Find out what Wilson Cruz wants for his birthday at www.glaad.org/wilsongift

Help Queer Bookstore and Event Space Find a Permanent Home in NYC

The Bureau of General Services—Queer Division is  a queer bookstore and event space in New York City that aims “to foster a community invested in the values of mindfulness, intellectual curiosity, justice, compassion, and playfulness.” The Bureau wants “to excite and educate a self-confident, sex-positive, and supportive queer community” in NYC by offering books, publications, and art; and by hosting events, including reading groups, authors’ talks, and performances. They seek to provide an open and inclusive space for dialogue and socializing in Manhattan.

There are only a few days left in the campaign to raise funds for a permanent home for the Bureau of General Services—Queer Division.

READ MORE.

Be part of Spirit Day this Friday: take a stand against bullying and wear purple!

Take the pledge to go purple at http://glaad.org/spiritday

On Saturday, GLAAD kicked of the 2nd annual National People of Color Media Institute training LGBT community leaders from across the country to diversify the national conversation about LGBT issues and the community. By increasing the visibility of LGBT and allies of color who can speak powerfully and effectively through various media platforms, GLAAD is helping to change national spokespeople for our movement.

We LOVE what Oprah Winfrey had to say about Ellen Degeneres in The Hollywood Reporter!

“Being able to be free — literally — and to express herself in a way that she can be 100 percent truthful with the audience has allowed them to fall in love with her.”

http://www.glaad.org/news/booming-business-ellen-degeneres-broke-and-banished-daytimes-top-earner

Are you a college student interested in the LGBT movement? Intern at GLAAD’s New York City or Los Angeles offices!

http://glaad.org/internships

(Thanks Peter for your amazing work this summer!)

VIDEO: Maine’s Marriage Equality Campaign Releases New TV Ad

A new television ad supporting marriage equality in Maine and now airing statewide features a straight married couple talking about why marriage matters to them and to both of their sons, one of whom is gay. The ad was paid for by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and was developed through the Why Marriage Matters Maine Project that is part of a campaign sponsored by numerous organizations to foster support for marriage equality as the issue heads to the state ballot in November.

(Source: glaad.org)

Virginia auto shop restores bullied student’s car

A college student has a “new” car. It’s all thanks to a Roanoke auto shop.

Jordan Addison is a student at Radford University. Between March and May of this year his car was vandalized four times. Once at his home and three times on-campus.

“The first time there were some homophobic slurs keyed into the side of it,” says Addison, “Then the second time I had dye keyed into it.”

Addison believes he was targeted because he’s gay. The homophobic slur was written across one side of this car and he tried to everything to cover it but nothing worked.

“The lowest estimate I got just to fix the damage to the doors was like $2,500 and for a college student that’s a lot of money,” says Addison.

Richard Henegar, Jr. heard what happened to Addison.

“Once I saw the vandalism that was done to it I said that’s uncalled for we’re gonna fix your car that’s the least we can do,” says Henegar.

South Bloomville Christian Church in Hocking County, Ohio, was destroyed a fire on Friday, August 17. Local authorities have determined that the blaze at the church was intentionally set and are offering a $5,000 reward for information about how the fire was set.

(Source: glaad.org)