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    Accelerating Acceptance 2024

    Part 3: The Importance of Media Exposure

    Media exposure is critically important to changing hearts and minds.

    Less Than 30% of Non-LGBTQ Americans Personally Know Many Members of Our Community

    % Non-LGBTQ who personally know someone in our community

    Numbers will not add to 100% because people can select multiple options

    Fewer Non-LGBTQ Adults Are Seeing Our Community in Media

    % Non-LGBTQ exposed to media

    Media portrayals play a big role in non-LGBTQ American’s perception and comfortability with our community, especially if you don’t personally know someone LGBTQ

    Exposed to in ads

    Exposed to in ads
    Arrow indicates 95% stat sig yoy

    2023 vs 2024

    Exposed to in TV/Movies

    Exposed to in TV/Movies
    Arrow indicates 95% stat sig yoy

    2023 vs 2024

    Personal Experiences and Portrayals in Entertainment Media have had the Greatest Positive Influences on Attitudes towards Trans People.
    Social Media and News Coverage have the Most Negative Influence.

    Personal Experiences and Portrayals in Entertainment Media have had the Greatest Positive Influences on Attitudes towards Trans People. Social Media and News Coverage have the Most Negative Influence.

    Exposure to LGBTQ People in Media Grows Familiarity with Us by Up to +50%

    % change in familiarity among non-LGBTQ people based on media exposure vs. no media exposure

    Exposure to LGBTQ People in Media Grows Familiarity with Us by Up to +50%

    Media Exposure is also Associated with Higher Levels of Comfortability with Our Community

    % change in comfortability based on media exposure vs. no media exposure

    And People who have Seen Us in Media Think More Favorably of Brands that also Include Us

    % change in agreement with the below statements based on media exposure vs. no media exposure

    And People who have Seen Us in Media Think More Favorably of Brands that also Include Us

    The GLAAD MEDIA INSTITUTE provides training, consultation, and research to develop an army of social justice ambassadors for all marginalized communities to champion acceptance and amplify media impact. 

    More Publications from GLAAD

    On the morning of June 28, 1969, a group of patrons at the Stonewall Inn – a New York city bar that was a frequent target of police raids because it catered to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community – fought back against police brutality and harassment. Their uprising set in motion a wave of activism among LGBT people that put the issue of LGBT civil rights on the American political map. This resource kit will help journalists cover the 40th anniversary of this momentous event in the history LGBT rights.

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    GLAAD is encouraging journalists to include gay, bisexual and transgender fathers and their families, as well as straight dads that have LGBT children in media coverage of Father’s Day. This toolkit provides potential story ideas and suggestions on how make Father’s Day coverage more inclusive.

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    For many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, the excitement of prom season may be overwhelmed by concerns that they may not feel welcome, or worse, might be actively excluded from prom. This toolkit will help journalists craft prom coverage that integrates the experiences of LGBT youth into stories.

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    stay tuned!