At the end of this week, Neil Giuliano will step down from his position as president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). After nearly four years, Neil has a lot to look back on even as he looks forward to the next chapter of his career (which might include writing a book, among other things). Neil was one of the first people to participate in our Q&A series, back in December of 2006, and we thought it fitting that as he prepares to leave GLAAD we talk with him one more time.
In this, our second Pride Month Q&A, Neil talks about pride, media coverage of our community and his thoughts on his own accomplishments at GLAAD.
Ben Finzel: What does “pride” mean now? Is it still relevant given the progress we are making as a community in terms of media coverage and attention?
Neil Giuliano: Pride in 2009 means being engaged, standing united for the change we seek and ensuring our visibility is strong, proud and enhanced. Just because we are more visible than ever before, and stand on the threshold of equality, we all know we have not yet crossed that threshold, we are not yet treated equally by our government. So the amazing coverage and attention must not wane, but must be strengthened, our stories still need to be told so the cultural change we enjoy turns into full equality under the law.
Ben Finzel: As we consider media coverage of pride-related topics and pride-focused advertising this month, what should we be on the lookout for in terms of trends and common practices?
Neil Giuliano: Hopefully, the media will focus on the diversity of the LGBT communities. I say “communities” on purpose here—we are very diverse and the richness of our diversity is our strength in seeking full equality. There should be stories of those LGBT people of faith, those with children, those seeking immigration support, those in the military, those who are seniors—well, you get the point—when all of those members of our communities are given media attention along with the dykes on bikes and the go-go boys in Speedos, we will have made some true progress.
Ben Finzel: How much influence does media coverage of our community and advertising to our community have on societal issues such as employment discrimination, equal marriage rights or related challenges?
Neil Giuliano: The media coverage and target advertising have an immense impact on cultural change. I truly believe that is why society has changed so dramatically in the last 5-10 years. The culture has led the politics, and now the politics and public policy need to catch up with where the American people are at regarding gay people. It will happen—the cultural change is forcing the political change and the policy change will then follow. We’d like to think it would be the other way around, but we all know it rarely happens that politics leads the culture.
Ben Finzel: How has media coverage and advertising changed in the past several years? As you make plans to move on from GLAAD, are you hopeful about the future in terms of the way media outlets cover our community and the way advertising features images of us?
Neil Giuliano: I am very hopeful, and very thrilled that the GLAAD Advertising Media Program is launching and gearing up to be very engaged in this area of advocacy and influence. If the economic climate had not shifted so badly, the new program would already have a staff person hired and we’d be further along. The funding realities are what they are, but GLAAD will emerge from the downturn very strong and the Advertising Media Program will be a great addition to the GLAAD portfolio of activism.
Ben Finzel: And finally, since we’re focused on pride this month, what are you most proud of from your tenure at GLAAD?
Neil Giuliano: Well, first I have to acknowledge the great staff and senior volunteers at GLAAD. The president gets to provide and articulate the vision, direction and be the public face of the organization, but it is the staff and senior volunteers who bring it all about and make it real, turn it into solid activity and accomplishment. I am proud we grew from about $7.3M a year to about $10M a year. I am proud we took those additional resources and created a religion, faith and values program, a national sports media program, a digital media program, created a new 2009-2013 Strategic Plan, upgraded our IT infrastructure and added an Alliance Circle for major donors. I am proud we reached out more to the Spanish Language community, will get the Advertising program implemented, got involved with Queer Lounge at Sundance Film Festival. I am proud of our national work in messaging and providing communications consultation to LGBT organizations and individuals beyond what we had in the past.
So, it’s been a very fast-paced nearly four-years with GLAAD. But the timing is right to hand it all off to another leader, who can run with it and who can truly own the full implementation of the new 5-year strategic plan. I knew I would not remain for that entre tenure, so it really is best that my departure allow a new leader the full opportunity to take the organization to the next level and new heights. And I look forward to supporting him or her in whatever manner they desire. It’s been a great honor to serve in this role. My thanks to all who helped me along the way.
Ben Finzel: Congratulations Neil, and thanks for your many contributions to our community and your efforts to further promote the important role of gay and lesbian communications.
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