Contest To Promote Gay Weddings  
by Jed Lang
365Gay.com Entertainment

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has announced to major initiatives to promote same-sex marriage.

The first is a contest to create a 30-second commercial. Filmmakers interested in participating are encouraged to submit their spots, aimed for a mainstream audience, to GLAAD.

"If you can translate your passion for fairness and equal protection for same-sex couples into 30 compelling seconds that counter the negative, discriminatory and fear-mongering tactics of the religious right, then we want to hear from you," said Joan M. Garry, Executive Director of GLAAD.

Entries can be in any form of moving image from live-action to animation, as long as the finished version is of broadcast quality. The spots will be evaluated according to overall impact, originality, memorable content and delivery and clarity of the message. 

GLAAD will air the winning spot in key markets over the summer and through the year. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2004. The winner will be announced on July 12, 2004.  Official contest rules, technical requirements and application form are available online at www.glaad.org/ido .

The second gay marriage initiative is Public Service Announcements that have already been shot. The two PSAs feature Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and soap opera star William Christian (All My Children).

The spots and the contest-winning commercial spot will be played in media markets across the country where anti-gay legislation is under consideration in state or local governments. 

“Our goal is tell stories that will change the hearts and minds of Americans who are not yet convinced that marriage rights are a simple matter of equality,” said Garry.  

“This campaign taps into the deep level of frustration and anxiety in this country around the ongoing erosion of our civil rights.  We cannot allow the Federal Marriage Amendment to slip under the radar and go un-debated.