Episode 213 Sarah Moore
Jeanne Pepper and Sarah Moore interview.
Sarah Moore, GLAAD's Senior Manager of News and Research, plays a pivotal and often unseen role in protecting the LGBTQAI+ community in an increasingly hostile digital landscape. Her work is dedicated to researching and tracking anti-LGBTQ extremism, providing the essential data and context needed to inform policy, advocacy, and public awareness. This episode sits down with Sarah to explore the critical function of research in the fight for digital safety and equality.
The conversation dives deep into the findings of GLAAD's key reports, such as the Social Media Safety Index (SMSI), which consistently scores major tech platforms poorly on protecting LGBTQ+ users. Sarah details how disinformation spreads, explaining the mechanics of online hate campaigns—from the use of coded language to coordinated harassment. We discuss the real-world harms that emerge when platforms weaken hate speech policies, leading to violence, doxxing, and the suppression of queer voices.
Beyond identifying the problem, Sarah outlines the actionable steps GLAAD is taking to compel change. She shares insights into how advocacy groups are successfully holding social media giants accountable and pushing for stronger protections for trans and non-binary individuals, who are often the primary targets of this extremism.
Founded in 1985, GLAAD is a non-profit powerhouse focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change, working to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation. This episode offers a direct look into the organization’s vital work, including Sarah’s pivotal participation in the 48 Hours segment, "The Life and Death of Blaze Bernstein," where she offered her expertise on the extremist group Atomwaffen. In March 2025, the episode was nominated and won a prestigious GLAAD Media Award for best long-form journalism. If you’ve ever wondered what GLAAD truly does, listen to this podcast and hear it directly from the source.
Episode 213
Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper
Guest: Sarah Moore
Sarah’s work: “GLAAD’s 2024 Social Media Safety Index “
Executive Producer: Jeanne Pepper
Producer: Eli Moskowitz
Original Theme: Jay Bernstein
Special Thank You to our volunteers
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