GLAAD this morning announced a much-needed new project designed to hold accountable the anti-gay pundits all too often invited to speak on cable and other news programs as purported “experts,” when their only real expertise is anti-LGBT hate. From Maggie Gallagher to Tony Perkins, from Bryan Fischer to Peter Sprigg, GLAAD’s Commentator Accountability Project (CAP) will track those whose real career is spreading falsehoods and anti-LGBT hate. CAP is now available to all who want to learn more about the pundits that show up on their living room TVs via cable news channels, and favorite news sites and blogs.
“Hate is not an expert opinion,†said GLAAD spokesperson Herndon Graddick in a statement. “In most cases, news outlets invite reputable experts to speak on the subject at hand, but when talking about LGBT issues, open hostility and anti-LGBT bias seems to be all the credibility required. This project holds these so-called ‘pundits’ accountable for the extreme anti-LGBT rhetoric they continue to spread.â€
The Commentator Accountability Project launches with a comprehensive set of online resources detailing the anti-LGBT, racist, and anti-woman sentiments of nearly three dozen anti-LGBT commentators who have appeared in local and national news. As more commentators engage in anti-LGBT rhetoric, new profiles will be added.
“These activists have the right to recite their anti-LGBT talking points, but it is important to expose the questionable and often hostile rhetoric that passes as punditry when so-called ‘experts’ speak out against the lives of LGBT people on the air or in print,” explained Graddick. “If networks are going to continue to invite those with incendiary anti-LGBT views on their programs, show runners should know the full picture of who these individuals really are so that critical context can be relayed to the audience.”
GLAAD is the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. They add:
Audiences need to be aware that when they’re not talking to the mainstream media, these voices are comparing the LGBT people to Nazi Germany, predicting that equal treatment of LGBT people will lead to the total collapse of society, and even making accusations of satanic influence.
The Commentator Accountability Project is bringing all of these statements to light, while calling attention to the sentiments behind them. We will show that the commentators who are most often asked to opine on issues like marriage equality or non-discrimination protections do not accurately represent the “other side” of those issues. They represent nothing but extreme animus towards the entire LGBT community.
We’re fortunate that Jeremy Hooper, who runs the excellent site Good As You, is working with GLAAD on this very important project. It’s great to see a major LGBT organization team up with a blogger — I’m sure both sides have benefitted from this exciting new working relationship.
GLAAD adds, “Have you seen these anti-LGBT voices in your local media? Let GLAAD know today.”
Here’s the inaugural list of pundits GLAAD’s Commentator Accountability Project is keeping track of: