Source: E! Online, Yahoo News, PageOneQ
"If you think gay teens like Lawrence King are safe in our schools," says
Grey's Anatomy's T. R. Knight, "you're wrong."
In partnership with GLSEN, LGBT-oriented television network Logo, is airing a public service announcement urging awareness and vigilance against homophobia, transphobia and discrimination in schools. The ad was made in response to the recent murder of openly gay junior high student Lawrence King.
The E!Online includes a streaming player showing the ad.
"One more murder, one more life lost, one more attempt to provoke fear and one more reason hate crimes must end," said Brian Graden, President of Logo. "We hope this PSA will help inspire more people to join the fight against hate crimes."
Ellen DeGeneres spoke out on her show about the murder and now her girlfriend, actress Portia de Rossi has stepped up to take part in the PSA to combat hate crimes. Logo debuted the 60-second spot Monday.
“Imagine if wearing makeup and a dress could get you killed,” de Rossi says in the ad. “For 15-year-old Lawrence King, that’s just what happened.”
Knight, Janet Jackson, Andre 3000 and Ashanti also appear in the 60-second ad.
Comedienne DeGeneres admitted she was deeply affected by the murder of 15 year old Lawrence King during an emotional outburst on her TV show Ellen last month. [see Qnews summary]
The 15-year-old was shot at the E.O. Green School in Oxnard, California on February 12 following months of taunting by some of his classmates. [see Qnews summary]
Jay Smith, executive director of the Oxnard-area gay rights group Ventura County Rainbow Alliance told E! Online that he hopes DeGeneres will meet with local teens who knew King through the alliance’s support group for gay youth.
Smith said, “It was good to see Ellen draw some attention to Ventura County and the situation that gay and lesbian kids deal with in school.”
Meanwhile, it was announced today that Melissa Crutcher, one of King's fellow classmates, will be honored on Saturday with the Hero Courage Award at the Human Rights Campaign's annual Los Angeles gala for her work organizing a local march in memory of King. [see Qnews summary] Anne Hathaway is also one of the night's honorees.
Full article: De Rossi signs on for gay rights ad - Yahoo! News UK
Logo airs new PSA to combat homophobia, discrimination | PageOneQ
Portia Joins Ellen to Stop the Hate | E! Online