After the California Supreme Court decided yesterday that it’s unconstitutional for the state to deny marriage to gay and lesbian residents, the national media immediately began to examine whether marriage will now play a larger role in the 2008 election. Major newspapers and broadcast news networks have reported that the historic California decision will prompt the presidential candidates to more clearly assert their views on marriage for gay and lesbian Americans. All three candidates have issued statements, and the media have been speculating about what the implications of their stances could have as the presidential race continues.

The New York Times noted that it’s unlikely that the California decision will create the same amount of divisive political strategizing and campaigning around the issue of marriage as had existed during the 2004 elections. “At best, [the marriage issue] doesn’t move voters, and at worst for Republicans, it moves them against them,” said Matthew Dowd, President Bush’s 2004 chief strategist. “Why are we having a discussion on this issue when we should be talking about things that matter, like the economy, health care, or the war?” Similarly, the Los Angeles Times noted that political analysts have suggested that non-economic issues are no longer as compelling to most voters. The Associated Press explained that many voters are more concerned about the economy than initiatives that limit marriage.  In the news cycle following the announcement, the media have acknowledged the significance of the California decision while addressing the cultural shift the role of marriage will have for voters in the current presidential election.

Cindi Creager is the Director of National News.

The AP article illustrates how media coverage of these ballot initiatives has changed substantially since the 2004 and 2006 elections. Rather than play up the idea of a “culture war,” journalists are reporting on the reality that in 2008, many people across the country are not supporting divisive ballot initiatives that prevent Americans from being able to take care of and protect their families.

Following increased media scrutiny of the extreme statements made by Sen. John McCain-supporter Rev. John Hagee, the controversial televangelist issued a letter on May 12 apologizing for the disparaging comments he made about the Catholic community. In response, Sen. McCain said, “Whenever someone apologizes for something they did wrong, then I think that’s a laudable thing.”

While Rev. Hagee sought to make amends for his anti-Catholic comments, The New York Times reported that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) publicly commented on the fact that he did not apologize for his anti-gay comments.  The televangelist has stood by his assertion that Hurricane Katrina was caused by God’s anger at New Orleans’ decision to host a gay pride parade.

Though the Times did print the DNC’s comment, many mainstream media outlets glossed over or ignored altogether that Rev. Hagee did not apologize for his anti-gay remarks.  Though it is notable that the DNC called attention to his outrageous statements, it is unfortunate that many mainstream media outlets failed to address the fact that Rev. Hagee had only issued a partial apology.  Hopefully in the coming weeks, media will continue to scrutinize Rev. Hagee and question why Sen. McCain has not encouraged him to issue a full apology.

Cindi Creager is the Director of National News.

A proposed constitutional amendment in Arizona would forever prohibit loving, committed couples in that state from achieving their hopes and dreams and the basic freedoms and protections their families need.   The proposal cleared the state house on Monday, May 12. 

Rather than focusing on the impact of such legislation, and the harm it will cause to gay and lesbian people in Arizona, the media turned the conversation into one about political gamesmanship, partisanship, and talked of legislative maneuverings. One columnist, Amanda Crawford, went so far as to turn the argument around and imply that trying to stop this legislation was actually an attack on straight couples.  Instead, it was an attempt to try and stop a constitutional amendment aimed at forever limiting the ability of gay couples to protect themselves (and maintain the status quo in the state).  This columnist along with the news media throughout the state dropped the ball on really highlighting the news story here.  GLAAD will continue to challenge the media to do a better job of telling the real news stories behind this political gamesmanship.

Paul Karr is Director of Media Field Strategy

As journalists continue to discuss the relationship between Sen. Barack Obama and his controversial former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, prominent voices in the media are asking why the connection between Sen. John McCain and anti-gay televangelist Rev. John Hagee isn’t receiving equal attention in the news. 

After Rev. Hagee again defended his contention that Hurricane Katrina was caused by God’s anger over New Orleans hosting of a gay pride parade, the May 8 edition of MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann replayed audio of Rev. Hagee’s extreme anti-gay comments and raised the question of why Sen. McCain’s relationship with the televangelist is not being widely scrutinized by the media.  On the program, host Keith Olbermann talked with Washington Post columnist and associate editor Eugene H. Robinson about the unequal media coverage of Rev. Wright and Rev. Hagee. Robinson opined that a lack of diversity amongst leading journalists could be a reason that many reporters are not recognizing the newsworthiness of Rev. Hagee’s incendiary anti-gay views.

