Lana Leonard

What are the effects of a ceaseless barrage of political attacks on the LGBTQ community? Something like a scene from a horror movie animated into real life.    This article is in response to a press event attended by GLAAD Media Institute (GMI) organized by Human Rights Watch – a global organization that defends the rights of people worldwide – for the release of a new report titled “They’re Ruining People’s Lives”: Bans on Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth in the US.  As new GLAAD research was released simultaneously, it is clear that there is an abundant overlap in findings: There are […]

Newark, New Jersey LGBTQ activists are organizing to heal their city from redlining – the systematic denial of services, like mortgages, insurance, and other financial services, often based on race or ethnicity – and environmental discrimination to build a healthy, clean, and affordable place where bodily autonomy is never in question.  These local leaders understand the convergence between environmental justice and queer liberation and seek to educate others on how queer-centered action unlocks freedoms and possibilities for all. The City of Newark, home to state schools Rutgers University and a State University of New Jersey campus, has a majority Black, […]

LGBTQ activists in New Jersey say they’re fortunate to live in New Jersey as the new administration kicks-off its term by attacking the transgender community and diversity initiatives. Advocates at Garden State Equality say New Jersey sets a standard for legal equality that can inspire states throughout the country. As part of its education and advocacy “Going Local” programming across the country, the GLAAD Media Institute (GMI) – GLAAD’s training, research and consulting division – convened meetings with local leaders and community advocates at Garden State Equality and throughout the nation. Attendees who complete a program or session with the GLAAD Media […]

In the face of hate and opposition to equality in Florida, LGBTQ activists and members of the community across the Sunshine State came together for an annual four-part event at the Center for Health Equity called, “Pride Amplified: Navigating LGBTQIAA+ Spaces” in St. Petersburg Florida. Rocky Butler, founder and executive director of 9 Colors Initiative, and Joshua Bean, innovation officer of Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, collaborated to convened activists for an “enlightened” and “impactful” event. This year, The GLAAD Media Institute – GLAAD’s research, training, and education leg – was invited to help participants  “hone [their] media skills to amplify [their] […]

Kat Klawes had no choice but to fight for transgender rights as a teen growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  A young Klawes often fought for the world to believe one of her mothers is a transgender woman.  Klawes grew up knowing one of her mothers was trans, often fighting for the world to know it as well. But for years, she tells GLAAD, she had to pretend her mother didn’t exist, with adults in her life repeatedly telling her that she had fabricated the story of her mother and her mother’s transness. Fast forward to present day, Klawes is taking […]