Actress, activist and former supermodel Patricia Velasquez's memoir is coming out in Spanish and one of the first Spanish-language interviews, with "Al Rojo Vivo" on Telemundo, aired today. In it, VelImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.asquez beautifully explains what it's like to struggle with self-acceptance. Tune in on Monday for the second part of the interview, in which Velasquez and her partner, actress Ileanna Simancas, will talk about their family. Sin tacones, sin reserva is the Spanish-language version of Straight Walk: A Supermodel’s Journey to Finding Her Truth published by Post Hill Press. Their story will undoubtedly reach millions of viewers throughout Latin America who may not know any openly gay or bisexual men or woImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.men.

Update 6/1/2015: Read GLAAD's updated tip sheet for journalists reporting on Caitlyn Jenner.
GLAAD's Weekly Update on News, Entertainment and Online Media.  To subscribe, click here.

Millions learn of GLAAD's advocacy with Bruce Jenner and transgender community

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While researching and reporting the interview with Olympian and reality star Bruce Jenner, ABC looked to GLAAD as a valuable source of information on the issues affecting the transgender community, frequently tapping our resources and expertise. ABC News also used GLAAD's Media Reference Guide, along with quotes from GLAAD staffers, in materials created for ABCNews.com to accompany the interview. In the week leading up to the interview, GLAAD fielded dozens of media requests from journalists writing stories about how the media is covering transgender issues and looking for a local angle about transgender people in their area. Using GLAAD's network of media-trained spokespeople and our connections to local transgender equality advocates, GLAAD was able to refer journalists to trans people around the country who could speak about their experiences. GLAAD's Director of Programs for Transgender Media Nick Adams gave on-camera interviews to Access Hollywood, E! News, Canada's CTV eTalk, spoke with Newsweek, and participated on a live panel discussion on E! immediately following the Jenner interview. GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis joined CNN's Reliable Sources, MSNBC, and Entertainment Tonight to discuss reaction to the special. Well over 700 outlets noted GLAAD's role in ensuring responsible, accurate coverage of Bruce Jenner—whose groundbreaking interview with Diane Sawyer also featured GLAAD Board of Directors Co-Chair Jenny Boylan—and the transgender community. The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Associated Press, Reuters, CNN, People, New York Daily News, Miami Herald, The Huffington Post, and many, many more were among the leading outlets to report. A wealth of outlets also featured GLAAD's work in the headlines, including TIME's "Read GLAAD's Moving Statement about Bruce Jenner." ABC's Good Morning America also sat down with Jenny Boylan, and read President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis' statement on air.

As the ABC interview with Bruce Jenner aired, GLAAD used PR Newswire to send a Tip Sheet to thousands of journalists around the country with information about how to report on the interview fairly and accurately. This included explaining that while most transgender people prefer a new name and pronoun after disclosing they are transgender, Bruce Jenner had not yet requested that change. Therefore journalists should clarify why they are still referring to him with his birth name and male pronouns. Media outlets across the country used the language in our Tip Sheet to ensure their reporting reflected Jenner's wishes. Over the next several months, GLAAD will be working with E! to provide resources that will help them fairly and accurately create a docu-series about Bruce Jenner living life as his authentic self. GLAAD has already provided materials to the Jenner/Kardashian family to help them use respectful terminology when speaking to the media about their parent, and GLAAD has conducted 3 trainings for E! staffers to help them become more sophisticated in talking about transgender issues. Read GLAAD's statement here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD ensures accurate coverage of Bruce Jenner for Spanish-language outlets
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media Monica Trasandes and Strategist Janet Quezada worked with outlets including Univision, BBC Mundo and CNN en Español to ensure accurate coverage of Bruce Jenner and reached out to over 30 top Spanish-speaking journalists and Spanish-language outlets to provide them with a tip sheet in Spanish of accurate ways to cover the story. The team shared appropriate terminology and worked with producers to find and book transgender advocates nationally to appear on these networks. Trasandes and GLAAD's Donor Services Coordinator Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen were interviewed on the popular show CNN Showbiz en Español to discuss Bruce Jenner's story and the Latino transgender community. Trasandes also did interviews with Univision and BBC Mundo on the topic.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD launches historic "Concert for Love & Acceptance" set for Nashville during CMA Fest in June
On June 12, 2015, artists and celebrities from across the country will come together in a coalition of support for LGBT acceptance at the inaugural Concert for Love and Acceptance, presented by Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist Ty Herndon and GLAAD, at City Winery in Nashville, Tenn. The first-of-its-kind country music event, which will take place during CMA Fest, will be co-hosted by Herndon and political commentator and author Meghan McCain. Performers and special guests include Melinda Doolittle, Shelly Fairchild, Billy Gilman, Jennifer Knapp, Jamie O'Neal, and Pastor Stan Mitchell of GracePointe Church. Additional performances and appearances will be announced.  Tennessean, CMR Nashville, Frontiers Media, Music News Nashville, Nashville Music Guide, Nashville Country Club, Little Rebellion Music, Focus on the 615, CDX, Nash FM, and On Top Magazine were among the regional and LGBT outlets to report the historic concert. This concert is part of GLAAD's Southern Stories initiative, which aims to amplify the voices of LGBT people and allies in the American South. For general ticket information, please visit: www.glaad.org/nashville. Read more here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD and The Advocate work together on interview with outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder
GLAAD worked with reporter Edward Wyckoff Williams on an interview for The Advocate with outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, in which he explained his own journey to become an LGBT ally. Holder spoke about the gap between legal protections and cultural acceptance, for both the LGBT and African-American communities. GLAAD worked with Williams to prepare for the interview, including providing him with a briefing on Accelerating Acceptance, the report by GLAAD that outlines the gap between legal equality and cultural acceptance in the United States. Holder spoke of the LGBT people who have inspired him to become an LGBT ally, from his uncle Sonny to the many LGBT families who work with him at the Justice Department. Read more here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD's Spanish-language team works with La Opinion newspaper on accurate coverage
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media Monica Trasandes and Strategist Janet Quezada met with 15 editors and staff writers at La Opinion, the country's top Spanish-language daily newspaper. Founded in 1926, the newspaper has an estimated 390,562 daily readers and 1,061,581 unique readers each week. The team discussed ways to accurately cover the LGBT community.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD worked on the ground at the Supreme Court of the United States
As a part of the Unite for Marriage coalition, GLAAD staff members were on the ground at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington DC this week for the oral arguments of four statewide marriage equality cases. GLAAD's Strategist Alexandra Bolles, Director of Programs Ross Murray, and Director of Communications Seth Adam have been working within the coalition of leading advocacy organizations for months, spreading the word about this momentous period in the movement for marriage equality. While in DC, Bolles attended and engaged media attention around multiple faith-based events in support of the LGBT community, and worked with Adam to do so as well for the Unite for Marriage rally on the steps of the Supreme Court. Murray shared updates from DC in real time with GLAAD's followers. A ruling for these cases will most likely be announced this summer. Read more here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD's Spanish-language team assists outlets with fair coverage of marriage equality hearings
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media Monica Trasandes and Strategist Janet Quezada worked with Spanish-language media outlets to ensure accurate coverage of the Supreme Court hearings. The team booked Spanish-speaking couples and met with them to prepare them for television appearances to discuss marriage equality, including Candy Cintron and her wife Lena, as well as Florida advocates and many others. Trasandes also did an interview with reporter Selene Rivera from the newspaper Hoy on marriage equality and sent resources to dozens of reporters nationally.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD: All Access profiles Vanessa Hudgens' support for the LGBT community
GLAAD's Video and News Strategist Claire Pires interviewed actress Vanessa Hudgens for GLAAD's video series, GLAAD: All Access. Hudgens discussed her new role as Gigi in the Broadway musical "Gigi" and why she's an ally to the LGBT community. Hudgens also participated in GLAAD's #GotYourBack campaign, which provides a space for LGBT people and allies to voice their support for the LGBT community. The video garnered over 25,000 views and was covered in 13 outlets, including The Huffington Post, The Advocate, Bustle, Just Jared, Curve Magazine, Australia's Lesbians on the Loose Magazine, Inquisitr, SheWired, The Backlot, AfterEllen, PinkNews, and Broadway World. Hudgens shared the video on Twitter and Tumblr. Watch the interview here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD's Spanish-Language Media team garners attention of leading national outlets
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language Media Monica Trasandes and Strategist Janet Quezada worked with an Associated Press reporter covering the Mexican band, Los Tigres del Norte, who are LGBT allies and won special recognition from GLAAD this year. The New York Times ran the story, and it was syndicated in many English- and Spanish-language outlets.

