How did an ousted lesbian den mother from Ohio become a national symbol for LGBT equality? One of the main reasons is because of GLAAD, a New York based organization that serves to make sure LGBT related stories are given the fair and widespread attention of the media.
The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, along with dozens of affirming religious leaders, learned more about GLAAD's media work at the second annual Celebrating Faith Inclusion breakfast on Dec. 7 at Renaissance Unity Church in Warren.
Ross Murray, Director of Religion, Faith and Values at GLAAD spoke at the event, sharing information about how they too can use the media, and their own experiences, as tools for social change.
Jennifer Tyrrell is one of many examples where GLAAD was able to take a local story and amplify its reach. Tyrell and her partner live in Ohio with one daughter and three sons. She served as den mother for one son's Tiger Scouts Troop until she was kicked out of the troop last spring because the Boy Scouts of America do not allow gay people in their organization.
With GLAAD's help, Tyrrell's story went viral, and an online petition drive collected over half a million signatures in opposition to the Scout's practice of discrimination. It also gave celebrities a cause to rally behind. Julianne Moore, Fran Drescher, Jane Leeves, Josh Hutcherson, Benicio del Toro, and stars of Glee and The Real Housewives all spoke up in support of the family. Though the Scouts have not changed their minds, the story has helped bring to light the discrimination LGBT people still face.
Closer to home, the story of Dominic Sheahan-Stahl grew beyond the Mt. Clemens area after GLAAD got involved. Sheahan-Stahl had been a student at Sacred Heart Academy, like others in his family had been over the generations. His younger brother was set to graduate, and Sheahan-Stahl was asked to give the commencement speech.
However, school administrators saw that he had posted engagement photos to his Facebook page, featuring him and his fiance who is also male. The invitation to speak was revoked.
The graduating class rallied around him, creating a movement called "Let Dominic Speak." GLAAD too stepped in. After the commencement, hundreds of supporters gathered for a rally at Central Michigan University to hear the speech that Sheahan-Stahl had not been allowed to give.
"They filmed him and sent us the speech," Murray said. "We took the footage and made a two minute video with parts of the speech and clips from some of the people that were there, and we sent that out to our media contacts, saying here's what it looks like when we help people who are silenced."
While the media is increasingly interested in LGBT stories, there are still things that GLAAD must remind reporters and activists of, particularly when it comes to the framework of religion in the LGBT rights dialogue.
Missing Voices
Murray talked about the Missing Voices Study, which examined media coverage of LGBT issues from 2008-2011. The study revealed that 3 out of 4 religious spokespeople came from denominations with strong opposition to the LGBT community. "There is an over-representation of Evangelical Christians and Catholics, and not that many pro-LGBT religious spokespeople." He explained that even when affirming people of faith are in the media, they tend to "speak in secular language" and "avoid using religious terminology or quotes."
"The frame is that people of faith oppose LGBT equality. These are the things that show up in headlines," Murray said. "What I see a lot is you can only be one or the other – LGBT or a person of faith. I know this is not true. You know this is not true. But we need to let other people know it's not true.
"As LGBT religious leaders we have a voice that no one else can use. We have too long let being a 'true Christian,' a 'person of faith,' and a 'values voter' be determined by someone else.
Murray encouraged people to step up and speak from a faith-based perspective so that the public and the press can see that it's not religion vs. orientation. There are LGBT people of faith, and people in all congregations that support equality.
"We hear it [religious speech] so much from the other side that we don't want to sound like them, but we need to… people need to hear faith-based discussion."
Every denomination has their own unique voice, and when people of faith speak up it is much more effective if they come from their own perspectives. "When you talk to the media or to others, use Bible verses that are meaningful to you. We've all had the Leviticus discussion a million times and we don't need to do that. Instead talk about the parts of the Bible that give you comfort and faith. You can speak from a perspective of God's love."
While Murray spoke in terms of "people of faith," he urged religious leaders to be as specific and authentic as possible in their messaging. As a Lutheran, Murray is able to speak in a way that resonates with other Lutherans. Leaders from other denominations can speak not only to all religious people, but they can connect with their fellow worshipers in a more personal way by naming their affiliation and using its teachings as a framework for sharing their story.
GLAAD provides resources for anyone looking to share their LGBT related stories with a broader media audience. They can help people who are willing to share their stories. They educate members of the media. And they have ways to distribute content to broad audiences. While Murray specializes in religious stories, others on staff work with the general public and activist organizations. Find out more at http://www.glaad.org/resources.
The faith inclusion breakfast had representatives from a variety of churches and synagogues from throughout the state. Working with multiple church leaders, the Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion has been creating change from within congregations. Because of their work over 125 places of worship have made advances toward inclusion. Find out more about the Roundtable at http://www.miroundtable.org/.
