GAY LESBIAN BUSINESS NEWS

For Immediate Release Contact: Ron Robin December 12, 2006 trb@trbproductions.com Phone: (508) 487-9280

Brian McNaught Teaches Corporate America How to Reconcile Gay Issues Today Educator and Author’s Three Decades Experience Now Captured on DVD

McNaught’s exceptional skills as a communicator now are available on a special 2-hour DVD collection – recorded in 2005. This extraordinarily engaging and powerful presentation by "the godfather of gay diversity training", as the New York Times named him, captures Brian McNaught at his very best with an enthusiastic live audience of corporate employees.

The DVD presentation encapsules the most compelling content from his two popular corporate workshops, "Understanding Gay and Trasgender Issues in the Workplace" and "Managing Gay and Transgender Issues in the Workplace." The four-part presentation seeks to build bridges of understanding on gay and transgender issues in the workplace, and to make allies of all employees in the company's goal of empowering a diverse workforce. The programs are available as follows:

Part One—Starting the Discussion - "Words vs. Music" - Why companies which seek to attract and retain the best employees must address these issues, why the topic can be challenging for many people, and how personal moral values do not prevent colleagues from embracing efforts to create a safe and productive work environment. Run Time: 36 minutes

Part Two—Challenges in the Workplace - What gay and transgender people are looking for from their employer, why they want to "come out" at work, and what prevents them from doing so. Run Time: 37 minutes

Part Three—Learning the Language - The necessary information on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, as well as the proper terminology for both issues, which colleagues need to feel more comfortable and confident in their responses. Run Time: 44 minutes

Part Four—Putting a Face on the Issue - Participants understand with both their heads and their hearts how their gay and transgender colleagues are impacted in the workplace by the lack of understanding of the issues they confront on a daily basis. Run Time: 28 minutes

[Part One - Starting the Discussion (includes facilitator's guide) priced at $495 or the complete four part set (includes facilitator's guide and book) is priced at $895]

For over thirty years, McNaught has drawn on personal experiences — including a failed suicide attempt, coming out to his parents and co-workers, and being fired for being gay — in order to help audiences understand what it's like to grow up gay. He has distilled this experience, insight and counseling skills to educate senior managers and employees on gay and transgender issues at corporations in North America and Europe including Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, UBS, Chrysler, Ford, Morgan Stanley, Merck, DuPont, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, S.C. Johnson & Sons, Chubb, SONY, St. Paul Cos., Credit Suisse - First Boston, AT&T, Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, Lucent, Avaya, Agilent Tech., NCR, and more than two hundred colleges and universities.

For more background on Brian McNaught, and to obtain details on purchasing his popular DVD series, please visit www.brian-mcnaught.com. Note that corporate licenses are available for purchasing multiple sets.

-- 30 --

NATIONAL STONEWALL DEMOCRATS

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 	CONTACT:   	John Marble
January 28, 2002				(202) 625-1382
 
johnmarble@stonewalldemocrats.org

NSD CALLS FOR WHITE HOUSE TO CLARIFY ALLEGED ENRON SCHEME
Anti-Gay Politico Reportedly Put on Enron Payroll to Hide Connections to
Bush

"If the facts about Ralph Reed and Enron are true, George W. Bush wrapped
his arms around 11 gay Republicans for a photo op, while his campaign
improperly, and illicitly, masked his real loyalty to the anti-gay right
wing."  - Chad Johnson, NSD Executive Director

WASHINGTON, DC - The National Stonewall Democrats today called on President
Bush and his top advisors to fully and immediately answer allegations that
Bush's presidential campaign engineered a highly questionable strategy to
hide payment to one or more right-wing, anti-gay operatives.  The New York
Times detailed these accusations on January 25, 2002.

According to the report, associates of Karl Rove state that Rove, long-time
top adviser to George W. Bush, orchestrated an unethical and potentially
illegal deal with Enron for the Texas-based company to retain Ralph Reed as
a consultant so that Reed could advise the Bush campaign without appearing
on the candidate's payroll.  The report alleges that the Bush campaign was
able to rely on Reed and his ties to the religious right without risking the
campaign's "compassionate conservatism" message.

"The American people deserve a thorough and independent examination of the
alleged Karl Rove-Ralph Reed scandal reported last week in the New York
Times," said Chad Johnson, NSD Executive Director.  "It's in everyone's
interest for President Bush to direct Karl Rove to immediately make all
contacts with Enron public, and for Congress to ask tough questions.  If the
facts about Ralph Reed and Enron are true, George W. Bush wrapped his arms
around 11 gay Republicans for a photo op, while his campaign improperly, and
illicitly, masked his real loyalty to the anti-gay right wing."

According to the New York Times, Reed, the former executive director of the
anti-gay Christian Coalition, was paid between $10,000 and $20,000 per month
by Enron while he "volunteered" his time on the Bush campaign.  Rove's
alleged deal permitted Bush to solidify his political position among
anti-gay, radical-right groups of voters and simultaneously appeal to
centrist voters with a moderate public image.  One of the most notorious of
these anti-gay activities by right-wing groups on Bush's behalf involved a
flier sent to legislators during the South Carolina primary, stating that
rival Senator John McCain was tied to homosexual groups and accordingly was
unfit to be president.  Who paid for, or disseminated, the gay-baiting
materials in support of the Bush campaign was never identified.

If the reports of Rove's scheme prove accurate, it appears likely that Rove,
Reed and Enron violated federal election laws and other statutes, a
development that could implicate others, including the President.
____________________________________________________________________________
_________

The National Stonewall Democrats is the national organization of gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender Democrats.   NSD is committed to improving
the record of the Democratic Party and educating voters about the vast
differences between the two major parties on issues of importance to our
communities.      
###


Jason Hoppin
The Recorder
January 18, 2002

The unwelcome mat that the city of San Francisco laid out for the Rev.
Donald Wildmon [AFA National President] and his companions on the religious
right can stay exactly where it is, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
ruled.

A divided panel ruled Wednesday that the Board of Supervisors did not
violate the Constitution when it passed resolutions in 1998 broadly
criticizing a religious coalition's anti-gay rhetoric and suggesting that TV
stations reject advertisements from the groups.

"Although the defendants may have criticized plaintiff's speech ... and
urged television stations not to air it, there was no sanction or threat of
sanction if the plaintiffs continued to urge conversion of homosexuals or if
the television stations failed to adhere to defendant's request and aired
the advertisements," Judge Michael Daly Hawkins wrote.

Judge A. Wallace Tashima joined Hawkins in American Family Association v.
City and County of San Francisco, 02 C.D.O.S. 417.

New City Attorney Dennis Herrera issued a press release praising the
decision. "Cities have the right to state their views about human rights
just like anyone else."

The city was sued after it passed the resolutions in the wake of a full-page
advertisement in the San Francisco Chronicle criticizing all forms of sexual
"sin," including homosexual and premarital sex. The ad campaign, paid for by
a coalition of religious groups, also alleged that homosexuals are more
prone to contract STDs and engage in self-destructive behavior. It also
professed that Christians love homosexuals and want to heal them.

The city's letter blamed such rhetoric for fostering a climate of violence
against homosexuals -- using as an example the killing in Wyoming of Matthew
Shepard -- and called on local TV stations to deny Wildmon a forum to
espouse his views.

Wildmon, a controversial evangelist who sees moral subversion even in Disney
cartoons, claimed the city was infringing on his right to practice religion
in violation of his First Amendment rights.

Hawkins wrote that the letter and resolutions didn't quite go far enough to
run afoul of the Constitution.

"Certainly, the letter and the resolution may contain over-generalizations
about the religious right, at times misconstrue the plaintiff's message and
may be based on a tenuous perceived connection between the plaintiff's
advertisements and the increase in violence against gays and lesbians,"
Hawkins wrote. "This does not, however, make religious hostility the primary
effect of the defendant's actions."

In dissent, Senior Judge John Noonan Jr., author of several treatises on
religion and the law, wrote that the purpose of the city's resolution was to
condemn religious views, and therefore did cross the constitutional line
between church and state.

"To reach the plaintiffs, to strike at the heart of what the city believed
as a danger, the city had to strike at the heart of the plaintiffs'
religious belief, to focus on their belief that the conduct they were trying
to change was an offense to God and to make that belief responsible for
murder," Noonan wrote.

"Suppose a city council today, in the year 2002, adopted a resolution
condemning Islam because its beliefs incorporated the concept of a holy war
and so, the resolution said, were 'directly correlated' with the bombing of
the World Trade Center," Noonan wrote. "Would any reasonable, informed
observer doubt that the primary effect of such an action by a city could be
the expression of an official hostility to the religion practiced by a
billion people?"

 
January 4, 2002

Los Angeles—Cybersocket Magazine’s former Editor in Chief, Victor Evans, is parting ways to concentrate more fully on writing his novel. For over two years, Victor Evans has successfully managed Cybersocket’s Editorial Department, bringing its readers quality content with a fresh, technological twist. Cybersocket extends its thanks and gratitude to Victor Evans for all of his devotion and hard work, and wishes him the best of luck and success in the future.

Jonathan Nghiem, former Associate Editor of Cybersocket, has inherited all responsibilities as Cybersocket’s Editor in Chief.

“Greetings. I would like to introduce myself as Editor in Chief of Cybersocket Magazine. As you already know, Cybersocket brings focus to anything and everything about the gay and lesbian Internet. It is such a lucrative and eclectic market that is gaining more and more ground as each day passes, as new technology and products are introduced, and as gay and lesbian presence on the Net becomes more recognized. Cybersocket brings all of these aspects together with both digital and printed publications, and it gives me great pleasure to be a part of it. Also, I would like to thank Victor Evans for doing such a great job and making the transition so smooth. You will be missed! 

I look forward to a long working relationship with all supporters of Cybersocket. Please send any Editorial correspondence, addressed to myself, to editor@cybersocket.com. Thank you.”

Cybersocket welcomes Jonathan Nghiem as its new Editor in Chief, with his well-rounded and experienced view on the gay and lesbian Internet.   

 
Morgan Sommer
Cybersocket - President
 

GLAAD's Los Angeles office has relocated.  Our new address, phone 
number and fax number are:

5455 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1500
Los Angeles, CA 90036-4201
Phone: (323) 933-2240
Fax: (323) 933-2241



Companies Eye Homosexual Consumers' Wallets, Loyalty
By Lawrence Morahan
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
December 05, 2001

(CNSNews.com) - As U.S. businesses elbow for survival in an uncertain
economy after Sept. 11, many are soliciting homosexual consumers, and
those who connect are reporting profitable results.

Homosexual consumers are typically affluent, well-educated
professionals with money to spend, studies suggest.

Same-sex couples have a median combined household income of almost 60
percent higher than the overall 1999 U.S. median income of $40,800,
according to an Internet-based consumer survey released last month by
Syracuse University OpusComm Group.

In today's economy, marketers are more likely to risk losing some
business through boycotts by groups opposed to homosexual activism than
sit back and risk losing this market to their competitors, pioneers of
the homosexual market report.

"We did face some rather strong opposition at one time by some
religious political organizations," said Tim Kincaid, a spokesman for
American Airlines, one of the first large U.S. companies to solicit
homosexual consumers.

"But in evaluating it, we stayed the course, and it turns out most
every airline out there now is doing something, and not just the
airlines, but many industries," Kincaid said.

"And they have been very responsive to it. There's been more of a
buycott than a boycott," he added.

Homosexuals travel more often than many other demographic groups and
tend to be loyal to vendors who show them courtesy or respect, industry
analyses show.

While researchers report that the statistical measurement of the
homosexual population is difficult, studies suggest that about 5
percent of the U.S. population identifies itself as homosexual. This
population of men and women has a combined annual spending of between
$250-$350 billion.

Homosexuals also are gaining acceptance in society. TV shows like
"Ellen," "Will and Grace," and Showtime's "Queer as Folk" - not to
mention same-sex storylines in many sitcoms and movies - have altered
the public's perception of homosexuals, researchers say.

A recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 76 percent
of homosexual men and women say there is more acceptance of them today
compared to a few years ago.

Companies that pioneered reaching out to homosexual consumers in the
1990s say they no longer try to pigeonhole consumers at any level.

In 1994, Swedish furniture retailer Ikea stunned TV viewers with its ad
featuring a male couple shopping at their local store. Today, the
company's ads don't target homosexuals as a specific group, a company
spokeswoman said.

"We were really focusing on people's life stages and, as we always do,
we just seek to represent a broad spectrum of consumers," spokeswoman
Mary Lunghi said.

"Our media buys were always more on the general market. We believe that
we are for the many and so we try to be as broad as possible in our
media to reach out to as many people as possible," she added.

American Airlines also does not target homosexual consumers as such,
but gets business through travel agencies and tour operators who are
members of large travel organizations such as the International Lesbian
Gay Travel Association, of which AA is a member.

This means the company doesn't have to spend valuable advertising
dollars because its logo is carried on many events it sponsors. "You
support the organization and you get the value of advertising," Kincaid
said.

General Motors' Saturn has a regular presence in homosexual
publications, though the ads are not tailored to a specific audience.
Daimler Chrysler says it will begin soliciting business on homosexual
web sites early next year. 

Former tennis star Martina Navratilova, who publicly declared her
homosexuality in 1993, does commercials for Subaru.

A spokesman for Volkswagen said the company was advertising in a
variety of publications, but he could not say whether any research had
been done to determine how effective the ad placement has been. 

But TV ads targeting homosexual consumers continue to generate
controversy, especially alcohol ads. "The gay media practically
wouldn't exist without liquor ads," one analyst said.

Last year, financial services conglomerate John Hancock created a stir
with an ad featuring a female couple coming through U.S. immigration
with an adopted Asian baby. "You'll make a great mom," one woman says.
The other replies: "So will you." The tagline: "Insurance for the
unexpected. Investments for the opportunities."

After protest by traditional family groups, the company took out the
lines that referred to motherhood in the ad, which aired during the
2000 Summer Olympics.


COMMENT: Media Alert-November 21,2001-“20,000 attendees &The International Gay & Lesbian 2002 Expo returning to New York for 9th year and is on a “sell-out pace!”

WHAT: The largest GLBT event of its kind in the world, the International Gay & Lesbian 2002 “The Business and Entertainment Expo” celebrates its
 9th anniversary.

WHERE:  At the Jacob Javits Convention Center, 38th and 11th, New York City

WHEN: Saturday, March 16th  (11am to 7pm) and Sunday, March 17th, 2002 (12noon to 6pm).

BACKGROUND: Serious Business for Serious Consumers
	The 9th Int’l Gay & Lesbian 2002, “The Business & Entertainment Expo”, promotes business in an upbeat and fun atmosphere.  We have invented and perfected a formula that works.  In a revolutionized business-to-business marketing environment, vendors are surrounded by hundreds of exciting networking opportunities, not only with attendees, but also with other exhibitors.

             It’s the largest event of its kind in the world and is an annual event of significance for the gay community.  Attendance exceeded 20,000 people each of the last 3 years from all over the United States and the world.  It draws a microcosm of the world’s professions, including business, medicine, entertainment, art, education, homemaking and more.

The last “UNDISCOVERED, BILLION DOLLAR NICHE MARKET.”

Gay-friendly sponsors have included: American Airlines, American Express, Anheuser Busch- Bud Light, Bose, British Tourist Authority, Community Marketing, Cybersocket, Fleet Bank, Florida Keys & Key West, GFN, HBO, IBM, Motorola, New York Press, New York Times, Paramount Pictures, Subaru, Time Warner Cable, TLA Video, The Village Voice, UDV, USPS, Windjammer Cruises, Window Media, 1010 WINS and WKTU 103.5FM.  Gay-owned sponsors include: Art & Understanding, Gay Live NY, Genre, Hero, Instinct, Kurfew Entertainment, LGNY, New York Blade, NEXT, Odysseus, Passport, PNN, Travel Alternatives, Washington Blade and Venus.

             For booth and sponsorship information, contact:
Sharmayne Wesler-Sales Manager							
	The RDP Group    30 Tower Lane   Avon, CT  06001
	(800) 243-9774     Fax:(860) 677-6869 			
Website: www.rdpgroup.com    
E-MAIL:  sharmayne@rdpgroup.com									





Media Alert-November 8,2001-“The International Gay & Lesbian 2002 Expo
returning to New York for 9th year and is on a “sell-out pace!”

WHAT: The largest GLBT event of its kind in the world, the International Gay
& Lesbian 2002 “The Business and Entertainment Expo” celebrates its
 9th anniversary.

WHERE:  At the Jacob Javits Convention Center, 38th and 11th, New York City

WHEN: Saturday, March 16th  (11am to 7pm) and Sunday, March 17th, 2002
(12noon to 6pm).

BACKGROUND: Serious Business for Serious Consumers
	The 9th Int’l Gay & Lesbian 2002, “The Business & Entertainment Expo”,
promotes business in an upbeat and fun atmosphere.  We have invented and
perfected a formula that works.  In a revolutionized business-to-business
marketing environment, vendors are surrounded by hundreds of exciting
networking opportunities, not only with attendees, but also with other
exhibitors.

             It’s the largest event of its kind in the world and is an
annual event of significance for the gay community.  Attendance exceeded
20,000 people each of the last 3 years from all over the United States and
the world.  It draws a microcosm of the world’s professions, including
business, medicine, entertainment, art, education, homemaking and more.

The last “UNDISCOVERED, BILLION DOLLAR NICHE MARKET.”

Gay-friendly sponsors have included: American Airlines, American Express,
Anheuser Busch- Bud Light, Bose, British Tourist Authority, Cybersocket,
Fleet Bank, Florida Keys & Key West, GFN, HBO, IBM, Motorola, New York
Press, New York Times, Paramount Pictures, Subaru, Time Warner Cable, TLA
Video, The Village Voice, UDV, USPS, Windjammer Cruises, Window Media, 1010
WINS and WKTU 103.5FM.  Gay-owned sponsors include: Art & Understanding, Gay
Live NY, Genre, Hero, Instinct, Kurfew Entertainment, LGNY, New York Blade,
NEXT, Odysseus, Passport, PNN, Travel Alternatives, Washington Blade and
Venus.

             For booth and sponsorship information, contact:
Sharmayne Wesler-Sales Manager								The RDP Group    30 Tower Lane   Avon,
CT  06001
	(800) 243-9774     Fax:(860) 677-6869
Website: www.rdpgroup.com
E-MAIL:  sharmayne@rdpgroup.com

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