GLAAD Announces Panelists for Homophobia & Virtual Communities Panel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GLAAD Announces Panelists for Homophobia & Virtual Communities Panel Leading Tech Companies to Discuss Issues, Policies, Solutions on Electronic Arts Campus New York, NY, – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, today announced panelists and topics to be covered in a panel on Homophobia & Virtual Communities on July 18, 2009 on the Electronic Arts campus in Redwood City, California. The first of its kind panel discussion will spotlight the issue of homophobia in virtual communities and include the perspectives of both gaming companies and LGBT gamers. Discussion will revolve around the state of the problem in these communities, policy solutions that have been developed to address homophobia – some that are working and those that are not - as well as looking forward to challenges and opportunities in various sectors of the industry including production, policy and enforcement, financial, customer service and the end user experience. Confirmed panelists include: “The panel will provide an important forum to discuss a problem many LGBT people face in virtual communities and will help set the groundwork for better and more LGBT inclusive policies,” said Jarrett Barrios, incoming President of GLAAD. “These companies have voiced a commitment to all their customers - ensuring a safe environment for LGBT people is a critical part of that.” To RSVP, please email digitaltickets@glaad.org or visit www.glaad.org/digitalevent. Other key information: Title: Homophobia in Virtual Communities - Highlighting the Problem and Working Towards Sustainable Solutions RSVP Page: http://www.glaad.org/digitalevent The panel is part of GLAAD’s previously announced advocacy and anti-defamation project that will focus on a range of virtual communities including networked PC games, social networks, online gaming and virtual worlds. The project will also address policies related to commenting features on blogs, Web sites and message boards. GLAAD will work to ensure such communities remain committed to: About GLAAD
Contact:
Richard Ferraro
Director of Public Relations
(646) 871-8011
ferraro@glaad.org
Date: Saturday, July 18th, 2009
Time: 11am-1pm PST
Place: Redwood City, CA (specific location information and directions will be given to those who RSVP)
Format: 1 moderator, 5 panelists - Introductions, three major questions each followed by discussion, audience Q&A
RSVP Email: digitaltickets@glaad.org
Facebook Event Page:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=93132189074&ref=mf
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org