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Clik here to view.Ross Murray works to amplify gay man's story of being diagnosed "homosexual"
An op-ed titled, "My Doctor Diagnosed Me as 'Homosexual'" by openly gay man Matthew Moore, ran in the Advocate, as a result of GLAAD's Director of Programs Ross Murray's work. Murray worked with Moore, empowering him to tell his story, and ensured the piece ran on the Advocate's site. "My doctor had diagnosed my sexuality as a chronic condition, or disease," wrote Moore. "There it was. Right on my medical record. In the same section as Crohn's disease: “Homosexual Behavior Code 302.0. I couldn’t believe this was happening. In Southern California. In 2013. As a gay man, I have no issue with my sexuality being referenced by my doctor in my social history. But seeing it listed on my medical record as a chronic condition or disease is wrong."

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Clik here to view.GLAAD sponsors Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival's LGBTQ short films program
GLAAD was a community co-presenter of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival's LGBTQ short films program, Liminally Yours, which screened on Sunday, April 26. The program, co-curated by Erica Cho and Leeroy Kun Young Kang, featured nine short films and was followed by an after party at Human Resources LA. GLAAD's sponsorship helped bring several filmmakers to L.A. for the screening and to perform at the after party.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.YouTube wins Shorty Award for LGBT-inclusive #ProudToPlay campaign
At the 7^th Annual Short Awards, YouTube's #ProudToPlay campaign won the award for Best Use of Video. #ProudToPlay served as a YouTube-powered cause that brought together athletes, celebrities, and YouTube personalities to champion equality and inclusivity for athletes around the world. GLAAD was proud to work with YouTube on this campaign, and other initiatives. 

To get the latest updates and take part in GLAAD’s work to accelerate LGBT acceptance, be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Part of our work here at GLAAD is to monitor the representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the media. While there is still much work to be done to ensure better representation, the use of correct terminology and other issues, we wanted to share with you some strong segments and articles that appeared in Spanish-language media these past several weeks.

This media coverage would not be possible without LGBT people who stepped forward to tell their stories, sometimes risking discrimination. By sharing these segments we hope to inspire others to find outlets to tell their stories as well as to remind the outlets that LGBT and allied people are watching their work.

Maria Paula Ochoa, a reporter for Telemundo conducts an interview with Jennicet Gutierrez, a transgender immigrant activist who brought more attention to the plight of transgender women in immigration detention during a White House Pride Reception. Although a strategist interviewed during the segment questions her tactics, Jennicet clearly explains what is at stake and why she felt an urgency that led her to speak out.

A morning show on Univision hosted by Zoe Torres interviewed Kael Escobar, a transgender man from Chicago. Kael shared his process with the viewers telling them how important it was that he was able to count on the acceptance his mother showed him and how important family acceptance in general is for all LGBT people. The host emphasizes this point asking her viewers to live in peace and harmony with each other and with themselves.

Los Angeles Telemundo reporter Johana Suarez talked with transgender advocates Mariana Marroquin, Cris Salamanca, and Sandra Esqueda on local public affairs show Enfoque Los Ángeles. Marroquin works at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Salamanca is part of El Canto del Colibri, a documentary that features stories of Latino LGBT people and their accepting dads. Esqueda facilitates support groups at Bienestar.  Along with GLAAD's Director of Spanish-language and Latino media and the other guests, the host addressed topics related to Latina/o transgender people and issues that impact them, including immigration, access to healthcare, employment discrimination, and the importance of family acceptance.

In print, Virginia Gaglianone from La Opinion wrote a piece that ran in New York and Los Angeles for Father's Day featuring two great transgender dads. Sebastián Colon-Otero and his wife have a 2-year-old girl. Colon-Otero said "Being a father has been the greatest experience of my life. Every time my little girl says papá, I feel that my heart melts." Trystan Reese and his husband are raising children who are 4 and 7 years old. Reese recounts how his mother and sister came over to support the two new dads. "My sister had to explain to us that babies' clothing comes with elastic bands that have to be adjusted as the child grows." The piece can be read online in Spanish here. Pieces like these help combat the misinformation about families with LGBT parents.

Both in print and on television, Selenis Leyva from Orange is the New Black, has spoken out about the need for support for transgender people as an ally to her sister who is transgender. She spoke with the popular morning show Un Nuevo Dia and wrote a piece for the Huffington Post.

Spanish-language media also covered the marriage equality decision by the Supreme Court. The best of these type of  segments gave couples an opportunity to share their thoughts on the impact of the decisions on their lives. For example, in a segment by Telemundo Houston reporter Jose Santos interviews couples getting married at the MCC. Although the terminology use is not consistently correct, the spokespeople do a great job sharing the impact that the decision will have on their lives. The reporter does pose a good question at the end of the piece, he says "We asked all the couples if they could ever imagine their lives without their partner and they all said no."

Univision changed their logo to congratulate the LGBT community on the positive decision during their regular broadcasting proclaiming "marriage for all triumphs." This action communicates the support in a visual and powerful way to their viewers.

Finally, some community programs took the opportunity to relay important information to their viewers about how the ruling would impact them, specifically if they are undocumented and in a same-sex relationship with a citizen. These type of segments although they do not always use consistently correct terms demonstrate that they are aware that LGBT people are part of the Latino community and their audience.

Many of the people interviewed made the point that there is so much left to do to ensure full protections for LGBT people including Tony Lima, Executive Director of SAVE Dade in a segment during which he talks about the fight for workplace protections for transgender people in Florida. Los Angeles advocates made the same point during a press conference covered on decision day by many outlets including MundoFox.

As always, if we've missed a great segment or article, or if you've seen heard or read something that was disrespectful to LGBT people, let us know.

GLAAD's Weekly Update on News, Entertainment, and Online Media. To subscribe, click here.

