Herndon Graddick is New GLAAD President

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced Herndon Graddick as its new president this week, following a board vote. He replaces Mike Thompson, the interim president who stepped up in 2011. Graddick, who has served as GLAAD's Vice President of Programs and Communications since 2010, has supervised quite a few successful endeavors during his time as VP. Most recently, he oversaw the "Stand Up For Ellen" campaign, which defended Ellen DeGeneres' position as JCPenney spokeswoman. He also ran the Commentator Accountability Project, which calls for anti-gay guests to be banned from cable news airwaves. Graddick will make an official debut as president at Los Angeles' GLAAD Media Awards on April 21. "I look forward to working with our dedicated staff to create a culture where there is a welcoming and respected space for LGBT Americans," Graddick said in a statement. "GLAAD's work with the media to inspire Americans to speak out against anti-LGBT actions and support equality is needed today more than ever."