BOYCOTT: GLAAD and HRC ratchet up pressure on ABC not to air “Work It”!

 

It’s been said that any publicity is good publicity but I’m not so sure that’s the case with the growing controversy over the ABC sitcom Work It.

GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign have stepped-up pressure on the network to yank the sitcom about two men who decide to impersonate women to land jobs in pharmaceutical sales.

It is scheduled to premiere on Jan. 3.

DOESN'T WORK: LGBT Groups To ABC: Don't Air 'Work It'!

Work It, ABC's new, probably-doomed-to-be-canceled-anyway sitcom, is a show about two heterosexual, out-of-work car salesman who dress as women to secure employment as pharmaceutical reps. The show features no transgender characters, but according to GLAAD and the HRC, it demeans transfolk anyway.

From GLAAD's press release: During a period in which the transgender community now routinely finds itself in the cultural crosshairs, the timing couldn’t be worse for a show based on the notion that men dressed as women is inherently funny.  In fact, shows like this have the power to put the transgender community in an even more dangerous position.

(SOAP Q) 90210's Teddy set to get married in November then disappear for good!

 

So let me get this straight, 90210′s gay character of Teddy Montgomery (Trevor Donovan) comes Out, has 2 relationships and in a course of a month meets someone new and is ready to tie the knot? What's the hurry?
 
William Keck in TV Guide:  A marriage to boyfriend Shane (Ryan Rottman) in early November is the beginning of the end for 90210′s Teddy, played by outgoing cast member Trevor Donovan. But what a way to go. I was on set for the colorful nuptials, which take place in a cheesy Vegas chapel with an Elvis impersonator officiating. Silver captures the whole affair on a video that will go viral, and Navid playfully asks the grooms, “Which one of you is pregnant?”

The occasion is bittersweet for Trevor, who appears in only two more episodes after the wedding. He says he was told that Teddy’s coming out story was handled so well that “they didn’t want to take anything away from it by just having me there in the background. I’m in the meat of every episode I’m in, and it’s good that it’s ending with a hero moment.

DOWN LOW: GLAAD Report on Presence of LGBT characters declines on networks!

GLAAD released the 16^th Annual Where We Are on TV report earlier today and the results are mixed when it comes to LGBT visibility on television.


After a significant increase last year, the number of regular lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendee characters on broadcast networks experienced a decrease while the overall LGBT character count remains steady on cable television.

“While the number of LGBT characters is down, some of the most popular shows with critics and viewers, such as Glee, True Blood and The Good Wife, weave storylines about gay and lesbian characters into the fabric of the show,” said GLAAD Acting President Mike Thompson.

REPORT CARD: ABC Family and CW gets “Excellent” rating in GLAAD Index!

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation today released its fifth annual Network Responsibility Index, a report that maps the quantity, quality and diversity of images of LGBT people on television. Primetime programming on the five broadcast networks was evaluated as well as original primetime programming on 10 major cable networks.

ABC Family became the second network in the NRI’s history to earn an “Excellent” rating from GLAAD.  Of its 103 hours of original primetime programming, 55% included LGBT-inclusive images which also reflected the ethnic and racial diversity of the LGBT community. It is notable that both ABC Family and MTV, which in 2010 received the first-ever “Excellent” rating from GLAAD, are both youth-oriented networks.

OUT: GLAAD Officially Announces Resignation of President Jarrett Barrios, EIGHT Board Members!

GLAAD this morning announced that it has accepted the resignation of President Jarrett Barrios.

The Board of Directors, earlier this week, accepted the resignation of several members: Gary Bitner, Jocelyn Bramble, Kelly Dermody, Humberto Mata, Michael Nutt, James Walker and Randi Weingarten.  Yesterday, the Board also accepted the resignation of member Troup Coronado. He resigned voluntarily, stating that he wanted "to do what was in the best interest of GLAAD." Since 2008, Mr. Coronado has been a valued board member and an important voice in the LGBT community.

