In the episode titled “All the World’s a Stage,” Justin has some struggles with love, for the first time in Ugly Betty history. The question on everyone’s mind is: will Justin feel his heart skip a beat for a boy or a girl?

When Justin discovers that he has to get intimate with one of his classmates on stage, he confides in Marc, hoping to relieve some of his pre-show jitters. Will Marc’s advice settle Justin’s concerns or  lead him to question himself even more?

It's a big night for Justin on Ugly Betty!

Ugly Betty has been one of television’s most LGBT-inclusive shows, featuring regular and recurring LGBT characters and addressing LGBT culture in an accessible, yet humorous way. In the past, Ugly Betty has been nominated for three GLAAD Media Awards and won twice in the Outstanding Comedy Series category. Although Ugly Betty’s openly gay creator, Silvio Horta, has said in the past that Justin is based on his own youth, the show has left its viewers waiting for a concrete answer to one of the show’s biggest unanswered questions since it premiered in 2006.

Will tonight’s episode answer the question that is on every Betty fan’s mind? Tune in tonight to find out! We look forward to seeing more of Justin’s growth as Ugly Betty finishes up its final season on ABC.

On opening night Friday, March 19^th at the Laemmle’s Sunset 5 theater, GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Manager Jonathan Rosales will introduce the 7:30 screening and lead a Q&A afterwards with Kimberly.

Reed will also host her own Q&A sessions there after the 7:20pm and 9:45pm screenings on Sat, March 20^th and the 3:00pm and 5:10pm screenings on Sun, March 21^st.

Prodigal Sons will also be opening in Irvine at the Edwards Westpark 8 theater on the 19^th, before continuing on to open in Chicago, Denver, Atlanta, San Diego, and several other locations around the country in the following weeks.

GLAAD congratulates Kimberly Reed and the Prodigal Sons team on their successful New York run and will continue to support their efforts to increase accurate and inclusive representations of transgender people in the media.

For additional information about the film and screenings, please visit www.prodigalsonsfilm.com.

Wednesday, March 17

8:00 pm America’s Next Top Model, The CW (90 min) NEW
The models, including out lesbian Tatianna, bare it all for their first photo shoot! Vogue editor at large Andre Leon Talley joins in on the judging.

8:00 pm Mercy, NBC (1 hr) NEW
Veronica treats an anorexic patient, leading her to contemplate her own problems. Meanwhile, Chloe tries to bond with Briggs, and Sonia comes across a former beau from her past. Features gay nurse, Angel.

9:00 pm American Idol, Fox (1 hr) NEW
So close yet so far! One of the final 12 is eliminated tonight. Will out comedian and judge Ellen DeGeneres agree with the public’s decision?

9:30 pm High Society, The CW (30 min) NEW
Tinsley heads to Paris for fashion week, and later, Tinsley’s mom makes everyone uncomfortable at her party. Meanwhile, a hotel’s staff is subject to Jules’ unruly behavior. Will gay writer Paul be a part of all of the drama this week?

Justin is involved in a love triangle this week on Ugly Betty!

10:00 pm Shear Genius, Bravo (1 hr) NEW
The contestants style some new ‘dos for recent high school grads, then next, design a red carpet look for a CD release party. Will gay stylists Matthew and Brian make the cut?

10:00 pm Ugly Betty, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Love is abound this week, when Justin is smitten with someone from his acting class—will one of the biggest Ugly Betty questions be answered? Also, Betty falls for the playwright of Justin’s class, and Wilhelmina gets a reality check when she gets hospitalized.

10:00 pm The Real World: Washington D.C., MTV (1 hr) SEASON FINALE
The end is near, but the drama keeps coming! This week, Erika’s boyfriend pays a visit, making her want to go home (again), and Andrew ends up in the White House? Features bisexual roomies, Mike and Emily.

Julian Brolaski, a transgender man that was refused work at J. Crew (NY Daily News)

On Sunday, LGBT rights supporters gathered outside J Crew on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to protest the results of a recent report that found the retailer biased against openly transgender applicants.  Make the Road New York, a non-profit that promotes economic justice, equity and opportunity for all New Yorkers, conducted research into the hiring practices of 24 retail stores in Manhattan by sending two otherwise evenly matched applicants into the stores, one transgender and one not.  On Sunday, they released their findings in a report titled “Transgender Need Not Apply: A Report on Gender Identity Job Discrimination.”

According to the New York Daily News, one of the openly transgender applicants, Yo Smith (a 39-year-old transwoman performance artist), did not receive a single job offer from the dozens of retailers she applied to, but her non-trans counterpart received eight.

Overall, the report “found a 42 percent net rate of discrimination for transgender job applicants… [and] 49 percent of transgender workers surveyed reported that they have never been offered a job in the time that they have lived openly as transgender.”

A listing of the results by employer can be found on The Gothamist blog.  Atop the list sits J Crew, where one of the transgender test applicants “was treated brusquely, told to fill out an application and was never called,” while his cisgender* testing counterpart was interviewed on the spot and offered a job soon after.

As Make the Road New York’s Irene Tung told The Gothamist, “The two separate instances of discrimination are considered by the Attorney General and also by social scientists who specialize in matched pair testing, to be especially egregious because they represent a pattern of discrimination. So it is this pattern of discrimination we are singling out at J. Crew.”  The group has filed a job-discrimination complaint with the New York State Attorney General’s Office.

The San Diego Gay & Lesbian News reported that this effort has been endorsed by the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union, FIERCE, LGBT Equality Coalition of Queens, Queers for Economic Justice and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.

While New York City Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination on the basis of either sexual orientation or gender identity, openly transgender job applicants have continued to experience discrimination, as this report confirms.  New York still lacks state-wide protections against discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression, although advocates are hopeful that the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) will pass through the New York Senate this year, after an early-March victory in the Assembly, where it has now passed three times.

GLAAD will continue to keep you updated on media coverage of employment discrimination against transgender people.

…

* In her book, Transgender History, Susan Stryker defines cisgender as preferred over nontransgender. The prefix cis means “on the same side as” (that is, the opposite of trans). The idea behind the term is to resist the way that “woman” or “man” can mean “nontransgender woman” or “nontransgender man” by default.  “Cisgender” names the usually unstated assumption of nontransgender status contained in the words “man” and woman.”

You can also watch the video on YouTube.

View a complete list of award recipients and photos from the event.

Honorees, award recipients and event photos can also be seen on an earlier post: Cynthia Nixon and Joy Behar Honored at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York

To learn more about the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, visit www.glaad.org/mediaawards.

While “TRANSform Me” does present only a certain type of transgender woman and glorifies only a certain kind of femininity, it seems to remain genuine to each of the women’s identities and excels at discussing transgender identity and experiences in a very accessible way.  The most praise-worthy aspect of this show is not so much its frank discussion of gender identity, but the way it relates the experiences of transwomen to those of cisgender* women, demonstrating the universality of the desire to match one’s outward self-presentation with one’s inner identity.

As Laverne Cox begins to consult with the subject of their first transformation, Nicole (a 25-year-old who recently lost 60 pounds but still wears her old clothing), she explains, “We all basically felt differently inside than we were on the outside, and we took steps to change that.  That’s exactly what you did when you lost weight, right? …So we’re going to use what we’ve learned transforming ourselves to transform you.”

(L to R) Laverne Cox, Jamie Clayton, and Nina Poon

On the show, Cox, Clayton, and Poon also break down the fundamentals of trans identity for those who have never considered issues of gender identity before.  When Nicole asks Laverne Cox the naïve but typical question “You used to be man?”, Cox laughs and then gives the nuanced answer, “Sort of.  We’re transgender, so we always felt like we were little girls inside, but when we were born what was on the outside suggested differently.”

As the three strive to bring out Nicole’s “inner goddess,” they also succeed in showing the audience their own.  Even if that might not be the way every woman would describe her process of self-actualization, we can all agree with Jamie’s closing sentiment, “We know how intense it is to finally see yourself realized the way that you’ve always pictured.”

GLAAD commends VH1 for their thoughtful production of this show and looks forward to more inclusive and educational episodes of “TRANSform Me” each week.  Visit their fan page, where they link to the Audre Lorde Project, GLAAD, and additional resources about transgender identity.

GLAAD has worked closely with the show to ensure accurate terminology is used throughout all episodes.  We also provided advice on how the three stars can effectively speak to the national media about the the importance of this groundbreakng program.

….

* In her book, Transgender History, Susan Stryker defines cisgender as preferred over nontransgender. The prefix cis means “on the same side as” (that is, the opposite of trans). The idea behind the term is to resist the way that “woman” or “man” can mean “nontransgender woman” or “nontransgender man” by default.  “Cisgender” names the usually unstated assumption of nontransgender status contained in the words “man” and “woman.”

While speaking to a Florida radio program on Sunday, Hayworth said “You see, the Massachusetts Supreme Court, when it started this move toward same-sex marriage, actually defined marriage — now get this — it defined marriage as simply, ‘the establishment of intimacy’. Now how dangerous is that? I mean, I don’t mean to be absurd about it, but I guess I can make the point of absurdity with an absurd point — I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

But as Maddow points out, the language Hayworth cited in that interview does not actually exist.

“So here’s my question about that,” Maddow challenged Hayworth. “Where does the ‘establishment of intimacy’ thing come from? Where in Massachusetts law or in the Supreme Court ruling does it say ‘the establishment of intimacy’? I spent the whole afternoon sort of looking for that and couldn’t find it anywhere.”

Hayworth suggested that Maddow simply had a “disagreement” with him.

“Well it either is true or it isn’t. It’s empirical,” Maddow finally said.

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews also criticized Hayworth’s comments.

“Bringing up the connection between horse and rider in this debate really doesn’t show a lot of common sense or human understanding,” said Matthews.

Meanwhile, Hayworth issued a statement on Monday saying that he stands by his claim, but once again did not clarify where he found the language he cited.

GLAAD applauds Rachel Maddow for taking former Congressman JD Hayworth to task and ensuring that politicians be held accountable for their claims.

Tuesday, March 16

8:00 pm American Idol, Fox (2 hrs) NEW
Finally, the finals! The top 12 deliver their top performances. Will out comedian Ellen DeGeneres agree with Simon as they get closer to finding the next American Idol?

Adrianna and Gia are falling for each other on 90210

8:00 pm 90210, The CW (1 hr) NEW
The claws are out this week as Naomi and Ivy go on a hike with Liam, while Jasper tries to blackmail Annie, and Silver and Teddy rethink their relationship. But best of all, Adrianna and Gia grow ever closer.

9:00 pm Melrose Place, The CW (1 hr) NEW
A new tenant moves into Auggie’s apartment and doesn’t get along with Lauren, while David gets some big news. Also, Riley goes to Ben for help finding a job, much to Amanda’s dismay. Also features bisexual Ella.

10:00 pm Southland, TNT (1 hr) NEW
Ben tracks a missing girl, while Sammy and Sal have some trouble working with Gil Puentez in order to find a ex-gangbanger. Also, Chickie tries to improve her cop skills, and Lydia and Rene help Brianna with her baby.

GLAAD is calling on Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio to apologize for comments she made over the weekend of March 13. Asked about a new law that allows couples in Mexico City to wed and to adopt children, La del Barrio told a reporter that she feels it would be better for a child to starve to death than to be adopted by gay parents. This is not only cruel but an insult to the hundreds of thousands of families in Mexico and the rest of the world led by gay parents.

Fortunately, many in media have been critical. The co-hosts of the nationally aired Telemundo morning show “¡Levántate!” denounced La del Barrio’s comments and requested a retraction and apology. One of the commentators criticized her insensitivity, saying “every year, in many countries, there are children who die of starvation.” He went on to say, “What does [sexuality] have to do with the longing or desire to be a father or a mother?” Notably, one of the hosts cited expert opinions about the fact that gay parents are capable of providing the same love and care as any other parents. “¡Levántate!” airs on Telemundo, Monday to Friday at 7a.m./6a.m. Central.

GLAAD demands that Paquita la del Barrio immediately apologize for her defamatory comments.

