Logo is evolving its programming focus with new series and development deals that reflect gays and lesbians’ increasing integration into mainstream culture today and their desire for shows that appeal to their multiple interests.

In the 6 years since Logo launched, there has been a seismic shift in culture and the network’s new programming slate reflects that. From the push for marriage equality, to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and even the mass appeal of broadcast TV shows like “Modern Family” all signal a significant movement in today’s culture where “out” characters are celebrated for their success and values and the majority of gays and lesbians define themselves by multi-dimensional notions other than purely on their sexual orientation.

“Culturally, we’re past the tipping point. For gays and lesbians, it’s part of who they are, but they don’t lead with it, because many are leading fully integrated, mainstream lives,” said Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President of Logo. “Our goal at Logo has always been to honestly reflect our viewers’ lives. We’re now reinforcing our commitment to them with programming that truly mirrors how many of them are living and want to be entertained today.”

Further evidence comes from a new study Logo conducted in partnership with Starcom Mediavest Group and its Beyond Demographics series.  Coming out this spring, the identity research gives light on how lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender community lives today.  For instance, early findings show that 53 percent conveyed that Gays don’t hide being gay, but that for them it’s not a priority to showcase it. And only 30 percent indicated that they preferred living and socializing in exclusively gay and lesbian communities.

“The gay community continues to evolve in size, influence and identity,” said Starcom Mediavest’s Esther Franklin, EVP, head of SMG Americas Experience Strategy.  ”Beyond Demographics allows us to understand the needs of this critical community as they emerge and to paint a clearer, more specific picture of what’s meaningful and relevant in their lives.”

Ellen Rakieten (Ellen Rakieten Productions), Ken Mok (10X10 Productions, “America’s Next Top Model”) and J. Paul Buscemi, Tony DiSanto and Liz Gately (DiGa), Go Go Luckey Entertainment (“Laguna Beach”) and T-Group (“Storage Hunters”) have all signed on to produce a diverse array of projects for Logo, covering docu-reality and competition genres.

Topics cover the ambition behind children’s beauty pageants, the stress of adopting a child, the dramas of running a West Hollywood family business and their passion for pets.  The network is also expanding the mission behind its hit series “RuPaul’s Drag U,” produced by World of Wonder, while adding programming that covers and comments on the pop culture that Logo viewers love.

“These new projects are anchored by stories that go deep into today’s world: Eden Wood has already accomplished more than most of us will in our entire lives.  Wanting to start a family is a universal desire, no matter who you love.  Families in business together during a recession could be the ultimate drama.

And pets are now surrogate children for a lot of people — who go to great lengths to celebrate them,” said Brent Zacky, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Logo.  “An expanded vision for ‘RuPaul’s Drag U’ and shows that review the more notorious elements of pop culture fill out our diverse menu of themes that will further engage and grow Logo’s audience.”

Image Courtesy of  Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com

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This is another victory for the LGBT community, on the road to equality, as time is running out on the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy in the U.S. Military.

“Our military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian,” President Barack Obama said in a statement.

The 1993 law that disqualified men and women who are gay to serve openly in the military “undermines our military readiness and violates American principles of fairness and equality,”
President Barack Obama said in a statement.

Soon, all men and women in service will be able to serve their country with the pride that they for too long were denied because they had to conceal their sexual preference, Laura W. Murphy, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office explained. “The demise of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ demonstrates that we should not write discrimination into our laws. Now is the time for Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.”

Even though this repeal is a big step forward, there are still laws that discriminate against LGBT Americans and their families.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense the policy was reviewed and accredited by Defense Secretary: Leon Panetta, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral: Michael Mullen, and President Barack Obama. Now those who wish to enlist and join the armed forces will no longer need to lie about their sexual orientation in order to do so.

“‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ has been a discriminatory distraction for far too long, and we welcome its repeal once and for all,” said James D. Esseks, director of the ACLU’s LGBT Project.

‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will end, once and for all September 20, 2011.

“Every American can be proud that our extraordinary troops and their families, like earlier generations that have adapted to other changes, will only grow stronger and remain the best fighting force in the world,” Obama said, “And a reflection of the values of justice and equality that the define us as Americans.”

Even with this new regulation, work must still be done to ensure it is followed and men and women who are openly gay, bisexual, lesbian or Transgender will not be subjected to illegal discrimination.

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Around the world, LGBT persons have committed suicide, got depressed, developed psychological and physiological problems because of rejection and stigmatization in the society.

As a result they are open to limited health care and employment opportunities. Although not so many of them likes being stigmatized and discriminated they still cannot avoid being LGBT persons because It isn’t their mind that’s pushing them to be looked down upon. Their mind is what is making them LGBT.

PSN Newsletter vol 5 (2010) Transgender Today reported from a Transgender interview that,” LGBT is not a fashion trend that anyone can follow it is a thing of the mind that they have absolutely no control over it and that while they physically look like men or women, in their heart they are more of the opposite sex”.

Haven lived in Thailand — a country with the highest number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people tolerated by society however, there is much more to it than being treated equally in the society.

Despite the fact that there has not been any physical assaults recorded or refusal of allowing same sex lovers living and doing things together, Thai LGBT cannot be civil servants, nurses, doctors, politicians nor can they serve in the military.

Many of The African countries like Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Liberia to mention a few being LGBT are seldom mentioned let alone declared in public. To be LGBT here causes a double rejection by your own family and the society at large. Also the strong religious and cultural roots in many of the African countries like Kenya, Cameroun, Republic of Benin and the likes complicate the LGBT community.

While these countries are members of the United Nations they are not complying with U.N. Human Rights Law with regards to people of diverse sexual orientation, and gender identities which can be categorized as: “(a) non-discrimination (b) protection of privacy right and (c) the ensuring of other general human rights to all, regardless of sexual orientation, and gender identity.”

The LGBT communities in the aforementioned countries operate in secrecy for fear of rejection, losing their jobs and family conflict thus, making them fugitives in their own lands.

LGBT cases are crucial around the world. Even with civilization it still seems impossible to overcome however, some Countries and Organizations have come to accept LGBT communities, affording them human rights notable amongst them is the legalization of same sex marriage in Germany, New York City, Massachusetts of the United State and the U.N. Gay Rights Protection Resolution Passed recently.

We call on other countries to emulate New York Supreme court, the United Nations and adhere to the words of Barack Obama who spoke on behalf of LGBT persons worldwide on the July 24, 2011.

I sincerely believe that “No culture or religion, translated into prejudice by a government official, religious leaders or lay man, should supersede the basics of humanity and respect for diversity.”

And also the fact that LGBT are a small fraction of the World’s population does not mean that they are wrong at least the majority is not always right.

Zherui WU / Shutterstock.com

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