Said Barrios, in a statement: 

"None of you have asked me to resign, and I have appreciated such confidence in me. I have been pained by the difficulties that have beset GLAAD over the last three weeks.  As you know, they concern GLAAD's endorsement of the AT&T / T-Mobile merger--and inaccurate but effective characterizations that suggest GLAAD has supported this merger because of our relationship with them as a corporate sponsor.  As many of you have observed to me, this entire situation is wrought with miscommunication and assumptions.  Be that as it may, I respect the function and responsibility of my position, and know this is the right course of action. Of utmost concern and foremost in all of our minds must be the well-being of GLAAD.  The staff continues to work hard and does not deserve to work under a cloud, nor do they merit the distraction that it has become from our organization's fine brand."

Chief Operating Officer Mike Thompson will serve as Acting President.

TROUBLE: Six GLAAD Board Members Resign!

Politico reports that six board members have resigned from GLAAD's board in the wake of controversy over the letter in support of the AT&T- T-Mobile merger:

GLAAD board member Gary Bitner confirmed in an email to POLITICO on Tuesday that he had resigned. Five other board members — including Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers — also have submitted their resignations, according to the POLITICO source who is familiar with the matter.

The five, including Weingarten, could not be reached for comment early Tuesday.

The names of all six are no longer listed in the board of directors section of GLAAD’s website, bringing the current number of GLAAD board members, including officers, down to 23. The names appeared on the website as of Sunday and are still visible via a Google cache — or digital snapshot — of the site.

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios resigned over the weekend after the executive committee voted to remove him.

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios resigns after AT & T Debacle!

Jarrett Barrios submitted his as president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) on Saturday.

Politico reports that gay activists are calling for reassessment of the group’s policies and for more heads to roll over its backing of AT&T’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile.

POLITICO earlier this month pointed out that GLAAD was one of several liberal-leaning groups supporting AT&T’s bid that had received donations from the telecom giant — in GLAAD’s case $50,000.

“It was the best thing for the organization and certainly for the LGBT movement after all of the controversy over the support for the merger,” Michaelangelo Signorile, the Sirius XM radio show host, told POLITICO. “I think it was distracting for the group and all of the activists that work there. It really was something egregious that a lot of people don’t expect GLAAD to be involved in and supporting on behalf of the community.”

WINNING: Kim Cattrall, The Kids Are All Right Honored At SF GLAAD Media Awards

After ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles, the GLAAD Media Awards distributed the last of their awards for 2011 in San Francisco Saturday night. Kim Cattrall received the Golden Gate Award for the work she has done to increase the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community and The Kids Are All Right won for Outstanding Film.

Other winners were: Corporate Leader Award - AT&T, Local Hero Award - Kara Swisher, Outstanding Documentary - 8: The Mormon Proposition and Outstanding Spanish-Language Music Artist - Christian Chávez.

“Glee” star Naya Rivera will host GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco!

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD has announced it will honor Golden Globe-winning actress Kim Cattrall at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco.


She will receive the Golden Gate Award at the ceremony on Saturday, May 14.

AAD’s Golden Gate Award is presented to media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Previous recipients include Megan Mullally, Jennifer Beals, Stockard Channing, Cybill Shepherd, Jennifer Tilly, James Schamus, and Brooke Shields.

Naya Rivera, whose character of Santana is struggling with her sexuality on Glee, will host the event.

Rosie O’Donnell drops plans to stay at Trump hotel as GLAAD calls a boycott of his businesses

Rosie O’Donnell had a lot of people scratching their heads because of her plans to stay at Donald Trump’s Chicago hotel while she tapes her new talk show for the Oprah Winfrey Network.


But now Rosie, who famously feuded with Trump while she was co-host of The View, has changed her mind.

A rep for Rosie tells The Advocate that she will not be staying at the hotel while looking at real estate options in the Windy City.

GLAAD praised Rosie’s change of plans.

“Rosie O’Donnell has sent an important message to the majority of Americans — gay and straight — who don’t agree with Donald Trump’s statements against marriage equality for all loving and committed couples,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios.