GLAAD Exige Disculpa de Paquita la del Barrio por Comentarios Difamatorios Sobre la Adopción

GLAAD exige que la cantante Mexicana Paquita la del Barrio se disculpe por los comentarios que hizo el fin de semana del 13 de marzo. Cuando surgió una pregunta sobre una nueva ley permitiendo que parejas gays en la ciudad de México se casen y adopten hijos, La del Barrio le dijo a un reportero que ella preferiría que un niño muriera de hambre en vez de ser adoptado por padres gays. Esto no sólo es cruel, sino también es insultante a las cientos de miles familias en México y el resto del mundo que son encabezadas por padres gays.

Afortunadamente, muchos en los medios de comunicación han respondido críticamente. En el programa matutino de Telemundo “Levántate”, que es emitido nacionalmente, los presentadores denunciaron los comentarios de La del Barrio y dijo que ella debería retractar sus comentarios y pedir disculpa. Uno de los presentadores criticó su falta de sensibilidad, diciendo que “año por año, en diferentes países … hay niños y niñas que mueren de hambre”. Luego dijo “qué tiene que ver [la orientación sexual] con las ganas y el deseo de ser papá, de ser mamá?” Notablemente, una presentadora explicó que los psicólogos han dicho que los padres gays son tan capaces de proveer el mismo amor y cariño como cualquier otro padre. “¡Levántate!” es emitido en Telemundo, lunes a viernes a 7a.m./6.a.m Central.

GLAAD exige que Paquita la del Barrio inmediatamente pida disculpa por sus comentarios difamatorios.

You can also watch the video on YouTube.

View a complete list of award recipients and photos from the event.

Honorees, award recipients and event photos can also be seen on an earlier post: Cynthia Nixon and Joy Behar Honored at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York

To learn more about the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, visit www.glaad.org/mediaawards.

The offers come in response to that school’s decision to cancel prom after lesbian student Constance McMillen petitioned to bring her girlfriend to the event.

USA Today reports that “Matthew Sheffield of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition said his office was flooded by people looking to help.”

“We have so many people willing to donate money, resources, time,” Sheffield said. “We are trying to figure out what we are going to do.”

One such offer came from Sean Cummings, a hotel owner in New Orleans, who offered to supply transportation for all interested students, a venue and entertainment for the evening.

Openly lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes extended an offer of her own during Saturday’s episode of The Wanda Sykes Show on Fox.

Click here to view the embedded video.

SYKES: Constance, do you have any plans on April 17th?

CONSTANCE MCMILLEN: Uh, I don’t.

SYKES: You don’t? Well on April 17th, GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, they’re presenting me with the Stephen F. Kolzak award. It’s given to an openly gay member of the entertainment community for, you know, standing up and trying to fight homophobia. And GLAAD, they allow the recipient to choose the person who they want to present them with the award and Constance, I would be honored if you could come out to LA, bring your girlfriend and present the award to me.

MCMILLEN: Wow. Thank you.

SYKES: So what do you say?

MCMILLEN: I would be happy to do it.

(For more information about the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, click here)

Other offers include the American Humanist Society’s pledge of $20,000 for the purpose of holding a prom in Itawamba County.

GLAAD will continue to follow developments in this story. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org

In “Her Name was Steven,” Susan Stanton speaks about the challenges facing the transgender community and about her own journey from Steven to Susan.

In 2007, Largo, Florida, City Manager Steven Stanton came out as transgender. Steven was quickly terminated from Largo’s City Manager position, but courageously continued the transition process.

Now, Susan Stanton has resumed her role in Floridian politics and works as City Manager in Lake Worth, FL. Stanton says that although her title is the same, she is treated differently as a woman:

“You don’t realize how difficult it is to lead people as a woman because you don’t get the deference as a woman.

“As a guy, when I’m talking, people would stop. But now, sometimes I find myself saying, ‘Excuse me, stop interrupting me.’”

The CNN profile also revealed the isolation that Stanton faced simply by being who she was. Like many transgender people, Stanton says she contemplated suicide and battled depression.

According to the network, “CNN followed Stanton’s life for more than two years [and] the resulting portrait is sensitively told in Stanton’s own voice, with arresting candidness and honesty.”

GLAAD is encouraged to see CNN devote a significant amount of coverage to transgender people. Transgender people are our neighbors, coworkers, and friends. They contribute greatly to the rich tapestry of the world and they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Programs like CNN’s “Her Name was Steven” are the right step in moving the conversation forward about transgender people.

For more information on “Her Name was Steven,” visit CNN Presents’ website here.

Monday, March 15

8:00 pm House, Fox (1 hr) NEW
A high school student blacks out during a field trip, and has several hallucinations while under the team’s care. Meanwhile, Taub has some personal issues, and Wilson tries his decorative flair in order to furnish his apartment. Features bisexual MD, Thirteen.

8:00 pm The Secret Life of the American Teenager, ABC Family (1 hr) NEW
Ricky needs legal assistance in his fight to gain joint custody of his son, while Adrian helps Amy prepare for her court date. Also, love is in the air for Grace and Ben, and what advice will openly gay Griffin have for Ashley when she wants to take the next step with Grant?

9:00 pm 24, Fox (1 hr) NEW
CTU has a hostage situation on its hands, while some surprises come up for the Hassan family. Also, Ortiz and Bauer do their best to protect New York, and officer Prady’s investigation is under way.

Tyler, Trauma's gay EMT, loses track of a patient this week.

9:00 pm RuPaul’s Drag Race, Logo (1 hr) NEW
In a Drag Race first, the queens give up the lip-synching and, with the help of Berlin’s Terri Nunn, sing for real! Will their performances be a success, or will they sashay away? Punk rock icon Henry Rollins also judges.

9:00 pm Gossip Girl, The CW (1 hr) NEW
Damien and Jenny’s relationship worries Rufus and Lily, while Chuck learns more about the woman who may be his mother. Also, Dan and Vanessa move on by dating new people. Features openly gay Eric.

9:00 pm Trauma, NBC (1 hr) NEW
Openly gay Tyler and his co-worker Boone have a patient that goes missing, while Glen’s patient takes a turn for the worst during a routine procedure. Also, Rabbit starts therapy, and Marisa works to adjust to her new partner.

