Communities of African Descent: Partnering with GLSEN and NBJC to Remember Carl Walker-Hoover’s Death | ||||
Since February, GLAAD, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) have been working together on a comprehensive media strategy plan to commemorate the 1st year anniversary of the tragic death of Carl Walker-Hoover. Last April, Hoover hanged himself as a result of being bullied at his Springfield, Massachusetts school. He was only eleven years old. Black media was a major focus in our plan in order to discuss the harmful effects of anti-gay and other forms other of bullying; the need for Congress to pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act; and to pay homage to Carl’s life. GLAAD worked to pitch a mix of articles in numerous black media outlets, including an op-ed written by Sirdeaner Walker, Carl’s mother. Her commentary, “Why Bullying is Killing Our Children” was published by the National Newspaper Publishers Association—a federation that supplies more than 200 black community newspapers from across the United States with editorial content. In addition, GLAAD secured placement for an op-ed co-written by GLSEN’s Executive Director Eliza Byard, PhD and NBJC’s Executive Director Sharon J. Lettman for The Root. The Root—a daily online magazine geared toward African Americans—is published by Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive. GLAAD is continuing to work with other media outlets to gain more coverage that brings this important issue into the homes of millions. We will keep you updated on our progress. MEDIA COVERAGE: “Anti-gay bullying is a deadly threat to children of color” “Why We Need Anti-Bullying Legislation” “Why Bullying is Killing Our Children” “A Mother’s Love” “All Jokes Aside, Bullying is Killing Our Kids” | ||||
Media Field Strategy: Continuing Work to Overturn Florida’s Ban on Adoption by Gay Parents | ||||
GLAAD is collaborating with the ACLU of Florida’s LGBT Advocacy Project to build public support among Floridians of adoption by gay parents. Last November, a Miami circuit judge overturned Florida’s unconstitutional law prohibiting gay people from adopting. The State immediately appealed. The three-year public education campaign that GLAAD is assisting on is designed to help people understand how the adoption ban hurts children and families and to shift public opinion about the issue. GLAAD was in Ft. Lauderdale and Naples this month training people on compelling ways to speak about adoption by sharing their personal stories and how to effectively communicate their story to the public through the media. GLAAD will offer additional trainings on this issue later this year in Tampa. | ||||
National News: Advancing LGBT Participation in the U.S. Census | ||||
GLAAD assisted the U.S. Census Bureau’s LGBT Partnership Specialists to coordinate the announcement of the first ever LGBT specific PSAs and help ensure that LGBT people are more accurately counted, resulting in better representation of our issues in government. GLAAD helped organize and secure media at the Census Bureau’s press conference unveiling the PSAs and also streamed the conference on glaad.org for media and community members unable to attend in person. MEDIA COVERAGE: | ||||
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