GLAAD Names New
Senior Vice President

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced Wednesday that J. Michael Durnil will serve as senior vice president.

"GLAAD makes its case every day by advocating on behalf of our community in the court of public opinion," said GLAAD president Neil G. Giuliano in a press release. "Michael's leadership as senior vice president further positions GLAAD to be better media advocates, to strengthen our fight against antigay defamation, and to change hearts and minds as never before." In addition to the creation of the position of senior vice president, GLAAD added two other organizational positions, a senior director for the San Francisco region and a director of digital media. The new positions reflect GLAAD's current plan to expand the organization's scope and increase its advocacy activities.

Durnil comes to GLAAD after a 25-year career in higher education. Most recently, Durnil served as vice president for governmental affairs and university outreach and assistant secretary to the board of trustees at Roosevelt University in Chicago. He has also held leadership positions at Elmhurst College, St. Mary's University of San Antonio, and Illinois State University. (The Advocate)