Posts by Justin Ward, Senior Media Field Strategist at GLAAD

GA Newspaper Changes Policy to Include Same-Sex Wedding Announcements

After refusing to publish a lesbian couple's wedding announcement, the Macon Telegraph has changed its policy on wedding announcements to become fully inclusive of same-sex couples.Read More

#EqualLoveEqualRights: GLAAD Working with Campaign Founder Shane Bitney Crone

On top of suddenly losing his partner of six years, Shane Bitney Crone was forced to suffer even more because his relationship wasn't legally recognized in the eyes of the law. Shane created a YouTube video with the hope that other couples won't have to go through what he did. The video has been viewed more than 2.4 million times.Read More

Remembering Sean Kennedy Five Years Later

Five years ago today, Sean Kennedy was the victim of a brutal anti-gay hate crime that brought his life to an untimely end. He was just 20 years old. Today Sean’s memory lives on through the tireless work and indomitable spirit of his mother Elke.Read More

Rhode Island to Recognize Out-of-State Marriages of Same-Sex Couples

Following a press conference on Monday, May 14, Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I) signed an executive order that will recognize the marriages of same-sex couples performed outside Rhode Island, in jurisdictions where marriage equality is legal. Chafee is the first governor in the country to sign such an executive order.Read More

National Organizations Respond to the Expulsion of Bullied Gay Teen Dynasty Young

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Network and the Indiana Youth Group (IYG) are among the organizations that have expressed their support for 17 year old Dynasty Young, the bullied gay teen from Indiana who's been expelled for using an electrical self-protection device as a way of protecting himself against physical violence.Read More

VIDEOS: Dynasty Young and His Mother Speak with Good Morning America, CNN & MSNBC

Following GLAAD media training, Dynasty Young and his mother, Chelisa Grimes, have shared their story on Good Morning America, CNN and MSNBC. GLAAD staff have also been working closely with local and national media outlets to ensure that this story is told in an accurate and thoughtful way.Read More

GLAAD Working with Indiana Gay Teen Facing Expulsion for Protecting Himself

On Thursday we shared with you the story of Dynasty Young, the openly gay high-school student who's now facing expulsion after using an electrical self-protection device in response to severe bullying. In order for media coverage of this story to meet fair, accurate and inclusive journalistic standards, several important questions need to be raised.Read More