Wednesday, January 23, 2008

GLAAD's 2007 News Round-Up

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) published their Best and Worst of National News, January 2008 edition. They feature four news articles in the "Best" category, which cover a wide range of topics: gay teens in NYC gaining acceptance, gay Muslims finding freedom in Berlin, immigration laws separating gay couples, and visitation rights for gay and lesbian couples. The single article in the "Worst" category is for an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal challenging the transgender equality movement. GLAAD's take on these five news stories is available on their website.

I'm not sure why but when I mention GLAAD around certain homos, they roll their eyes and complain about the organization. However, none of their complaints seemed valid enough to stick in my brain. What's your take on GLAAD? Are they helping to decrease bias against our community in the media?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

glaad seems too ready to speak on behalf of other people (i.e. me), and they're constantly offended by things and letting everyone know it. they're two characteristics i abhor in people, so why shouldn't it extend to glaad? i feel the same way about hrc. while i'm at it, the advocate and the blade can fuck right off too. but i get all tingly whenever the aclu gets involved in things.

karl jones said...

i kind of agree with adam about the aclu and tingliness and i think it's because they are adhering to a principle (ie. civil liberties) as opposed to a social/cultural identity (ie. being queer). the aclu is happy to stand with us when we're in the right, but sometimes we're in the wrong and a lot of queer organizations seem to be unwilling to admit to that.