WEEK OF APRIL 28, 2008

GLAAD Snapshots highlight some of the work we are doing in communities across the country – from working with local organizations on media training spokespersons to informing media coverage of major issues affecting the LGBT community. Snapshots reflect GLAAD’s program areas – National News, Media Field Strategy, Entertainment Media, Spanish Language Media, Young Adult, Communities of African Descent, Asian Pacific Islander Media, Sports Media, and Religion, Faith & Values. Check back every Monday for the latest updates!

Entertainment Media: GLAAD Media Awards Celebrated in Daily Variety, Hollywood Reporter

The 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles were celebrated in the April 25 Hollywood trade dailies, Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety. Variety featured an extensive section on the Media Awards featuring stories on the changing face of LGBT television, an honoree profile of Rufus Wainwright, as well as GLAAD President Neil Giuliano’s top media moments of the past year. The magazine also previewed the upcoming San Francisco GLAAD Media Awards with profiles of honorees Ilene Chaiken, David Mixner and James Schamus.

Media Coverage:
Daily Variety – April 25, 2008
“GLAAD Media Awards Feature”
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=features&id=glaad

Hollywood Reporter – April 25, 2008
“TV Has Never Seen More Transgender Characters”
http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN2534139520080425


Religion, Faith & Values: GLAAD Helps Popular Christian TV Host After He Publicly Comes Out as Gay

The host of a popular Christian youth TV show, The Remix, has come out publicly, and GLAAD is working with him to tell his authentic story.  Azariah Southworth, 21, is seen on his syndicated television reality program by more than 200,000 viewers a week.  He said he made his decision to go public after seeing the documentary For the Bible Tells Me So, which explores the intersection of Christianity and sexual orientation.  “I hope to become a voice for those who are going through the same thing that I’ve gone through,” Southworth said. “I also want to give the church a chance to come forward and begin to love people.  Don’t try to change them, just love them.  That is all we want and need.”

GLAAD has helped Southworth coordinate his press activity, and provided media training for him before his appearance on The Alan Colmes Radio Show on Fox.

Media Coverage:
Fox News, The Alan Colmes Radio Show- April 18, 2008
“The Host of a Popular Christian Youth Show, Azariah Southworth, Explains to Alan Why He Decided to Come Out of the Closet”
http://www.blinkx.com/videos/channel%3AFOX+azariah+southworth

The Huffington Post- April 16, 2008
“Azariah Southworth, Popular Christian TV Host, Announces He is Gay”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/16/azariah-southworth-popula_n_97078.html

AfterElton.com- April 20, 2008
“Interview With Azariah Southworth”
http://www.afterelton.com/people/2008/4/azariahsouthworth

Spanish Language Media: GLAAD Media Awards a Success in South Florida
 
The 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in South Florida on April 12 was a great evening paying tribute to the achievements of Spanish language media in promoting fair, accurate and inclusive representation of the LGBT community.  Actor Wilson Cruz, the special honoree of the evening, received GLAAD’s Visibilidad Award honoring openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for our community. Reggaeton singer Ivy Queen received a Special Recognition Award for her outspoken support of LGBT equality.  Christine Chavez, granddaughter of labor activist Cesar Chavez, presented a second Special Recognition Award to The Intelligence Report, a publication of the Southern Poverty Law Center for its coverage of anti-LGBT hate crimes.

Debra Cox performed and comedian Jade Esteban Estrada hosted the event.  Attendees included television host Frank Cairo and respected news anchor Teresa Rodriguez of Aqui y Ahora. Coverage of the awards appeared in the Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, on the highly-rated television shows Despierta América and Escándalo TV, among others.
 

Media Field Strategy: Utah Radio Segment Highlights Challenges for LGBT Youth During Prom Season

In 2007, the Utah Pride Center received a GLAAD Technical Assistance Grant to fund a communications fellow.  On April 24, this fellow, Yana Walton, was a guest on KCPW’s Midday Metro to discuss The Center’s 5th annual “Queer Prom.”  Prior to appearing on the show, the radio host referenced GLAAD’s “Prom 2008 Resource Kit” to help prepare questions and ideas for the program.  This 13-minute radio segment helped highlight the struggles and challenges LGBT youth face at prom, and the ways they seek to overcome the obstacles. 

Media Coverage:
KCPW – April 24, 2008
Midday Metro
http://www.kcpw.org/article/5846