Watch celebrities on the red carpet at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
Do you remember the first time you saw a gay character on TV? Or the first time you read a profile of an openly gay or lesbian leader in your local newspaper.
At GLAAD, we are in the business of changing people's hearts and minds through what they see in the media. We know that what people watch on TV or read in their newspaper shapes how they view and treat the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people around them. And we have a responsibility to make sure those images foster awareness, understanding and respect.
When media images of our lives are fair, accurate and inclusive, we find ourselves increasingly welcomed into a society that respects difference. When they're not -- when stereotypes and misinformation pollute the well of cultural acceptance -- we become vulnerable to anti-gay forces working to create a world in which we do not exist.
Everyday our stories -- yours, mine, those of our families and friends -- open the truth of our lives to the people we share them with. In the same way, when the media tell our stories well, people in small towns, big cities and everywhere in-between find a window on our lives that broadens and deepens their understanding of who we are. Same principle -- infinitely larger scale.
Fair, accurate and inclusive media images shatter stereotypes. They prove that we are connected through common, human experiences. These are stories that we -- and the media -- have a responsibility to share.
GLAAD Blogs
GLAAD College Media Reference Guide
The GLAAD College Media Reference Guide is a resource for college journalists covering stories about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. It is split into two sections to cover reporting of sexual orientation and gender identity. Both sections provide a glossary of terminology frequently used to describe gay and transgender communities. The Guide also addresses problematic language that should be avoided in responsible journalism and identifies defamatory language that dehumanizes and marginalizes the subject of a story when it is used.
The Guide is a product of GLAAD’s Young Adult Media program, which was launched in 2007. Working on campuses across the country to promote equality and visibility, GLAAD serves as a resource to college journalists, and trains students and campus leaders to be more effective in changing hearts and minds through media advocacy and fighting defamation.
GLAAD Media Reference Guide, 7th Edition
Over the past two decades, Americans have experienced a significant evolution in their understanding and cultural acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender lives.Consequently, media coverage of gay and lesbian issues (and increasingly, bisexual and transgender issues) has moved beyond simplistic political dichotomies and toward more fully realized representations not only of the diversity of our community, but also of our lives, our families, and our fundamental inclusion in the fabric of American society.
Journalists realize that LGBT people have the right to fair, accurate and inclusive reporting of their stories and their issues. And GLAAD's Media Reference Guide, now in its seventh edition, offers the tools they can use to tell our stories in ways that bring out the best in such journalism.
Download the Media Reference Guide.GLAAD Network Responsibility Index
The GLAAD Network Responsibility Index is intended to serve as a road map of the quantity and quality of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual andtransgender (LGBT) people on network television.
Based on the overall quantity, quality and diversity of LGBT representation, this report assigns a grade to the major broadcast networks based on their inclusion of LGBT characters and people.
Download the Network Responsibility Index.
Announcing Equality
Stories can break down barriers and help people find common ground. It's one of the reasons GLAAD made a new resource for everyday people to share their stories: Announcing Equality .
Six years ago, GLAAD was only able to report that 69 papers nationwide printed wedding announcements for gay and lesbian couples. Now, we're really excited to release a brand new list of 1,049 inclusive papers . You can find an interactive state-by-state map of all the dailies that will print wedding announcements for gay and lesbian couples on the site.
Additionally, GLAAD's Announcing Equality online resource features tips and resources to get you started on submitting a wedding announcement or other milestone. You can also find downloads for your MySpace and Facebook - lots of easy, everyday ways that you can talk about your life. We all have a responsibility to not just come out, but to take the next step and share our story - it's an important way that all of us can make a difference.
Check out Announcing Equality.