GLAAD

The GLAAD Media Institute -- our research, training, and consulting leg -- makes a splash at Q***r Voices: New York City Film Festival with the media training: "Telling Your Story: Messaging & Media Tools for Today's Filmmaker" (RSVP here). Join Lana Leonard, Education & Advocacy Associate, and Isa Fernandez, Spanish Language & Latinx Media & Representation Junior Associate on the festival's second day, September 28th at the LGBTQ Center on 13th St from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.

RSVP here: https://act.glaad.org/page/72920/survey/1
Q***r Voices NYC Film Festival Tickets here: https://q***rvoicesnyc.eventive.org/passes/buy

(disclaimer: must purchase tickets to Q***r Voices NYC Film Festival to access the media training. After RSVPing for the training, you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to purchase festival tickets).

Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.

The GLAAD Wrap: “Child Star” Out Now, Trailers for “Banned Together” and “Heartstopper,” New Music by Slayyyter, Love Bash and More! | GLAAD Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend. 1.) Demi Lovato’s directorial debut Child Star premiered on Hulu this week! The documentary pulls back the curtain on life in Hollyw...

Targeted misgendering is a form of hate speech.

"I realize that these relationships, though they did not last, were instrumental in shaping my understanding of love. They were a testament to the human spirit’s ability to seek out connection, even in the face of insurmountable odds. Each love, though fleeting, left an indelible mark on my heart, a reminder of the beauty and fragility of human connection."

Love Locked in Time: The Anniversary of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell | GLAAD By Joshua Seefried Love is a powerful force, often defying logic and reason. Yet, there are moments when the barriers erected by society and circumstance render it impossible to fully embrace. My love life is a testament to a love that never had the chance to flourish—a series of relationships tha...

We’re excited to partner with Out On Film for their 37th annual film festival in Atlanta. Join us for one of the biggest LGBTQ film events of the year at OutOnFilm.org 🎬 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

Let's talk HIV in the U.S. South.

An Analysis of HIV and HIV Stigma in the U.S. South | GLAAD Let's talk HIV and HIV stigma in the U.S. South. Last week, GLAAD published its findings from the annual State of HIV Stigma Report. The 5th annual report, created and produced by GLAAD's Communities of Color department in partnership with the Gilead COMPASS Initiative®, is the only one of its kind...

Banned Books Week, September 22 - 28, is just around the corner!

Next Friday, September 27 at 5 pm ET, join student activist Julia Garnett and freedom to read advocates from several organizations for Leading Change: Youth Fighting Book Bans, an inspiring virtual discussion about why and how students are taking action against book bans and censorship.

More info here: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5Mx0vpzvSP6MIthsnJewTQ #/registration

GLAAD is a proud member of the Banned Books Week Coalition.

Governor Andy Beshear has banned the use of so-called “conversion therapy” on minors in Kentucky: “Let’s be clear: conversion therapy has no basis in medicine or science, and it has been shown to increase rates of su***de and depression. This is about doing what is right and protecting our children. Hate is not who we are as Kentuckians.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-conversion-therapy-andy-beshear-93a07354cd0ed2e7fc09c15f204f75c0

GLAAD and Equality Springfield released statements and a fact sheet in response to disinformation shared about HIV amid the recent targeting of Springfield's Haitian immigrant community.

“Equality Springfield unequivocally denounces the dangerous and baseless claims that our Haitian population has led to "skyrocketing" cases of HIV in Springfield," Equality Springfield's Executive Committee stated. "We are steadfast in our commitment to end the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and call on all media outlets to promote facts and debunk falsehoods.”

“Leaders and all in the media must prioritize facts to protect public health and safety, and end this selfish targeting of vulnerable communities, in Springfield and everywhere,” GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis said.

“Media must immediately challenge irresponsible rhetoric about HIV and elevate accurate information: HIV is preventable, treatable to the point of undetectable and therefore untransmittable (U=U), and people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives. HIV is a serious topic that should always be discussed with care and with the goal of ending the stigma that fuels the epidemic.”

"Hollywood must do better by telling stories about transgender people that portray them as complex people with full and complicated lives, just like everyone else,” the report reads. “The most powerful step forward Hollywood could take is empowering transgender people to tell their own stories.”

There Were Only Two Trans Characters Across All of 2023’s Major Movies, GLAAD Finds The LGBTQ+ organization’s 2024 Studio Responsibility Index found an overall decrease in LGBTQ+ representation.

"We know the power of these stories and that LGBTQ voices have never been more crucial as we look towards the future of a shifting industry and broader culture." -- GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis

Read the GLAAD Studio Responsibility Index: http://glaad.org/sri

Today is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, which highlights the unique health and social needs, as well as the challenges of HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care among people who are aging.

NEW DATA📊

The GLAAD Studio Responsibility Index (SRI) maps the quantity, quality and diversity of LGBTQ characters in films released by ten major motion picture studios during the 2023 calendar year.

2024 Studio Responsibility Index | GLAAD The GLAAD Studio Responsibility Index (SRI) is intended to serve as a road map toward increasing fair, accurate and inclusive LGBTQ representation in film.

Annually, from September 16-23, GLAAD, the Bisexual Resource Center, and Still Bisexual recognize the bisexual+ community for Bisexual Awareness Week, culminating in Celebrate Bisexuality+ Day on September 23.

Learn more: http://glaad.org/biweek

"Vance's rhetoric is not grounded in science or statistical truth. It is a racist dog whistle to a bygone era that stigmatized people of color, immigrants, and people living with HIV.” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis

Despite Zero Evidence, U.S. Senator JD Vance Continues Disinformation Campaign Targeting Haitian Immigrants, People Living with HIV | GLAAD U.S. Senator JD Vance's comments during a September 10 interview with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, have reverberated across the country and the world—mocked with countless online memes as well as elevating real-world danger for the Ohio immigrant commun...

LGBTQ excellence on the red carpet. ❤️‍🔥

"Chappell Roan is one of today’s most talented and adored music stars and her dedication of her Best New Artist win at the MTV to drag artists, q***r and trans people, namely q***r youth in the Midwest, is a crucial moment as it puts our community front and center on a global stage. Roan's words on the VMA stage have the potential to reach an audience who may be less familiar with the LGBTQ community. It's truly inspiring to see that along her meteoric rise to stardom, Chappell Roan is proud to show her identity as a q***r woman in music and is also deeply committed to uplifting voices from all parts of the LGBTQ community." -GLAAD's Vice President of Communications and Talent, Anthony Ramos

Are you registered to vote? Do you have a voting plan?

GLAAD VP of Communications and Talent Anthony Allen Ramos responded to Chappell Roan's win in a statement saying, “Chappell Roan is one of today’s most talented and adored music stars and her dedication of her Best New Artist win at the MTV Video Music Awards to drag artists, q***r and trans people, namely q***r youth in the Midwest, is a crucial moment as it puts our community front and center on a global stage.”

“Roan’s words on the VMA stage have the potential to reach an audience who may be less familiar with the LGBTQ community. It’s truly inspiring to see that along her meteoric rise to stardom, Chappell Roan is proud to show her identity as a q***r woman in music and is also deeply committed to uplifting voices from all parts of the LGBTQ community,” Ramos concluded.

GLAAD Says Chappell Roan’s Best New Artist Speech at VMAS is a “Crucial Moment” for LGBTQ Visibility | GLAAD Chappell Roan didn't need any good luck at the Video Music Awards earlier this week! It was no surprise when the out pop sensation was crowned Best New Artist at the award show on Wednesday. With her viral hits like HOT TO GO! and Good Luck, Babe!, 2024 has been the year of the "Midwest Princess." V...

GLAAD’s 2024 State of HIV Stigma report found a significant decrease in the belief that stigma around HIV still exists from 2020 to 2024. The Southern U.S. and the Midwest showed significant decreases as well. Visit glaad.org/endhivstigma to learn more about GLAAD’s findings.

"As an artist, I want to see more trans actors cast for traditional roles. I want to see stories about trans joy, the full spectrum of our experiences, and all the colors of our lives."

Trans talent is ready for the spotlight—Hollywood, are you? Trans leaders, artists, and dreamers deserve respect, representation, and the chance to tell their stories.

ALL EYES ON PROJECT 2025. 👀 Project 2025 aims to wipe out regulations that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and aims to remove all mentions of sexual orientation and gender identity from federal regulations, laws, and grant funding opportunities.

More here: https://glaad.org/project-2025/

We are saddened to learn of the passing of legendary icon Chilli Pepper, who passed away peacefully at home on September 11th, surrounded by close friends.

Chilli spent decades entertaining the masses, advocating for LGBTQ equality, and bringing critical attention to the pressing issues of our time. Chilli Pepper is nothing short of an icon in the LGBTQ movement, a beacon of courage and authenticity when trans issues, drag artistry, and the AIDS crisis were seldom discussed or understood.

Her courage and activism garnered widespread recognition, leading to media coverage in publications such as the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Skyline, People Magazine, and appearances on iconic shows like Phil Donahue and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Notably, she appeared on the first season of The Oprah Winfrey Show, becoming one of the first trans women to be featured on a talk show and referring to herself as a ‘bionic’ woman. Her visibility brought much-needed awareness to millions of Americans and significantly increased representation for the trans community.

Most recently, at the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on March 14, 2024, Chilli Pepper along with Paolo Presta were invited to present the prestigious Vanguard Award to Oprah Winfrey. Oprah herself joked about Chilli’s dedication, noting that Chilli’s fear of flying didn’t stop her from taking a three-day train ride to attend the event and support her dear friend.

Our hearts go out to everyone who knew and loved Chilli. ❤️‍🩹 Learn more about her life: https://glaad.org/remembering-chilli-pepper-trans-icon-and-trailblazer/

GLAAD’s fifth State of HIV Stigma report found that nearly 9 in 10 Americans know at least a little about HIV, which is stable from five years ago.

However, there is a generational gap in knowledge, as Gen Z continues to be the least knowledgeable generation about HIV.

Full report: http://glaad.org/endhivstigma

NEW REPORT: GLAAD’s fifth State of HIV Stigma report is out today, showing the progress made towards ending HIV stigma in the U.S., and specifically in the Southern U.S. Take a deeper dive into this year's report: http://glaad.org/endhivstigma

With the exception of one inflammatory remark, LGBTQ issues were completely ignored in last night's presidential debate. Thank you USA TODAY for this analysis of the candidates' stances on LGBTQ people and issues.

LGBTQ issues hardly factor in Harris-Trump debate; here's what to know about their records In more than 90 minutes of the debate, LGBTQ issues were only mentioned once. Here is what to know about transgender care for people in prison.

It's been 23 years since September 11, 2001. ❤️‍🩹 Shortly after, The Advocate ran this cover story honoring the victims.

Read the story: https://www.advocate.com/cover-stories/2018/9/11/stories-911s-lgbtq-heroes

Debate Fact Check

Donald Trump: “I’ve never read Project 2025, never seen it.”

Fact: Six of Trump’s former Cabinet secretaries helped write the report and at least 140 people who worked for Trump were involved in its production.

Read more about Project 2025: https://glaad.org/project-2025/