GLAAD

Less than 20 years ago, before the formation of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), representations of lesbians and gay men tended to fall into one of two categories: defamatory or non-existent. Since its inception, GLAAD's impact on our community's visibility has been far-reaching. Not only have GLAAD staff and volunteers changed the way lesbians and gay men are portrayed on the screen and in the news, we've also become a major source of resources and information for entertainment and news media decision makers. Entertainment Weekly has named GLAAD as one of Hollywood's most powerful entities, and the Los Angeles Times described GLAAD as "possibly the most successful organizations lobbying the media for inclusion."

Formed in New York in 1985 to protest the New York Post's grossly defamatory and sensationalized AIDS coverage, GLAAD's work quickly spread to Los Angeles, where we began to educate Hollywood's entertainment industry on the importance of more accurate and realistic portrayals on the screen. As GLAAD's work grew and evolved over time, the organization moved from a chapter-based to a national organization, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. To serve regional and local media interests, GLAAD's Regional Media Program has grown to serve local communities and media outlets across the country via directed monitor and mobilize campaigns, calls to action, media trainings and on-the-ground community and media support.