10:00 pm GREEK, ABC Family (1 hr) NEW
Rusty has a hard time choosing which girl to take to an 80s party, while Casey joins Cappie and his family on a camping trip and discover that they are just as lax as he is. What will be in store for Calvin and his boyfriend Grant?

10:00 pm Kell on Earth, Bravo (1 hr) NEW
Kelly gets pissed at her gay assistant, Andrew, while Stephanie confronts Kelly about her unmanageable workload. Also, Kelly takes some time off to be with her daughter.

Cynthia Nixon received the Vito Russo Award at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Award

The night started with a silent auction conducted by Bryan Batt and Lorna Kelly, followed by the Youth Pride Chorus opening the ceremony with a beautiful performance. The event was hosted by Alan Cumming and had special appearances by Joy Behar and Cynthia Nixon, who were each honored for their efforts in advocating for equality and increasing the visibility of the LGBT community. The ceremony concluded dynamically with a performance from the Tony Award-winning cast of Hair, which received a Special Recognition award.

GLAAD Media Award recipients in 24 of this year’s 32 media categories were announced tonight in New York. Additional awards will be presented at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 17th and in San Francisco on June 5th.

Joy Behar received the Excellence in Media Award at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York

Following is a complete list of GLAAD Media Awards presented on stage, and the individuals that accepted the awards:

• Excellence in Media Award: Joy Behar (Presented by Meredith Vieira)
• Vito Russo Award: Cynthia Nixon (Presented by Michael Patrick King)
• Outstanding Drama Series: Brothers and Sisters (ABC) [Accepted by: show writer, Geoffrey Nauffts]
• Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series: Prayers for Bobby (Lifetime) [Accepted by: Sigourney Weaver and producers Daniel Sladek and Damian Ganczewski]
• Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “Why Will Won’t Pledge Allegiance” American Morning (CNN) [Accepted by: Will Phillips and American Morning producer Beth Marengo]
• Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: TIE: “’We Love You, This Won’t Change a Thing’” by John Buccigross (ESPN.com) [Accepted by: John Buccigross and Patrick Burke, brother of Brendan Burke] and “Why Can’t You Just Butch Up? Gay Men, Effeminacy, and Our War with Ourselves” by Brent Hartinger (AfterElton.com) [Accepted by: Brenth Hartinger]
• Special Recognition: Hair [Accepted by: Gavin Creel]

The following is a list of all other award recipients announced at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York:

• Outstanding Film-Limited Release: Little Ashes (Regent Releasing)
• Outstanding Individual Episode: “Pawnee Zoo” Parks and Recreation (NBC)
• Outstanding Daily Drama: One Life to Live (ABC)
• Outstanding Talk Show Episode: “Ellen DeGeneres and Her Wife, Portia de Rossi” The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated)
• Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine: “Uganda Be Kidding Me” (series) The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC)
• Outstanding Newspaper Article: “Kept From a Dying Partner’s Bedside” by Tara Parker-Pope (The New York Times)
• Outstanding Newspaper Columnist: Frank Rich (The New York Times)
• Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage: The New York Times
• Outstanding Magazine Article: “Coming Out in Middle School” by Benoit Denizet-Lewis (The New York Times Magazine)
• Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: The Advocate
• Outstanding Comic Book: Detective Comics by Greg Rucka (DC Comics)
• Outstanding New York Theater: Broadway & Off-Broadway: A Boy and His Soul by Colman Domingo
• Outstanding New York Theater: Off-Off Broadway: She Likes Girls by Chisa Hutchinson

Spanish-Language award recipients:

• Outstanding Novela: Más Sabe el Diablo (Telemundo)
• Outstanding Daytime Talk Show Episode: “Adopción gay: un tema muy controversial” Paparazzi TV Sensacional (MegaTV)
• Outstanding Talk Show Interview: “Realidades de ser gay en la tercera edad” El Show de Cristina (Univision)
• Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine: TIE: “En el cuerpo equivocado” Primer Impacto (Univision) & “Damas gracias: Entrevista con Eva Leivas-Andino” Al Rojo Vivo (Telemundo)
• Outstanding Newspaper Article: “Mas familias de dos papás o dos mamas” by Pilar Marrero (La Opinión)
• Outstanding Magazine Article: “Del odio a la justicia” by Lena Hansen (People en Español)
• Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: “Saliendo del clóset: Cómo enfrentarlo en familia” by Fernanda Martínez (Univision.com)

Drew Barrymore and Wanda Sykes will be honored at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles

The GLAAD Media Awards continue in Los Angeles on April 17th at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza where GLAAD will honor Golden Globe-winning actress, director and producer, Drew Barrymore, by presenting her with the Vanguard Award; and Emmy Award-winning actress, comedian, writer and producer, Wanda Sykes will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award. The event will be hosted by Candis Cayne and Wilson Cruz; special guests include, Benjamin Bratt, Bryan Batt, the cast of Glee, Eric Dane, Elizabeth Keener, Jason Lewis, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Rob Halford and Tom Ford.

The final ceremony takes place in San Francisco on June 5th at the Westin St. Francis honoring Levi Strauss President, Robert Hanson, who will receive the Local Hero Award. The event will be hosted by Bruce Vilanch and stay posted for the announcement of  further special guests.

To purchase your ticket to one of the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies, please visit http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/21/tickets. Don’t miss out on these events, purchase your tickets today!

Click here for a complete list of this year’s nominees and join us as we commend them for their excellence in fair, accurate and inclusive media representations of the LGBT community.

“It’s for real,” Weir said. “I’ve never been invited to do ‘Stars on Ice’ before, which is the only figure skating tour in the U.S. It’s disappointing that I can’t perform for my American fans… all because I’m not ‘family friendly’ enough.”

Following the news GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios issued a statement denouncing Johnny Weir’s rejection from ‘Stars on Ice.’

“Johnny Weir is a two time Olympian and three time U.S. champion. Other athletes of his caliber would be granted the opportunity to perform during national tours like Stars on Ice. By choosing not to bring the performances and talent of Johnny Weir to American audiences, Stars on Ice is reinforcing an unfortunate double standard that is too often applied to gay athletes and athletes perceived to be gay.

“GLAAD calls on Stars on Ice to invite all eligible figure skaters because today people of all gender expressions and sexual orientations are part of the fabric of our culture. Athletes of Weir’s caliber deserve the same rights to perform on this, and any, tour.

“We urge community members to speak out against this apparent double standard and call on Stars on Ice and corporate sponsor Smucker’s to demand equal opportunities for all athletes.”

Take Action Now:

GLAAD has generated an online petition telling the sponsors of ‘Stars on Ice’ that it is unacceptable to exclude Weir from the tour’s lineup because they find him “not family friendly.”

Sign the petition here!

Contact information for ‘Stars on Ice’ and Smuckers (a corporate sponsor of ‘Stars on Ice’):

Jennifer Cosgrove, Spokesperson ‘Stars on Ice’
jcosgrove@rbcpr.com
Phone: (201) 760-0200 Ext. 107

Maribeth Badertscher, Director of Corporate Communications, Smuckers
Maribeth.badertscher@jmsmucker.com
Phone: 1-330-682-3000

GLAAD will continue to post any new developments.  Be sure to check GLAADblog.org for updates.

Follow us on Twitter for up-to-the-minute information including interviews with your favorite celebrities and twitpics of the action. Use the hashtag #GLAADMediaAwards to join the conversation.

Have a question you’ve been dying to ask one of our celebrity guests? Tweet your suggestions to @GLAAD and maybe we will select one of your questions! Don’t forget to include #GLAADMediaAwards.

Celebrities who are participating in the awards include: Alan Cumming, Joy Behar, Cynthia Nixon, Nigel Barker, Bryan Batt, Sandra Bernhard, Dustin Lance Black, Brian Graden, Jay Manuel, Sarah Paulson, Rosie Perez, Meredith Vieira, Sigourney Weaver, and Jill Zarin.

Watch our YouTube channel for red carpet interview footage and our Flickr photostream for more red carpet shots.

Also, become our fan on Facebook and RSVP  to the Media Awards on our Facebook event page.

And if you are joining us in NYC, be sure to log in to the Marriott Marquis Hotel on FourSquare.

“All I want is the same chance to enjoy my prom night like any other student. But my school would rather hurt all the students than treat everyone fairly,” said Constance McMillen, an 18-year-old senior at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Mississippi. “This isn’t just about me and my rights anymore – now I’m fighting for the opportunity of all the students at my school to have our prom.”

Christine Sun, McMillen’s attorney and Senior Counsel with the ACLU national LGBT Project, told CBS’ The Early Show that the ACLU is “fighting tooth and nail” to the get the prom reinstated so “Constance can bring her girlfriend to the prom, wear a tuxedo, and everyone can be themselves.”

Watch CBS News Videos Online

The lawsuit specifically asks the court to reinstate the prom for all students, charges that the First Amendment guarantees students’ right to bring same-sex dates to school dances, and cites cases holding that other parties’ objections don’t justify censorship. The ACLU also said that the school further violates McMillen’s free expression rights by telling her that she can’t wear a tuxedo to the prom.

The ACLU also created a Facebook page, dubbed “Let Constance Take Her Girlfriend to Prom,” to raise awareness about Constance’s story. That page has garnered nearly 70,000 fans in just two days.

GLAAD will continue to follow developments on the story. Be sure to check GLAADblog.org for updates.

Friday, March 12

9:00 pm Shameless, Sundance (1 hr) NEW
Tom and Debbie help out a victim of assault, but later discover that it was a bad idea. Features Also features gay son Ian, Ian’s bisexual mother, Monica, her ex-girlfriend, Norma, and Mickey, the gay son of a local gangster.

9:00 pm Caprica, SyFy (1 hr) NEW
What’s going on between Clarice and Amanda? And will gay mobster Sam Adama have anyone on his hitlist? Tune in to find out!

————————————————————————

Saturday, March 13

8:00 pm Her Name Was Steven, CNN (2 hrs) NEW
This compelling documentary follows the transition of former Largo, FL city manager Steven Stanton, who becomes Susan, and the emotional journey that resulted from her transition from male to female. The documentary included interviews with Stanton’s family and friends that take the viewer into her unique experience.

Don't miss the premiere of Her Name Was Steven on CNN

9:00 pm Survivors, BBC America (1 hr) NEW
When an energetic preacher comes to the survivors’ house, Anya, a doctor who lost her girlfriend as a result of an epidemic, is suspicious of his motives.

11:00 pm The Wanda Sykes Show, Fox (1 hr) NEW
Move over Leno! The queen of funny is taking over with her own late night talk show! Don’t miss Wanda comment on everything from news, politics, sports, and pop culture mixed with field pieces, comedy segments, and panel discussions. Don’t miss this week when Wanda interviews out financial wiz, Suze Orman.

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Sunday, March 14

8:00 pm Amazing Race 16, CBS (1 hr) NEW
The teams head to France where they reenact a World War I battle. Will lesbian couple Brandy and Carol have what it takes to fight on?

8:00 pm The Simpsons, Fox (30 min) NEW
Homer and Marge try different parenting methods to teach Bart a lesson, but of course, he sees through it all. Features gay characters, Patty and Smithers.

9:00 pm Celebrity Apprentice, NBC (2 hrs) SEASON PREMIERE
In this season 9 opener, the 14 celebs are divided into men vs. women teams to battle to manage a NYC diner. Will out writer/comedian Carol Leifer show the boys who’s boss?

9:00 pm Desperate Housewives, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Gaby learns a valuable lesson after she meets up with some former colleagues (Guest stars Heidi Klum and Paulina Porizkova) while looking for Ana and Danny, while Preston comes back from Europe. Also, Mike wants to show Susan how manly he can be.

9:00 pm Tool Academy, VH1 (1 hr) NEW
Don’t miss this week, when a heated therapy session makes one partner leave the academy! Will it be lady lovin’ tool Courtney or her girlfriend?

Update: see our new blog post: Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir Confirms: ‘Stars on Ice’ Deemed Him “Not Family Friendly” Enough to Perform, March 12, 2010.

Championship skater Johnny Weir not allowed to perform at Stars on Ice Tour

To say that Weir is “not family friendly” would be a clear jab at his perceived sexual orientation. Weir is extremely involved with his family. He is putting his younger brother through college, and supports the family financially because his father’s disability prohibits him from working. Weir’s dedication to his family can be clearly documented in the Sundance series, Be Good Johnny Weir, which follows him and his family and friends through his life and career as a championship skater.

Weir’s performance and costume style is sometimes considered flashier than those of other skaters, leading to questions about his perceived sexual orientation. While Weir has not officially announced his sexual orientation, he has garnered a significant amount of LGBT fans. He remains one of the most outspoken skaters today, and won an online poll asking fans “Who would you like to see guest star on Stars on Ice?”

Weir recently announced that he is taking a break from skating in order to “rework his technique.” This news does not release the Stars on Ice sponsors from asking him to participate. The door should be opened to him as one of the most influential skaters in the field today. GLAAD’s President Jarrett Barrios spoke out against homophobia within the sports community in a recent Huffington Post piece.

GLAAD encourages its members and anyone concerned about this type of exclusion and prejudice to send a letter here and sign a supporter’s petition here.

A Mississippi school district cancelled a local high school’s prom on Wednesday after an openly lesbian student asked to bring her girlfriend as a date, The Associated Press reported on Thursday.

In a statement released by the Itawamba County school district, school board members state that “Due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events, the Itawamba County School District has decided to not host a prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School this year.”

The student, Constance McMillen, 18, told Jackson, Miss. newspaper The Clarion Ledger that the cancellation is retaliation for her request to bring her girlfriend to the event.

“I feel like I should be able to go and be myself and not have to worry about what clothes I’m wearing or who I am bringing or who I’m dancing with,” McMillen said.

USA Today reports today that “school officials told McMillen last month that she could not bring her sophomore girlfriend to the prom and also told her she could not wear a tuxedo. The school then circulated a memo that prohibited same-sex dates.”

McMillen then contacted the Mississippi chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union about the ordeal.

ACLU attorney Christine Sun told USA Today that the ban on same-sex dates is a violation of McMillen’s constitutional rights. “We believe the law is pretty clear,” Sun said. “The school just can’t arbitrarily say you have to bring an opposite date to the prom.”

In hopes of circumventing the law, however, Itawamba County school district officials are urging citizens to organize a “private event” for the high school’s juniors and seniors. A private affair would not require LGBT inclusivity.

GLAAD will continue to follow developments in this story.

8:00 pm American Idol, Fox (1 hr) NEW
It’s time to reveal the top 12! Unfortunately, four semifinalists must be eliminated to get there. Out comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres continues to add a little comedic relief to the judging process.

9:00 pm Grey’s Anatomy, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Richard and Owen both want to work on a challenging surgery, but it’s up to Derek to decide who’s best suited for the job. Meanwhile, Bailey looks forward to another date with Ben. Tune in to watch the cutest lesbian couple on primetime, CalZona.

Steve's song makes him famous on The Sarah Silverman Program.

9:00 pm The Office, NBC (30 min) NEW
Michael has his heart set on impressing the head of Sabre (Kathy Bates), only to discover that someone has beat him to it. Will it be gay accountant Oscar? Meanwhile, Dwight tries to make Jim’s first day back from maternity leave as disastrous as possible, and tune in to see what happens on Andy and Erin’s first date!

10:00 pm Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew, MTV (1 hr) NEW
The seven remaining crews, including Static Noyze, which includes drag performer Peter Veth, incorporate disco into their street-influenced performances.

10:00 pm Project Runway, Lifetime (1 hr) NEW
Watch as remaining gay designers Ben, Jay, and Jonathan face their next challenge! Will they make it work or be out like yesterday’s fashion?

10:30 pm The Sarah Silverman Program, Comedy Central (30 min) NEW
Sarah reunites with an (imaginary) childhood friend, while Steve performs a song about not being allowed in his boyfriend Brian’s band, and becomes wildly popular.

The festival will screen a variety of films from shorts to features at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. Included in Saturday’s schedule is a retrospective screening of the 1960’s film Portrait of Jackson, a nonfiction film that follows the life and times of Jason Holliday, a gay hustler in 1960s Manhattan. The film is directed by Shirley Clarke, a pioneer of avant-garde film making who has influenced filmmakers and artists for over 40 years.

Also in Saturday’s line-up is the Rodney Evans‘ short, Billy and Aaron, part of the Fusion 2 Shorts that begins at 6:00 pm. Rodney Evans LGBT-centered film, Brother to Brother was nominated for Outstanding Film–Limited Release GLAAD Media Award in 2005.

For those interested in learning more about getting involved in the entertainment industry, Fusion is holding a public event on Thursday, March 11^th titled “Want to Work in the Entertainment Industry?” where executives, programmers, and marketing experts share their experiences and knowledge about working “outside the set.” Reservations are required, so be sure to email your name to FusionThursday@outfest.org.

There will be an additional series of lectures reserved exclusively for filmmakers, screenwriters, and producers of color on Friday, March 12th, which includes topics such as networking and writing for film. Reservations are required.
Click here to register online.

Wilson Cruz is the recipient of the Fusion Achievement Award

Saturday’s Fusion’s Gala starts at 8:30 pm, with a special screening of Quentin Lee’s film, The People I’ve Slept With, starring out actor Wilson Cruz. Cruz is the recipient of this year’s Fusion Achievement Award, which honors role models within the LGBT community. Wilson Cruz will also be co-hosting the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 17th alongside Candis Cayne.

GLAAD members can receive a discounted ticket price for the Fusion Festival: $7 (originally $10) for all screenings and $15 (originally $20) for the Gala by clicking here and entering an access code of fusion5. Mention GLAAD and also receive discounts when you order by phone, (213) 480-7088, or when you purchase screening tickets in person on Saturday at the Egyptian Theater after 2:30pm.

