GLAAD’s ongoing ‘Be an Ally & a Friend’ (www.glaad.org/ally) program, the largest nationally-televised LGBT equality public education campaign, will officially roll out a series of new PSAs in 2009, but viewers of MTV’s The N network are getting a sneak peek right now. A message of support featuring stars from The N — "Degrassi"'s Lauren Collins and Adamo Rugggiero and "South of Nowhere"'s Gabrielle Christian and Maeve Quinlan —premiered during the series finale of "South of Nowhere" and is now   more...seen on the network daily. The PSA encourages viewers to combat discrimination by being allies and friends, sending them to glaad.org/ally for helpful resources.

The PSA is one of 22 new spots that will appear on national cable networks and local affiliates throughout 2009. Past participants have included T.R. Knight, Martina Navratilova, Lance Bass, Rebecca Romijn and Sara Ramirez.
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To commemorate Women's History Month, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is releasing a public service announcement (PSA) featuring six ABC actresses as part of its ongoing "Be an Ally & a Friend" campaign. In the 20-second spot, the women urge viewers to accept and support their gay friends and family members. The ABC stars appearing in the PSA are as follows (listed in order of appearance): Rebecca Romijn (Ugly Betty), Rachel Griffiths (Brothers & Sisters), Oscar-winner Marlee   more...Matlin (Dancing with the Stars), Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty), Kate Walsh (Private Practice) and Sara Ramirez (Grey's Anatomy).
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The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will release on Tuesday a public service announcement (PSA) featuring "Grey's Anatomy" star Sara Ramírez as part of its "Be an Ally & a Friend" campaign. The 30-second Spanish-language spot is premiering on Terra.com, the largest Internet access provider in Spain and Latin America.

In the PSA, the Tony Award-winning, Mazatlan-born actress encourages viewers to treat others with dignity and respect regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity   more...or expression.

"Sara’s beloved by millions of Grey’s Anatomy fans, which makes her a terrific person to share this message of support. The fact that she delivers this positive message in Spanish will help many people understand how words can hurt the gay and transgender people around them," says GLAAD's Director of Spanish Language Media, Monica Trasandes.  less

To commemorate Black History Month, GLAAD released today a public service announcement from "Access Hollywood" co-anchor Shaun Robinson as part of its “Be an Ally & a Friend” campaign. The 30-second spot is scheduled to make its television premiere tonight on "Access Hollywood" and features Robinson denouncing the use of anti-gay words and homophobic jokes, while encouraging viewers to treat others with dignity and respect. The new PSA has also been made available to all NBC-owned affiliates for   more...broadcast  less

To commemorate the upcoming Lunar New Year on February 7, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) premiered a public service announcement (PSA) featuring actor Rex Lee (Entourage). This latest installment in GLAAD's ongoing public education campaign "Be an Ally & a Friend" encourages viewers to treat others with dignity and respect regardless of gender identity/expression or sexual orientation.

The PSA will make its broadcast television debut on Thursday, February 7, on ImaginAsian   more...TV (iaTV) and AZN Television in honor of the Chinese New Year, which is the largest Lunar New Year celebration within the East Asian community. ImaginAsian TV is the first 24-hour national television network committed to promoting and serving the diverse cultures that comprise the Asian American community. AZN Television is the network for Asian America and its programming targets the fast-growing, affluent and multi-generational Asian American community, as well as a broader American audience interested in the Asian experience.

“Rex Lee's heartfelt call for the acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression is a natural fit for this East Asian holiday, and his message reminds us that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” said GLAAD Asian-Pacific Islander Media Strategist Andy Marra. “We are grateful to ImaginAsian TV and AZN Television for inviting us to reach their audiences with this important message.”

The Lunar New Year is celebrated widely in East Asian communities, including China, Taiwan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan and Vietnam. Despite some individual differences, each community celebrates the Lunar New Year as a time of renewal, family togetherness, paying respect to elders and emphasizing community empowerment.  less