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Saturday, Aug 30, 2008
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GLAAD launches sports media program |
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| GLAAD launches sports media program | ||
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Former journalist Ted Rybka appointed
to lead the program New York, September 24, 2007 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced today the hiring of Ted Rybka as the advocacy organization's first-ever Director of Sports Media. In his new role, Rybka will work to ensure that the stories of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) athletes, coaches and sports reporters are included in sports media as a way to combat anti-Gay prejudice in American sports culture. "Throughout its history, GLAAD has worked visibly and behind-the-scenes in the world of entertainment and other cultural spheres to ensure fair, accurate and inclusive representations of people and events," said GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson. "The influence of sports on American culture and the importance of Gay visibility in this arena cannot be underestimated. With the launch of our Sports Media program and Ted's appointment, GLAAD is better equipped to effect cultural change by bringing visibility to the commonalities that athletes and fans share regardless of orientation. Changing the hearts and minds of sports enthusiasts across America promotes equality at a level laws can't always reach." "Homophobia in sports is too-often viewed as acceptable, and in some circumstances even encouraged," said Rybka. "GLAAD's creation of this first-of-its-kind program shows its willingness to tackle tough issues. I'm excited to be a part of this important mission and look forward to breaking new ground in the world of sports." Rybka brings to the job years of experience covering Gay culture and sports. Most recently, he served as editor-in-chief of Sports Out Loud, a magazine dedicated to covering LGBT sports and athletes, and prior to that he was associate editor of Echo Magazine, Arizona's oldest and most widely read LGBT publication. Rybka also spent time with WestStar Talk Radio/The Kim Komando Show as associate editor for a nationally-ranked top ten radio show whose work appeared nationwide in the Gannett Newspapers and on USA Today's web site. Rybka holds two degrees from Arizona State University, a master's degree in mass media and a bachelor of arts in Russian as well as a concentration in German. He served in the U.S. Army for four years as a Russian voice interceptor. Rybka is also a sports enthusiast and plays rugby, tennis and bowling. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) 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. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org. A GLAAD press release |
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