The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced Wednesday that its president, Neil Giuliano, will step down later this year to pursue "personal interests" and complete a book about his personal and professional life.
Giuliano has been president of GLAAD for 3 1/2 years. Prior to his work with GLAAD, Giuliano was mayor of Tempe, Ariz., and was a university administrator and faculty associate at Arizona State University.
"I have informed the national board of directors of my decision to step down as president later this year and look forward to a successful and smooth transition of leadership for GLAAD," Giuliano said in a statement released by the organization. "It's been an honor and privilege to work professionally in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality for the last 3 1/2 years. The views of the American people on LGBT issues are clearly moving in the right direction, toward supporting full equality, and it has been a great experience to serve on the front lines, leading an amazing organization at such a historical time in the movement."
GLAAD reported in a press release that under Giuliano's watch, the nonprofit's annual budget increased from $7.5 million to $11 million. Giuliano has been influential in orchestrating projects including outreach to gay youths and faith communities and 2007's acquisition of the Sundance Film Festival's Queer Lounge.
