Next week, heads of state and diplomats from around the world will gather in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly. GLAAD is proud to be in that conversation by presenting Global Voices and Media Messages of LGBT People—a sidebar panel discussion event—to discuss how global media facilitates pro- and anti-LGBT messages.
The panel will discuss the role of mainstream media in facilitating and advancing affirmative messaging on LGBT issues in the international context.
The primary audience will be international diplomats, UN staff, and attendees of the UN General Assembly, but you are invited as well. International LGBT advocates will talk about the media context in their countries, their interactions with the media, and especially a focus on how they encourage pro-LGBT and address anti-LGBT messages.
WHEN
September 18, 2015 at 10:00-11:30 am
WHERE
GLAAD Offices
104 W 29th Street 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
PARTICIPANTS
Todd Larson, Senior LGBT Coordinator at USAID, coordinates implementation of international initiatives to advance the human rights of LGBT persons and ensures regular U.S. Government engagement with governments, citizens, civil society and the private sector to build respect for the human rights and development of LGBT persons. Larson previously served for twenty years, in a variety of countries and regions, with the United Nations. Larson served as co-chair of the Board of Directors of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) during a period of unprecedented transition, growth, and stabilization of the organization.
Sarah Kate Ellis is CEO and President of GLAAD. A forceful spokesperson for LGBT acceptance, Ellis’ commentary and statements have appeared in influential media including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, TIME, Vanity Fair, ABC News, Bloomberg, CNN, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight and hundreds of other outlets. Ellis and her wife Kristen are the proud mothers of two adorable children.
Monica Trasandes, Programs Director, Spanish-Language and Latino Media at GLAAD. She has done more than 40 interviews on local, national and international news programs including CNN en Español, Telemundo, Univision and for many radio and print outlets. She and her team have pitched, placed and media trained over 100 community members and leaders, conducting trainings and one-on-one coaching sessions. She was born in Uruguay and grew up in California.
Geena Rocero, transgender fashion model and activist who was born in Manilla. In an effort to bring more visibility to the transgender community, she decided to ‘come out’ in a TED Talk. She is the founder of Gender Proud which advocates for transgender justice and equality. Her work focuses on elevating trans visibility in the media; her great hope for the community is that every trans person is free to self identify with the fewest possible barriers.
Yvonne Oduor, program coordinator for None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa, a digital media project that collects the stories of LGBT Africans from the African Continent and the Diaspora. Her community organizing and media work focuses on sexual minorities in Kenya. She derives her passion from trying to make Kenya and Africa in general a friendlier place for LGBT individuals.
Jessica Stern, executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission who specializes in gender, sexuality and human rights globally. As the first researcher on LGBT rights at Human Rights Watch and a Ralph Bunche Fellow at Amnesty International, she conducted fact-finding investigations and advocacy in relation to Iran, Kyrgyzstan, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