GLAAD is calling Trump out on his stance against same-sex marriage and has kicked off a “Tune Out Trump” campaign which calls on the LGBT community and its allies to boycott his his television shows, hotels, resorts, and golf courses.

“Trump is sending the message to the 1 million gay couples who are raising approximately 2 million kids in the United States that they shouldn’t be treated equally,” GLAAD said. “

GLAAD Media Awards recap: “Modern Family” and “Glee” win; Kirstin Chenowith honored; Dolly Parton surprise guest!

I must say, Sunday night’s GLAAD Media Awards in downtown Los Angeles was one of the most emotional that I can remember in about a decade of covering the LA ceremony, Reports  Greg in Hollywood.

Modern Family and Glee tied for outstanding comedy series. While accepting for Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson joked: ‘I’ve always actually kind of dreamed of holding a Tony Award but this is just as cool – and just as gay! … We’re thrilled to accept it and honored to be here.”

Chris Colfer and Mike O’Malley, who play father and son on Glee, accepted their show’s award. Said Chris: “GLAAD has made Glee so happy.”

GLAAD, Gay Characters Continue to Make Strides

"It's really romantic, it's not about the politics," Grey's Anatomy co-star Jessica Capshaw says of an upcoming wedding on the medical drama. The wedding she's referring to, however, could have been a political story as it's between Capshaw's Arizona Robbins and Sara Ramirez's Callie Torres and gay marriage isn't legally recognized in Washington, details the Hollywood Reporter.

While programming like ABC’s Modern Family and Grey's Anatomy as well as Focus Features’ The Kids Are All Right serve as strong examples of how gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters have evolved, there are great strides still to come for entertainment fare that tells the story of LGBT individuals.

Jersey Snore's Vinny Spotted at GLAAD Awards to support LGBT community!

Vinny Hangs with Wilson Cruz

Jersey Snore (I mean shore)  star Vinny Guadagnino was on hand at Saturday's GLAAD Media Awards in New York City to support and celebrate some of the most famous members of the LGBT community. The MTV reality star spoke at a youth event and also presented at the GLAAD Awards. Check out video of Vinny at the GLAAD Awards below, detaills at Examiner.com.

GLAAD stands for Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Every year, for the past 25 years, the GLAAD Awards "recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and issues that impact their lives."

GLAAD Media Awards Presented In NYC!

The 22nd annual GLAAD Media Award were held in New York last night and big winners included Ricky Martin, Russell Simmons, Scissor Sisters, Anderson Cooper and True Blood. More awards will be handed out in Los Angeles on April 10 and in San Francisco on May 14.

Martin was this year's recipient of the this year's Vito Russo Award, which each year goes to an openly gay member of the entertainment community who has worked to combat homophobia.

GLAAD: Nominations for the 2011 GLAAD Media Awards!

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti- defamation organization, announced today the nominees for its 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards.

GLAAD announced 114 nominees in 23 English-language categories, and 33 Spanish-language
nominees in 9 categories. In the English-language categories, cable networks earned 22 nominations, while broadcast networks garnered 11 nominations. The awards recognize and honor media for outstanding images of the LGBT community.

In 2011, the GLAAD Media Awards will also celebrate GLAAD’s twenty-fifth anniversary year,
looking back at a quarter-century of work to build acceptance and advance equality through
LGBT images in the media.

“This year’s nominees represent some of the images and stories at the root of the growing
acceptance of our community and support for our equality,” said GLAAD President Jarrett
Barrios. “They also have created a benchmark for inclusion of our community that other media
outlets should look to. As GLAAD celebrates twenty-five years of working with the media, we
are proud to recognize this year’s nominees and we challenge the industry to share more stories
that reflect the diversity of our community and the challenges that gay and transgender people
face.”

The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 19, 2011 at the
Marriott Marquis in Times Square; in Los Angeles on April 16 at the Westin Bonaventure; and in
San Francisco on May 14 at San Francisco Marriott Marquis.

Here is the list of nominees:
OUTSTANDING FILM – WIDE RELEASE
Burlesque (Screen Gems), Easy A (Screen Gems), The Girl Who Played with Fire (Music Box Films), The Kids Are All Right (Focus Features), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Universal Pictures)


OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Brothers & Sisters (ABC), Degrassi (TeenNick), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family). True Blood (HBO)


OUTSTANDING FILM – LIMITED RELEASE
Howl (Oscilloscope Pictures), I Love You Phillip Morris (Roadside Attractions), La Mission (Screen Media Ventures), Patrik, Age 1.5 (Regent Releasing), Undertow (Wolfe Releasing)


OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Glee (Fox), GREEK (ABC Family), Modern Family (ABC), Nurse Jackie (Showtime), United States of Tara (Showtime)


OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL EPISODE (in a series without a regular LGBT character)
“Escape the Castle” Bored to Death (HBO), “Innocence” Law & Order (NBC), “Klaus & Greta” 30 Rock (NBC), “Queen of Mean” Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime), “Samaritan” Law & Order: UK (BBC America)


OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM
The Fabulous Beekman Boys (Planet Green), Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys (Sundance Channel), Project Runway (Lifetime), Top Chef: Just Desserts (Bravo), TRANSform Me (VH1)


OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY
8: The Mormon Proposition (Red Flag Releasing), Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement (Sundance Channel), Prodigal Sons (First Run Features), “Sylvester” UnSung (TV One), Out. The Glenn Burke Story (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM – NEWSMAGAZINE
“”Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (series) The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC), “Gay Teen Suicides” (series) Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN), “Katie Miller: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Outside the Lines (ESPN), “Olson and Boies on Same-Sex Marriage” Bill Moyers Journal (PBS), “Transitions” Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO)


OUTSTANDING TALK SHOW EPISODE
“Constance McMillen” The Ellen DeGeneres Show (syndicated), “Neil Patrick Harris” The Talk (CBS), “Rebuilding Home After Tragedy: The Seth Walsh Story “The Nate Berkus Show (syndicated), “Ricky Martin Coming Out as a Gay Man and a New Dad” The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated), “Transgender Kids: Too Young to Decide?” The Dr. Oz Show (syndicated)


OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM SEGMENT
“Don’t Ask…” CBS Sunday Morning (CBS), “Fort Worth Speech” The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (MSNBC), “Gay Teens Talk Their Truth” CNN Newsroom (CNN), “Images of Protest” ABC World News with Diane Sawyer (ABC), “Mom, Dad… I’m Coming Out” Today (NBC)

OUTSTANDING NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
“Coming Out, Fitting In” by Rosemary Winters (The Salt Lake Tribune), “D.C. Gay Couple Caps a Momentous First by Tying the Knot” by Monica Hesse (The Washington Post), “Rutgers Student Tyler Clementi’s Suicide Spurs Action Across U.S.” by Judy Peet (The Star-Ledger [Newark, N.J.), “A Tragic Love Story” by Steve Friess (LA Weekly), “Worlds Apart” by Lauren Smiley (SF Weekly)

OUTSTANDING NEWSPAPER OVERALL COVERAGE
Atlanta Journal Constitution, Denver Post, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Salt Lake Tribune

OUTSTANDING NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST
Peg Mcentee (The Salt Lake Tribune), Leonard Pitts, Jr. (The Miami Herald), Frank Rich (The New York Times), Eugene Robinson (The Washington Post), Rev. Byron Williams (The Oakland Tribune)


OUTSTANDING MAGAZINE OVERALL COVERAGE
The Advocate/Out, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Entertainment Weekly, People, US Weekly

OUTSTANDING DIGITAL JOURNALISM – MULTIMEDIA
“Bridal Bliss: Aisha and Danielle” by Bobbi Misick (Essence.com), “Censoring Wojnarowicz” (IntheLifetv.org), “A Gay Family Album” (Newsweek.com), “Kicked Out But Ready to Go Back” by Jon Groat (Newsweek.com)


OUTSTANDING MAGAZINE ARTICLE
All That’s Left is God” by Michelle Theall (5280 Magazine), “‘I Was Scared to Sleep’: LGBT Youth Face Violence Behind Bars” by Daniel Redman (The Nation), “It’s a Shocking Trend: Gay Teens Being Bullied to the Point of Suicide” by Kenneth Miller (Ladies’ Home Journal), “Just Another Girl (Who Used to be a Boy)” by Genevieve Field (Glamour), “What Happens When You Find the One…And He’s Nothing – Nothing – Like You Expected?” by Allison Cooper (O, The Oprah Magazine)

OUTSTANDING DIGITAL JOURNALISM ARTICLE
“The Camera in the Closet: Gay Service Members Speak Out to ABC News About Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” by Mary Kathryn Burke (ABCNews.com), “‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Hurts African-American Women the Most” by Lynette Holloway (TheRoot.com) “Ice Cracks Beneath Weir’s Critics” by LZ Granderson (ESPN.com) “View From Washington” (series) by Kerry Eleveld (Advocate.com) “Wrestler Hudson Taylor a Champion for Gay Rights” by Jim Buzinski (Outsports.com)

OUTSTANDING BLOG
The Bilerico Project (http://www.bilerico.com/), Blabbeando (http://blabbeando.blogspot.com/), Joe. My. God. (http://joemygod.blogspot.com/), Pam’s House Blend (http://www.pamshouseblend.com), Rod 2.0 (http://rodonline.typepad.com/)

OUTSTANDING MUSIC ARTIST
Antony and the Johnsons, Swanlights (Secretly Canadian), Big Freedia, Big Freedia Hitz Vol. 1 (Big Freedia Records) Chely Wright, Lifted Off the Ground (Vanguard Records) Kele Okereke, The Boxer (Glassnote Records) Scissor Sisters, Night Work (Downtown Records)


OUTSTANDING NEW YORK THEATER: BROADWAY & OFF-BROADWAY
In the Wake by Lisa Kron, The Kid, book by Michael Zam, lyrics by Jack Lechner, music by Andy Monroe, Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl, The Pride by Alexi Kaye Campbell, Secrets of the Trade by Jonathan Tolins.

GLAAD: Gay Rights Shine at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards

According to TONIC:

Following Mississippi teen Constance McMillen's prom cancellation, Johnny Weir's being turned down for Stars on Ice and, of course, One Life To Live's only gay storyline being cut from the series, Saturday night's GLAAD Awards could not have come at a better time.Sex and the City's own Tony Award Winner, Cynthia Nixon, was honored with the Vito Russo Award, which is presented to openly gay or lesbian members of the entertainment community making strides in eliminating homophobia. Past winners include RuPaul, Rosie O'Donnell, and Tom Ford. Most recently, Nixon has been working with Fight Back New York, a group focused on marriage equality for gays and lesbians.The other special honoree of the night was Joy Behar, a co-host of The View since 1997.

Behar was presented with an Excellence in Media Award for her work to increase understanding and visibility of the LBGT community. ABC's Brothers and Sisters won Outstanding Drama Series, while NBC's new Thursday night hit, Parks and Recreation, picked up Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character).

Oprah Winfrey beat out Ellen DeGeneres for Outstanding Talk Show Episode. However, it was a win for both women, as Oprah was recognized for her interview with DeGeneres and wife, Portia de Rossi.The New York Times dominated awards in journalism, sweeping all four categories in which it was nominated, including Outstanding Newspaper Article, Outstanding Magazine Article, Outstanding Newspaper Columnist, and Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage.

It was a tie for the online writing world as Brent Hartinger (AfterElton.com) and John Buccigross (ESPN) won for Outstanding Digital Journalism.In the Spanish-Language categories, Más Sabe el Diablo won for Outstanding Novela, while Outstanding Talk Show Interview went to El Show de Cristina. Telemundo and Univision tied for Outstanding TV Journalism with "En el cuerpo equivocado" (Primer Impacto) and "Damas gracias: Entrevista con Eva Leivas-Andino" (Al Rojo Vivo).

Not enough GLAAD for you? Check back in on April 17th and June 5th for more awards and more winners.