GLAAD on Outrage Shut-Out: 'We Aren't the Academy Awards'

The omission of Outrage from the GLAAD Media Awards nominations list announced on Wednesday was a high-profile snub that earned the ire of many, Movieline included. (Director Kirby Dick will be on Mike Signorile's Sirius/XM show this afternoon to discuss it; you can listen to the conversation free here.) Meanwhile, BlogActive.com was sent this statement from GLAAD addressing the matter (bolding ours):

The GLAAD Media Awards are about elevating and promoting the fair, accurate and inclusive stories of LGBT issues, people and allies that have increased awareness, understanding and respect for our lives and our pursuit of equality.

Outrage is a fine movie and an important one that focused attention on anti-LGBT politicians whose efforts put our community and our families in harm's way. But the GLAAD Media Awards aren't the Academy Awards, they are about highlighting media that move America by telling the stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people - not those who run from who they are.

The decision to come out as LGBT is an extremely personal one that benefits the individual and the people who know them. While there is certainly an argument that is made for speculating on the sexual orientation of anti-LGBT politicians in an effort to hold them accountable for the harms they inflict on our community, that sort of speculation doesn't promote awareness, understanding and respect for our lives and thus does not fit the criteria for the GLAAD Media Awards.

To quote, uh, us -- say whaaaa? Yes, it's quite apparent the GLAAD Media Awards aren't the Academy Awards, but they do share a mandate with the Oscars producers, and that is to get as many famous people down their red carpet as they can. Let's get real here: Nominee Mad Men is about as worthy of a GLAAD Media Award as it is worthy of a NAACP Image Award for its brave depiction of coloreds working as elevator operators in the 1960s. And if we're going by GLAAD's own definition, Sal ran pretty far from who he was. No, the problem is that Outrage is confrontational material, and doesn't jibe with GLAAD's "gays and media: BFFs" mandate.

Cue announcer: "And now, from the cast of I Love You, Man, please welcome..."

· GLAAD RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OVER OUTRAGE AWARD 'SNUB' [Towleroad]