GLAAD Names Herndon Graddick its New President

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has found its new permanent president.

The gay media watchdog announced Saturday that its board of directors selected Herndon Graddick to lead its pack. Graddick has been GLAAD’s Vice President of Programs and Communications since 2010.

Graddick is responsible for leading the campaign AGAINST a Christian conservative group seeking to get Ellen DeGeneres fired as J.C.Penney’s spokesperson. He also oversaw the roll-out of GLAAD’s Commentator Accountability Project, which highlights the use of anti-gay voices as guests on cable news networks. He’s now working on separate video series with Hollywood producer Brett Ratner and a Massachusetts transgender advocacy group.

Graddick tells OutQ News that he’s “really conscious of the obligation” before him as president, but says he’s humbled by the honor and is “looking forward to the challenge.”

GRADDICK: The role of the president is to make sure that: one, that we keep on track and sort of are very mission-focused; but two, that the bills get paid and that we can continue to support ourselves in the work that we do.

Graddick adds that he’s focusing on “taking the organization into a number of new directions.” The veteran TV news producer says GLAAD is in the “constant process of evolving itself to meet the needs of the community.”

Graddick is replacing former President Jarrett Barrios–who along with a handful of board members–resigned last year amid controversy surrounding GLAAD’s endorsement of a proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile. Graddick will be formally introduced at the group’s media awards in Los Angeles this Saturday.

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