GLAAD Applauds Wanda Sykes for Coming Out

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) President Neil G. Giuliano today praised actress and comedian Wanda Sykes for her decision to come out publicly and share her story at a Las Vegas, Nev. rally on Saturday, Nov. 15.

“Everybody that knows me personally, they know I’m gay – they know, you know? And that’s the way people should be able to live their lives, really…we shouldn’t have to be standing out here demanding something that we automatically should have as citizens of this country,” said Sykes.

“We congratulate Wanda for making this decision and for setting an example for others,” said Giuliano. “Like Wanda, we find ourselves disappointed by results in Arizona, Arkansas, California and Florida where laws passed that were designed to hurt loving, committed couples and families. People living openly and honestly increases the visibility of our community and has a tremendous impact in terms of creating awareness, understanding and acceptance as we continue our march to equality.”

Giuliano is available for interviews on what Sykes’ decision to come out means for the LGBT community. He has appeared on Showbiz Tonight, CNN’s The Situation Room, ABC’s World News Tonight, and Access Hollywood, and has been featured in The Associated Press and USA Today on entertainment news related to the LGBT community.

About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org.