Fair and Balanced

 2002
After meeting with GLAAD, The New York Times begins publishing announcements of same-sex unions in its Weddings & Celebrations pages. GLAAD’s “Announcing Equality” campaign begins, and from 2002 to 2008 the number of newspapers printing same-sex announcements rises 584%.

2003
When right-wing radio and TV host Michael Savage calls a gay man a “sodomite” who “should get AIDS and die,” GLAAD protests, and MSNBC cancels his television show.

2004
When a Utah movie house cancels showings of gay drama Latter Days due to pressure by the Mormon Church, GLAAD’s press conference raises the film’s profile, and the film ultimately expands to 40 theaters, 36 more than originally planned.

2006
GLAAD marshals its members to condemn the antigay comments by pundit Ann Coulter on MSNBC’s Hardball With Chris Matthews; the network’s Countdown With Keith Olbermann calls Coulter the Worst Person in the World.

2007
After Grey’s Anatomy cast member Isaiah Washington apologizes for his repeated use of “faggot,” GLAAD partners with the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network to produce a public service announcement starring Washington about the negative power of epithets. GLAAD brings media attention to the violently antigay lyrics of performers Buju Banton and Bounty Killer, and Clear Channel pulls its sponsorship of their performances at New York City’s Reggae Carifest.

2008
GLAAD and Harris Interactive publish the groundbreaking Pulse of Equality study, which shows that Americans’ impressions of LGBT people are largely formed by what they see on TV and in the news.

2009
GLAAD works with national media, including TruTV, to bring unprecedented attention to the brutal 2008 murder of transgender teen Angie Zapata in Greeley, Colo.

2010
In response to the network’s “failing” grade from GLAAD, CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler vows to increase LGBT representation in programming, saying, “We know we will do better.” GLAAD works with TeenNick to develop the story line of Adam—TV’s first transgender teenager. On October 20, millions of people join GLAAD in Spirit Day by wearing purple to support LGBT teens, including the hosts of Today, The View, The Talk, CBS Evening News, World News With Diane Sawyer, E! News, and The Tonight Show.