the anti-LGBT ‘Stand for Marriage’ organization has come under fire for misleading voters about marriage for same-sex couples.
In a television advertisement that began airing this week, ‘Stand for Marriage’ alleges that extending marriage protections to Maine’s same-sex couples “has everything to do with schools.” The ad features a Massachusetts couple who tells the story of how their 7 year-old son’s teacher read a book to the class about one prince marrying another prince.
Maine’s Department of Education spokesperson David Connerty-Marin, however, disputes the claim that providing marriage protections for same-sex couples would make any difference to the state’s education policies:
Seeing as there is nothing in Maine education law or rule that even mentions marriage, I think it’s quite unlikely that changing the rules about marriage would encourage anyone to change what they are teaching in the classroom.
Connerty-Marin goes on to point out that there is nothing that prohibits Maine’s teachers from addressing the issue of same-sex couples in the classroom today:
There is nothing that would prohibit a teacher – two years ago, 10 years ago or a year from now – from reading a book to your child that you don’t like. Your recourse would be to talk to your child’s teacher, principal, superintendent or school board and ultimately work to change policies or change the people who sit on that school board if you don’t agree with those.
Jesse Connolly, campaign manager for the No on 1/ Protect Marriage Equality campaign also weighed in on the issue in the Sun Journal article:
To say that gay marriage is going to be taught in school is totally, 100 percent false in my opinion. There are gay and lesbian families in Maine that have kids in public schools, so if you’re asking if those families are already acknowledged in the classroom by teachers, then I would say yes. But that has nothing to do with this campaign or bill.
AMERICAblog author John Aravosis notes that the ad’s scare tactic is not only similar to the fear based approach used in California’s Proposition 8 battle, it is exactly the same. Aravosis points out that the ad reuses the exact footage of the Massachusetts couple featured in the anti-LGBT ‘Yes on 8’ campaign last fall.
These are extreme views in any context and we believe that Maine voters will see through this cast of characters and focus on the real issue of treating all Maine families with dignity and respect… The fact that the ‘Yes on 1’ campaign would literally repackage the same ad their California consultants used in California is a testament to the national outsiders pushing their agenda on the voters of Maine. This is nothing more than a tired national playbook concocted by California political consultants and the national groups that pay their way.
GLAAD will continue to monitor the media’s coverage of Maine’s fight for marriage equality. Updates can be found on glaadBLOG.org
Related Posts:Bill O’Reilly’s Evolution – Marriage Equality “Thing” Will Lead to Unions With A “Goat,” “Duck,” “Turtle,” “Dolphin”
May 13, 2009
Media Matters for America has long documented Fox News Host Bill O’Reilly’s ongoing fascination with what he sees as a causal link between marriage equality and inter-species marriages.
Yesterday, he made yet another reference on his show, The O’Reilly Factor. Speaking to guest Margaret Hoover, he said:
O’Reilly: Hoover, you would let everybody get married who want to get married. You want to marry a turtle, you can.
You can watch the segment below:
Back in 2005, Media Matters had taken notice of similar commentary from O’Reilly, but then it was goats. From the March 29, 2005, edition of The Radio Factor:
O’Reilly: The judges in Massachusetts knew they weren’t going to be impeached when they said to the state legislature, “Gay marriage is now legal in Massachusetts because we say it is. We the judges” — they knew they weren’t gonna be impeached. They knew the legislature didn’t care. You get the government you deserve. In California, the prevailing wisdom is marijuana is no big deal, let’s legalize it. And since we can’t get that through the legislature, we’ll do it this way. And they did it! You see?
And 10 years, this is gonna be a totally different country than it is right now. Laws that you think are in stone — they’re gonna evaporate, man. You’ll be able to marry a goat — you mark my words!
A few weeks later, O’Reilly continued with his goat fixation on the April 13, 2005, edition of The Radio Factor:
Now, there was another request up there from a woman — prisoner, inmate, convict — who wanted to marry another woman who’s not in prison. And, I guess they’re still mullin’ that over. No, it was denied — no, I’m sorry, they’re mullin’ it over — no, it was approved! Oooh, no, look at this! The other request was approved because it involved the marriage of a female inmate to a woman who’s not in prison. See, I woulda denied that. I’d have said, “When you get outta prison, you can marry her.” But not here. This isn’t pre-Cana [Catholic premarital counseling] prison — all right, you can’t do that. See, I’m not buyin’ into any of this politically correct nonsense. If you’re a prisoner, you’re a convict, you lose your rights until you get out. So, I’m sorry. We’re not lettin’ you get married, not gonna let you drive a car, you can’t vote. You’re in — you’re in, that’s it.
So this is just the beginning, ladies and gentlemen, of this crazy gay marriage insanity — is gonna lead to all kinds of things like this. Courts are gonna be clogged. Every nut in the world is gonna — somebody’s gonna come in and say, “I wanna marry the goat.” You’ll see it; I guarantee you’ll see it.
By the September 14, 2005, edition of his radio show, O’Reilly had moved on to ducks:
The secular progressive movement would like to have marriage abolished, in my opinion. They don’t want it, because it is not diverse enough. You know, that’s what this gay marriage thing is all about. But now, you know, the poly-amorphous marriage, whatever they call it, you can marry 18 people, you can marry a duck…
Click here for the audio, courtesy of Media Matters.
In between the turtles of 2009 and the goats and ducks of 2005, came the dolphins of 2006. From the January 4, 2006, edition of The O’Reilly Factor, where he compared marriage equality to a woman marrying a dolphin:
One of the arguments against gay marriage, that we just spoke about, is that if it becomes law, all other alternative marital visions will be allowed. We’ve already seen a Dutchman marry two ladies in the Netherlands. Looks like a happy guy. And now comes word that a British woman has married a dolphin in Israel. Forty-one-year-old Sharon Tendler has tied the knot with a 35-year-old mammal, so age is no problem there.
Click here to watch the video.
As Media Matters wryly noted, Tendler’s “marriage” was not legally recognized:
According to an Associated Press report, Tendler’s “marriage” was not a legal one. She reportedly “still kept open the option of ‘marrying human’ at some stage,” but, “she said for now she was strictly a ‘one-dolphin woman,’ ” and that she “hope[s] he has a lot of baby dolphins with the other dolphins. The more dolphins the better.”
Also, the Dutchman O’Reilly referred to was also not legally married according to sources who actually researched the case.
For facts and more information on marriage equality, please head over to www.FreedomToMarry.org and read through GLAAD’s Talking About series.
Tammy Bruce Compliments Miss CA, Slams the “Gay Gestapo”
May 8, 2009
Openly gay radio Host Tammy Bruce and openly gay former Clinton Pollster Bernard Whitman recently appeared in a Fox News segment exploring so-called “Intolerance in the Gay Marriage Debate.” Bruce used the opportunity to speak out against what she terms the “gay gestapo” or “far left framework.”
Whitman, who was met with resistance from Bruce, steered the conversation towards his position in regards to marriage and civil unions that “separate but equal never works.” Bruce passionately disagreed.
Concerning Miss California, Tammy Bruce stated:
“After that attack on the internet, it has become this really community wide attack on her and I think the hypocrisy is obvious. Now I also happen to disagree with her I think that we can find a civil union framework while respecting marriage. But ultimately, I do agree with her position, which I think is quite classic, that she has a certain position that she stated and respectfully said ‘but I’m glad people can decide for themselves.’ Quite an opposite message is coming from what I term the gay gestapo, which is the far left framework, which ultimately smears every gay person.”
Video below:
Eyes Are on Vermont Today
April 7, 2009
From Queerty:
On Monday, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas vetoed the bill passed by the both branches of the legislature, which allowed gay marriage in the state. Minutes after his veto, Senate leaders promised to override it, with only one member planning on rejecting to the measure. Today, all eyes are on the House, which is expected to take up the gay marriage bill at 10:30am this morning.
You can go to WPTZ.com or Burlington Free Press to watch the debate live from Vermont.
*UPDATE: Burlington Free Press: Vt. legalizes gay marriage with veto override
*UPDATE: GLAAD President Issues Statement:
Today’s decision is an important step, and affirms the enduring commitment of so many gay and lesbian couples in Vermont. As people come to know the stories of the couples at the heart of these decisions, we are seeing the kind of culture change that creates this progress – progress that ensures that all people, regardless of their orientation, are protected equally under the law.
GLAAD encourages media reporting on this story to include the stories of these Vermont couples whose love and commitment is at the center of today’s vote.
Video Coverage:
- WCAX-TV News: Vermont Legalizes Gay Marriage
- WCAX-TV News: Implementing Same-Sex Marriage
NECN: Anna Huneke, Montpelier, VT – Vermont becomes fourth state to legalize gay marriage
CNN Newsroom:
CNN: Campbell Brown: No Bias, No Bull – Same-Sex Marriage Allowed:
Fox News: Special Report with Bret Baier – Marriage in VT and DC:
MSNBC: Hardball with Chris Matthews – Vermont Becomes 4th State to Legalize Gay Marriage:
MSNBC: The Rachel Maddow Show – I Now Pronounce You Ben & Jerry:
Print Coverage:
- WPTZ Plattsburgh - Vermont Legislature Legalizes Gay Marriage
- Washington Blade- Vt. lawmakers override marriage veto
- The Atlantic Online - Legislature legalizes gay marriage in Vermont
- USA Today - Vermont approves gay marriage
- Reuters - Vermont passes gay-marriage bill
- AP - Vermont legalizes gay marriage with veto override
- WCAX - Vermont legalizes gay marriage
- The Advocate - Same sex marriage legalized in Vermont
- New York Times - Vermont legalizes gay marriage
- VPR - Vermont fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage
- Gay City News - Marriage equality law enacted in Vermont
- CNN - With veto overrides, Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage
- New York Times – With victories, gay rights groups expand marriage push
- USA Today – Vt. overrides marriage veto
- VPR – Series and Stories: The path to same-sex marriage
- The Washington Post – Readers disagree on gay marriage
- AP – Gay marriage laws in the US, Gay marriage supporters watch historic vote in Vt
- Bennington Banner – Vermont legalizes gay marriage with override vote
- The Christian Science Monitor – As gay marriage terrain changes, shrugs across Patchwork Nation
- Boston Globe – Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage
- Seattle Times – Vermont lifts drive for gay marriage
- Los Angeles Times – Vermont legislature gives final ok to gay marriage
- CNN – Same-sex marriage rights a step closer in District of Columbia
- Burlington Free Press – Gay marriage: how the new law works
- Capital News 9 – New York lawmakers react to Vermont gay marriage bill
- The Atlantic – The role of the courts
- WCAX – Implementing same-sex marriage
Blog Coverage:
- La Figa @ FireDog Lake - Vermont: Same Sex Marriage Passes! Historic Moment as Legislature Overthrows Governor’s Veto
- HRC Back Story - Victory! Vermont votes for marriage equality!
- Lez Get Real – Veto overridden - Vermont passes marriage equality!
- The Bilerico Project - VT becomes the 4th state in the nation to embrace marriage equality!
- Pam’s House Blend - Vermont overrules Douglas veto!!!
- The Bilerico Project- Reflecting on Vermont
- Joe.My.God. - Vermont APPROVES marriage equality!, Vermonters really earned their freedom to marry today
- Mombian - Marriage Equality in Vermont: Legislature Votes to Override Governor’s Veto
- Pam’s House Blend – Vermont rules! Blog post from Marc Solomon
- Women on the Web – Vermont’s gay marriage decision reignites the right
Organizations Respond:
- GLAAD - GLAAD Applauds Vermont Marriage
- Vermont Freedom to Marry - House overrides the veto
- Human Rights Campaign - Human Rights Campaign Applauds Vermont Legislature’s Historic Vote Recognizing Marriage for Lesbian and Gay Couples
- Freedom to Marry - Vermont ends gay couples’ exclusion from marriage
- PFLAG - PFLAG praises historic Vermont vote on marriage equality
- National Gay and Lesbian Task Force - National Gay and Lesbian Task Force hails enactment of Vermont legislation granting the freedom to marry to same-sex couples
- Victory Fund - Victory Fund congratulates Vermont’s LGBT legislators on historic marriage vote
- National Center for Lesbian Rights – The National Center for Lesbian Rights hails Vermont marriage victory
One Step Closer to Marriage in New Hampshire!
March 27, 2009
AP photo of folks leaving the NH State house today.
This just in–the New Hampshire House has approved a marriage equality bill! The bill’s next stop is the Senate.
If passed, New Hampshire would be the third state to allow marriage for gay and lesbian couples. The state currently allows civil unions for same-sex couples, which has provided all the statewide benefits of marriage for the past two years.
Massachusetts and Connecticut currently have marriage equality laws on the books. Though the Vermont Senate approved a marriage equality bill this week, the state’s Gov. Jim Douglas has announced he would veto it.
The Rev. V. Gene Robinson (who will be honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at our LA Media Awards!) testified in support of marriage and told the AP:
“I am delighted, because it’s clear to me that New Hampshire values one class of citizenship and not two.”
Portia de Rossi “Apologizes” For Marrying Ellen
March 24, 2009
In a very special PSA taped for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, actress Portia de Rossi delivered a powerful message of regret and sorrow, apologizing for the pain her marriage to Ellen DeGeneres must have caused those who supported the passage of Proposition 8.
Feast your eyes.
What to Watch: ONLINE TODAY
March 5, 2009
Today, the California Supreme Court — which last May made history by striking down the state’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples — will hear oral arguments in three cases challenging Prop 8. The arguments will be broadcast live on the California Channel.
One of the cases, Strauss vs. Horton, was filed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union. The Center has disbursed $40,000, raised through its InvalidateProp8.org web initiative, to these organizations in support of this legal effort.
Another case was filed by the City and County of San Francisco and joined by other municipalities (including the City and County of Los Angeles), and the third by a private attorney. Jerry Brown, the state’s attorney general, has urged the court to overturn Prop 8.
Questions the court will consider include whether Prop 8 is a constitutional revision rather than an amendment and whether it violates the separation of powers doctrine. If Prop 8 is not invalidated, the court will address whether the measure will affect the thousands of same-sex couples who wed prior to November 4.
A ruling is expected by no later than early June.
Many viewers in California get the California Channel on their cable system, but everyone can watch the proceedings streamed online here.
Watch the Court’s Prop 8 Challenges
March 3, 2009
On Thursday, March 5, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three cases challenging Proposition 8. Last May the court made history by striking down the state’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples. The arguments will be broadcast live on the California Channel and streamed online.
One of the cases, Strauss vs. Horton, was filed jointly by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Another case was filed by the City and County of San Francisco and joined by other municipalities (including the City and County of Los Angeles), and the third by a private attorney. Jerry Brown, California’s attorney general, has urged the court to overturn Prop. 8.
Following the oral arguments, questions the court will consider include whether Prop. 8 is a constitutional revision rather than an amendment and whether it violates the separation of powers doctrine. If Prop. 8 is not invalidated, the court will address whether the measure will affect the thousands of same-sex couples who wed prior to November 4.
A ruling is expected by no later than early June.
What to Watch: Tuesday
February 24, 2009
Romance must be in the air, because we’ve got two weddings tonight: One is between Marco and his longtime boyfriend, Keith, on Privileged. The other is between lesbian anaethesiologist Liz and her womanizing boss, Christian on Nip/Tuck. Here’s hoping the latter couple gets cold feet…
> 9:00 PM Privileged, The CW (1 hr) SEASON FINALE
Marco takes off his chef’s cap for the day to get hitched to his longtime boyfriend, Keith. Of course, they couldn’t do it without the help of their wedding planner, played by none other than Kathy Griffin.
> 10:00 PM Nip/Tuck, FX (1 hr) NEW
Liz must be stopped! She’s agreed to marry Christian, she’s trying on wedding gowns… When will someone slap some sense into that woman?
> 10:00 PM Chopped, Food Network (1 hr) NEW
Ted Allen hosts this food competition show in which cheftestants compete to make extraordinary three-course meals out of everyday ingredients. Tonight, they get out their tiny knives to carve up quail.
> 11:00 PM 10 Items or Less, TBS (30 min) SEASON FINALE
Richard is the gay cashier for Greens and Grains.
All My Children to Feature Landmark Wedding
February 5, 2009
Romance and marriage are staples of daytime dramas, and ABC’s All My Children is certainly no exception. On Monday, Feb. 16, the Emmy-winning, 39-year-old soap opera will depict a wedding like one never before seen on scripted daytime television: The marriage of female couple Bianca Montgomery and Reese Williams.
“This is a milestone in daytime drama,” says GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. “Bianca and Reese’s wedding is a joyful day that countless people – gay and straight alike – dream of for themselves and the ones they love. It’s a celebration of love, commitment and family, and we’re thrilled that All My Children’s viewers will be able to experience the joy of that day right alongside them.”
Bianca (played by actress Eden Riegel) is notable as daytime drama’s first contracted gay character that is also part of the show’s core family; her mother is Erica Kane (actress Susan Lucci). Bianca’s relationship with Reese gives the couple the distinction of being the only lesbian couple currently depicted on daytime or primetime broadcast television.
In recent weeks, Bianca and Reese have had their relationship tested. But during the coming days, the couple – along with family and friends, and Bianca’s two children – will travel from fictitious Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, to the state of Connecticut, where marriage for gay couples became a legal reality in late 2008.
As the World Turns
Gay characters, and their romantic relationships, have been slow to evolve in the daytime genre. CBS’ As the World Turns currently features a same-sex relationship between male characters Luke and Noah. The now-defunct and campy Passions featured what was ultimately a comic relationship between Norma and Edna. After Passions moved from NBC to satellite carrier DirecTV, the show featured a symbolic commitment ceremony between the characters before the show was canceled in 2008.
