Neil G. Giuliano, former Republican mayor of Tempe, Ariz., was named president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the nation's gay media advocacy organization.
"I understand firsthand how important it is to ensure that our stories are being told through the media in every corner of this country," said Giuliano in a statement.
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"He struck me and the search committee as someone who sees a bigger picture, who understands the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans folks not just through a political lens or through a media lens but also very personally," said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Kendell served on the GLAAD search committee.
When asked if it was unusual for a Republican to lead a gay rights group, Kendell said that some might see it that way but added, "I think his political party identity is less important than his political world view. His political world view is certainly one that values difference, values consensus, values justice. Those values became much more important than his stated political affiliation."
http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=2085(Gee, I guess Jeff Gannon wasn't interested in the job.)