Renna Communications
Working to Change the World
With nearly two consecutive decades of communications experience and special expertise in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, Renna Communications’ team brings sophisticated and nuanced communications strategies to organizations and people who are working to change the world for the better.
Whether your goals are to gain media coverage and shape national political dialogue or to expand your visibility and reach more people in need, you have something you need to communicate. You have an important story to tell. As a client of Renna Communications, you can be certain of one thing: We’ll get your story told.
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Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists to Honor Media Expert and LGBT Activist Cathy Renna with 2012 Barbara Gittings Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nathan Tabak, 347-633-5221, nathan@rennacommunications.com
PHILADELPHIA – April 27, 2012 – The Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists will present its 2012 Barbara Gittings Award to Cathy Renna, Managing Partner of Renna Communications, at their annual awards ceremony, to be held Monday, May 7, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. This prestigious honor recognizes a woman who demonstrates exceptional leadership and advocacy for lesbian issues.
Renna is nationally recognized as a media relations expert and as a leader within the LGBT community. As a major force behind the success and growth of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), where she worked for 14 years, Cathy served as a primary spokesperson for GLAAD, as well as its first National News Media Director.
Read more...posted: 1 May 12
Cathy Renna on Morning Jolt
Listen to our Managing Partner Cathy Renna on the January 3, 2012 edition of Sirius OutQ’s Morning Jolt with Larry Flick.
Read more...
posted: 1 January 12
Parents urged to support, safeguard children as they explore gender
Phil Gast | CNN.com | October 30, 2011
(CNN) — At first, Felisha Archuleta thought her young son’s affinity for wearing dresses, primping his hair and playing with Barbies and Bratz dolls indicated he was going through a stage.
But Bobby Montoya’s interest in “girl stuff” has not been short-lived: He’s grown his hair out and has dressed as a girl when he can for much of his 7 years. Bobby’s been “outspoken” about his gender identity, said Archuleta.
The Denver, Colorado, family’s recent attempt to sign up Bobby with Girl Scouts, however, left him in tears, his mother said.
A leader said he could not join because of his “boy parts,” Archuleta told CNN affiliate 9News.
posted: 30 October 11
Cathy Renna and Teresa Nolan
Listen to our Managing Partner Cathy Renna and Green Chimneys’ Teresa Nolan discuss homeless LGBT youth and the diversity of the LGBT community on the October 25 edition of Sirius OutQ’s Morning Jolt with Larry Flick.
posted: 25 October 11
Ally Sheedy and Carl Siciliano
Actress Ally Sheedy and Carl Siciliano, Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center, discuss homeless youth on the October 24 broadcast of Sirius OutQ’s Morning Jolt with Larry Flick.
posted: 25 October 11
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The State of LGBT Visibility in the Media
Cathy Renna | Huffington Post | October 14, 2011
I approach every October with a sense of pride and dread. For all of the history and progress we celebrate — and there is a lot to celebrate, especially in the past few years — there is always sadness in my heart, because October always takes me back, whether I like it or not, to the time I spent in Laramie, Wyo. following the beating of Matthew Shepard in 1998. And while Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day, it was that day in 1998 that I spent in vigil and solidarity with Matt’s friends, fellow students and activists on the campus of the University of Wyoming, only to be woken up in the middle of night on Oct. 12 to be told we lost Matt. And every year I take that experience and reflect on it as a marker for how much progress we have truly made.
posted: 14 October 11
An Exclusive Club You Don't Want an Invitation To
Terrence Meck | The Huffington Post | June 17, 2011
July 4th will mark the third anniversary of the death of my husband, Rand Skolnick, from pancreatic cancer. A perfectly healthy man at 49, he was diagnosed on March 4th of 2008 and died four months later shortly after his 50th birthday.
Since his death I have carried on his legacy through The Palette Fund, a foundation honoring Rand’s life that has granted more than $2 million to programs in the areas of Nutrition & Wellness, Patient Navigation and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender human rights. Nothing I have done prepared me for Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day in our nation’s capital.
posted: 17 June 11
Cathy Renna on ‘Two Spirits’ on PBS
Same Sex Sunday | June 13, 2011
We chatted with Cathy Renna about the season finale of PBS’ ‘Independent Lens’ Tuesday which will feature the documentary “Two Spirits,” about the murder of Navajo trans teen Fred Martinez in Cortez Colorado a decade ago.
