Snapshots of Our Work

Larry Johnson, a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, directed several anti-gay slurs to reporters as well as to a fan on his Twitter account last week. Immediately after, GLAAD issued a statement denouncing the slurs and reached out to the National Football League and Kansas City Chiefs front office to demand action.

Johnson apologized and the Chiefs suspended him for two weeks. Johnson is barred from practicing with the team for two weeks and will be docked a week’s worth of pay. GLAAD continues to reach out to NFL and Kansas City Chiefs officials to create an open dialogue regarding the dangers of homophobia in sports.

MEDIA COVERAGE:
“Father says he's among those hurt by Larry Johnson's remarks”
Kansas City Star – October 27, 2009

“GLAAD on Larry Johnson's apology: 'No excuse for using anti-gay epithets'”
USA Today – October 28, 2009

“Chiefs RB Johnson Apologizes for Gay Slurs”
Associated Press – October 28, 2009

After GLAAD received incident reports that Scholastic would not be including Lauren Myracle’s book “Luv Ya Bunches,” - which features a character with lesbian parents- at Scholastic Book Fairs, GLAAD reached out to executives at Scholastic to ask that the company reconsider its decision. In addition, Change.org, the web-based organizing community, generated over 4,000 signatures on its petition requesting that people make their voices heard.

After discussions with GLAAD and concerns from community members and allies, Scholastic issued the following statement: “Scholastic does not censor books…we are committed to a review process that considers all books equally regardless of their inclusion of LGBT characters and same sex parents. Having completed our review of Luv Ya Bunches, Scholastic Book Fairs will carry the title in our spring fairs for middle school. Scholastic is proud of our long history of providing books that will appeal to the wide range of interests and reading abilities of children in the many diverse cultures and communities we serve. Luv Ya Bunches is just one example.”

RELATED MEDIA:
“GLAAD Applauds Scholastic for Decision to Include LGBT Title in Book Fairs”
GLAAD Media Release – October 29, 2009

Over 300 marketing and advertising professionals joined GLAAD at the first GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising on October 27 in New York City hosted by Alan Cumming and presented by Ogilvy and Southwest. The Awards recognize and honor outstanding images of the LGBT community in advertising, creating a benchmark for corporate America to reach for. The advertisement "Golfers" by Orbitz.com received a GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Television – Mainstream Market category and Allstate's "Insurance Comes Out" campaign received the GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Print/Outdoor – Mainstream Market category.

For a full list of award recipients please visit: http://www.glaad.org/advertisingawards/recipients.

On the day President Barack Obama signed the bill expanding federal hate crimes protections to include those targeted for violence on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, GLAAD placed a key story on CNN.com. The article detailed the story of Elke Kennedy, the mother of 20-year old Sean Kennedy, a gay young adult who was killed in a May 2007 anti-gay attack in Greenville, South Carolina. Since her son’s brutal death Kennedy has been working tirelessly to draw attention to the epidemic of violence against LGBT people and the need for hate crimes protections, and GLAAD has partnered with her every step of the way, providing extensive media assistance. The CNN story highlighted her journey that eventually brought her to the White House for the historic signing in a bittersweet moment for the devoted mother. Kennedy said that the work would not end with the president’s signature. "This is a huge milestone, but it is not the end of the fight. We have to change the hearts and minds." As the article pointed out, Kennedy has delivered speeches at 34 colleges and universities "to educate these kids about what hate and violence and bullying can do and give them options and teach them non-violent conflict resolution."

MEDIA COVERAGE: 
“Two years after son's death, mother finds solace in hate crimes bill”
CNN.com— October 28, 2009

GLAAD is proud to be a coalition partner with the Washington Families Standing Together, the campaign to Approve Referendum 71. This week GLAAD worked with Queer As Folk actress Michelle Clunie on a video for the campaign, encouraging voters to Approve Referendum 71. Clunie encourages Washingtonians to vote approve, mail their ballots, then volunteer for the campaign.

GLAAD’s Senior Media Strategist has been on the ground in Washington state since August working as an instrumental part of the Approve Referendum 71 campaign communications staff. Last weekend, GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios was in Seattle, and joined over 20 volunteers making phone calls to voters about Referendum 71 – and encouraging them to vote “approve” on the measure.

The Washington Families Standing Together coalition and their supporters encourage Washington voters to mail in their ballots early and to vote to APPROVE Referendum 71.

RELATED LINKS:
“Actress Michelle Clunie Says Approve 71”
glaadBLOG – October 27, 2009

STAFF CONTACT:
Adam Bass, Senior Media Strategist, (323) 634-2018,bass@glaad.org

GLAAD staff continues to assist Mormon straight allies in the Foundation for Reconciliation as they prepare for their November 4 trek from a famous Mormon monument called, “This is the Place,” to Mormon headquarters. There, the group will present memorials to LGBT Mormons who have committed suicide over rejection by church and family. Leaders from the Foundation for Reconciliation sent a registered letter to invite Mormon leaders to be present to receive the offerings. In particular, the group requested that Elder Hafen, who recently told Evergreen “ex-gay” Mormons they would be straight in heaven, to be present to understand the harm of such words.

GLAAD trained spokespersons, Peter and Mary Danzig, were pressured out of both membership in the Mormon Church and the prestigious Mormon Tabernacle orchestra because of their support for LGBT equality. Peter continues to speak out in a time when Mormon funding for the National Organization for Marriage is coming to light in Maine. It is a moment when Mormon voices for equality are ever more important.

MEDIA COVERAGE:
“Group to deliver pro-gay petition to LDS Church by handcart”
KSL News Radio – October 29, 2009

Coverage of GLAAD Statement Applauding Passage of Hate Crimes Bill
Associated Press
USA Today.com
Pam’s House Blend
CBS News
NY Times.com

Coverage of GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising:
The New York Times
Advertising Age
Marketing Daily
Adrants
AfterElton.com
Gay Socialites
AKA William
Kenneth in the 212
Tips-Q
Homo-Neurotic (1), (2), (3) 
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Ogilvy.com

Additional Coverage of statement on Kansas City Chief player Larry Johnson’s apology:
Associated Press
TMZ
USA Today.com
Kansas City Star
Huffington Post
AfterElton.com

Coverage of GLAAD’s Call for Action Against Anti-Gay Slurs Used by Larry Johnson:
USA Today
TMZ
Kansas City Star

OUTAuction NYC Featured in Time Out New York