GLAAD partners with Nigerian LGBT leaders to publish report on LGBT acceptance

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GLAAD worked with Nigerian LGBT leaders to publish and promote "A Closer Look at Nigeria: Attitudes on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People," based on polling done by NOI Polls. In conjunction with the report, GLAAD's Claire Pires interviewed Bisi Alimi of The Bisi Alimi Foundation and Olumide Femi Makanjuola of The Initiative for Equal Rights, to give more context to the polling numbers. While a large majority of the surveyed Nigerians (87%) still expressed support for the anti-gay "Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition" Law, support is steadily decreasing. In 2010, 96% opposed relationships between same-sex couples, and in 2013, 92% supported the law. Over half (52%) of respondents who believe people are born lesbian, gay, or bisexual know someone in their family, a friend, or someone in their locality who is. This familiarity with lesbian, gay, and bisexual people has led people to a better understanding of sexual minorities and is leading to increased support. GLAAD's interviews with Alimi and Makanjuola were published on numerous outlets including Gay Star News and PinkNews. GLAAD's work with Nigeria is a part of GLAAD's Global Voices program, which aims to amplify the voices of LGBT people globally. Read more about the study and watch both interviews here.

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Clik here to view.Now what? The road ahead for LGBT acceptance
Finally, every American – no matter what state they call home – can marry the person they love. But as we see news reports about committed couples still being turned away from their local clerk’s office, we're reminded that you can’t legislate acceptance. In late 2014, GLAAD commissioned a Harris Poll to measure attitudes toward LGBT Americans and found that about 1 in 3 Americans are still uncomfortable with LGBT people. GLAAD created an infographic to show the work that still needs to be done to ensure equality and acceptance for LGBT people, specifically concerning employment and income, housing and accommodation, immigration, mental health and bullying, healthcare, and violence. Get the info graphic here and help GLAAD accelerate acceptance here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD talks with Argentinian radio station about marriage equality in the Latino/a community
GLAAD's Monica Trasandes was interviewed on FM Sonar – 91.3 FM Santa Rosa, a popular radio station in Argentina. The show Bajá un cambio, took a look at how the Supreme Court's decision for marriage equality nationwide affected LGBT Latinos/as in the United States. Trasandes also discussed the many challenges ahead for the LGBT community, including employment discrimination.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD talks with Episcopal priest following Episcopal Church decision in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples
On July 1, the 78^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church voted in favor of religious marriage rites for same-sex couples. In addition to approving Church recognition of marriage equality, the vote replaced "husband" and "wife" with "the couple" in the ceremonial canon in order to respect LGBT inclusion. GLAAD spoke with the Reverend Thomas Brown, an openly gay Episcopal priest at Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester, Massachusetts about his presence at the historic vote. Read more here.

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Clik here to view.Photographer turns anti-marriage protest into support for GLAAD
After Clinton Brentwood Lee of Brentwood Photography added a rainbow filter to his business's Facebook profile picture after the Supreme Court marriage equality decision, one of his clients contacted him to let him know that the client and fiancé would no longer be using Brentwood Photography's services for their wedding because they only support marriage between a man and a woman. Lee's reply to the ex-client stated: "At Brentwood Photography, we see love in all forms." The ex-client had also asked for a refund of their retainer. Lee explained to the ex-client that, as stated in his contract, the retainer is nonrefundable and instead, he will be donating the sum to GLAAD. Lee has posted the screenshot of the exchange on social media, and the photo alone on Facebook has received more than 81,000 likes. Read more here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD's Spanish-Language team highlights transgender Latino/a stories
GLAAD's Monica Trasandes and Janet Quezada worked closely with the producers of Telemundo's Los Angeles-based show Enfoque Los Ángeles to connect them with transgender advocates Mariana Marroquin and Cris Salamanca to be featured guests on a segment about Latino/a transgender issues. Salamanca is a transgender man from Colombia who is featured in the new documentary El Canto del Colibri, which highlights stories of Latino LGBT people and their accepting dads. Trasandes and Sandra Esqueda of Bienestar were also guests on the segment. The segment addressed topics related to Latina/o transgender people and issues that impact them, including immigration, access to healthcare, employment discrimination, and the importance of family acceptance.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD featured in Entertainment Weekly emphasizing the need for LGBT representations in the media
In its July 10th issue, Entertainment Weekly ran a timeline of LGBT characters in TV and film in recognition of the historic Supreme Court ruling that brought marriage equality to all 50 states. The magazine interviewed GLAAD's Matt Kane on the lasting impact of several groundbreaking programs.  As Kane pointed out, shows like The Real World, Ellen, Will & Grace, and Grey's Anatomy brought about greater understanding and compassion for LGBT people, and ultimately helped shape public opinion on issues like marriage. Kane emphasized that LGBT representation in the media helps accelerate acceptance in the public.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD's Spanish-language team talks family acceptance in Latino/a community
GLAAD's Monica Trasandes and Janet Quezada met last week with several executives from the media company Entravision, which owns 15 television stations and 12 Spanish language radio stations in key areas with large Latino populations. The team discussed the importance of correct terminology as well as how GLAAD can be a resource and assist with booking guests and devising stories. A few days later, Trasandes was invited to be a guest on El Show de Erazno y La Chokolata, a popular radio show that's heard by more than 3 million listeners. The hour-long on-air discussion focused on family acceptance and coming out in the Latino/a community, and featured a Los Angeles-based gay man alongside Trasandes.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD endorses and attends annual Trans Day of Action in NYC
On Friday, June 26, GLAAD endorsed the annual Trans Day of Action in New York City, organized by TransJustice at the Audre Lorde Project. The Trans Day of Action is a march and rally designed to bring together trans and gender non-conforming people of color and allies to rise up in solidarity and strength against violence and discrimination while honoring and continuing the struggle for justice, liberation, and recognition for all oppressed people worldwide. Several of the GLAAD staff members, including those from our Transgender Media Program, were in attendance and participated in the march and rally. GLAAD emphasizes that marriage equality is a benchmark and not a finish line, implying that there is more work to be done to achieve equality and acceptance for the LGBT community. Read more here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD encourages LGBT people and allies to say I've #GotYourBack at Pride
GLAAD encouraged LGBT people and allies to voice their support for the LGBT community by participating in GLAAD's #GotYourBack campaign during Los Angeles Pride on June 14 at Lisa Vanderpump's popular restaurant PUMP, and during the NYC and San Francisco Pride festivals on June 28. Hundreds of people held signs that read "I've #GotYourBack" as they posed for #GotYourBack-branded photos at GLAAD's photo booth inside PUMP and at GLAAD's photo booth located at the front of the NYC Pride Festival. In addition to the photo booth in New York, GLAAD had our own float that donned the hashtag #GotYourBack as over one-hundred volunteers passed out #GotYourBack magnets and encouraged people to participate in the campaign by voicing their support for acceptance. View photos of GLAAD at the NYC Pride parade here and at the photo booth here, and view photos of GLAAD at San Francisco Pride here.

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Clik here to view.DoSomething.org staff member comes out as trans and GLAAD says We've #GotYourBack
On July 2^nd 2015, DoSomething.org Mobile Engagement Manager, Freddie Bologno, came out as transgender to all 2.4 million members of their text list. In an effort to promote their #Ready4Freddie campaign, which aimed to educate millions of young people worldwide about transgender issues and promote acceptance of transgender people, DoSomething reached out to GLAAD to promote the campaign as well. GLAAD showed its support by tweeting about Freddie and posting on GLAAD's newsroom to show that we #GotYourBack. Read more here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD partners with OUTFEST LA for 'I Am Jazz' screening
OUTFEST, the Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival, kicked off July 9 and GLAAD is proud to be a community collaborator again this year. GLAAD partnered with OUTFEST for a preview screening of TLC's upcoming docu-series, I Am Jazz, which follows the life of transgender teen advocate, Jazz Jennings. Nick Adams, GLAAD's Director of Programs for Transgender Media, moderated a panel after the screening with Jazz herself and three other transgender youth. Jazz, Elliot, Zoey, and Scott talked to the audience about their experience as trans youth and why telling their stories in the media is important to them.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD continues to amplify voices of LGBT people and allies in the U.S. South
During the Southern Stories Summer Tour, GLAAD visited Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia over eight days to meet local advocates and discuss pertinent issues surrounding the LGBT community in the South. Why the South?  Why now? In late 2014, GLAAD commissioned a Harris Poll of over 2,000 adult (18+) Americans to examine the state of LGBT acceptance. In conjunction with its Southern Stories Summer Tour, GLAAD released the numbers from Deep South states. Those numbers show that in the South, levels of LGBT acceptance are lower than the rest of the nation. With the tour behind us, GLAAD continues to amplify the stories of LGBT people and allies in the South to accelerate acceptance in those communities. GLAAD published pieces about the moving documentaryA Mississippi Love Story, 5 LGBT Georgians who are changing lives, Blackbird star Julian Walker's message to teenagers, and 6 Mississippians who are accelerating acceptance in the Magnolia state. In addition to publishing a recap video of the eight-day bus tour trip, YouTube star Raymond Braun also published a second video entitled "Overcoming LGBTQ Youth Homelessness in the South" with interviews he conducted during GLAAD's youth event at Lost-n-Found Youth, which provides services for homeless LGBT youth in Atlanta.

To get the latest updates and take part in GLAAD’s work to accelerate LGBT acceptance, be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

GLAAD's Spanish-Language and Latino Media team has been reaching out to Latino celebrities, including many who star in Spanish-Language shows seen in the U.S. but also internationally, asking them to participate in Spirit Day. And they are stepping up to send a message of love and support to LGBT youth and against bullying.

Just some of those set to participate include: Eréndira Ibarra, Enrique Santos, Jessica Aguilar, Jencarlos Canela, Patricia Velásquez, Ileanna Simancas, Zuria Vega, Daniel Ron, Liza Echeverria, Jason Canela and Paco Pizaña. More soon.

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Famosos se unen a Spirit Day para enviar mensajes de apoyo a jóvenes

Este 15 de octubre es Spirit Day y GLAAD está invitando a famosos Latinos a que participen. En el pasado hemos visto tanta participación maravillosa de celebridades que quieren usar su plataforma mundial para hacer una diferencia positiva en la vida de muchos.

Para el 2015 se han unido a la campaña Eréndira Ibarra, Enrique Santos, Jessica Aguilar, Jencarlos Canela, Patricia Velásquez, Ileanna Simancas, Zuria Vega, Daniel Ron, Liza Echeverria, Jason Canela y Paco Pizaña. Más noticias pronto.

Support for #SpiritDay continues to grow. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen turned her Twitter profile photo purple. And lots of celebrities joined us including Lila Downs, Patricia Velásquez, and many more celebrities from Spanish-language media networks Univision and Telemundo plan to participate.

As part of our international work, we asked organizations in Central and Latin America and the Caribbean to join us. Enjoy the Spirit Day super heroes of the organization CHERL in Iquitos, Peru.

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Hoy es #SpiritDay, cuando nos vestimos de morado para llamar atención al bullying o acoso escolar en contra de jóvenes LGBT. Entre los participantes ya se han sumado el elenco de Un Nuevo Día en Telemundo y el elenco de Despierta América en Univision. Otros participantes incluyen Ricky Martin, Teresa Rodriguez de Aquí y Ahora, cantante Lila Downs, congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Kate del Castillo, Enrique Santos, Jencarlos Canela, y muchos más.

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También uniéndose: la embajada de Mexico en los Estados Unidos, la revista People en Español y las organizaciónes nacionales Latina, National Council of La Raza y LULAC.Image may be NSFW.
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Gracias a todos y todas!

Hoy, el 15 de octubre para #SpiritDay, la cadena Telemundo, sus artistas, sus programas y sus páginas en las redes han enviado lindos mensajes de apoyo para los jóvenes LGBT y en contra del bullying, o el acoso escolar. Se unen a la causa porque saben que los jóvenes LGBT son desproporcionalmente victímas de bullying. Tristemente los jóvenes LGBT que reportan el bullying muchas veces no reciben apoyo de parte de sus escuelas y a veces ni de sus proprias familas. Por eso es tan importante que los jóvenes alrededor del mundo vean estos mensajes. Asi se dan cuenta que no estan solos.

¡Únete! Vístete de morado para #SpiritDay en apoyo a jóvenes LGBT. Para sumarte: http://t.co/OvlVc1fLVb

— kate del castillo (@katedelcastillo) October 15, 2015

Vestida de morado @MariaCeleste y @AlRojoVivo queremos crear conciencia contra el bullying a jóvenes LGBT #SpiritDaypic.twitter.com/JzhHtgtzAv

— Al Rojo Vivo (@AlRojoVivo) October 15, 2015

Hoy soy parte del #SpiritDay ! Hoy me visto de morado para mostrar mi apoyo y solidaridad a toda la comunidad Gay y rechazo cualquier tipo de acoso y hostigamiento que ellos reciben día a día! Feliz día para todos Photo by @robertvfotografo

A photo posted by CARMEN VILLALOBOS (@cvillaloboss) on Oct 15, 2015 at 8:00am PDT

#SpiritDay@glaad@Telemundo@SiSePuedeTV@LatinIconos@TelemundoPR@LatinWENews@Esquedachris@soyVaronipic.twitter.com/wJpX6jLnnn

— catherine siachoque (@siachoque) October 15, 2015

¡Únete! Viste de morado hoy para #SpiritDay y apoya a los jóvenes. #NoAlBullying#PrideNBCUpic.twitter.com/COmRNmHPk3

— Suelta La Sopa (@SueltaLaSopaTV) October 15, 2015

Toma acción en contra del acoso y en apoyo de jóvenes #LGBT usando hoy VIOLETA #SpiritDay,#LBGTpic.twitter.com/TXGdQtg1Mg

— Telenoticias (@TelenoticiasPR) October 15, 2015

Go purple #SpiritDay Totalmente en contra del acoso, rechazo y el sufrimiento. #nomasbullying Más corazón y amor.

A video posted by Cynthia Olavarria (@cynthiaolav) on Oct 15, 2015 at 8:32am PDT

#IAmAgainstBullying! Today is #SpiritDay. We are all God's children. #StopTheHatepic.twitter.com/VZWkZAPwwV

— Sonya Smith (@Sonya_Smith) October 15, 2015

Oye así para suelta la sopa vestida color violeta tolerancia a la diversidad con mi vestido By @calvinklein y zapatos regalo de mi dominicana bella #RAQUEL #OOTD #photooftheday #cosasquelepasanalavenenosa #laluzbrillasinesfuerzo #TodasSomosMadres #SpiritDay #noalbullying

A photo posted by ॐCarolina Sandovalॐ (@venenosandoval) on Oct 15, 2015 at 10:11am PDT

.@jdbalart is celebrating @MSNBC and @glaad#SpiritDay! How are you celebrating? pic.twitter.com/5WbgI39QA2

— José @ MSNBC (@JDBmsnbc) October 15, 2015

.@AdamariLopez@HillaryClinton@BritneySpears y más famosos que apoyan el #SpiritDayhttp://t.co/wpLQ5RU4Axpic.twitter.com/gNrp9aGEZ9

— People En Español (@peopleenespanol) October 15, 2015

Muchos usaran morado durante sus programas incluyendo Maria Celeste Arraras y Jose Diaz Balart.

