Valentine’s Day receives a great deal of media attention. Print and electronic press outlets nationwide share the romantic stories of couples proclaiming their love for one another. However, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) couples are often excluded from Valentine's Day media coverage—and LGBT couples of color receive even less attention in both mainstream and people of color media. GLAAD hopes that the following resources will help you produce Valentine's Day stories that reflect the true diversity of our society by including LGBT couples in the coverage of this romantic holiday.
LGBT people and relationships are often excluded by the kinds of language media professionals choose to use. Consider the language used to describe couples in general: Does it assume that all couples are heterosexual? Does it allow for non-traditional families? Does it subtly endorse opposite-sex relationships while marginalizing same-sex commitments? GLAAD encourages media to use words and descriptions that can be universally applied to all couples – gay and straight – and that respect the significance of their commitments.LGBT people use a variety of terms to describe their relationships and significant others, including: partner, spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend, lover, husband/wife, companion, same gender loving couples (for couples from communities of African descent), marriage, partnership and family, among others. We encourage you to ask people which term they would like you to use. Also, please do not put quotation marks around the description, as this implies the described relationship is somehow illegitimate.GLAAD’S Media Reference Guide contains a comprehensive glossary of LGBT-related terminology.
A growing number of newspapers are committed to reporting on weddings, civil unions and commitment ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples.Five years after persuading The New York Times to open its Weddings/Celebrations pages to same-sex couples and launching its Announcing Equality campaign, GLAAD now reports that 883 newspapers – nearly 60 percent of all daily newspapers in the United States – now accept wedding and/or commitment ceremony announcements for gay and lesbian couples. That number has increased 584 percent since it was first measured in late 2002, when only 69 newspapers said they would print such announcements.
For additional information, visit our Announcing Equality resource.
In reporting on LGBT couples, please also remember that they are as diverse as the rest of society, crossing lines of gender, race, age, income, class, family structure, religion, geography and political affiliation. We encourage you to reflect this diversity in your coverage.
Below, you will find statistics and demographic information on couples in communities of color, including Asian-Pacific Islander (API) communities, Latino communities and communities of African descent.
The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy, a UCLA-based think tank, has conducted extensive research on the U.S. Census and what it reveals about LGBT couples of color. According to the 2005 Williams Institute study: “Asians and Pacific Islanders in Same-Sex couples in California: Data from Census 2000,” research found that:
According to the 2004 Gay & Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute’s study: “Black Same-Sex Households in the United States: A Report from the 2000 Census,” research found that:
In the 2005 National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute’s study: “Hispanic and Latino in Same-Sex Couple Households in the United States: A Report from the 2000 Census,” research found that:
In the 2005 Williams Institute study: “Latino/as in Same-Sex Couples in California: Data from the Census 2000,” research found that:
The 2006 Williams Institute study: “Same-sex Couples and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Population: New Estimates from the American Community Survey,”also found that:
Please consider integrating LGBT couples into your Valentine's Day feature story. You might cover topics such as:- Couples looking back at how they met - Valentine's Day weddings and anniversaries- Dating trends (meeting online, dating services, blind dates, etc.)- Massachusetts and Connecticut's marriage anniversaries- First Valentine's Day since marriage equality came to Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont- Valentine's Day events for singles- Long-distance relationships - Surprise marriage proposals on Valentine's Day - Retired couples re-igniting romance - Planning a Valentine's Day getaway - Couples' favorite poems, songs, vacation spots, etc. - Choosing the perfect Valentine's Day gift - High school sweethearts- Celebrity couples and break-ups - Wedding-day successes and disasters - Balancing romance and family obligations - Workplace romances - Bi-national couples’ stories- Making Valentine’s Day dinner reservations – especially at the last minute-Finding a babysitter on Valentine’s Day
Also:- Include romantic lesbian/gay-owned restaurants in your area in your list of Valentines Day dating recommendations.- Include lesbian/gay-themed comedies or dramas in your list of all-time most romantic movies. - List relationship development books for same-sex couples in features about keeping romance alive.- Talk to local jewelry stores, wedding planners, bakeries, florists and other companies that offer services and products for same-sex couples' commitment ceremonies.- Talk to pastors who conduct same-sex ceremonies at inclusive churches, particularly in communities of color.
LOCATING LGBT COUPLES FOR INTERVIEWSFor help in finding LGBT organizations or couples in your local media markets, please contact a member of GLAAD’s Media Field Strategy Team.
You may also want to contact the organizations listed in the MARRIAGE and CIVIL UNIONS sections below.
MARRIAGE
Asian EqualityAndy WongCoalition Manager(415) 341-6415 awong@caasf.orghttp://www.asianequality.org
Freedom to MarrySean EldridgeCommunications Directorsean@freedomtomarry.orghttp://www.freedomtomarry.org
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders - GLAD (Massachusetts)Carisa CunninghamDirector of Public Affairs and Education(617) 426-1350ccunningham@glad.orghttp://www.glad.org/
Lambda LegalLisa HardawayDirector of Media Relations (212) 809-8585 ext: 266LHardaway@lambdalegal.orghttp://www.lambdalegal.org
Mass EqualityMarc SolomonCampaign Director (617) 878-2300Marc.Solomon@massequality.orghttp://www.massequality.org/
Marriage Equalityhttp://www.marriageequality.org(877) 571-5729[NOTE: Marriage Equality also has chapters in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington. Visit their Web site’s “chapters” link for more information.]
National Black Justice CoalitionHerndon DavisDirector of Communications(202) 349-3755hedavis@nbjc.orghttp://www.nbjcoalition.org/
Unid@s, the National Latina/o LGBT Human Rights OrganizationPedro Julio SerranoSpokesperson/Portavoz787.602.5954pserrano@thetaskforce.orgwww.unidoslgbt.org
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE MEDIA IMAGES
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)Rashad RobinsonSenior Director of Media Programs (646) 871-8017robinson@glaad.orghttp://archive.glaad.org
COMMITMENT CEREMONY/MARRIAGE RESOURCESInternational Commitment Ceremonies Registryhttp://www.unionoflove.comRainbow Unionshttp://www.rainbowunions.com
©2010 Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation