Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation (GLAAD) President Neil Giuliano says he is optimistic
about passage of gay legislation under an Obama administration.
In an interview with OUTTAKEOnline CEO
Charlotte Robinson, Giuliano said he was optimistic that the hope
that has been promised gays and lesbians will become reality in time.
“I think we have a very good chance
at accomplishing legislation with regard to hate crimes, the
employment non-discrimination act with the inclusion of the
transgender community, and I think we're going to see the demise of
'don't ask, don't tell' in a short period of time as well,” he
said.
Giuliano, 52, announced last month that
he would step down from his post as president, a position he has held
since September 2005. In a statement released to the media, GLAAD
said he was departing to “pursue personal interests.”
The former Tempe, Arizona mayor
revealed he would be working on a memoir
about his political life after leaving the gay rights group, but
remained quiet on the more contentious issues of his presidency,
including the recent backlash against traditional suit-and-tie gay
activists who have been accused of mismanaging the gay community's
political capital after a heartwrenching
gay marriage defeat in California on November 4.
“I'm optimistic about the federal
[GLBT] agenda and feel really good about the way we are placed and
the opportunities that we have to make a difference there,” he
said.
“We still have challenges,”
Giuliano added, “We still have a segment of society that considers
us immoral and disordered, and not worthy of equality. Our job is to
try to change their minds and their hearts.”
Giuliano said he does not have a fixed
departure date but offered a date range of leaving after the GLAAD
Media Awards end in May to
midsummer.
Hear the complete audio interview at
OUTTAKEOnline.com.