Suelta la Sopa hablo de #SpiritDay durante el programa.

Gracias Telemundo por todo el apoyo!

Hoy nos unimos al #SpiritDay. Ser maltratado por ser quien eres, no está bien. Dile NO al #bullying. pic.twitter.com/dqNfbbZ0Re

— Telemundo (@Telemundo) October 15, 2015

Si quieres participar en #SpiritDay usa estas páginas web para hacer el compromiso de usar morado en las redes www.glaad.org/spiritday/pledge y este paquete de información en español para crear más conciencia en tu comunidad http://www.glaad.org/files/SDResourceKit_sp.pdf

Los socios patrocinadores de Spirit Day son Wells Fargo y Target; los socios oficiales son DOW, Google, NBA y WNB, NFL y WWE; y los socios son American Eagle Outfitters, Barilla, Chobani, Comcast NBC Universal, Kirkland y Ellis, y Toyota.

Visita www.glaad.org/spiritday/pledge para aprender más acerca de #SpiritDay.

As 2015 comes to a close we welcome the opportunity to look at some of our favorite moments in Spanish language television and newspapers in terms of LGBT representation. Seeing our lives reflected in media and in ways that are diverse and interesting—as opposed to stereotypical and shallow—can make a big difference in helping our Latino culture learn more about the LGBT community. Hope you enjoy these stories and TV segments.

Speaking for ourselves: Four Latinas told their own stories about the importance of family acceptance and their stories were shared during Spirit Day.

International Impact: When Marcos Saldívar wrote in the Huffington Post about the way his grade school teacher, Lisa Wood Maloney, offered him support, as a bullied gay kid, the story inspired more than a few people. CNN reporter Karina Dalmás profiled Saldivar, and the segment, along with a great discussion about the power of standing up to bullying, ran on Realidades en Contexto. "Orientación sexual y acoso escolar" Realidades en Contexto (CNN en Español) a show that is seen not just here in the US but throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America.

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The Dr. Has Spoken/He dicho! Doctora Ana Maria Polo, from Caso Cerrado on Telemundo, consistently throughout the years addresses LGBT issues-here is just one example from this year. The show is hugely popular shown both during the day and in the evening and Dr. Polo has spoken up in social media against discrimination towards LGBT people. In this episode, the owner of a christian private school wants to fire the dance instructor because he posted in his Facebook that he was getting married to another man. Dr. Polo explains

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Giving 'Voice' y 'Voces'When Trevor Harper decided to ask Davis Covin to marry him in his Methodist Church in Austin TX, the reverend of the congregation John Wright helped him plan the moment and the members of the church applauded and celebrated with them. This story and video from Huffington Post Latino Voices is heartwarming, especially when you see how big and diverse the congregation is.

http://voces.huffingtonpost.com/2015/08/28/iglesia-festeja-propuesta-de-...

In print: Yurina Melara Valiulis interviewed Rosa Manriquez about her life and her work with Equally Blessed during the Papal visit. Rosa Manriquez has two lesbian daughters and believes that every person is made in God's image; therefore, her daughters are perfect. She advocates for LGBT rights in the Catholic church and used rainbow rosaries to symbolize her cause when she went with others to be present for the Pope's visit to Philadelphia this year.

http://www.laopinion.com/2015/08/25/iglesia-catolica-de-philadelphia-no-...

La Opinion, one of the country's biggest Spanish-language newspapers, educated their readers about the plight of transgender women in immigration detention. For example in this article, they wrote about Nicoll Hernandez, a transgender woman who was finally released from a detention center after an intense campaign by activists for her release. Nicoll Hernandez left her country because of the discrimination and harassment she suffered as a transgender woman, only to face the same treatment by ICE officials and inmates when she asked for asylum in a detention center in Arizona.

http://www.laopinion.com/2015/04/30/joven-transgenero-logra-asilo-en-eeuu/

Virginia Gaglianone shared an excellent Father's Day story about two transgender men, one of them Latino, in her article  "Transgender Parents – The only requisite to be a parent is love to your children." The two dads shared insights from their experiences as transgender fathers, the support from their families, their spouses, and the lessons that their children have taught them.

http://www.laopinion.com/2015/06/19/los-retos-de-los-padres-transgenero/

The press paid a lot of attention to Los Tigres del Norte and their song "Era Diferente." In this article by Sigal-Ratner-Arias Written she talks about the song written by Mexican composer Manuel Eduardo Toscano and the reason the band decided to include it in their album. The song is about a girl coveted by men who is in love with her best girl-friend. "They made their bets to win her over, but no boy won her love, she was so different from the others, she was never interested in no man's love," says the song.

https://www.yahoo.com/music/s/tigres-del-norte-support-lgbt-community-hi...

In this short segment of Suelta La Sopa, the singer Chiquis Rivera, daughter of the late icon Jenny Rivera, talks about being named Long Beach Pride Grand Marshall and shares her support for the LGBT community-something she learned from her mother.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/TVEyesMediaCenter/UserContent/291064/4855257.251...

Finally, every year Spirit Day is bigger spreading the message that we need to stand up to bullying and support LGBT youth. The best segments that come out of Spirit Day are the ones that feature stories of people who overcame being bullied for bieng lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and that put their experiences in the context of how many people are impacted by this every year. This story from Univision for example did all of this and included Karen Anzoategui from the Hulu show East Los High and Juan Castillo Alvarado from the non-profit organization Latino Equality Alliance.

http://mms.tveyes.com/MediaCenterPlayer.aspx?u=aHR0cDovL21lZGlhY2VudGVyL...

These moments are just some of the highlights we noticed in Spanish-language media in 2015, we hope to share more with you in the coming months. We hope that next year there will be more inclussion and accurate representation of LGBT people.

Hoy, GLAAD anunció los nominados para la 27ª edición de los Premios GLAAD para los Medios de Comunicación. Los Premios GLAAD reconocen y honran los medios por la representación equitativa, exacta, justa e inclusiva de la comunidad LGBT y los temas que afectan sus vidas. Los Premios GLAAD también apoyan el trabajo de GLAAD de amplificar las historias de la comunidad LGBT y los temas que contribuyen al apoyo para la igualdad.

Visite esta página para información acerca de cómo se compran mesas o boletos para los eventos.

Entre los nominados en las categorías en español:

• Un Nuevo Día, el programa matutino de Telemundo recibió dos nominaciones, una por su entrevista con Patricia Velásquez, la modelo y actriz que salió del clóset en su libro Sin Reservas, Sin Tacones, y otra por su entrevista con el defensor transgénero Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen y su madre que lo apoya, la congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
• Al Punto de Univision, conducido por el destacado periodista Jorge Ramos, está nominado por una historia que aborda los retos y logros de personas transgénero en las fuerzas armadas, donde aún no se les permite servir abiertamente.
• Ricky Martin recibió una nominación por su nuevo álbum, A quien quiera escuchar.
• La cadena CNN en Español obtuvo 6 nominaciones por sus entrevistas, noticias y contenido digital.
• Este año, GLAAD agregó la categoría de entrevistas de televisión local para reconocer la cobertura creciente de temas LGBT realizada por estaciones locales a través del país; entre los nominados figuran afiliados de Telemundo y Univision en Los Ángeles, Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco y Sacramento.

