09/04/2007
First Look: GLAAD "Be an Ally and a Friend" PSA
Twenty-two entertainers and athletes have taken part in a series of 25 public service announcements produced by GLAAD to be unveiled every two weeks over the coming year. The series, entitled "Be an Ally & a Friend" encourages viewers to combat homophobia and asks straight people to be "allies" of the gay community.
The PSAs feature former professional basketball player John Amaechi, Jamie Bamber, performer Lance Bass, Alexandra Billings, Wilson Cruz, Rachel Griffiths, T.R. Knight, Rex Lee, Jason Lewis, Eric Mabius, Alec Mapa, Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, tennis legend Martina Navratilova, Becki Newton, Jerry O’Connell, Ana Ortiz, Sara Ramirez, Shaun Robinson, Rebecca Romijn, former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres, Michael Urie, and Kate Walsh.
Says GLAAD President Neil Giuliano in an announcement to be released midday today:"The ‘Be an Ally & a Friend’ campaign empowers each and every one of us to make a difference in the lives of loved ones by listening to and supporting those who come out. The straight allies and community members who gave their time and energy to this campaign deserve our deepest thanks for participating in this effort to reach a critical audience. Straight allies are some of the most effective and powerful voices in the struggle for equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Not only can allies offer vital support to people in the coming out process, they also help others understand the importance of equality, fairness, tolerance and mutual respect."
According to GLAAD, "The PSAs will also be available through broadcast collaborations with Access Hollywood, national cable networks such as GSN, IFC, Lifetime, The N, SCI FI Channel and Sundance Channel; local cable systems and network affiliates; online at LiveVideo, YouTube, AOL Video and MySpace; and others to be announced."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 10:30 AM EST by Andy in Advertising, GLAAD, News | Permalink
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could idea, but couldn't they have gotten some REAL celebs? i didn't know martina wasa still alive. but nice effort nonetheless.
Posted by: Dezi | Sep 4, 2007 11:48:16 AM
Dear DEZI,
How many Grand Slam tennis tournaments have you won? Oh, that's right...none! Now, shut the fuck up.
xo,
peterparker
Posted by: peterparker | Sep 4, 2007 12:15:48 PM
This is a tremendous effort with great potential, especially if targeted to teens. Those athletes, actors, and other public figures who have donated their time, money, and image to take part are to be applauded.
Posted by: David H | Sep 4, 2007 12:26:01 PM
Dear Peter Parker
go suck on a dirty needle.
cheers
Dezi
Posted by: Dezi | Sep 4, 2007 12:39:05 PM
Wha...no Isaiah Washington?
Posted by: anon | Sep 4, 2007 12:43:18 PM
I think this ad is admirable.
My only question is when and where are they aired?
On the GLAAD site it says that they've been airing these anti-homophobia ads since the 80's but as far as I can remember I have NEVER seen a single one of them on television.
Posted by: Zeke | Sep 4, 2007 1:40:36 PM
Don't mind Dezi, Peter. He meant to respond,
"I'm sorry that I type as if English were my fourth language and live in a hole so that I have no idea of who is living or dead. I just come to Towleroad for the occasional beefcake."
Posted by: Leland Frances | Sep 4, 2007 1:40:54 PM
Thanks Leland, good to know I can count on the old timers to translate...I'm sure at your age, "who's living and who's dead" is the only way you remember how old you are.
now put your false teeth back and finish your tapioca.
Posted by: Dezi | Sep 4, 2007 3:27:48 PM
Dezi,
You are too funny. We all should just try to ignore Leland. He is just a tired OLD bitter UNHAPPY troll, the extent of which you can find all over the internet. Google his name to see what a unhappy cyber blowhard he really is.
And I have to laugh at his assessment of your typing when to quote him just recently..."you have make clear what a moron you are". Make clear, make clear? - I think you meant "made" there Leland but I realize dementia manifests itself in many ways.
Posted by: Derek | Sep 4, 2007 4:23:34 PM
DEZI,
Martina Navratilova grew up in a society in which homosexual men were sent to insane asylums and most lesbians never came out of the closet because of the repression. She defected to the U.S. and lived in fear of being sent back to the Czech Republic because of her sexual orientation. When she finally gained U.S. citizenship she pretty much immediately came out of the closet. She wasn't forced out. She wasn't outed by anyone else. The woman CHOSE to come out of the closet. Her decision caused her lose untold MILLIONS of dollars she would have otherwise received in endorsement money. But she did it anyway because A) she was brave, B) she did not want to live a lie and C) she thought that her honesty about her life might help create change for GLBT people throughout the world. In 1992, Navratilova filed (and funded) a lawsuit against the State of Colorado for Amendment 2, an amendment that allowed employment and housing discrimination against GLBT Coloradans simply because of their sexual orientation.
It is disgusting that you mock such a leader as Navratilova with your hateful words. Go to hell.
xo,
peterparker
Posted by: peterparker | Sep 4, 2007 5:04:54 PM
Dezi, you really should learn more about subjects before you put down people who have actually paved the way so that you can go to beer bust on Friday nights without getting arrested by the police, fired from your job, kicked out of your apartment. It's not about age--it's about realizing that your freedoms are based on the blood, sweat and tears of those who came before you.
Posted by: db | Sep 4, 2007 5:52:11 PM
sorry, but i believe I wrote "i didn't know she was still alive". I hardly think that counts as "hateful words"...i smidge insensitive maybe, but hateful...hardly....the fact is Peter Parker took it upon himself to attack me....and i responded in kind (if you dish it out, yadda yadda). and DB, relax...i hardly slurred Martina....
geez you guys are some emotional queens up in here...."blood, sweat and tears" and all that....
ladies stand down....
Posted by: Dezi | Sep 4, 2007 6:06:44 PM
Dezi, you are a sad, sad little girl. Just accept your punishment and think before you type.
Posted by: woozie | Sep 4, 2007 7:37:46 PM
Ah, Derek AKA Reichen, My Biggest Fan. So much so that he even tracks my typos.
Posted by: Leland Frances | Sep 4, 2007 7:46:16 PM
Ah, Leland AKA Old Nasty Bitter Hypocrite, I just relish pointing out, once again, that you are slamming people for things you yourself are guilty of.
Labeling me Reichen is just plain laughable. But does that now mean you are going to become obsessed with me too?
Posted by: Derek | Sep 5, 2007 10:24:49 AM