I had the privilege of participating in the PSA, which will air on Logo and possibly all of MTV’s channels (MTV, VH1, etc).

Logo has just released a PSA tied to the death of Lawrence King, the 15-year-old who was killed by a classmate because he was feminine and had called himself gay.

The PSA urges people to speak up if they see discrimination happening, and reminds us that none of us are safe until all of us are safe.

It features Calpernia Addams (Logo’s Transamerican Love Story), Andre 3000 (OutKast), R&B artist Ashanti, singer/songwriter Sarah Bareilles, actress Portia de Rossi (Arrested Development, Nip/Tuck), international performer Estelle, singer/actress Janet Jackson, actor T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy), R&B artist Little Sister, actor Darryl Stephens (Logo’s Noah’s Arc) and singer/songwriter Taylor Swift.

Click READ MORE to read the full Logo press release

LOGO LAUNCHES PSA TO COMBAT HATE CRIMES IN WAKE OF LAWRENCE KING MURDER

Spot to air on MTV Networks brands features Janet Jackson, T.R. Knight,

Portia de Rossi and other artists and performers

NEW YORK, NY ‚Äì March 10, 2008‚Äì Logo <http://www.logoonline.com/> , a division of Viacom Inc.’s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks, today announced it is launching a public service announcement in response to the brutal murder of Lawrence King <http://www.rememberinglarry.org> , a 15-year-old Oxnard, California boy who was shot at point blank range February 12th.  King was allegedly shot by 14-year-old fellow student Brandon McInerney, who is being charged with a hate crime.  

King, who died days after the shooting, had previously revealed to other students that he was gay and had worn makeup and feminine clothing just days before he was shot.  The epidemic of hate crimes against the LGBT community continues, as evidenced by the murder of 17-year-old Simmie Williams in Florida just days after the King murder.

The 60-second PSA, which premiered this morning at LOGOonline.com <http://logoonline.com> , features community activist, writer and actress Calpernia Addams (Logo’s Transamerican Love Story), Andre 3000 (OutKast), R&B artist Ashanti, singer/songwriter Sarah Bareilles, actress Portia de Rossi (Arrested Development, Nip/Tuck), international performer Estelle, singer/actress Janet Jackson, actor T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy), R&B artist Little Sister, actor Darryl Stephens (Logo’s Noah’s Arc) and singer/songwriter Taylor Swift.  

“One more murder, one more life lost, one more attempt to provoke fear and one more reason hate crimes must end.  We hope this PSA will help inspire more people to join the fight against hate crimes,” said Brian Graden, President, MTV Networks Music Group Entertainment; and President, Logo.

Logo will make the spot available ‚Äì as well as a shortened 30-second version ‚Äì to Logo’s sister brands across MTV Networks as well as other networks that wish to air the spot.  MTV Networks has a long history of educating about hate crimes including the production and airing of numerous PSAs as well as an event on January 10, 2001, when MTV replaced 18 hours of programming with nothing but the names and stories of hate crime victims.  

LOGOonline.com is featuring the PSA on a special splash page with links for more information and links to sites that offer the ability to take action against hate crimes. At Downelink.com <http://downelink.com> , Logo’s social network for multi-cultural young adults, viewers will be invited to comment and provide video responses to the event on a special tribute page.  In the spot, Logo features the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which recently launched rememberinglawrence.org <http://www.rememberinglawrence.org/> , a memorial and action center.  GLSEN works to ensure safety and protection for all young people in schools.

ABOUT LOGO

Logo is the ad-supported network targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) viewers, launched by MTV Networks. The network launched June 30, 2005, with more than one thousand hours of content and has approximately 30 million subscribers across the United States. Logo provides LGBT audiences with a place where they can see themselves through a mix of original and acquired entertainment programming that is authentic, smart and inclusive. Logo joins Viacom’s roster of popular and highly targeted cable networks which include MTV, Comedy Central, BET and Spike TV.

ABOUT MTV NETWORKS

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 120 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services ‚Äì MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL, and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, with all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 100 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless, and interactive television services can be seen worldwide.