Entre los nominados en las categorías en inglés:Carol, nominada para un premio Oscar; la súper-serie de FOX, Empire; Sense8 y Orange Is the New Black de Netflix;20/20 de ABC por la entrevista de Diane Sawyer a Caitlyn Jenner; y el periódico The New York Times por su serie"Transgénero Hoy."

"Por casi tres décadas, los Premios GLAAD han impulsado la inclusión en los medios y fomentado la aceptación LGBT," dijo la presidenta y CEO de GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis. "Los nominados de este año han elevado el estándar para la creación de imágenes e historias LGBT interesantes y diversos, que crecen la comprensión de las audiencias hacia las personas LGBT y aceleran la aceptación a nivel mundial."

GLAAD anunció 46 nominados en 11 categorías en español y 101 nominados en 20 categorías en inglés. Univision recibió 13 nominaciones; Telemundo, 10; y CNN en Español, 6. Se creó una nueva categoría para destacar el trabajo de los afiliados locales, que han realizado entrevistas que abordan temas LGBT. 

Para un lista completa de los nominados, haga clic aquí. Una lista de hechos y cifras acerca de los 147 nominados está disponible aquí.

Las ceremonias de entrega de los Premios GLAAD se llevarán a cabo en Los Ángeles el 2 de abril del 2016 en The Beverly Hilton, y en Nueva York el 14 de mayo en el Waldorf Astoria New York. Se anunciarán en semanas próximas los galardonados que recibirán un reconocimiento especial en cada ciudad. Los nominados para la 27ª edición de los Premios GLAAD fueron publicados, estrenados, o transmitidos entre el 1 de enero y 31 de diciembre del 2015.Vea uno de los momentos de las entregas el año pasado:

Para recibir actualizaciones de los Premios GLAAD, siga @glaad en Twitter y use el hashtag #glaadawards.

En los Estados Unidos, México, Centroamérica y Latinoamérica estamos viendo crecer la aceptación de personas gays, lesbianas, bisexuales y transgénero (LGBT). El progreso no ha sido ni constante ni, tristemente, parejo en todos los países, pero la representación mediática ha sido un componente esencial para lograr el cambio social.

Por eso, con mucho placer, el martes 31 de Enero, anunciamos los nominados de la 28^a edición de los Premios GLAAD.

Entre los nominados en las categorías en español están: Kany García la cantautora que se proclamó abiertamente lesbiana en el 2016, por su nuevo álbum, Limonada.

El programa de Univision, Aquí y Ahora, también está nominado por su entrevista con el joven transgénero Xander, hijo de la estrella de música pop, venezolana Karina Moreno; y también por su entrevista con el defensor transgénero Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen y su madre quien lo apoya, la congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Al Punto, de Univision, recibió una nominación por su entrevista con Gina Parody, la ex Ministra de Educación de Colombia, quien es abiertamente lesbiana. El programa de CNN en Español Conclusiones fue nominado por su segmento acerca del tiroteo masivo en Orlando en la discoteca Pulse y el impacto que tuvo en las comunidades Latinx LGBTQ.

Estaciones locales continúan recibiendo nominaciones, incluyendo WZDC-Telemundo 25, por su segmento de dos partes que cuenta la historia de una madre nicaragüense y su apoyo incondicional a su hija transgénero.

Desafortunadamente este año no hubo ninguna nominación en la categoría Mejor Novela, una muestra de la falta de representación inclusiva en lo que se conoce como la forma de entretenimiento más popular en los medios de comunicación en español.

Entre los nominados en las categorías en inglés: Moonlight ganador de un Golden Globe por su guión adaptado de una obra de teatro y nominada para varios Oscar; Black-ish la serie de televisión que recibió premios Peabody y Critic’s Choice; y Strut, una serie de televisión por cable que sigue una agencia de modelaje que contrata mujeres y hombres transgénero.

GLAAD anunció 41 nominados en 11 categorías en español y 115 nominados en 21 categorías en inglés. Telemundo recibió 9 nominaciones; Univision, 9; CNN en Español, 4, y TV Azteca, Mira TV, NY1 Noticias y NTN 24 recibieron una nominación cada una.

Una lista de hechos y cifras acerca de los 156 nominados está disponible en: http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/factsandfigures

Las ceremonias de entrega de los Premios GLAAD se llevarán a cabo en Los Ángeles el 1 de Abril del 2017 en The Beverly Hilton, y en Nueva York el 6 de Mayo en el New York Hilton Midtown. En las próximas semanas se anunciarán los galardonados que recibirán un reconocimiento especial en cada ciudad. Los nominados para la 28ª edición de los Premios GLAAD fueron publicados, estrenados y/o transmitidos entre el 1 de Enero y el 31 de Diciembre del 2016.

Para recibir actualizaciones de los Premios GLAAD, siga @glaad en Twitter y use el hashtag #glaadawards.

En el pasado han asistido a los Premios GLAAD Zoe Saldaña, Jennifer López, Rita Moreno, Ricky Martin y muchos y muchas más.Image may be NSFW.
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Felicitamos a los profesionales de los medios quienes se han comprometido a reflejar la diversidad de nuestra comunidad Latina. Más visibilidad en los medios nos ayuda a reducir el prejuicio. Y cuando hay menos ignorancia y prejuicio hay menos violencia, menos rechazo familiar, más seguridad y más felicidad.

Telemundo's morning show "Un Nuevo Día" recently shared with viewers information about an IRS video that helps LGBT couples understand new tax regulations. The segment was informative and filled with images of lesbian and gay couples getting married as the two hosts discussed the news. During the segment one of the hosts asked, with surprise, "They used to treat them [gay couples] differently before?" Exactly! You can watch the IRS video here.

All the major Spanish-language media networks covered the exclusion of LGBTQ people in the New York and Boston St. Patrick's Day parade.  Univision mentioned the parade and the controversy during its highly watched nightly news program that reaches over 1.6 million viewers.  The segment mentioned that some key sponsors and the city's mayor boycotted the parade because of the exclusion. 

Telemundo's coverage included the New York affiliate station's Yolanda Vasquez' piece which featured LGBTQ activists explaining in Spanish why they were protesting the parade.  Vasquez' piece included historical context detailing that 20 years ago then Mayor David Dinkins also boycotted the parade because the organizers excluded members of the community. 

Finally on CNNE's "Nuestro Mundo" (Our World), a show that reaches viewers not only in the US, but in Mexico and Latin America, the host Patricia Jainot wrapped up her segment on the parade with this message-  "Let's see if next year the organizers reconsider their decision of excluding the gay community."  The segment also mentions that people in Ireland wore pink in their parades in solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

There is a lot happening on the immigration front as activists throughout the country find ways to get the attention of legislators, the president and the populace about the need for comprehensive immigration reform, from border actions to apps developed with the help of tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg to petitions calling on President Obama to put a stop to the deportations that have reached a historic 2 million. 

Interestingly throughout the coverage, we have seen rainbow flags noting the presence of LGBTQ people as part of the immigration struggle but not always interviews of LGBT participants. That was not the case on Telemundo's morning show "Un Nuevo Dia."  The morning show includes periodic newsbreaks that acquaint its millions of viewers with the most important news going on across the country.

One of the segments, included an undocumented gay couple as participants in the border action and interviewed them along with other immigrants trying to reunite with their families or flee discrimination.  You can watch the video below:

Producer and actress Ileanna Simancas was used to creating holiday-themed pieces with Telemundo's on-air talent, and last month she decided to change things up a bit and came up with a Pride month video concept. The daughter of very well-known actors from Venezuela, who has been around the entertainment business since birth, she knows the powImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.er of media. So she created a three-minute piece starring popular Telemundo telenovela actors.

The iniImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.tial cut got so much attention, that with support of Yoly Casaprima, a representative of Out@NBC (the company's LGBT eployee resource group) in South Florida, at Telemundo's parent company, it evolved into a 9-minute, moving montage of stories from Telemundo novela actors, morning show personalities and network executives. Some are themselves out, others talk about their kids or family members, and all send a great message of support. Simancas' mom, Martha Mijares, a very well-known actress, is even in the video along with morning show and novela stars like Adamari López, Rashel Díaz, Jorge Luis Pila, Laura Flores, Gabriel Coronel, Gloria Peralta, among others.Image may be NSFW.
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Simancas herself has only being part of the LGBT community and out for the last 4 years, which brings with it a unique perspective. "I am used to freedom and there's no way I'm going into any closet now," she says. "What, it was okay to make out with my husband in public when I was married, but now when I am with my girlfriend, we are not supposed to even hold hands or dance or show our love in public in any other way?"

Since sharing the piece on the network's digital page and newsletters, and its internal channel Mundo TV, Simancas says she's received so many beautiful messages of encouragement and support that she wants to share the video with a wider audience. Simancas feels that by having respected members of the Spanish-language media community in the spot, she will be reaching a larger audience in the United States and Latin America, an audience that wakes up to, gets the news from and is entertained by the people at her network.Image may be NSFW.
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She notes that there is not enough media about the LGBT community in Spanish. There's a huge need, she says, for the community to know about us and hear that we have support from our families, are loved and respected and have successful careers. Simancas, pictured here with her mom, knows full well that not everyone has a supportive family or a community, but by giving voice to those who are supportive, she hopes to show what can be accomplished if more people speak out.

She also hopes to encourage those of us who are struggling for acceptance, equality and justice to keep fighting.

You can watch the powerful video here:

And tweet your thanks to Telemundo for this great message. Or to the following particpants:

Ileanna Simancas: https://twitter.com/IleannaSim @ileannasim

Adamari Lopez: https://twitter.com/AdamariLopez  @adamrilopez

Rashel Diaz: https://twitter.com/RashelDiaz   @rashelDiaz

Jorge Luis Pila: https://twitter.com/jorgeluispila  @jorgeluispila

Laura Flores: https://twitter.com/LauraFloresMx  @laurafloresmx

Gabriel Coronel: https://twitter.com/gabrielcoronel  @gabrielcoronel

Gloria Peralta: https://twitter.com/gloriaperaltas  @gloriaperaltas

Productora y actriz Ileanna Simancas había creado piezas para fiestas del calendario con la participación de los actores y protagonistas de Telemundo y el mes pasado decidió hacer lo mismo con un video para el mes del Orgullo gay.  Ella es hija de una familia Venezolana de actores reconocidos y creció rodeada por el negocio de entretenimiento, por eso sabe mucho del poder de los medios. El resultado fue un video de tres minutos protagonizado por actores de las telenovelas de Telemundo.

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El proyecto tuvo tanto éxito y recibió tanta atención, que con el apoyo de Yoly Casaprima un representante de Out@NBC (el grupo de recursos para los empleados LGBT de la compañía a quien le pertenece la cadena) en el sur de Florida, se convirtió en un video de nueve minutos que contiene historias de actores de las novelas de Telemundo, personalidades del programa matutino, y ejecutivos del canal que o son abiertamente gay, o tienen familiares gay o en otra manera son aliados del movimiento para la igualdad LGBT.  Hasta la mama de Ilenna Simancas, Martha Mijares, una famosa actriz, aparece en la pieza.  Personajes de Telemundo como Adamari López, Rashel Díaz, Jorge Luis Pila, Laura Flores, Gabriel Coronel, Gloria Peralta, entre otros, apoyaron a esta iniciativa.

Simancas en si solo ha sido parte de la comunidad LGBT y abierta por 4 años y quizás por eso tiene un punto de vista particular. "Yo estoy acostumbrada a la libertad, y de ninguna manera me voy a entrar en cualquier armario ahora. Que? Antes podía besar a mi esposo en público cuando fui casada con un hombre, pero ahora cuando estoy con mi novia, no debemos ni agarrarnos de la manos, bailar, ni enseñar nuestro cariño en cualquier manera?"

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Clik here to view.

Desde que compartió el video en la página digital de Telemundo, en comunicados internos del canal y en el sitio de televisión interna Mundo TV, ha recibido tantos mensajes lindos de apoyo que lo quiere compartir con una audiencia más grande. Simancas siente que el hecho de tener miembros de los medios en español tan respetados en el proyecto, podrá alcanzar un público más extenso aquí en los EE.UU. y también en América Latina. Sabe que hay tantos que se despiertan, escuchan las noticias y son entretenidos por los actores y protagonista de su canal.

Ella señala que no hay suficiente cobertura de la comunidad LGBT en los medios en español. Hay una necesidad, ella dice, que la comunidad se entere de nosotros y que sepan que tenemos el apoyo de nuestras familias, que somos amados, y que tenemos carreras exitosas. No todas las personas LGBT tienen familias que los aceptan, o una comunidad pero al compartir historias de los que si aceptan a la comunidad, espera poder mostrar que se puede lograr cuando las personas si salen y hablan de sus vidas.

También quiere alentar a nosotros los que luchamos por la aceptación, la equidad, el acceso y la justicia para que sigamos en la lucha por igualdad.

Puedes ver el video aquí:

Mandele un tweet de gracias al canal o a los que salen en el video: @Telemundo, @ileannasim, @adamrilopez,  @rashelDiaz,  @jorgeluispila,  @laurafloresmx, @gabrielcoronel, @gloriaperaltas

A lovely segment on Suelta la Sopa Extra on Telemundo featured an interview with Abigail, an Uruguayan trans woman who competed on the channel's reality show Yo Soy El Artista. Although Abigail was eliminated, she was given an opportunity to share her thoughts and experiences with the audience on Suelta la Sopa.

The co-host Jorge Bernal made a touching introduction to the portion of the program devoted to Abigail's personal story. Bernal thanked the producers and iconic singer Lucero, who is one of the judges, for allowing Abigail to present her story to encourage other struggling artists.

Abigail herself talked on camera about how hard it was for her to shake off the emotional response she had to one of the judge's questions. She explained that talking about her family, especially her beloved great-grandmother whose picture she carried with her to the interview, left her unable to gather the breath she needed to make it through the ballad she was given to sing.

She also spoke powerfully about her past including her mother's initial rejection of her when she was a teen to her current acceptance. Abigail turned to the camera and spoke directly to viewers asking them to "support their children's happiness and in that way find true happiness themselves."

We applaud the show and Abigail herself for presenting her story, as an artist leaving behind a career in her home country, a woman deeply rooted in her traditions and ancestors—and someone who also happens to be trans and can educate others about gender identity issues.

Support for LGBT youth started bright and early yesterday morning nationwide, and in multiple languages, with Today, The View, Good Morning America, The Talk, Un Nuevo Dia on Telemundo, and more.

