CELEBRITIES APPEAR IN ANTI-HOMOPHOBIA AD

The US media organisation Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has released a new public service announcement (PSA) television advert denouncing the use of anti-gay words and homophobic jokes.

The PSA is part of GLAAD’s new series of “Be an Ally & Friend” PSAs featuring 22 celebrities.

A number of television stars appear in the 30-second spot including Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty), Sara Ramirez (Grey’s Anatomy), Rebecca Romijn (Ugly Betty), Eric Mabius (Ugly Betty), Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice), T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy), Michael Urie (Ugly Betty), Rachel Griffiths (Brothers & Sisters) and Becki Newton (Ugly Betty).

Knight and Griffiths were both recently nominated for an Emmy for their roles. The actors are also joined by sports stars including former NBA basketball player John Amaechi and tennis legend Martina Navratilova.

The campaign encourages people to be accepting of gays and lesbians and help combat homophobia. GLAAD will release multiple 20 and 30 second versions of the spots, as well as versions of the PSA in Spanish and American Sign Language, approximately every two weeks during the coming year.

The PSAs will be broadcast on channels including Fox Reality, GSN, IFC, Lifetime, The N, Sci Fi Channel and Sundance Channel among a host of other outlets.

Founded in 1985 GLAAD is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.