"I have informed the national board of directors of my decision to step down as president later this year and look forward to a successful and smooth transition of leadership for GLAAD," Giuliano, serving since September 1, 2005, said in a Wednesday statement. He reportedly has plans to pursue personal interests and complete a book about his public life. The search for a new president will begin at the February 6 board meeting in Los Angeles.

"It's been an honor and privilege to work professionally in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality for the last three and a half years," he said. "The views of the American people on LGBT issues are clearly moving in the right direction, toward supporting full equality, and it has been a great experience to serve on the front lines, leading an amazing organization at such a historical time in the movement."

Giuliano, before his time at GLAAD, served as mayor of Tempe, Arizona for four terms, from 1994 to 2004, and spent 25 years as a senior administrator at Arizona State University, where he chaired the commission in charge of hosting the third 2004 presidential debate that took place there.

"Neil has been a strong leader for GLAAD and has advanced the organization significantly in the last three years," said Yvette Burton, Co-Chair of the GLAAD National Board of Directors. "He will leave GLAAD a better and more effective organization than when he arrived and we appreciate his years of dedication and service."

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), founded in 1985, is "dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation."