Sunday, March 24, 2013

GLAAD Officially Standing Up For Trans People


Got to see an interesting announcement happen while watching this morning's episode of the 2013 GLAAD Media Award winning Melissa Harris-Perry show with a panel that included Janet Mock and Mel Wymore.

Melissa Harris-Perry received the award in the Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine category for a segment entitled "Being Transgender in America."

GLAAD announced that the organization has formally dropped the 'Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation' from its name and will be known going forward as GLAAD, the LGBT media advocacy organization.   With the name change comes a renewed commitment to incorporate transgender people as well as allies from diverse backgrounds in GLAAD's work to shape the media narrative and build public support for LGBT people.





I took part in GLAAD's People of Color Media Institute last summer in New York, and was thrilled to hear the news about this change and making it clear they are standing up for trans people.

"I was happy to hear GLAAD has committed to prioritize trans issues," Laverne Cox, an actress and transgender advocate told NBCNews.com. "They really need to be."


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Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


"It is a natural progression that reflects the work GLAAD's staff is already leading," said GLAAD's spokesperson Wilson Cruz. "We respect and honor the full name that the organization was founded with, but GLAAD's work has expanded beyond fighting defamation to changing the culture. Our commitment to marriage equality, employment nondiscrimination, and other LGBT issues is stronger than ever, and now our name reflects our work on transgender issues as well as our work with allies."

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