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GLAAD to present a free basic media workshop

By David W. Shelton | July 15, 2007 |

GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance against Defamation) in association With Christian Community Church of Clarksville will present a special free basic media workshop from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on August 2, 2007. The workshop will be held in a meeting room at The Riverview Inn at 50 College Street in Clarksville.

“This special workshop is ideal for those who are spokespersons for an LGBT organization who frequently speaks with the media, or anyone who wants to learn about the media and how to talk about their lives to others,” said GLAAD Southern Media Strategist Alex Shoor, who will facilitate the training. Shoor emphasized the importance of working with local media. “As we work every day for equality, it is essential our voice is represented in the media,” he said.

Attendees will learn how to communicate effectively with reporters and the general community on LGBT issues of faith, family, marriage, and discrimination. The workshop will provide tools for developing the individual’s personal message to the media and conducting interviews with print, radio, and TV reporters. Topics will include message development, understanding the target audience, a presentation of clips, and interactive exercises.

David W. Shelton, pastor of Christian Community Church of Clarksville, said that “A workshop like this is essential for those of us who work with the media.” He also stressed that “it doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight. If you’re interested in understanding how to work with the media on LGBT issues, then you NEED to be there.”

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance against Defamation (GLAAD) was formed in 1985 and 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. According to the www.glaad.org website:

Because of GLAAD’s work, gay and lesbian stories and issues are covered in national and local news publications, in film and on television. Negative and imbalanced portrayals of the community have decreased while lesbians and gay men have been increasingly incorporated in nearly every type of media platform - from soap operas to cartoon strips. But there’s a lot of work yet to do. Transgender and bisexual representations, representations of the full spectrum of diversity of our community, and accurate representations of our relationships are but a few areas where GLAAD continues to focus resources and attention.

The workshop is interactive and will include a copy of handouts which outline the workshop, and has a list of outlining essential media strategies. The workshop is offered free of charge, but is limited to 30 participants and will be filed on a first-come, first-served basis. Send RSVPs to shoor@glaad.org or pastor@christiancommunityclarksville.com.

• What: Free Basic Media Workshop for GLBT issues 
• Where: The Riverview Inn
• When: August 2, 2007 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Cost: FREE
• RSVP to shoor@glaad.org or pastor@christiancommunityclarksville.com

About David W. Shelton

Posts by David W. Shelton are copyright (c)2006, 2007, 2008 by the author. All rights reserved. David W. Shelton is a writer, speaker and activist in Clarksville, and serves on the Clarksville Human Relations Commission. His passions include film and complete equality for all people, and he has worked in various capacities to work toward this goal. He is currently an illustrator, graphic designer, trainer, and is the owner of Imagine Media Solutions. He is an Adobe® Certified Instructor in Photoshop®.

Web Site: http://www.skippingtothepiccolo.com/

Email: dwshelton@att.net

Sections: Events, Issues
Topics: Alex Shoor, Christian Community Church, GLAAD, media workshop

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