It appears that the promoters are keeping the concert details quiet, perhaps out of concern over community backlash.  There is an online flyer for the event but no mention of the event on Water Street Music Hall’s web site, the promoter’s website or in local newspapers. However, Ticketmaster is continuing to sell tickets for the show, indicating the show will indeed happen.

Beenie Man’s song “Han Up Deh” advocates violence against lesbians. “”Hang chi-chi gal wid a long piece a rope.” “Chi-chi gal” is a slang term for lesbian women. In another song, “Roll Deep,” he says, “tek a bazooka den shot batty f*cka” which loosely translates as “take a gun and shoot the gay man.” “Batty” is a common slur, which can be compared to fa**ot.

Beenie Man's lyrics promote violence against LGBT people.

 By hosting Beenie Man,  The Imperial club, the Water Street Music Hall management and the promoter are promoting the murder and harm of gay and lesbian people; they are also alienating and disregarding their hundreds of LGBT customers and constituents.

Activists have been successful in getting many of Beenie Man’s shows cancelled, including shows across the US, in Canada and Australia. Earlier this month, GLAAD worked with the LA Gay & Lesbian Center and local activists to alert the community about the concerts of anti-gay reggae artist Capleton. Those concerts were canceled. In January, GLAAD and LA Gay & Lesbian Center and a consortium of national and local activists took out an ad in Daily Variety  speaking out  against Buju Banton’s Grammy nomination. Banton is currently imprisoned, awaiting trial on federal drug charges.

We urge you to contact the Bennie Man concert promoters directly to express outrage that a musician whose lyrics blatantly promote violence against LGBT people is allowed to perform onstage.

To protest Thursday’s show at Imperial Room, contact:

The Imperial
Phone: (212) 352-2001
paul@theimperialnyc.com or cornelis@theimperialnyc.com

Tony Taylor
Promoter
tony.taylor2@gmail.com

To protest Friday’s show in Rochester, NY, contact:

John Chmiel
Owner/Booking/Bar Manager, Water Street Music Hall
Phone: (585) 546-3887 ext 4
waterstreetmusic@aol.com

Promoter:
Scott Jones
Dajiah Vu Entertainment
Dajiah_Vu@yahoo.com
(585) 454-7230, press “0″ to leave a message

Beenie Man also has a concert scheduled for April 3rd in Orlando, Florida. Stay tuned to this blog for updates on how to protest that show.

Our goal is that these artists would not be allowed to further spread their anti-gay, pro-violent message to audiences.

Adam Bass with Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend

On Tuesday, those couples exchanged vows in very moving ceremonies.  It was an honor and a privilege to be present and hear them express the love they have for each other in front of their family, friends, and an anxious media corps.

Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend  (Angel and Tina) were the first couple to get married yesterday, at the Equality Center.

I had the opportunity to be in the room with Angel and Tina just prior to their wedding ceremony.  The excitement and love in the air was moving.  What struck me is how similar the feeling was to when my own sister got married to her husband a few years ago.  It was a strange mix of emotions:  excitement, love, nervousness, anxiety, and happiness.  At about 10 a.m., Angel and Tina walked down the aisle and exchanged vows.

Media gathered outside HRC's Equality Center

Following them, Rockie and Reggie, accompanied by their twin daughters (15-months-old) exchanged vows.  Minutes later, Darlene and Candy, both leaders in the Metropolitain Church of Christ, were married.  The couples were then greeted and congratulated by D.C.  Mayor Adrian Fenty, along with several members of the City Council.

Later in the day, I joined Rick and Terrance – and their two sons – for their wedding at the Unitarian Universalist Church – the same location where Mayor Fenty had signed the D.C. marriage equality bill into  law a few months earlier.

Mayor Adam Fenty shares a moment with Darlene Garner at the press conference

Yesterday was an amazing and moving experience that reminds me why we do the work we do at GLAAD.  Moments before their wedding ceremony, I talked with Sinjoyla, specifically to thank her for sharing her wedding day with the world.  We talked about what the media would look like Wednesday morning.  Today, a young lesbian in the middle of the country will wake up and open the paper and have a new role model.  Those role models might be Angelisa and Sinjoyla.  That young lesbian will have someone to look up to.  It was stressful for these couples to share such a private moment with the world, but it was incredibly important for the world – through the media – to see the love, commitment and respect they have for each other on their wedding day.

Rev. North presents Angelisa and Sinjoyla their signed marriage license

I’m thrilled, humbled and honored to have been part of such a special day for these couples and to be part of this historic moment in our country’s history.

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Adam Bass is a Senior Media Field Strategist at GLAAD.

VIEIRA: “You hugged him pretty tight, I must say, in the moment. There was a lot of man lovin’ goin’ on last night. Do I have reason to be worried?”

Anthony Mackie then offered a heartfelt response, completely disarming the idea that there may be a problem with two men embracing.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Vieira has a long track record of supporting our community so the remarks did come as a surprise. GLAAD also heard from multiple constituents who were offended by what she said.  That’s when we got on the phone with Vieira to voice concerns and ask her to address the issue.  We had a very productive conversation and in the end we walked away knowing her heart is in the right place and she had no intention of causing harm for LGBT people.

She even sent along a statement of explanation and an apology which she asked GLAAD to distribute:

“During an interview with the cast of the hurt locker on Monday, I turned to actor Anthony Mackie and made a joke about “man hugging” in reference to a hug he and fellow actor Jeremy Renner had shared a few weeks earlier on our air. It was meant to be lighthearted, but some were offended by what they believed to be a homophobic comment. That was never my intent, but that doesn’t matter. Words are extremely powerful and should never be chosen lightly, even in a lighthearted moment. I apologize to any and all that I offended. My support of the gay and lesbian community is longstanding and well documented. It has not and will never waver.”

GLAAD thanks Meredith Vieira for listening to concerns, addressing this issue sincerely and for using this moment to educate the public on how words can hurt. We continue to value her as an ally and a friend.

Wednesday, March 10

8:00 pm America’s Next Top Model, The CW (90 min) SEASON PREMIERE
All of the runway drama is back for the 14^th cycle, which features lesbian hottie Tatianna. Also features guest star Perez Hilton. Don’t miss this special extended premiere!

