GLAAD House Party

Join GLAAD President Jarrett T. Barrios to Help Shape the Movement for Equality in a Whole New Way! Many of you have seen GLAAD in the news advocating for equal treatment of LGBT people on CNN, speaking out against anti-LGBT defamation in The New York Times. Our local field work flies under the radar of news and blog coverage but is a crucial part of our community’s march towards equality and it is more important than ever for GLAAD to help local LGBT people and families share their stories. All of you have the opportunity to interact with GLAAD in an exciting new way and hear about our work across all of our Programs area. I am hosting live, nationwide web video conferences to discuss the latest news, challenges and opportunities that face our movement towards LGBT equality. And this gives me a chance to talk about GLAAD’s important local work in places like: “GLAAD has been an important partner in Washington Families Standing Together’s media and communications efforts. They have also been instrumental in preparing a broad range of LGBT Washington residents and our allies to share stories with fellow citizens. The passage of this law was truly a community effort, and we are so grateful to GLAAD and to everyone who so tirelessly support that work.” -Josh Friedes, Campaign ManagerWashington Families Standing Together Washington state: When Referendum 71 was on the ballot this November – which would eliminate domestic partnership rights for gay and lesbian couples - GLAAD was on the groundfor nearly two months to help lead the communications team of Washington Families Standing Together campaign. GLAAD was there to facilitate media interviews, help local LGBT couples and allies share their stories, organize a letter to the editor campaign that resulted in over 150 letters and spread the word about the importance of legal protections for gay and lesbian families. For the first time in our nation’s history, residents sided with LGBT people and approved the referendum. Kalamazoo, MI: GLAAD was in Michigan to assist One Kalamazoo train members to share their personal stories with neighbors, friends, co-workers and the media so that residents learned how this ordinance would help their gay and transgender community members. The result? Residents overwhelmingly voted to pass a non-discrimination ordinance that included gay and transgender people. “I'd like to thank GLAAD for their excellent media training and individual spokesperson training. GLAAD's support and work with a variety of groups and faith communities helped us win Nondiscrimination Ordinance 1856 on Election Day.” -Jon Hoadley, Campaign Manager One Kalamazoo Florida: In Florida, where gay and lesbian couples are banned from adopting, GLAAD is collaborating with the ACLU of Florida’s LGBT Advocacy Project. GLAAD will be offering trainings for LGBT advocates and their families to share their stories with Floridians as part of a three-year education campaign to shift public opinion on the issue. New York state and Maine: In Maine, where marriage equality was lost on Election Day 2009, and in New York, where the state Senate voted against marriage equality, we need to share the stories of our lives more than ever. It’s only as people get to know us as Americans who want the same things that they do: to care for each other and our families, that we will gain the public support that leads to legal equality. Please mark your calendar for December 14, invite some friends and register online to host your own house party. I want to share with you our vision for the future and to hear from you and your friends on GLAAD’s work. I look forward to speaking with you! Jarrett T. Barrios, GLAAD President P.S. Host a house party with 6 or more people and we'll enter your name for a chance to win (2) VIP tickets to the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards of your choice! Winners will be announced live during the video conference on each date.
	RSVP to Host a Party on December 14!