06/17/2009
Jarrett T. Barrios Named New President of GLAAD
Jarrett T. Barrios, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, a former Massachusetts legislator and current president of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation will replace Neil Giuliano as GLAAD's new president, the organization announced today.
According to the organization, "At 40 years of age, Barrios will become the youngest leader of GLAAD and, as a Cuban-American, he will be the first head of a national LGBT organization fluent in English and Spanish. He was the first openly gay person and the first Latino elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, where he represented a largely white, Catholic, working-class district."
Barrios has also served as a boardmember of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders and Greater Boston Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance.
Said Barrios in a press release: “We’re making progress toward equality, but we’ll only achieve full equality if we change hearts and minds – and that’s what GLAAD is all about. We’re working for the day when every one of us is accepted, respected and valued for the contributions we make to this country. It’s an ambitious goal, but I know we can do it. I believe in our community, and I believe in our country.”
He is married to Doug Hattaway, his partner of 16 years, and they are raising two teenage sons.
A Victory Fund video profile on Barrios from 2007, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 12:30 PM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Media, GLAAD, Jarrett Barrios, Massachusetts, News | Permalink
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Holy Shiiite. Just what we need. A Major Private Health Care Provider's gutter snake taking over GLAAD.
Talk about Wolves guarding a hen house.
This is a bad mistake. GLAAD is ruined.
Posted by: Roger Ramjett | Jun 17, 2009 12:50:28 PM
Don't be so sure. Jarrett is no push over. I have dealt with him and know for a fact that he takes no shit from anyone. I think this might be a very good move.
He was a community organizer at one time too.
Posted by: Realitythink | Jun 17, 2009 1:06:47 PM
Like many gay men he photographs "straighter" than his actual demeanor shown on the YouTube vid. Amazing that a Catholic working class constituency elected him. I wonder if some Latinos didn't realize the situation when they voted. I'd prefer to think they knew and didn't let it dissuade them. BTW, am I they only one who thinks he bears a strong resemblance to a certain ex-RC (now Episcopal) priest in Miami in the news?
Posted by: Contrarian | Jun 17, 2009 1:13:17 PM
I've known Jarrett for a while. He was responsible for marriage in Massachusetts and his husband worked very closely with Hillary as well as Kerry, Gore and Bill. Congrats!!!
Posted by: Name: | Jun 17, 2009 1:24:39 PM
This is not only a good vieo but this guy could become the Gay, latino Barack Obama. I am very impressed.
Posted by: Jack L. Crain | Jun 17, 2009 1:35:38 PM
His resignation is already on the Foundation website. http://bluecrossfoundation.org/
Posted by: Blue | Jun 17, 2009 1:45:44 PM
Woof! Woof! OMFG, WOOF!!!!!
Posted by: peterparker | Jun 17, 2009 1:46:57 PM
Well here is hoping he can make GLAAD relevant again. Or will they continue the fundraising to host award shows to raise funds to hold more award shows and pat the industry on the back for do little.
Posted by: kujhawker | Jun 17, 2009 2:02:30 PM
Contrarian, don't underestimate a Catholic working-class constituency. Some of the genuinely sharpest people I've known fall into that category.
Posted by: Let'sFaceIt | Jun 17, 2009 2:20:44 PM
He seems like a good choice to me due to his strength and spirit. But I have to say, he is quite attractive as well!
I hate when it is said he looks straighter in the picture than the video. What exactly does gay look like or act like? There are many kinds of gay guys. For gay people to do this is wrong. Most people don't guess I am gay just by meeting me. But that does not mean I am not.
Posted by: Rann | Jun 17, 2009 2:31:45 PM
Is it just me or is he a look alike for Father Cutie, the Catholic priest that left the church to get married....OMG he's handsome..Both of them!!!
Posted by: Tim | Jun 17, 2009 2:59:50 PM
As someone from Massachusetts, Barrios ROCKS. I was so sad when he left the Senate for his Blue Cross Foundation job. I'm glad he'll be officially working on behalf of our community again.
One thing about Barrios: I'm not sure Marriage Equality exists in this state -- or, by extension, other states in the country -- without him. Not only did he do a lot to personalize the issue in the legislature, but he worked his fucking ass off.
Posted by: Ryan | Jun 17, 2009 3:14:21 PM
Oh Daddy!
Posted by: rhydderch | Jun 17, 2009 3:22:46 PM
Shame on GLAAD for choosing another political hack!
We were waiting with anticipation to hear the name of a media professional, a marketing or promotional professional that not only understood the DNA of the media industry, but would be able to partner with the media to move the group to the next level. Instead, GLAAD chose someone who has been kowtowing to the media ever since his political career began. We will be pulling our funding, as well as our legacy donation and all connections from GLAAD. They had an opportunity to make a difference and instead shot themselves in the foot.
Posted by: Ryan | Jun 17, 2009 3:26:16 PM
I simply don't see how he could be worse than Neil Guiliano, but I, too, was expecting a media person, not a politician.
Posted by: Movement Guy | Jun 17, 2009 3:54:13 PM
Does this guy even know what a silent auction is?
Posted by: Duncan | Jun 17, 2009 6:57:39 PM
Any organization that gets him is lucky. I'm from Boston and everyone here knows that Barrios gets things done. Plus, he is a total gentleman, has fought harder than almost anyone for gay marriage, and although I only met him once at an event probably 12 years ago, he always remembers me by name and makes a point of greeting me when we find ourselves at the same functions.
Posted by: Joe | Jun 17, 2009 7:04:30 PM
He looks like any other white man. Not such a minority.
Posted by: Gabe R L | Jun 17, 2009 8:15:50 PM
And why is it so important how gay he seems? Self-loathing is very much in the picture.
Posted by: Gabe R L | Jun 17, 2009 8:28:47 PM
To Ryan: Are you kidding? If GLAAD had hired a marketing or PR media type it would have sealed the deal on its irrelevance. The old GLAAD won the battles it was set up to fight. The mainstream media is gay friendly. So now it should work its magic in new media, in the culture, in political advertising, etc. It sounds to me like you are somehow linked to a failed candidate in this search who has been notoriously spreading her sour grapes around the community since being rejected by the board. Like, oh I don't know, someone whose name sounds like Rathy Cenna? Methinks that if any candidate would have caused a drop in donations, it would have been she.
Posted by: BarbNYC | Jun 17, 2009 11:22:57 PM
To Ryan, one more thing. It is not that PR and media marketing types aren't great players in the movement. People like Cathy Renna and Bob Witeck are brilliant at what they do and I would hire them any day. Renna especially is an amazing spokesperson for the movement. The question is whether GLAAD needs more of the same. It does not. Hiring yet another media or marketing type would have been very unwise. Why give to an organization that has won its battles? GLAAD's shift in mission is a good thing.
Posted by: BarbNYC | Jun 18, 2009 12:17:03 AM
I was too young to vote when he was first elected but I grew up in his district and I definitely think everyone knew he was out. Our mayor at the time (or was it before?) was an out gay man, my high school had been celebrating coming out day for decades and we had one of the oldest Gay-Straight alliances in the nation, I don't think it fazed anyone Catholic or not. My Catholic parents loved him. Cambridge is about as liberal as it gets, I was there when they proudly opened the city hall doors at midnight for the first legal same-sex marriages (something that may not have happened without Jarrett's leadership in the MA legislature). I met him a number of times as a student and always really liked him as well and think this is a fantastic choice for GLAAD. Growing up he was definitely a role model and was always very warm, inspiring, and well respected in the neighborhood.
Posted by: CC | Jun 18, 2009 4:08:28 AM