During recent years, Bianca has made short-term visits to Pine Valley based on actress Eden Riegel’s availability. This story arc is no exception. While Bianca’s marriage is expected to happen, this being a soap opera, the twists and turns this relationship takes may play out off camera as well until Riegel’s next return to All My Children.
ABC is to be commended for its ongoing commitment to diversity, and their continuation of Bianca’s story when Riegel is available. “The best way to resonate with your audience is to be authentic,” Anne Sweeney, president of Disney-ABC Television Group, recently told the Los Angeles Times. “And you’re only authentic if you are holding up a mirror to your audience and saying, ‘I see you.’”
Please visit the official site of All My Children.
Share Your Story: Utah’s “All For One Initiative” Founder Jacob Whipple
January 21, 2009
Like in California, activists in Utah rose up after the election to rally against Proposition 8 and against the heavy involvement of the Mormon Church in Prop 8’s passage. Jacob Whipple, one of the leaders of the grassroots efforts in Utah, helped organize events and rallies and brought national attention to the state.
Jacob continues to lead a new grass roots organization in Utah, the “All for One Initiative,” partnering with other Utah groups to promote the “Common Ground” bills aimed at gaining some level of equality for Utah’s LGBT population. They hope this will be achieved by focusing on areas in which the LGBT community and the Mormon Church agree on issues. Additionally, Jacob is leading efforts to better organize the community through town hall meetings, community service projects, and other forms of grassroots organizing.
Below Jacob shares his story and some insight on his involvement on the local level.
You really stepped up and took a leadership role in the Utah LGBT community immediately after the election. Tell us how that went? How’d you go from being a citizen upset over the California Proposition 8 election to leader of a new movement in your local community?
It was nothing that I had expected or had hoped for. The true reason for my involvement comes down to having met the man of my dreams and asking him to marry me. Because the wedding plans that I had with my fiancé, when Proposition 8 was passed it was a very personal and very debilitating blow.
Once rallies started to take place in California, the realization dawned on me that our community was not going to lie down and take it like we have when so many other amendments and laws had passed against us. That is when I decided that Utah, too, should be part of these demonstrations and rallies. I thought that being in Utah, we had the responsibility to directly reprimand the Mormon church for their heavy-handed influence in passing Prop 8 and let them know that we would not tolerate their interference in our personal lives again.
Due to the success and turn out of that first rally around Temple Square I was incredibly encouraged. I saw that not just dozens or hundreds, but thousands of people were willing to brave the cold and march with us. I didn’t want that energy or fervor to end. I didn’t want to see that wave of rallies be the end of what could become our renewed Gay Rights Movement. And I, personally, didn’t want to stand by idly, as I had before, while legislators and the general population vote on my rights, protections and freedoms. I had resolved to make a difference.
Through brainstorming and a coalition that includes other grassroots activists in Utah we’ve been able to come up with ideas and events to keep our momentum going. We have a set of 6 bills, called the Common Ground Initiative, that would guarantee our LGBT community protections such as fair housing, fair employment, along with health care and wrongful death rights. I only hope that our community can keep up with the pace and determination that we’re setting for them.
Your Salt Lake City Mormon Temple rally gained widespread media coverage. Your efforts were highlighted in national and international media stories. You were profiled on the cover of Q Salt Lake, the state’s LGBT newspaper. How do you feel about all this media attention? What do you hope to gain from the coverage?
Honestly, I’m very glad for all of the media attention. Whether it’s me that they’re focusing on or other grassroots activists here in Utah, and around the country, I think it’s necessary that we change public opinion about our community. I think that the majority of the country forms their opinions about us based upon Will & Grace, Pride Parades, and scandals that usually include drug abuse or elected officials being caught in sex-stings.
I believe that one of the most important things that we can do is to come out to our families, neighbors and co-workers so that they know that they know one of us. I want the world to see us as normal people, as family members, as contributors to our local communities, and as people deserving to have the same rights and benefits that they do. I hope that our stories are told to show that we have the same hopes and desires. When they know us personally, instead of as “the gays,” they are less likely to vote against us, as they know that it will directly and personally affect someone that they know in a very real way.
And I think that national and even international coverage is necessary. We need to keep these issues out and in the public mind constantly. We can’t let our losses be swept under the rug any more. We must decry every instance of discrimination: being fired, beatings and murders, tyranny of the masses in voting to limit our rights. I think these issues need to become as prevalent in the everyday lives of the straights as it is for us. Only then, I think, will they realize what our community has been suffering and will stand with us.
