Equality Matters
Encyclopedia
Equality Matters is a media and communications initiative in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality in the United States. The organization is associated with Media Matters for America
, a liberal media watchdog group. Former senior advisor to President Bill Clinton
on gay civil rights issues Richard Socarides
has been the president of Equality Matters since its founding, and Kerry Eleveld, journalist for The Advocate
, will serve as editor beginning in 2011.
. While Media Matters focuses broadly on "monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media," Equality Matters looks solely at LGBT
issues in the media.
issues in the media, updated on a weekly basis. The website features a blog, a fact checking section, videos, and "Top Picks of the Week," which the organization states is "Our picks for the most interesting, outrageous, or thought provoking stories of the week."
Association with Media Matters for America
According to David Brock
, founder of Media Matters for America, "Equality Matters will build on the work done by [Media Matters and Media Matters Action Network]. Through strategic communication, research, training and media monitoring, Equality Matters will strengthen efforts for full LGBT rights and correct anti-gay misinformation. Its goal is to enhance advocacy and activism across all platforms and to leverage expertise in support of others who are working to make full equality a national imperative."
, Equality Matters should "expose right-wing bigotry and homophobia wherever we find it" and "stiffen the spines of progressives." David Mixner
, gay author and activist, has said of the group that "while a range of groups are working to advance gay rights, the movement has lacked a national rapid-response war room of the sort that can push back against homophobic messages in the media and the political arena and keep the pressure on elected officials."
Media Matters for America
Media Matters for America is a politically progressive media watchdog group which says it is "dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media." Set up as a 501 non-profit organization, MMfA was founded in 2004 by journalist and...
, a liberal media watchdog group. Former senior advisor to President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
on gay civil rights issues Richard Socarides
Richard Socarides
Richard Socarides is president of Equality Matters, a gay rights organization. He was a White House adviser under United States President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1999 in a variety of senior positions, including as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Adviser for Public Liaison...
has been the president of Equality Matters since its founding, and Kerry Eleveld, journalist for The Advocate
The Advocate
The Advocate is an American LGBT-interest magazine, printed monthly and available by subscription. The Advocate brand also includes a web site. Both magazine and web site have an editorial focus on news, politics, opinion, and arts and entertainment of interest to LGBT people...
, will serve as editor beginning in 2011.
History
The organization was founded, as stated by the New York Times, as a "Communications war room for gay equality." It was launched on December 23, 2010, as an offshoot of the organization Media Matters for AmericaMedia Matters for America
Media Matters for America is a politically progressive media watchdog group which says it is "dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media." Set up as a 501 non-profit organization, MMfA was founded in 2004 by journalist and...
. While Media Matters focuses broadly on "monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media," Equality Matters looks solely at LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
issues in the media.
Organization
Equality Matters is an internet-based organization. Their official website, EqualityMatters.org, features comprehensive coverage of LGBTLGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
issues in the media, updated on a weekly basis. The website features a blog, a fact checking section, videos, and "Top Picks of the Week," which the organization states is "Our picks for the most interesting, outrageous, or thought provoking stories of the week."
Association with Media Matters for AmericaMedia Matters for AmericaMedia Matters for America is a politically progressive media watchdog group which says it is "dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media." Set up as a 501 non-profit organization, MMfA was founded in 2004 by journalist and...
According to David BrockDavid Brock
David Brock is an American journalist and author, the founder of the media watchdog group, Media Matters for America, and a Democratic political operative...
, founder of Media Matters for America, "Equality Matters will build on the work done by [Media Matters and Media Matters Action Network]. Through strategic communication, research, training and media monitoring, Equality Matters will strengthen efforts for full LGBT rights and correct anti-gay misinformation. Its goal is to enhance advocacy and activism across all platforms and to leverage expertise in support of others who are working to make full equality a national imperative."
Goals
According to Media Matters founder David BrockDavid Brock
David Brock is an American journalist and author, the founder of the media watchdog group, Media Matters for America, and a Democratic political operative...
, Equality Matters should "expose right-wing bigotry and homophobia wherever we find it" and "stiffen the spines of progressives." David Mixner
David Mixner
David Mixner is a civil rights activist and best-selling author. He is best known for his work in anti-war and gay rights advocacy.- Childhood:...
, gay author and activist, has said of the group that "while a range of groups are working to advance gay rights, the movement has lacked a national rapid-response war room of the sort that can push back against homophobic messages in the media and the political arena and keep the pressure on elected officials."