Herndon Graddick is new president of GLAAD

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has a new president: Herndon Graddick.

Graddick, who had been working as GLAAD’s vice president of programs and communications, was chosen after a nationwide search.

In a press release, GLAAD notes that under Graddick’s leadership, the organization has engaged in numerous highly visible campaigns including ‘Stand Up For Ellen,’ which prompted the group One Million Moms — a project of the American Family Association — to end its call for J.C. Penney to fire Ellen DeGeneres as its new spokesperson because she is gay. Herndon also oversaw GLAAD’s work on the Commentator Accountability Project,  an initiative launched last month to highlight the extreme rhetoric of anti-LGBT activists who currently appear in national news outlets.

“Right now GLAAD and our partners in the LGBT movement are making a significant difference at a time when a difference needs to be made,” Graddick said. “I look forward to working with our dedicated staff to create a culture where there is a welcoming and respected space for LGBT Americans. 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.”

It was last June that Jarrett Barrios submitted his resignation after 23 months on the job because of fallout over a statement he had released supporting the merger of telecom giants AT&T and T-Mobile. AT&T had donated $50,000 to the LGBT rights organization.

Mike Thompson, then GLAAD’s chief operating officer, was asked to take over as acting president after the departure of Barrios. In an interview with Greg In Hollywood in July, Thompson would not say whether he will be a candidate for the job.