CNNNewsroom Humanizes LGBT Issues
During Pride Month, CNN Newsroom demonstrated an admirable commitment to using authentic, real-world voices to share the triumphs and struggles of the LGBT community and the progress and setbacks that have taken place since Stonewall. In more than nine segments that frequently featured both community leaders and everyday people, Newsroom explored topics such as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and the Matthew Shepard Act and highlighted how the absence of legal protections directly affects hardworking Americans and their families. Newsroom should also be commended for honoring the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the event that galvanized the movement for LGBT equality.
WATCH THE CLIPS:
“Gay Officer to Find Out Fate” – June 30, 2009http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Zqyt6YPzU
“Gay Pride Weekend” – June 29, 2009http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sr1zEp35Ck
“Gay Bar Raided” – June 29, 2009http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNS53z0Tlmo
“Remembering Stonewall” – June 28, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYz-XYjPmyY
“Gay Pride” – June 27, 2009http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28TCDTxr5F0
“Judy and Dennis Shepard” – June 25, 2009http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSkh6Zjo11w
“Jerry Brown” – June 13, 2009http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXbKYrWhh38
“These Are Our Sisters and Brothers” – June 3, 2009http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clPMLsuRodY
“I Was Utterly Devastated” – June 1, 2009http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tujajeOJYUw TAKE ACTION:GLAAD encourages you to contact CNN Newsroom and thank them for their demonstrated commitment to sharing the stories of LGBT people in their reporting, which honors the progress made by the LGBT community and helps to educate viewers about the real world challenges that many members of the community continue to face.
CONTACT:CNN Newsroomhttp://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?92
The New York Times Promotes Conversation around LGBT Issues During Pride Month
During the month of June, The New York Times published articles and opinion pieces that explored the history of the Stonewall riots and addressed the progress – and setbacks – experienced by the LGBT community in the years since. In addition to examining the history and influence of Stonewall, the Times also explored a range of policy issues faced by the LGBT community and, in three strongly worded editorials, urged the Obama administration to take action to support LGBT equality. Specifically, the editorial board took legislators to task and criticized President Obama for his reluctance to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and his decision to withhold full benefit protections for federal LGBT couples. As an opinion leader, The New York Times showed an admirable commitment to highlighting the roadblocks and barriers faced by many LGBT Americans, especially in light of the cultural progress made since Stonewall.
READ THE ARTICLES:
“COLUMN: 40 Years Later, Still Second-Class Americans” – June 28, 2009http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/opinion/28rich.html?scp=18&sq=gay&st=nyt
“Political Shifts on Gay Rights Lag behind Culture” – June 28, 2009http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/us/28stonewall.html?ref=global-home
“OP-ED: The Real Mob at Stonewall” – June 26, 2009http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/opinion/26truscott.html
“OP-ED: Anger Management” – June 25 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/opinion/26sargeant.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
“EDITORIAL: Benefits for Same-Sex Partners” June 18, 2009http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/opinion/18thu3.html?_r=1
“EDITORIAL: A Bad Call on Gay Rights” – June 16, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/16/opinion/16tue1.html “OP-ED: Why I Now Support Gay Marriage” – June 13, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/opinion/13suozzi.html?_r=1&ref=opinion “EDITORIAL: The Ban on Gays in the Military” June 10, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/opinion/10wed2.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=gay&st=nytTAKE ACTION: GLAAD encourages you to contact The New York Times and thank them for publishing a wide selection of articles, editorials and columns that commemorated the 1969 Stonewall Riots, celebrated the progress made by the LGBT community, and furthered an ongoing dialogue about the struggle for LGBT equality.
CONTACT:The New York Timesletters@nytimes.com
CBSNews.com Thoughtfully Explores Gender and Gender Identity
In a June 18 CBSNews.com article that reported Chaz Bono’s announcement that he is transitioning, medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook investigated gender identity and clarified misconceptions about transgender people. LaPook spoke with the National Center for Transgender Equality and a medical expert with a long history of working with transgender people to address common questions about transgender people in a thoughtful and informed way. LaPook stated his hope that “better education will lead to less misunderstanding, less fear, and wider acceptance for [transgender] people like Chaz Bono.”
READ THE ARTICLE:
CBSNews.com – June 18, 2009 “A Pro Bono Transgender Primer”http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/18/health/cbsdoc/main5095842.shtml
TAKE ACTION: GLAAD encourages you to contact Dr. Jon LaPook and thank him for his CBSNews.com article and for exploring gender identity in an effort to curb misconceptions about transgender people and to promote greater acceptance and understanding.
CONTACT:CBS News: Healthhttp://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/feedback/fb_news_form.shtml?tag=ftr
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Examines President Obama’s Progress on LGBT Issues
Rachel Maddow explored President Obama’s relationship to LGBT issues in a series of five segments throughout June that take their name from the president’s campaign promise to be a “Fierce Advocate” for the community. Maddow featured prominent LGBT guests and allies who examined progress and setbacks on LGBT issues under the Obama administration. Maddow investigated such topics as the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), benefit extensions for the same-sex partners of federal employees, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), and the White House’s June LGBT Pride celebration. Maddow’s appraisal of President Obama’s performance on LGBT issues helped to advance a critical and informed dialogue about the scope and trajectory of efforts to advance equality for all Americans.
