January 31, 2001 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) yesterday announced a coalition rally at the Grammy Awards against hip-hop artist Eminem's hate lyrics. The Rally Against Hate will begin at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21 outside Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

GLAAD will be joined by diverse co-sponsors, including: the National Organization for Women (NOW); the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN); the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center; Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); The Matthew Shepard Foundation; the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC); the California National Organization for Women; the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects (NCAVP); PFLAG/LA; the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC); Congregation Kol Ami; Outmusic, the national LGBT musician's network; Los Angeles activist Robin Tyler; and others.

"Eminem's hate-filled lyrics have not only brought many people together in opposition, they've also raised the issue of corporate responsibility for marketing this kind of product," said GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry. "Our coalition's presence at the Grammys will send a powerful message that hate in any medium will not go unchallenged. And we will show that fair- minded people will hold those who promote homophobia, misogyny, and violence against women and the gay community accountable for their words and actions."

Since the May 2000 release of Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP, GLAAD has advanced a national dialogue about the impact of hate lyrics in music, focusing on Eminem's violent, homophobic lyrics. When the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences nominated Eminem for four Grammy Awards (including Album of the Year) on Jan. 3, GLAAD initiated critical media coverage of the nominations.

As part of the pre-Grammy rally, GLAAD and its coalition partners also will conduct an education campaign, including distribution of Eminem's homophobic, misogynistic lyrics and information on the link between hate speech and violence.