Welcome From GLAAD President Neil Giuliano

Welcome to GLAAD’s Newsroom ’08 Web site!  At GLAAD, we’re in the business of helping change hearts and minds about issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and election years give us increased opportunity to talk about those issues and to hold media accountable for fair, accurate and inclusive coverage.

I know quite well the role media plays in addressing the intersection of politics and LGBT issues.  Over ten years ago, while the mayor of Tempe, Ariz., I chose to live openly.  Although my sexual orientation was not a huge secret in the city, when speculation threatened to ensnare city employees – people who had not chosen the public life of elected office – I chose to go down to the newspaper and have them write my story. The lead paragraph in the news story made that clear when it began: “Ending years of rumor and speculation…” 

After coming out, I received a great deal of mail.  One letter was two and half pages, typed single-spaced, from a man who was still living in the closet.  In that letter, he shared his story, speaking about the difficulties he faced, working in a job where everyone was assumed to be straight.   But it was the way he closed his letter in a way that really choked me up.  He wrote: “I would be grateful and honored to someday serve on your detail, assist you however possible, and do so openly as a gay man.  Thank you sir. Signed, Officer Dan Masters, Tempe Police Department.”

Visibility matters.  Our individual stories create conversation and they raise awareness.  In an election year, how our stories are told have a particular power and impact on how others perceive and understand issues affecting our community.  We hope that Newsroom ’08 will serve to help others better understand how our lives are being told in the media and how we can most effectively share our stories.

As the election heats up, Newsroom ’08 will only continue to grow. Every week, we’ll be updating the site with current media clips, and our staff of seasoned media advocates will be posting commentary on election coverage right here on our “Read Between the Lines” blog.  We’ll have useful resources, hot links and tips for everyday ways that you can get involved in your community. 

In Service,
Neil G. Giuliano
President, GLAAD