Loyal readers know that we have two obsessions: the timely Mark Foley scandal and a more storied interest in taking the piss out of GLAAD. Thus, we very nearly shot our journalistic load when we came across this article from The Southern Voice dissecting GLAADS inconspicious silence on the scandal.
Known to raise a stink at the mere drop of the F-bomb (fag, not fuck), the media watch dog group has stayed largely mum on the fall out. According to GLAAD, that’s the point. Ryan Lee reports:
GLAAD’s reluctance to send out action alerts or otherwise draw attention to poor media coverage was to avoid raising the platform of those influencing the poor coverage, namely conservative groups like the Family Research Council, said Sean Lund, director of messaging and communication strategy at GLAAD.
Instead of directly responding to anti-gay rhetoric in the Foley coverage, Lund said GLAAD attempted to convince journalists and producers not to “validate that message by giving it the media platform.”
Right. GLAAD didn’t want to raise the so-called “platform”. Too bad every other media organization, politician, and Brownie troop has gotten in on the action. We imagine GLAAD just didn’t want their precious name to be swept along with all the others.
Though they’ve yet to come out with one of their legendarily long-winded reports, GLAAD insists they’re working behind the scenes to shape media coverage.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“We’ve been very engaged in [the Foley] story since it first broke,” said GLAAD President Neil Giuliano (pictured), adding that the organization focused on making sure journalists had the right information and sources to “delink” homosexuality and pedophilia.
“GLAAD was making sure they had the credible scientific sources to counter all of the anti-gay claims,” Giuliano said.
What? Has GLAAD elevated itself to omnipotent status? We have one word for that: “bullshit.” We invoke the fecally-minded dismissal not because we want GLAAD to start tooting their off-key horn, but because we bet they’re too busy constructing some asinine list of historic gay television characters to really get on this story.
And, honestly, we’re fine with that.
Previously: GLAAD Wants More Gays On TV. Shit, Really?
Michael
This is not the least bit surprising since Neil Giuliano is himself a gay Republican. He’s following the GOP line by laying low hoping it blows over soon. And this is the guy that is suppose to be fighting for us??
jack e. jett
GLAAD is looking for the right VODKA company to promote their anti foley/pro foley launch.
GLAAD is the most useless gay organization in existance today. They are constantly patting themselves on the back while attending one cocktail function after another.
As Janet, (Ms. Jackson if your nasty) would say, What have you done for me lately?
Ask them to go on the record about NOAH’S ARC, LOGO, and GLAAD AWARDS?
jack jett
Will
GLADD has become alot like the ACLU and picks and chooses what it wants to handel so in turn it gets the best exposure possible.
Too bad about Mr. G there being an oxymoronic Gay “Republican” he’s kinda cute.
Michael
Ok..first of all..someone clue me in on what the story has to do with GLAAD and Noah’s Arc and Logo. I don’t say that sarcastically. Just someone explain that. I agree with the first comment….Mr. Guilano (as opposed to Rudy Guiliani) is a Gay Republican and his analysis (tortured at best) is way off the mark. Geez, even the Log Cabin Republicans have stood up against the homophobes. The same for HRC (which I find them to be more about perpetuating themselves then working for the GLBT community. I think that the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has been more spot on. I digress…GLAAD hasn’t even stood up to get more real Gay representation in the media, movies, tv etc……but they smile and look pretty on camera. grrrr…gimme a break! Stand up and be counted instead of roll over and play possum dead…..it is time we say enough already…stand for our community or stand aside!
Stefan
Holy hell, what a disappointment. As soon as Foley’s mouthpiece started going on the air saying “Foley wants you to know that he is a gay man” I smelled the storm coming, and when Bay Buchanan went on the air to describe Foley as a “known homosexual” in the same tone of voice you’d say “a known heroin addict”, I CALLED the offices of GLAAD in LA as well as NYC to ask what they were planning to do about it. The answer I got from the operator? “We’re monitoring it closely.” Uh… to me that sounds like, “we’re not going to do anything about it.” What’s the point of an organization that purports to protect us from public smearing and misinformation if they’re too (insert synonym for WEAK here) to use their voices and shout out publicly in our defense? GLAAD is turning out to be no better than HRC – two organizations whose main reason to exist is to soothe its administration into believing we’re somehow included. Wrong – we are NOT included. That’s the point! GLAAD, get off your asses.
TakeAStand
THE FOX IS GUARDING THE HEN HOUSE! Since the time the board selected Neill Giuliano, GLAAD’s credibility has been undermined. It no longer possesses the moral authority to influence others with its message nor does it have the independence from rightwing beliefs necessary to serve as a support system for media professionals. Perception is reality, and Mr. Giuliano’s steadfast commitment to the Republican political platform — one that is overtly and proudly destructive of both gay rights and an open media — has a profoundly chilling effect on the LGBT community and those who look to GLAAD as a source of support. Media outlets, journalists, and producers, who previously consulted GLAAD for constructive feedback on their portrayal of gays in the media, no longer trust GLAAD to champion the cause. Quite frankly, I believe that gay Republicans should now be held accountable for their positions. Over the past decade, gay Republicans have justified their participation in the party because they hoped to “affect change from within.†Ultimately it has been on their watch that the Republicans have passed an increasing number of nationwide anti-gay measures and initiatives; and, perhaps the most indicting evidence of their failure to deliver on their charge, their own party has pushed forward a constitutional amendment banning legal recognition and protections of our relationships. Without a doubt, through their compliance, capitulation, and financial support gay Republicans have enabled the RNC to institutionalize discrimination, campaign on homophobic issues, and promote and profit from the “anti-gay industry.†Setting aside equally important issues such as judgment and character, based upon achievement alone, we should not be rewarding gay Republicans with leadership positions in LGBT activist organizations. Bottom line- as long as they continue to feed the Republican monster- gay Republicans should not serving in LGBT activists roles
D.Metre
If we can’t count on a media watchdog group like GLAAD to defend our community against attacks from Michael Savage, Pat “Foley is a FLAMER” Buchanan, and Gingrich then why do they exist? What exactly do they do anymore?
Are they no longer an Alliance Against Defamation? It doesn’t even make sense.
james
I am a supporter if the glaad “community” I m very happy glaad has takin a stand to defend the gay and lesbian community. I know what its like to be taunted everyday of your life thinking there is no way out. Like Christina says “you are beautiful in every single way.”