Will out lesbian model Tatianna be America's Next Top Model?

8:00 pm The New Adventures of Old Christine, CBS (30 min) NEW
Christine convinces Ritchie’s principal to let the students ride the subway, but things don’t go as planned. Features out comedian Wanda Sykes.

8:00 pm Mercy, NBC (1 hr) NEW
Veronica deals with her post-traumatic stress disorder by working overtime, while Chloe joins Briggs on a house call. Also, Sonia’s patient tries to end her own life. Will gay nurse Angel be a part of all the action?

9:00 pm American Idol, Fox (1 hr) NEW
It’s time for the eight male semifinalists to perform. Will any of them have what it takes to be the next American Idol?

9:00 pm Modern Family, ABC (30 min) NEW
Openly gay Mitchell takes a stand, while Phil invites his ex-girlfriend to his house on Facebook. Also, Jay has to make some quick excuses after he accidentally kills Manny’s turtle.

9:30 pm High Society, The CW (30 min) SERIES PREMIERE
In the series opener, Manhattan socialite Tinsley Mortimer moves to midtown after her separation from  her husband, while her sister moves in with drama queen buddy Jules. Also, Tinsley’s openly gay friend Paul tries to get his hands on trust-fund bucks. And don’t miss when an AIDS benefit party gets broken up by the cops!

Will gay stylist Matthew finish on top this week?

10:00 pm Shear Genius, Bravo (1 hr) NEW
Gay stylist Matthew finished second in last week’s challenge, but will he have what it takes to create an angular look, followed by a pair of looks for an actress’ headshots? Also features gay stylist, Brian.

10:00 pm The Real World: Washington D.C., MTV (1 hr) NEW
Has Andrew finally found true love? Will Erika give up on her immobile music career or listen to Callie and keep on truckin? Features bisexual roomies, Mike and Emily.

ABC’s original article also carried a headline that nearly mirrored the defamatory one appearing on the cover of Life & Style’s March 1^st edition: “Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt: Turning Shiloh into a Boy?” After discussion with GLAAD’s Director of National News, ABC agreed to change the headline to the current “Mag: Brangelina Dressing Shiloh Boyish.”

But the story still devotes a vast amount of space to the views of Glenn Stanton, who represents the virulently  anti-LGBT organization, Focus on the Family.  Stanton does not have the expertise or qualifications to speak credibly about raising children and it was irresponsible of ABCNews.com to perpetuate his unsubstantiated views. As GLAAD’s Senior Director of Programs Rashad Robinson recently noted in his critique of Life & Style “We believe media has a responsibility to differentiate between credible authorities and politically motivated (and usually self-proclaimed) experts like Focus on the Family’s Glenn Stanton.” 

Please join in our Call to Action against Life & Style for their original publication, and call on ABCNews.com to correct its missteps as well.

Click here to contact ABC News

Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover committed suicide after getting bullied for being gay

Parents like Sirdeaner Walker are coming to the forefront to prevent bullycides from becoming a widespread epidemic, by working to get legislation passed to protect children like Carl from suicide resulting from bullying.

Also featured in this episode is a focus on the state of Ohio’s lack of legislation to protect LGBT people.  In Ohio, it remains legal to fire an employee based solely on their sexuality or gender identity, unmarried LGBT people cannot obtain domestic partner benefits, and it is impossible for transgender Ohioans to change their sex on their birth certificates. Several LGBT activists from organizations like Equality Ohio are interviewed, discussing  Ohio’s legalized discrimination and what they have planned for the future of LGBT Ohioans.

Check your local listings for airings of this month’s In the Life to learn more about these pressing issues that face our community, or visit the series’ official website.

Sinjoyla Townsend (L) and Angelisa Young (CNN.com)

Working in conjunction with Campaign for All DC Families, GLAAD’s Senior Media Field Strategist, Adam Bass, is present at the Equality Center--  where the first ceremonies are taking place – and live tweeting the historic and touching moments from the proceedings.  At 8:30 this morning the marriage licenses for those who applied last Wednesday were available for couples to pick up.  By 10:45 am EST Sinjoyla and Angelisa were married, and at 11:00 am their license was signed, making the bond official.

Rocky Galloway (L) and Reginald Stanley with Rev. Sylvia E. Sumter (AP)

Following that ceremony, Rocky Galloway and Reggie Stanley and then Candy Holmes and Darlene Garner became the second and third same-sex couples to legally wed in the nation’s capital city.  Jessica Gresko of the Associated Press described 100 guests sitting on white chairs, surrounded by snapdragons, roses, and carnations as the pastor pronounced the couples “partners in life this day and for always.”

These first marriages were highly celebrated, and  AP also talked to many same-sex couples who planned to wed at the courthouse over the next weeks.  The courthouse, which normally holds 3-4 weddings each day is expecting 10-12 per day over the next several weeks.

Darlene Garner (L) and Candy Holmes (AP)

GLAAD applauds the media for its extensive coverage of this historic moment and congratulates all those couples who are paving the way toward full marriage equality.

Tuesday, March 9

8:00 pm American Idol, Fox (1 hr) NEW
The competition continues to heat up, as the eight female semifinalists perform for America and the judging panel, which includes out comedian and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres.

8:00 pm 90210, The CW (1 hr) MID-SEASON PREMIERE
In the season premiere, sparks are already flying between Adriana and Gia (Rumor Willis) when they attend an AA meeting, while Naomi gets cuddly with Liam on his boat. Also, Navid and Dixon have a plan to get rid of Jasper, and Debbie has some news for Kelly.

White Collar's lesbian FBI agent makes an appearance for the finale!

9:00 pm Melrose Place, The CW (1 hr) MID-SEASON PREMIERE
New episodes return with even more steamy drama! Bisexual Ella plans a party for Amanda’s billionaire beau, while Jonah and Riley try to make amends.

10:00 pm White Collar, USA (1 hr) SEASON FINALE
In the season 1 finale, lesbian FBI agent Diana Lancing returns, after being MIA since the pilot. Also, Neal and Alex go after a music box at the Italian consulate, and Peter asks Diana for help.