Ratner directed and produced the PSA series, donating his time to raise support for LGBT people. Participants include Charlie Sheen (Anger Management), Jackie Chan, Tamala Jones (Castle), Giada De Laurentiis (Food Network), and Pauley Perrette (NCIS). Additional participants and videos will be released later this month. Videos will direct viewers to take action on GLAAD's website.
Comcast will serve as a leading media partner for the PSA campaign, contributing $1.5 million in national airtime on its Xfinity TV cable systems and bringing this important message to more than 20 million homes over the next year.
"Brett Ratner's dedication and leadership will inspire countless people to speak out in support of LGBT friends, family, neighbors and children," GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. "From high school jocks to faith leaders, those who follow Brett's lead are admired and heralded, while anti-LGBT bullies are increasingly ridiculed and marginalized."
"I have long been a supporter of equal rights for everyone," said Ratner. "So, when Herndon and the folks at GLAAD asked me to partner with them on this PSA campaign, I jumped at the opportunity. I have always been an admirer of GLAAD. They do meaningful and effective work in the fight to secure equality for everyone and I am very humbled that they are honoring me with this Ally Award."
"We are honored to partner with GLAAD to present these powerful, diverse voices speaking up for equality," Charisse R. Lillie, VP, Community Investment of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast Foundation. "Our longstanding dedication to inclusion, respect and equality gives us pride to donate quality air time to promote the core values we share with audiences every day."
In 2012, Ratner and director Tom Ford partnered with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the Ad Council and Talenthouse on a PSA that addressed the prevalent use of anti-gay language among teens as part of GLSEN's "Think Before You Speak" PSA campaign.