You are engaged to be married to your partner Drew, and were planning a California wedding. With the passage of Proposition 8, what are your plans? How has your activism impacted that?
We’re still going ahead with out plans. We want to get married on the beach in California on April 11th, and we’re not going to let the misguided popular vote of Californians ruin our plans. We will still say our vows before God, our family and friends. The State is welcome as well, so we’re crossing our fingers that the California Supreme Court overturns Prop 8 before our wedding day. If it takes longer than that, or, God forbid, Proposition 8 remains on the books, then we will see about making a trip somewhere just to make it official: Toronto, Boston, Spain, Copenhagen, etc… There are a lot of options.
I don’t think that my activism has impacted our wedding plans that much. Though, I must admit that it can be pretty crazy trying to plan a wedding, a rally, the Queer Lounge at Sundance, as well as attend press conferences and meet with the Mayor all at the same time. If anything, Drew is worried that my activism would affect our relationship and would keep me away from him. Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case yet. And I hope and pray that those two important aspects of my life never conflict with each other.
As an advocate on the ground in Utah, what do you think about local mainstream media coverage of LGBT stories?
We have our allies and we have our skeptics and enemies. The Mormon church does own media here in Utah, so the likes of KSL or the Deseret News paint our events as annoyances, if they’re mentioned at all. I also read through the comments for the stories posted online by those media outlets, so that I know what the arguments are of the right-wing conservative traditionalists here in Utah.
On the other hand the local FOX affiliate, incredibly, has been one of our strongest advocates, as well as the state’s major paper, the Salt Lake Tribune. They’ve covered every event and tell personal stories as well. Q Salt Lake, our local gay magazine, is also very cooperative in every aspect, including helping me network, locate door prizes for events, etc.
All in all, it’s what I expect, just like any audience. You have those that will agree with you and those that won’t. Some will put you in the best light possible, and some in the worst. But again, I’m a strong believer that by repetition, by keeping our stories and our issues out there, we will continue to gain traction, to gain sympathy, and in the end gain equality.
How do you think LGBT people and allies in Utah can help get media there to tell more fair, accurate, and inclusive LGBT stories?
I think that the only thing that we can do is to continuously tell our stories and hold events, hoping that through time and repetition that the media and their viewership and readership are softened to our cause. And those that do have contact with the media should know that they are, perhaps unfairly, being used to represent the whole of our community and they should remember that and act accordingly.
What’s the most important way LGBT people and allies in your community can help change hearts and minds?
That’s something that I’ve pondered over for months now. I’m sure that it’s personal interaction that can change hearts and minds. I know I’m repeating myself, but I really do believe that this is the key. We need to come out to everyone we know. We already have relationships and the trust of our family and neighbors and co-workers. Therefore, I believe it’s important to show those with whom we interact that we are still the same people that they’ve known for years, and we still deserve the respect, trust and love that they’ve had in us before they knew. They need to know how LGBT bills would affect you, for good or for bad, so that they know how to vote or in which way they should support those measures. We need to initiate that dialogue and convince them through our personal lives and stories to stand with us.
LGBT Civil Rights, Film Activism & Proposition 8
January 20, 2009
GLAAD Queer Lounge was packed for a highly-anticipated panel that addressed the importance of LGBT film activism in the wake of Proposition 8. Cultural critic B. Ruby Rich moderated the lively panel, which was a must-attend for many here at Sundance.
glaadBLOG is proud to offer you the scintillating and timely panel in its entirety.
New White House Website Shows LGBT Rights An Agenda Priority
January 20, 2009
The newly re-launched WhiteHouse.gov, the website of the Obama administration, lists out the administration’s upcoming agenda priorities. Among those priorities are Civil Rights, in which “Support for the LGBT Community” is listed:
Support for the LGBT Community
“While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.”
– Barack Obama, June 1, 2007
The priorities listed include: Expand Hate Crimes Statutes, Fight Workplace Discrimination, Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples, Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage, Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell, Expand Adoption Rights, Promote AIDS Prevention, and Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS.
You can click here to see more details on each of the administration’s priorities.
In Case You Were Wondering, YES, Wanda Sykes is Awesome
December 11, 2008
Comic Wanda Sykes has always been rad. But now that she’s come out, she’s vocal about it, with no signs of shutting up. And that’s music to our ears. Just watch her steer last night’s interview with Jay Leno.