In addition to Olbermann, New York Times columnist Frank Rich devoted his May 4 column to address what he perceived to be a racially motivated double standard in the media coverage of the relationships between Sen. Obama and Rev. Wright and between Sen. McCain and Rev. Hagee.  Noting Rev. Hagee’s anti-gay comments, Rich argued “If we’re to judge black candidates on their most controversial associates — and how quickly, sternly and completely they disown them — we must judge white politicians by the same yardstick.”

National journalists aren’t alone in raising questions about Rev. Hagee’s endorsement of Sen. McCain.  Noting Rev. Hagee’s anti-gay rhetoric, Denver Post op-ed writer Gail Schoettler penned a May 7 piece concluding, “We need to look just as closely at the words of other ministers who preach contempt and hate. In this election year, maybe America will begin to hold all vicious preachers accountable for their loathsome words.”

With people such as Olbermann, Robinson, Rich and Schoettler calling on the media to hold Rev. Hagee accountable for his hateful anti-gay statements, it’s time for more journalists to ask Sen. McCain why he refuses to dissociate with him.

Cindi Creager is Director of National News

All week the media have reported on the importance of the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, but for the LGBT community, other Election ’08 issues took the spotlight. Though each of the following four people and events did not garner the national attention the way the primaries did, they did make waves in local news.

In Virginia, the first openly gay black candidate was elected. Lawrence Webb won a seat on the Falls Church City Council. For such an historic event, it was barely covered in mainstream press. National LGBT and local mainstream blogs however, reported on Webb’s win.

Over in Ohio, the Cleveland Plain Dealer took notice of 18-year-old Kate Snyder, who founded her high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), and was recently chosen to be one of the six delegates representing her district at the Democratic National Convention.

Openly gay Portland mayoral hopeful Sam Adams was endorsed by The Oregonian on Sunday. Adams currently serves as City Commissioner.

And in Illinois, the State-Journal Register reported that the anti-gay group “Protect Marriage Illinois” failed to get their signatures and paperwork in order by Monday’s deadline, stalling their marriage ban efforts another two years. The Windy City Times also reported on the issue today.

The historic Webb victory, the young pro-LGBT Ohio delegate, Adams’ run for Portland mayor, and the absence of an anti-marriage measure on the Illinois ballot all speak to our changing culture. In the LGBT movement, we’ve seen these kinds of important changes on the local level, which has moved the conversation about these issues forward in communities across the country. Local victories are important and reflective, and notably: none of these issues were reported sensationally. Local press has taken these victories in stride, paving the way for coverage of future movement triumphs on a larger scale.

Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy

LGBT viewers will notice that the media are reporting on today’s primaries in North Carolina and Indiana a bit differently than their predecessors. The coverage so far has given little or no time to LGBT issues or LGBT voters.

When the Ohio and Texas primaries took place on March 4, we saw Sen. Barack Obama take out large-scale advertisements in Ohio’s and Texas’ LGBT press, and publish an open letter to the LGBT community. The week before, we saw Sen. Hillary Clinton also reach out, giving interviews with publications like the Gay People's Chronicle. Though coverage of this phenomenon was largely relegated to LGBT newspapers and blogs, by the time the Pennsylvania primary rolled around, mainstream press picked up on the voices of these voters.  National cable TV outlets, as well as local Pennsylvania press, picked up on Chelsea Clinton’s trips to local gay bars, and her campaigning for LGBT votes in the state.  The Patriot-News featured a story on why LGBT voters were voting for one candidate over another.                                                                                                      

The coverage today of the presidential primaries has neglected the LGBT community as a segment of the voting population, despite both Clinton and Obama’s outreach to North Carolina and Indiana LGBT press.  For answers on why LGBT voters were given much more attention in the Pennsylvania primary versus those happening today, one simple suggestion from The Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne, Jr., may suffice: “The gay vote is not a priority for Clinton in today's primary [in North Carolina] or in Indiana.”  During last Tuesday’s debate, the media ignored LGBT issues that came up. Perhaps journalists are not viewing the LGBT community as a viable voting bloc.  However, The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times did spend time discussing the anti-gay implications of North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley’s use of the word “pansy” in his speech in support of Clinton.  Stay tuned for media coverage of LGBT voters in the May 13 primaries in Nebraska and West Virginia.

Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy

Indiana’s LGBT community pulled together to interview the presidential hopefuls this week too. Reality Magazine, along with bloomingOUT radio, The Bloomington Beacon, The Letter, LGBT statewide advocacy organization Indiana Equality and The Word, all submitted questions for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Obama. Northeast Indiana LGBT outlet Reality Magazine published the interviews. Both candidates addressed the same set of questions, which consisted almost entirely of their stances on pending and existing legislation, such as the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and hate crimes protections. The interviews were lengthy, but gave little insight that LGBT folks interested in either candidate probably hadn’t heard before.

When Obama took out large-scale advertisements in Ohio and Texas’ LGBT press earlier this year, the community took notice. Though The Advocate ran a short story announcing the Indiana and North Carolina interviews, it has not hit the LGBT blogs and news sites the way Obama and Clinton’s previous LGBT outreach efforts have. Despite the fact that these new interviews have not had the same widespread impact, it’s commendable that both candidates are continuing to work to make sure that their stances on LGBT issues are reaching stakeholders. 

Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy

The candidates were asked about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and hate crime legislation. Sen. Hagan, who has been accused of equivocating when questioned about LGBT issues, said we should repeal DADT and that she supports hate crime legislation. Neal has been vocal on both issues throughout the campaign, repeatedly stating his strong support for LGBT equality. Unfortunately, Sen. Hagan’s remarks were mainly left out of the mainstream media’s coverage of the debate. The News & Observer’s article made no mention of her statements. Similarly, the Associated Press story excluded their exchange on gay issues.

Now that Sen. Hagan is finally speaking about important legislation impacting the LGBT community, it is requisite that the media inform the public on exactly where she stands on these issues, so that North Carolinians can make a fully informed decision when casting their vote.

Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy 

Over the past few months, cable and network news programs have been asking why Sen. John McCain’s campaign pursued the endorsement of anti-gay televangelist John Hagee. Media scrutiny of the Rev. Hagee reached a wider audience on ABC’s popular daytime talk show The View on April 30.  During a heated exchange between co-hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck about the political relevance of Sen. Barack Obama’s relationship with controversial pastor Jeremiah Wright, Behar quoted the Rev. Hagee’s statement that God’s anger at New Orleans for having a gay pride parade caused Hurricane Katrina.

After giving the audience the opportunity to hear the Rev. Hagee’s incendiary quote word for word, Behar questioned why his relationship to Sen. McCain hasn’t received the same attention and criticism as the Rev. Wright’s relationship to Sen. Obama.  Though the hosts of The View often engage in political debates, this is the first time that involved discussion of the Rev. Hagee’s anti-gay statement has taken place on a daytime TV talk show.

The conversation on The View brought close scrutiny of Hagee’s comments to a much broader audience, and prompted Alan Colmes to ask guest pundits on the April 30 episode of Fox News’ Hannity & Colmes –which featured a clip from The View—to respond to the same issues that Behar addressed.  In this unique election climate, it’s not uncommon for the lines between hard news and entertainment to be increasingly blurred, underscoring the degree to which a wider variety of media outlets are shaping public perception of all of the candidates.

Cindi Creager is Director of National News

The Arizona House of Representatives has recently passed a constitutional amendment proposal to limit marriage to exclude gay people in that state.  It now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Unfortunately, the media has thus far only been covering a piece of legislation, without exploring the real-life impacts such an amendment would have on gay and transgender citizens of the state.

The media has an obligation to talk to gay and transgender people in Arizona and to address this proposal in ways beyond the legislative mechanisms and vote tallies, but rather to address the day-to-day realities of those who will be affected by this type of legislation. 

Arizona media deserves credit where it is due for staying on top of this important election-year story affecting LGBT people.  However, so far reports have fallen short of distinguishing between LGBT issues being used as a divisive measure, and the real-life impact such divisiveness has on everyday Arizonans.

Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy 

The only statement opposing the amendment is from a Florida Red and Blue spokesperson. It is certainly important that the other perspective is included, but again, it is not a quote from someone directly impacted by what’s being discussed in the story.

It is essential the media include the stories of those affected by amendments like the Florida ballot initiative. Readers need to hear about the real world consequences of anti-gay legislation, which can break up families and deny couples the right to raise children with love and responsibility.

Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy