GLAAD
Alan Klein, National Communications Director
In 1996, Alan Klein was recruited to join the staff of GLAAD (formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), the nonprofit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. He became the organization’s first national communications director and its primary spokesperson.
Alan developed GLAAD’s public relations and strategic positioning plans; positioned the agency as the nation’s leading source of LGBTQ-oriented news and information; managed and supervised staff based in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and San Francisco; directed public response to breaking news and hot-button issues; and, served as the organization's primary spokesperson.
“Ellen” Comes Out
In 1997 Ellen DeGeneres’s character “Ellen” came out on national television and GLAAD played a pivotal role in her decision to come out and in ABC’s decision to air the historic episode. GLAAD orchestrated a slew of international coverage and created the landmark Come Out with Ellen campaign to support the show and its star.
The Howard Stern Show
GLAAD’s national communications director, Alan Klein, appears on the Howard Stern Show to confront Howard on his use of the word "fagg*t" in 1996.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
GLAAD was concerned that an ad released by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA) had the potential to exacerbate higher-than-average risks LGBTQ youth face for substance abuse and suicide by implying that being gay is worse than being addicted to heroin. Due to an effective media campaign mounted by GLAAD, PDFA reconsidered its position and decided to re-edit and reissue their PSA.