Posts Tagged ‘Entertainment’

GLAAD for the Glee-ful Single Drag Racers

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Happy Monday! Or, I can't believe it's Monday! Spent the weekend on domestic chores as the BF is trapped in Germany due to the volcano. I swear it feels like a really cheesy Lifetime movie– he's trapped over there, and I am left having to mow the lawn. And my swearing while mowing was very similar to a volcanic eruption. Come home soon.

Speaking of things important to me– Glee has its Madonna-centric episode this week, and I could not be more excited! Even Madonna loves the show (about Madonna!). Those kids on Glee must be the hardest working cast in show business, and the accolades keep on coming in. On Saturday night, the show picked up the "Outstanding Comedy Series" award from GLAAD as part of the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles. No surprise here– Glee is one of the most progressive shows in terms of portraying the LGBT community in a positive– and realistic– light, whether that means showing how Kurt deals with being openly gay in high school, or how Rachel is raised by her two dads. Any show-choir themed show has an inherent LGBT story to tell, and I am proud of creator Ryan Murphy, and for GLAAD, for recognizing the invaluable opportunity Tuesday nights at 9PM can provide.

Glee wasn't the only entertainment program recognized on Saturday night. The film A Single Man picked up an award for "Outstanding Film," and RuPaul's Drag Race scored for "Outstanding Reality Program." Both Drew Barrymore and Wanda Sykes also picked up awards for their commitment to our community, and Telemundo walked away with recognition for Spanish-language journalism segment.

GLAAD has really turned these awards into a forum for discussing how important it is for the media and entertainment worlds to accurately portray, and include, the LGBT community in programming and news coverage. While these awards have the glitz and glamour of Hollywood red carpet events, there is an important educational overlay into using media coverage…of media coverage.. to spread GLAAD's mission of promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Thank you GLAAD!

P.S. Super-excited that the mega-LGBT musical, La Cage Aux Follies opened to rave reviews last night on Broadway. This means that we have yet another forum to talk about the importance of owning and respecting the LGBT identity. As the song from the musical goes, "I am what I am, and what I am needs no excuses." Checking out the show in May– so I will let you know how it is!

Have a great week.

(Photo courtesy of 2010 Chris Weeks/WireImage)  

 

| April 19th, 2010 No Comments »
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Powerful People

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As we end yet another week, some powerful people are being recognized for their contributions to the LGBT community and their prominence in the national spotlight. And no, I'm not talking about the return of Glee or the series finale of Ugly Betty, though both merit my praise for raising awareness of our community while being consistently entertaining.

Let's start with Out's "4th Annual Power 50." This list recognizes America's most influential gay men and women. After I didn't find my name on the list (must have been #51), I spent some time reviewing those individuals who earned the spotlight. Among my favorites (with their corresponding Out descriptions):

  • #50: Urvashi Vaid: "In her 25 years as an LGBT rights activist, attorney, and author, Vaid has lead the NGLTF and held positions at the ACLU and the Ford Foundation. Currently the executive director of the Arcus Foundation, a key grant-maker supporting gay rights charities, she was honored in 2009 by the Equality Foundation as an LGBT Icon."
  • #30: Dustin Lance Black (friend of Bryan's): "The Oscar-winning Milk screenwriter came off the award hot last year, finishing his directorial debut, What’s Wrong with Virginia?, which stars Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly, narrating a documentary about Mormon influence on Prop. 8’s defeat, and writing a screenplay for a biopic of J. Edgar Hoover, which has attracted Ron Howard’s production team, the directorial interest of Clint Eastwood, and, in turn, super-early Oscar buzz."
  • #28: Dan Choi: "With his stirring speech at the National Equality March on Washington in October, discharged Lt. Dan Choi became the face and voice of the rally and underscored the personal aspect of our political fight for gay marriage equality and the repeal of DADT. He clashed with the HRC among other gay groups when he was arrested for chaining himself to the White House gates in March, Choi continues to be the U.S.’s most outspoken serviceman."
  • #24: Anthony Romero: "Under Romero’s fearless leadership, the membership of the ACLU has doubled since he started to serve as executive director in 2001, and the organization has taken to task everyone from the state of California for its ban on gay marriage to President Obama, whose administration the group is urging not to back down from prosecuting the 9/11 terrorist subjects in civilian court."
  • #12: Rich Ross: "Disney reaffirmed its status as an outpost of progressiveness in the movie industry last October by making Rich Ross the first openly gay studio chief in history. Having steered the careers of both Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers as president of Disney Channels Worldwide, Ross has wasted little time in bringing in fresh blood and cutting the number of movies on the slate (C’est la vie, Wild Hogs 2). With Steve Jobs as the studio’s biggest individual investor, expect to see a radical new approach to distribution with Apple’s new iPad."
  • #8: Joe Solmonese: "This year the Human Rights Campaign celebrates its 30th anniversary. As president since 2005, Solmonese oversees the largest LGBT group in the country, numbering more than 750,000 members. Despite criticism because the president does not support gay marriage per se, the HRC hosted Obama at its 2009 annual dinner, which preceded the National Equality March in Washington in October. The event garnered much-needed coverage in mainstream media and momentum and counted Lady Gaga among its guests."

Each one of the 50 individuals recognized give us the opportunity to do what we do every day– to openly advocate for and market to the LGBT community. By using their prominence for the good of the cause, they open doors for us to follow. Their "mainstream" status takes us one step closer to acknowledgement and inclusivity. Who were your favorites on the list?

The other news about a powerful person in our community came last night. In a memo to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, President Obama ordered most hospitals in the country to grant the same visitation rights to gay and lesbian partners that they do to married heterosexual couples. This means that any hospital receiving Medicare and Medicaid money honor all patients' advance directives, including those designating who gets family visitation privileges.

Thank you, Mr. President. I can't imagine what our community has gone through specifically related to this issue– being turned away from visiting the ones we love most in a final hour of need. To know that soon we may have the right to be at the bedside to say goodbye to someone who was our most important hello is a huge step in giving us the rights we deserve.

 

| April 16th, 2010 No Comments »
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Do You Give a Damn?

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On April 1, Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund launched the Give A Damn Campaign, a Web-based program seeking to educate and engage the straight community to help advance LGBT equality. The Give a Damn Campaign is for anyone who cares about LGBT equality, but as Lauper tells us, it’s particularly for the straight community. It doesn’t matter if you’re an active supporter or a first-timer or someone that hasn’t paid much attention to LGBT issues, the Give a Damn Campaign offers a way to help you get informed and get involved.

The slickly designed site, which is incredibly easy to navigate, also features a blog delivering LGBT news , items related to equality and specific ways to get involved. There is also a video section (including the one shown below) offering short clips of celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Elton John and the awesome Anna Paquin (who caused quite a stir this week) expressing why they care about equality, as well as a page with explanations on issues currently facing the LGBT community like workplace discrimination and the current state of gay marriage. One of my favorite parts, and a very smart addition to the site, is the “Personal Stories” tab, which allows visitors to share their thoughts on a variety of topics, including the military and faith. Easy tags for Facebook, Google and Twitter, as well as the handy “Tell a Friend” button make it simple for users to share information in any way they choose.

The Web site is bold and incredibly interactive, using Lauper’s signature look and distinct voice to urge site visitors to check out particular links and to join the campaign. Once you register, you can choose the issues you are most interested in but for me, the best part is that Lauper (who looks FANTASTIC) personally thanks you for “giving a damn.” It’s a very savvy way to add a personal touch to the site and the campaign, and for a fan such as myself, it makes me feel like a valued and important member of the program. The boldness of the campaign and the rich content on the site is prompting me to get MORE involved…and I’m already a die-hard, loud-mouthed straight ally.

So, watch the video. Visit the site. Join the campaign. Please show it to your friends, parents, co-workers, neighbors, mailman – anyone. Let’s get informed, get involved and most importantly, let’s give a damn – loudly and proudly.