“Fierce Advocate” – June 29, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeIgMJYaaiM
“Fierce Advocate” – June 23, 2009http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=admDSNQ95TI
“Fierce Advocate” – June 17, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbMnEcYOSUc
“President Obama Extends Federal Benefits to Same-Sex Couples” – June 16, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMeXUeQ4NHU
“Fierce Advocate” – June 15, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg7CrrlqREw
“Fierce Advocate” – June 08, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WZZDlQl3CgTAKE ACTION: GLAAD encourages you to contact MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show and thank the program for its assessment of the Obama administration’s approach to LGBT issues and for its contribution to an ongoing national dialogue about the need to guarantee equality for every American.CONTACT: Rachel Maddowrachel@msnbc.com
The Washington Post Publishes Five Editorials in Support of LGBT Equality
In five June op-ed and editorial pieces, The Washington Post celebrated a legislative victory for marriage in Washington D.C., recognized the historic 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, and encouraged congressional action to overturn the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy. The Post’s ongoing support of LGBT protections raises awareness about obstacles facing LGBT people in their push toward equality. As a leader in shaping opinions in the district – and across the country – The Washington Post should be commended for consistently using its voice to advocate for vital LGBT protections.
“COLUMN: Open the Military Closet” – June 30, 2009http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/29/AR2009062903459.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
“OP-ED: Pride at the White House” – June 29, 2009http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/06/28/ST2009062802402.html
“EDITORIAL: Do Tell” – June 27, 2009http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/26/AR2009062603985.html
“EDITORIAL: Take the Plunge” – June 21, 2009http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/20/AR2009062001520.html
“OP-ED: Gays in the Military: Let the Evidence Speak” – June 19. 2009http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/18/AR2009061803497.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
TAKE ACTION: GLAAD urges you to contact The Washington Post and thank the newspaper for publishing thoughtful editorials and op-eds promoting LGBT equality throughout the month of June.
CONTACT:The Washington Posthttp://washingtonpost.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/washingtonpost.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?
The Christian Science Monitor Detracts from the National Holocaust Museum Tragedy
In a June 15 article, “Surprise Outcome of Museum Shooting: Gay Rights” The Christian Science Monitor’s Patrik Jonsson claims that James von Brunn’s shooting rampage at the National Holocaust Museum “could have inadvertently won a major victory for homosexuals” because Congress would now be “pressured” to pass federal hate crimes legislation. Jonsson’s implication that the brutal attack on the National Holocaust Museum will somehow benefit the LGBT community insults the memory of Stephen T. Johns, a security guard who was killed in the shooting, and serves to propagate myths and fears about LGBT people.
The Christian Science Monitor – June 15, 2009 “Surprise Outcome of Museum Shooting: Gay Rights”http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0616/p02s10-ussc.html
TAKE ACTION: GLAAD encourages you to contact The Christian Science Monitor and tell them that Patrik Jonsson’s article “Surprise Outcome of Museum Shooting: Gay Rights” exploits a terrible tragedy and the memory of Stephen T. Johns as desperate way to perpetuate fear and misunderstanding about hate crime protections for the LGBT community.
CONTACT: Patrik Jonsson, Staff Writer – The Christian Science Monitorhttp://www.csmonitor.com/cgi-bin/encryptmail.pl?ID=70A8EAE65A056D7CDA45B8B1923EF1D0&url=/2009/0616/p02s10-ussc.html
The Christian Science Monitorhttp://www.csmonitor.com/cgi-bin/contactus.pl
New York Post Irresponsibly Misrepresents Transgender Woman
In a June 14 article titled “Wedding Crashers: Duo Fools City into OK’ing 1st Gay Nups,” New York Post reporters David Seifman and Stefanie Cohen trivialize the committed relationship between Jason Stenson and his transgender partner, Kimah Nelson and use problematic terminology in their coverage of a transgender person. Seifman and Cohen repeatedly use the incorrect name and inaccurate pronouns to describe Nelson, and make a joke of the couple’s shared commitment by suggesting that their marriage was a stunt designed to “fool” the city. These assertions serve to demean Stenson and Nelson and their decision to make a meaningful commitment to one another.
TAKE ACTION:GLAAD urges you to contact New York Post’s David Seifman and Stefanie Cohen and voice your concern about their irresponsible and inaccurate portrayal of Jason Stenson and Kimah Nelson. Tell Seifman and Cohen that by mocking Jason Stenson and Kimah Nelson’s loving and committed relationship they are perpetuating misconceptions and fueling prejudice against transgender people.
CONTACT: David Seifman – New York Post david.seifman@nypost.com letters@nypost.com
©2010 Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation