Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
Best & Worst of National News
January 2009
THE BEST
New York Post Publishes Inclusive Story about Lesbian Couple's Upcoming Wedding
The New York Post published a refreshing portrait of a lesbian couple who were planning wed on Valentine's Day, elevating the newspaper onto GLAAD's "Best" list for the first time ever. The January 19 story, "Empire State Lesbian Brides," by Aliyah Shahid, highlights the story of Jessica Chesnutt and Natalie Sauro of Brooklyn, NY, who won a contest that allowed them to exchange wedding vows on the 61st floor of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day alongside 13 other couples. According to the Post, this was the first time that a same-sex couple exchanged wedding vows on top of the famous building. Brides.com chose the couple, whose photo was included in this article, out of more than 400 applicants to the contest. "I didn't expect to win," Chesnutt said in the article. "The fact that the contest was open to same-sex couples is a good sign. We want the rights and responsibilities of married couples."
READ ARTICLE:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01192009/news/regionalnews/empire_state_
lesbian_brides_150828.htm
TAKE ACTION:
GLAAD encourages you to contact Aliyah Shahid and the New York Post and thank them for this fair, accurate and inclusive story about a same-sex couple to get married atop the Empire State Building.
CONTACT:
letters@nypost.com
Ohio Paper Highlights Growing Acceptance of Transgender People in Columbus
In Central Ohio, The Other Paper – Columbus's News & Entertainment Weekly, published a January 22 cover story about transgender issues entitled, "Waiting on the world to change – While others resist, Columbus grants the transgender community an identity." The comprehensive article by reporter Steph Greegor delves into the increasingly safe and accepting climate for transgender people in Columbus and surrounding areas, while exploring the difficulties facing transgender people in other parts of Ohio and nationally.
Columbus-based therapist Meral Crane offers insights on how the area has become a haven for transgender people through word of mouth. "I never advertised my service, but the need was so great that trans people kept seeking an experienced and trained professional who could help them navigate their transition."
READ ARTICLE:
http://www.theotherpaper.com/articles/2009/01/24/cover_story/doc49779a03dba4d108269657.txt
TAKE ACTION:Â
GLAAD encourages you to contact reporter Steph Greegor and The Other Paper – Columbus's News & Entertainment Weekly, and thank them for providing an insightful look into the lives of transgender people in central Ohio.
CONTACT:
http://www.theotherpaper.com/forms/letters/
The New York Times Publishes Editorial Criticizing Arkansas's Adoption Ban
The New York Times published a scathing editorial on January 6 labeling the new Arkansas law banning gay and unmarried straight people from adopting children "undeniably discriminatory," and calling on the state to "strike down this offensive new law." The editorial, entitled, "The Best Interests of the Child," illustrates the concrete harms created by the ban. It cites an example of a child abuse victim who now may be barred from living with her grandmother, who lives with another woman, because of the the recently passed anti-gay ballot initiative. "Arkansas's new law was a victory for the forces of bigotry and a major setback for the guiding principle of the law in adoption and foster care: the best interests of the child," the editorial says.
READ EDITORIAL:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/opinion/06tue2.html?ref=opinion
TAKE ACTION:
GLAAD encourages you to contact New York Times Editorial writers and thank them for this thoughtful argument in favor of adoption laws that are in the best interests of the child.
CONTACT:
letters@nytimes.com
THE WORST
Mike Huckabee Repeats Ann Coulter's Defamatory Comments on His Fox News Program
In an interview with Ann Coulter the week of January 5, former Arkansas Governor and GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee repeated Coulter's use of the defamatory phrase "pro-sodomy" when discussing his political views with the author and pundit. Huckabee made the comments on his weekend Fox News Channel program, Huckabee, while he was trying to persuade Coulter that he is conservative enough to gain her support. Attempting to disprove Coulter's notion that the former governor is not, in Coulter's words, "pro-sodomy" and "pro-gay," Huckabee told Coulter. "I am definitely not pro-sodomy. I promise. Scout's honor."
WATCH CLIP:
http://glaadblog.org/2009/01/12/huckabee-parrots-coulter's-defamatory-
phrase-"pro-sodomy"-on-fox/
TAKE ACTION:
GLAAD encourages you to contact Fox News Channel and ask them to tell Mike Huckabee to stop his defamatory characterization of those who are supportive of LGBT people and issues as "pro-sodomy." Tell the network this is unacceptable and should be avoided in future broadcasts.
CONTACT:
yourcomments@foxnews.com
Rush Limbaugh Makes MSNBC Countdown's "Worst" List for Repeated Tasteless Remarks
Nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh was crowned "World's Worst" by MSNBC host Keith Olbermann on January 22 for his repeated use of the phrase "bend over, grab the ankles," when attacking Democratic support for progressive issues, including rights for LGBT people. Olbermann suggests that Limbaugh is obsessed with this crude description, saying, "He sure spends an uncomfortable amount of time describing himself or others bending over and grabbing his ankles."
VIEW CLIP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2hE2eErRnE
TAKE ACTION:
GLAAD urges you write to Keith Olberman and thank him holding up this latest example of Rush Limbaugh's vulgar tasteless comments and urge him to continue spotlighting Limbaugh's gratuitous and offensive remarks.
Keith Olberman
kolbermann@msnbc.com
countdown@msnbc.com
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