(Photo courtesy of www.wegiveadamn.org)

| April 6th, 2010 1 Comment »
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It’s Affirmative: Martin’s Coming Out Holds Lesson for LGBT Communicators

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Yes. He's gay. On Monday, March 29, via his personal Web site and Twitter handle, Latin and pop music sensation Ricky Martin came out as a gay man, performer and father. Affirming suspicions, questions and rumors that have plagued the performer for years, Martin very simply and eloquently confirmed his sexuality.

That day, the gay blogosphere lit up as did social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter. While media was a little more tempered in their coverage of the singer's announcement, social media posts and statuses echoed sentiments like this: "Ricky Martin's gay? That's not news. We've all known for years."

Maybe because I was one of those cases where others knew before me, or maybe because I tend to be more empathetic, but these posts from friends and social media strangers got me riled up. I begin to think about two aspects: affirmation and confirmation. I specifically was interested in both of these elements role in communications around a person's coming out and in general communications to gays and lesbians every day.

Obviously, the act of confirming one's sexuality("coming out") is a deeply personal journey — different for each LGBT individual. It takes courage and can carry with it emotions and consequences that many of our straight counterparts won't have to or can't understand. It's something that, no matter peers', family's or society's suspicions, still requires a confirmation, an affirmative statement on behalf of the individual coming out. And whether at 13 or 30, that decision should be respected.

Affirmation, however, is the bigger component and lesson for LGBT communicators. All people like to be affirmed for who they are and what they stand for. By their parents, their colleagues, their bosses, their religious leaders — it is a natural human desire to be recognized for all that you are and are striving towards. This is especially true for out LGBT people though. The struggle with coming to terms with one's own self is only magnified when it is not affirmed by our community or downplayed after our confirmation.

In LGBT communications, whether marketing a product/service or simply sharing your thoughts over a cup of coffee, remember the importance of affirmation. Appreciate the journey of that person's self-discovery and continually recognize them for the out individual they are. The benefits to them and you are priceless.

One final thought on Martin: take a look at GLAAD's statement on the Martin's coming out. While each individual coming out story has value and importance, some have an impact to large communities and cultures. I applaud GLAAD for recognizing that, affirming Martin's decision and elevating his example to a large community without many out role models.

Congrats, Ricky. Continue living Out Front and best wishes to you and your children. 

| April 1st, 2010 1 Comment »
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We Love our Jazz Hands…

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Remember when I said Spring was here in Ohio? Apparently, I said that too loudly, because it snowed last night. Really?!?

So, we spend a lot of time blogging about ways for companies to actively market and target the LGBT community. This also applies to the non-profit community, especially in this economy where the "donated dollar" seems to be rapidly disappearing. While we statistically represent a rather affluent community, we too are challenged by these economic times.

I have the great pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors for the Beck Center for the Arts here in Lakewood, Ohio. The Beck is the largest not-for-profit performing arts and education organization on Cleveland's west side. Each year, they serve more than 75,000 residents of Northeast Ohio. It's a fantastic performing arts venue…in fact, we're going to see "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" there tonight!

As a member of the Board, I've been discussing ways to get the Beck in front of the LGBT community. We decided to create a LGBT Task Force, made up of members of the community, to help us actually reach the community. The goals of this Task Force include:

  • Research the LGBT community's needs and interests in arts programming.
  • Position the Beck Center as friendly to the LGBT community.
  • Serve as an advisory group to shape Beck Center artistic programming of interest to the LGBT community.
  • Create and strengthen coalitions with other organizations that serve the LGBT community.
  • Raise awareness about Beck Center and its activities within the LGBT community.
  • Represent Beck Center at various LGBT events throughout the year.

While it may seem a tad stereotypical, creating this Task Force seemed like a no-brainer to me. The LGBT community has been supportive of the performing arts community since the jazz hand was invented. Why not target this demographic to expand our audience base?

We have our first focus group meeting tomorrow. I am excited to get the perspective of the community and to discuss ways to market a non-profit organization such as the Beck. If you happen to be a reader from Ohio, let me know and you can join the Task Force!

Have a great weekend.

P.S. Bragging rights time. The Cleveland Synergy Foundation and FH Out Front are nominated for Multicultural Campaign of the Year for the Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil Awards for our work with the Gay Games. Woo!

| March 26th, 2010 No Comments »
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