"We're all wearing purple for #SpiritDay" -@NMoralesNBC explains. pic.twitter.com/u2cdbBzwfe

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 16, 2014

 

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With my "homie" @wesleyjoliver all smiles in #purple #spiritday @todayshow

View on Instagram

More ABC news videos | ABC Health News

In addition to spreading the word on-air, The View has been tweeting anti-bullying information and resources all day long:

#TheView is going purple for @GLAAD’s #SpiritDay! #ChooseKindness

— The View (@theviewtv) October 16, 2014

Take a stand against bullying and #ChooseKindness. In honor of @GLAAD's #SpiritDay, show us how you're 'going purple' to support LGBT youth.

— The View (@theviewtv) October 16, 2014

Today will be the first day the @EmpireStateBldg will go purple for #SpiritDay. #ChooseKindness

— The View (@theviewtv) October 16, 2014

#SpiritDay Fact: 8 out of 10 LGBT students experience harassment while at school. #ChooseKindness

— The View (@theviewtv) October 16, 2014

In honor of #Spirit Day, learn how YOU can help end bullying. Check out ABC's #ChooseKindness campaign by visiting http://t.co/w70gYu8eNC

— The View (@theviewtv) October 16, 2014

Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Conseulos donned purple on The Kelly & Michael Show, too:

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Clik here to view.

NBC affiliates, local and national, including CNBC and MSNBC, also went purple yesterday morning on air and online while Emmy-nominated actress and leading transgender advocate Laverne Cox was busy lighting the Empire State Building purple.

Spirit Day, which took place, October 16, inspires millions to wear purple or "go purple" online in a united stand against bullying and to show their support for LGBT youth. Each year, Spirit Day draws the participation of celebrities, corporations, media outlets, sports leagues, schools, faith institutions, national landmarks, and individuals. Spirit Day is made possible by the generous support of its national partners PepsiCo and Wells Fargo, as well as official partners Comcast-NBCUniversal and Google, and supporting partner American Eagle Outfitters.

Check out glaad.org/spiritday for more about how to stand against anti-LGBT bullying and follow @GLAAD on Twitter to keep up to date with #spiritday news!​

Wonder what we're up to at GLAAD? Be sure to check out GLAAD's Newsroom each week for updates about our latest work to build support for LGBT equality through news, entertainment and online media.

MTV's Faking It cast talks LGBT and intersex characters on GLAAD's new video series "GLAAD: All Access" 

Wonder what we're up to at GLAAD? Be sure to check out GLAAD's Newsroom each week for updates about our latest work to build support for LGBT equality through news, entertainment and online media.

Sarah Kate Ellis speaks about growing acceptance among faith communities

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GLAAD's President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis spoke with The New York Times about the Duck-Dynasty-inspired "The Duck Commander Family Musical," and said, "The [Robertson] family has become symbolic of a much larger and somewhat dangerous problem of what we’re seeing in America — this issue of homophobia being masked as a religious value.” Ellis' statement illuminated the growing relationship between religious and LGBT communities. Ellis' statement was picked up by USA Today and many other national and LGBT outlets.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Tiq Milan honored at Hispanic Black Gay Coalition Gala
GLAAD's Senior Strategist Tiq Milan was honored at the Hispanic Black Gay Coalition's (HBGC) fifth annual gala, which honors individuals working to empower LGBT communities of color. The HBGC serves as a grassroots response to the lack of visibility, resources, and services for Black, Hispanic, and Latin LGBT individuals in the Greater Boston area. Milan received HBGC’s Audre Lorde Founder’s Award, which is dedicated to an up-and-coming advocate who has taken initiative to create change in LGBT communities of color.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD brings media to support Kristene Chapa
GLAAD worked with organizers of a rally in Texas that offered support for Kristene Chapa and Mollie Olgin, a female couple who were both shot in the head in 2012 in Portland, Texas. Local and national media joined people at the rally to see Kristene appear and speak at the rally while the pre-trial hearing was held for Kristene and Mollie's attacker. The rally raised funds for Chapa's medical expenses and shed light on this crime against an LGBT woman of color. 

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Clik here to view.GLAAD's trans advocacy in local journalism
GLAAD's Senior Strategist Dani Heffernan worked with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, a newspaper which recently published inaccurate, transphobic coverage of proposed trans-inclusive legislation. The Advocate cited GLAAD's ongoing work to improve the local paper's reporting practices regarding the trans community. "GLAAD joined local advocates in calling on the newspaper to use [a previous] incident as a 'teaching moment.' The group first initiated conversations with both an editor and that reader representative at The Plain Dealer, and then encouraged the newspaper’s staff to meet with a local LGBT group’s transgender advocate," wrote the outlet. GLAAD also met last year with the staffs of The New York Times  and the Los Angeles Times.

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Clik here to view.LGBT inclusion in Venezuela
GLAAD's Director of Spanish-Language and Latino Media Monica Trasandes was interviewed for the radio station, Radio Reflejos, in Venezuela. The company has become advocates with whom GLAAD has recently started working as part of our Global Voices work. Trasandes talked about GLAAD's work to ensure media inclusion. She also shared what she's learned from advocates in other countries in Central and Latin America. Advocates in Latin America look at GLAAD's model as an important one to help guide their own media advocacy efforts. 

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Clik here to view.Texas gets lesson on covering LGBT issues
GLAAD's Spanish-Language and Latino Media Strategist Janet Quezada spoke with English and Spanish-language media in San Antonio and Houston, Texas about how to fairly and accurately cover LGBT issues. She met with Telemundo and Univision, as well as with the Houston police department. Quezada worked closely with Equality Texas, a non-profit organization that lobbies the Texas legislature on LGBT issues, and other advocates to implement accurate coverage of the LGBT community in Texas.

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Clik here to view.Oregon's local media learns how to cover transgender issues
GLAAD's Senior Strategist Dani Heffernan worked with Basic Rights Oregon, a non-profit organization that advocates for the LGBT community in Oregon. Heffernan led her second informational webinar for local media in Oregon on respectful news coverage of transgender-related stories. The webinar covered respectful terminology, stereotypes to avoid, and brought attention to issues facing the transgender community in Oregon. This training will help ensure that Oregonians see fair and accurate stories of transgender people in their state.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD explains the annual TV report and what it means for the LGBT community
GLAAD's Director of Entertainment Media Matt Kane was interviewed by The Frame on LA's NPR affiliate KPCC.  Host Jon Horn talked to Kane about GLAAD's most recent television reports and the meaning behind the numbers, highlights from the new TV season, and how LGBT representation on television has improved over the last decade. "I think these numbers are really important to look at, especially compared to where they were five [or] 10 years ago. This gradual increase we've seen is really indicative of the general public's greater acceptance and increased understanding of the LGBT community," Kane said. Listen to the interview here.

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Clik here to view.GLAAD highlights new book on marriage equality
GLAAD's Video & News Strategist, Claire Pires, interviewed Marc Solomon, National Campaign Director of Freedom To Marry, an organization which advocates for marriage equality. The interview was for GLAAD's video series, GLAAD: All Access, which features interviews with newsmakers, hit-makers, and people making a difference. Solomon talked about his new book, Winning Marriage: The Inside Story of How Same-Sex Couples Took on the Politicians and Pundits - and Won, which gives readers an inside look into the campaign for marriage equality. The book clarifies the roots of the marriage equality movement and how it got to its present state. Pires and Solomon discussed the need for marriage equality in every state as another step towards equality for the LGBT community. Watch the interview here.

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