GLAAD Announces Allison Palmer as new Director of Digital Initiatives

November 18, 2009, New York, NY —The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today welcomed Allison Palmer as the organization’s new Director of Digital Initiatives.

Palmer will oversee GLAAD’s existing digital program and will develop new digital initiatives to increase the impact of GLAAD’s work across all program areas. GLAAD’s next phase of digital work will focus on enhancing the digital advocacy capacity of the movement for LGBT equality. Palmer will lead GLAAD’s work to develop a new digital advocacy platform, which will use multimedia content to tell the stories of LGBT lives. She will also manage GLAAD’s social media presence on sites including Facebook and Twitter and build the organization’s electronic fundraising capabilities.

“Allison’s proven track record of digital media advocacy is a tremendous asset to not only our organization but the LGBT movement,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “As more people connect and consume media online, we have a tremendous opportunity to share our stories with Americans and raise support for LGBT equality.”

Palmer is seasoned in digital media advocacy, joining GLAAD after serving as the Online Strategy & Digital Media Manager for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York City, where she increased Web site traffic by one-third and developed the Center’s social media presence. Palmer began her digital advocacy work at the National Employment Law Project, coordinating the organization’s technology and building its first Web site. She later served as Co-Director of May First Technology Collective/Media Jumpstart, where she designed and implemented digital tools for various non-profit organizations. She has also volunteered her digital media expertise with various non-profit organizations including the Sylvia Rivera Law Project. Palmer received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College. She will be based in GLAAD’s New York City office.

“GLAAD’s work to share the stories of LGBT people is vital to growing the public support that we need to reach equality,” Palmer said. “I am excited about this opportunity to develop digital tools that build upon GLAAD's important advocacy work."