America Ferrera from ‘Ugly Betty’ will host this special, discussing the life and death of Martinez, as well as the notion of ‘two spirit’ in Native American culture. Cathy Renna, who worked on the investigation of the murder with GLAAD at the time, is working with the documentary team in educating America on this special story and this special subject.
posted: 13 June 11
Gay couples seek green cards despite likely denial
Amy Taxin | Associated Press | June 5, 2011
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. — Faced with losing the life they’ve built together in the dusty California desert town of Cathedral City, Doug Gentry and Alex Benshimol are making a last-ditch effort to stave off the looming threat of deportation.
To a large degree, the couple is stuck. While the American information technology consultant and Venezuelan pet groomer wed at a romantic Connecticut ceremony last year, the federal government won’t recognize the marriage between the two men — and as a result, won’t approve their application for a green card.
posted: 6 June 11
Obama Administration Seeks To Address Homeless Crisis Among Gay Teens
Jason Cherkis | Huffington Post | June 1, 2011
WASHINGTON — Jonathan had spent nearly a decade in Louisiana’s child welfare system. The safest places, the gay teen discovered, were the moldy homes he squatted in after Hurricane Katrina.
Roofs sagged, floors caved in, mold veined walls and there were always rats. “It was very uncomfortable,” said Jonathan. “Old, dark, lots of insects, rodents. … It was times I cried.” Often, he lit fires to keep the rats away.
He was 18 years old, and had just aged out of foster care essentially homeless. But those boarded-up dwellings were peaceful refuges compared to the facilities he experienced as a state ward.
Jonathan had logged time in group homes, foster homes, shelters, a secure detention center and even a military boot-camp-style school. It didn’t matter where he ended up. He said he always felt the sting of homophobia.
posted: 1 June 11
Chaplains: Troops may fear sharing beliefs on gays
Julie Watson | Associated Press | May 24, 2011
SAN DIEGO—Military chaplains are concerned troops could be punished for expressing objections to homosexuality once the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy is lifted.
Leaders of 21 religious groups that provide chaplains to the U.S. military on Monday sent a letter to the chiefs of chaplains of the Navy, Army, and Air Force. They want Congress or the Pentagon to guarantee troops won’t be punished if they openly discuss their objections to homosexuality.
posted: 24 May 11
Same Sex Sunday: Terrence Meck on LGBT grants, Eric Ross’ book for kids, teen activist Caleb Laieski
Joe Mirabella | Same Sex Sunday | May 22, 2011
In this special interview-only episode, Phil Reese, Joe Mirabella, and D. Gregory Smith interviewed some outstanding leaders in the gay community.
Joe Mirabella interviewed Terrence Meck, the Executive Director of Palette Fund, an outstanding organizing that grants hundreds of thousands of dollars to deserving LGBT organizations.
Learn what the Palette Fund looks for in non-profits and what inspired Terrence to found the organization.
posted: 23 May 11
FAMILY ACCEPTANCE PROJECT’S FAMILY EDUCATION MATERIALS DESIGNATED 1st “BEST PRACTICE” RESOURCES FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR GAY & TRANSGENDER YOUTH BY NATIONAL REGISTRY
CONTACT: Cathy Renna, cathy@rennacommunications.com, 917-757-6123
SAN FRANCISCO – May 9, 2012 – With media reports of suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth becoming increasingly common, communities are grappling with the urgent need to identify interventions to prevent suicide and suicidal behavior among LGBT youth. However, until today, no “Best Practices” have been identified or designated to help reduce vulnerability and risk among LGBT children, youth or adults.
Although recent media attention has focused primarily on the impact of bullying on self-harm behavior. suicide is typically the result of many interacting factors including depression, substance use and despair, in addition to environmental stressors. These complex interactions underscore the need for comprehensive suicide prevention strategies and interventions to change the environment at the systems level. For LGBT youth, family systems are especially important.
MATERIALES EDUCACIONALES DESAROLLADOS POR EL PROYECTO DE ACEPTACIÓN FAMILIAR, PARA PREVENIR EL SUICIDIO DE JÓVENES GAYS Y TRANGENEROS, HAN SIDO DESIGNADOS COMO LA PRIMERA “MEJOR PRÁCTICA” POR EL REGISTRO NACIONAL
CONTACTO: Cathy Renna, cathy@rennacommunications.com , 917-757-6123
MATERIALES EDUCACIONALES DESAROLLADOS POR EL PROYECTO DE ACEPTACIÓN FAMILIAR, PARA PREVENIR EL SUICIDIO DE JÓVENES GAYS Y TRANGENEROS, HAN SIDO DESIGNADOS COMO LA PRIMERA “MEJOR PRÁCTICA” POR EL REGISTRO NACIONAL
SAN FRANCISCO – 9 de mayo de 2012 – Informes en los medios de comunicación sobre suicidio entre personas que se identifican como lesbiana, gay, bisexual o transgénero (LGBT) son cada vez más común, comunidades enfrentan una urgente necesidad de identificar intervenciones para evitar el suicidio y los comportamientos suicidas entre los jóvenes LGBT. Sin embargo, hasta ahora, no se han identificado o designado “Mejores Prácticas” para ayudar a reducir la vulnerabilidad y el riesgo entre los niños, jóvenes o adultos LGBT.
