GLAAD, CNN And Advocates of Hate

By David Mixner -

Can't even begin to tell you how many times over the last three decades I have turned down opportunities to be on television news because of who was chosen to be opposite me on the show. Often they would want me to appear with a person or spokesperson who had a history of spreading misinformation, advocating hate, inciting violence or degrading other people. Don't get me wrong. There were many people whom I have debated on media with relish. However, appearing with the haters somehow implied they were my peers and I could not give them that credibility nor put myself at their low level.
The 'bookers' on those shows often would attempt to convince me that my debating opponenets were the opposition and deserved to be heard. I continued to refuse to validate their credentials as serious people. Over the years it has continued to be just my personal opinion about those conveyors of hate against others. That is no longer the case since the extremely respected Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) classified this year for the first time many anti-LGBT groups as officially hate groups. That is a huge breakthrough for our community since SPLC has been the most respected and highly regarded arbitrator and tracker of hate groups in America. They courageously tracked the Klan, White Citizens Councils and others in the civil rights movement. The SPLC was the first to alert the nation to the militia groups that led up to Oklahoma City. Now they are forcing this country and the media to confront hate groups against LGBT Americans.
GLAAD is the first to take on the news media for giving access and credibility to the chorus of hate spokespersons. Dr. King, Congressman John Lewis, Julian Bond and other prominent leaders from the 1960's would have never consented to appear with the head of the KKK or White Citizens Councils every time they were interviewed or filmed by the media. Actually don't think the media back then would have requested them to do so or even have expected them to appear with their oppressors.
The time has come for us to insist that those who appear against LGBT rights be thoughtful people, with sound information and credibility. No longer should someone who is listed as a hate group by the SPLC be allowed to have credibility without being seriously challenged about their misinformation. GLAAD needs and deserves our whole-hearted support in their effort to insist on a new level of respect, honesty and dignity in the coverage of our struggle for freedom. GLAAD is right on target in this effort.

for more from David visit Live from Hell's Kitchen.

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