Appreciating LGBTQ+ Progress While Acknowledging the Hard Work That Remains

To commemorate Pride Month, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. has once again joined forces with GLAAD, the leading LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization, to help create a world where everyone can live the life they love. 

During this very busy month of advocacy and outreach, we had the opportunity to catch up with Ross Murray, Vice President at the GLAAD Media Institute. In his role at GLAAD, Ross uses the best practices perfected by the nonprofit to train a new generation of advocates in order to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ+ people as well as other marginalized communities. We asked this respected, longtime champion of LGBTQ+ rights and representation to share his unique perspective on how far the community has come, his frank assessment of the hard work that must still be done, and how companies and individuals can be effective allies. 

Q: Welcome, Ross. Can you share how your career path led you to GLAAD? 

A: I am a Lutheran Deacon, and my previous job was working for the Lutheran LGBTQ+ advocacy organization to remove the ban on LGBTQ+ clergy in same-gender relationships within the denomination. GLAAD was hiring for a Director of Religion, Faith & Values, and my work got their attention. My job has expanded to oversee corporate and advocacy training and consultation, but even after 11 years at GLAAD, my focus on religion and LGBTQ+ people informs my work with global and domestic LGBTQ+ communities. The goal is to leverage every area of influence to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.

Q: What do you feel are the biggest accomplishments GLAAD has achieved in the last five years? And, what would success look like five years from now?

A: The last five years have really put the LGBTQ+ community on defense. We have had to fight against assaults against our humanity, our legal protections, and even our physical bodies. Our biggest accomplishments during the past five years have been our resistance to the transgender military ban, medical refusal of care for LGBTQ+ people (especially transgender), “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in several states, and continued attacks on social media and in public institutions. It is always my hope that we stop having to play defense, and that we can build a community of safety and prosperity for the LGBTQ+ community. We could repeal the anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have flooded our state legislatures, but also pass bans on the harmful practice of “conversion therapy”, pass anti-bullying and inclusive curriculum legislation, build healthcare systems that insure access to quality care, and so much more.

Q: What is the deeper symbolism of Pride Month? 

A: I’m moving away from describing Pride as a “celebration” because it implies that our work is complete. Pride is a commemoration of an uprising against police brutality and cultural stigmatization. It reminds us of the work that remains and the pockets of resistance to our full equality, acceptance, and liberation. For the last few years, Pride has come at the end of a brutally anti-LGBTQ+ legislative season. The community has been fighting to keep the anti-LGBTQ+ forces at bay, and we are keenly aware of how much work we still must do.

Q: Our company has voiced its strong support for the Equality Act. What would passing this legislation mean for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies?

A: The Equality Act is the most tangible piece of legislation that provides protections for the LGBTQ+ community. It goes beyond employment protections to prevent discrimination in housing, public accommodations, credit, the jury system, and so much more. Anyone putting up a statement about Pride needs to communicate strong public support for the Equality Act. It will not solve every issue the LGBTQ+ community is facing, but it will go a long way to secure our future.