Aunque la atención reciente de los medios de comunicación se ha concentrado principalmente en el impacto que la intimidación tiene en conductas auto-destructivas, el suicidio es generalmente el resultado de muchos factores que interactúan, incluyendo el uso de sustancias, depresión y la desesperación, además de factores de estrés ambiental. Estas interacciones complejas enfatizan la necesidad de estrategias integrales para la prevención del suicidio e intervenciones para cambiar este ambiente a niveles estructurales. Para los jóvenes LGBT, los sistemas relacionados a familias son especialmente importantes.
ACCLAIMED HIP-HOP ARTIST Y-LOVE COMES OUT, SPEAKS OUT ON BEING AN OPENLY GAY HASIDIC JEW
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cathy Renna, 917-757-6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com
ACCLAIMED HIP-HOP ARTIST Y-LOVE COMES OUT,
SPEAKS OUT ON BEING OPENLY GAY, HASIDIC JEW
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW AT: http://www.out.com/entertainment/music/2012/05/15/y-love-yitz-jordan-hip-hop-jewish-gay
NEW SINGLE, VIDEO “FOCUS ON THE FLAIR” AVAILABLE AT: http://bit.ly/KYSACO
HI RES PRESS PHOTOS AT: http://shemspeed.com/ylovepresskit/photos.html
FULL PRESS KIT AT: http://wearebancs.com/ylovepresskit/index.html
NEW YORK, NY – May 15, 2012 – Crossover hip-hop artist Yitz “Y-Love” Jordan is speaking out for the first time about his life as a gay man of color, while straddling the worlds of hip-hop and Hasidic Judaism – two communities not known for supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. On May 15th his latest release, “Focus on the Flair,” will bring a new, authentic voice to the hip-hop world and the LGBT community.
Said Jordan, explaining his decision to publicly identify as a gay man for the first time: “I want mine to be the last generation of LGBT Americans that remembers what a closet is. I want kids in 20 years to sit annoyed through LGBT history class to learn about that long ago time ‘when gay people used to have to lie,’ much like segregation is a far-off time to many of today’s middle-class black youth.”
IN THE LIFE MEDIA DEBUTS My Two Moms with Zach Wahls
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eleanor Moonier
212-255-6012 ×321
emoonier@itlmedia.org
New York, May 13, 2012 – In The Life Media celebrates Mother’s Day with “My Two Moms,” a web short video featuring Zack Wahls, the son of lesbian moms whose passionate speech to the Iowa House of Representatives in support of marriage equality went viral on YouTube, capturing the attention of the country.
Wahls joins In The Life Media to discuss his experience as a child of two moms, how he’s adjusting to life in the spotlight, and his new book, “My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength and What Makes a Family.”
“My hope for the book is to show people that this is just a portrait of another American family,” says Wahls, “that is just as valid as any other American family.”
WATCH My Two Moms with Zach Wahls here:
http://www.itlmedia.org/clips/entry/zach-wahls-my-two-moms
NEW BOOK “ABOVE ALL THINGS” TELLS POWERFUL STORY OF EVANGELICAL MOTHER’S JOURNEY TO JOYFUL ACCEPTANCE OF HER LESBIAN DAUGHTER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: For inquiries about Above All Things or to arrange an interview with author Shari Johnson, contact Cathy Renna at 917-757-6123 or cathy@rennacommunications.com.
Now available for pre-order at:
http://www.amazon.com/Above-All-Things-Shari-Johnson/dp/0985024801/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335869641&sr=8-1
Odessa, TX. May 2, 2012 – Shari Johnson’s new book Above All Things: The Journey of an Evangelical Christian Mother and Her Gay Daughter, about Johnson’s crisis of faith after her daughter, Cholene, came out as a lesbian and her struggle to accept it, will be released on May 21, 2012, published by Changing Lives Press. In its call for compassion and love, Above All Things aims to help family members and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to understand the difficulties that their loved ones face, as well as to help LGBT individuals cope with the challenges of coming out.
