Today was my first Academy session. I attended the GLAAD-run session hosted by Rashad Robinson, senior Director for Media Programs. It was really insightful. It centered around building a communications strategy for your particular organization’s goals. We discussed what the media is, how they operate, and how we can use them to forward our agenda. A large focus was put on knowing to whom you’re talking and what you’re trying to say. For any given audience, you need to know how to tailor your comments in ways that resonate best. The general populace was divided into three main camps: your Base, the Movable Middle, and your Opposition. Clearly, each of these groups will be offended by certain statements, from calling them “Crazy Fundamentalists” to using “Gay and Lesbian” instead of LGBTQQINGSPOC. Therefore knowing to whom you’re talking and what you’re trying to say helps you maximize your talking points’ effectiveness.

This culminated in all the participants actually crafting our own talking points based either on personal goals or those of the organization we’re affiliated with. Some topics discussed were marriage initiatives in Arizona, mentoring for queer youth, and being disowned by your family.

From my perspective, the topic of greatest concern was bridging the gap between people of religious groups. One woman in the session crafted her talking points around St. Paul being quoted out of context, saying that the Greek he used for “abomination” actually referred to “not commonly held as fruitful”. Since the Jewish people in Palestine at the time were seeing a low birth rate, homosexuality was merely not as beneficial to the community, not an abomination. The facilitator was quick to point out that not only was the talking point excessively specific, but also on a topic that’s not going to change anyone’s mind in a 15-second sound bite. GLAAD apparently has recognized this on a national level and now has an office for faith-in-media relations.

It’s a touchy subject that isn’t going to change anyone’s mind on Crossfire or The Daily Show. It’s a more appropriate discussion in an op-ed piece or a small facilitated discussion group. Unfortunately, most of the Movable Middle doesn’t read op-ed pieces nor do they attend diversity training at the local LGBTQQINGSPOC community center. So where can we have this discussion? Not sure yet. I’m sure someone will tell me before the weekend is over.

Kate Clinton ranged from funny to banal… here are some of the funnier lines

“I’d like, now to have a moment of silence for someone we’ve just lost… Mitt Romney just pulled out of the Republican race.  Omit! Remit! Mitt Mitt you’re full of shit, goodbye!”

“For those with mad vow disease, the freedom to marry coalition will meet…”

“In a stroke of genius, they put the gay family institute, next to the sexual freedom institute, in the hope that gay mothers and fathers sometime might have sex again…”

To young lesbians in the audience, on her turning 60 this year: “”Come on up here and get gummed!”
“There will come a day when your thanksgiving turkey will be wetter than your vagina!”
“You’ll reach for the KY and get the Ben Gay”

After a video introduction from the governor: “Unfortunately we didn’t get a video message from the mayor, just a text message”

Ok, so why aren’t there politicians as eloquent and well spoken as the NAACP chairman? If there’s anything to make you aware your president isn’t much more than an ape who is barely sapient, it’s listening to someone speak who has an excellent grasp of the English language, uses actually relevant cultural references, and makes real points.

At least he’s gone soon enough…