Date: Sat, 28 Jan 1995 02:04:20 -0500 From: GLAADP21@aol.com M E D I A W A T C H for January 27, 1995 by A L K I E L W A S S E R Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, San Francisco Bay Area CAPTAIN SAWYER: SUPER-MOM, SUPER-HERO, SUPER-LESBIAN ! DC Comics, a leading comic book publisher, has just completed a four-book mini-series, Metropolis S.C.U. (S.C.U. stands for Special Crimes Unit). What's really special about the series is that the main character, Captain Maggie Sawyer, is a lesbian super-hero. And she' s even got a lover! Sawyer has appeared previously, in the "Superman" series, though only as a supporting character. Metropolis S.C.U. marks her first starring role. And that star certainly shines. In the new series, readers can see Sawyer protecting the planet as she fights off a variety of super-villains. Metropolis S.C.U. also depicts Sawyer's home life, as she deals with the less-fanciful (though no less-formidable!) difficulties of career, relationship, and motherhood. Significantly, Metropolis S.C.U. has earned the Seal of Approval from the Comics Code Authority, a self-regulating industry agency that imposes rather restrictive content guidelines. The Seal of Approval essentially certifies the comic book as appropriate reading for all age groups. Hopefully, then, Metropolis S.C.U will crop up in every newsstand and shopping outlet, right alongside such heterosexual icons as "Archie" and "Veronica." Wherever it is sold or read, the comic book's appearance is certainly ground-breaking. Metropolis S.C.U. offers a fair and honest image of lesbianism, presented in a medium that is uniquely capable of appealing to young hearts and minds. In combating homophobia, this fictional series has struck an admirable blow against one of reality's deadliersuper-villains. Support for this (super) heroic effort should be sent to Jenette Kahn, President & Editor-In-Chief, DC Comics, 1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY10019, tel. 212-636-5400. THE BOOKS WE BUY If you are a resident of California, your tax dollars are being used to purchase children's textbooks that, by law, must "teach honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage." This requirement, which governs all family life/sex education course materials used in the State's 1,000 public school districts, was entered into the Education Code at the behest of fundamentalist homophobes. The California Education Code also includes this mandate: "Course materials and instruction shall stress that pupils should abstain from sexual intercourse until they are ready for marriage." Of course, lesbians and gays cannot legally marry, and so they -- along with all non-traditional families -- are virtually condemned in California's classrooms. The State's Education Code is riddled with such homophobic, sex-negative requirements. And even if you're not a California tax-payer, you should be concerned. Along with Texas, California is a leading textbook state. Because publishers tend to put out only those books that will be used in the "big money" states, California sets the textbook agenda for public schools throughout the United States. Fortunately, however, there is new hope for California and the nation. The State's recently-elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, Delaine Eastin, has vowed to support the fair and factual treatment of lesbian/gay/bisexual issues in the State's classrooms, grades K through 12. She has promised to combat homophobia before it can take hold of another generation of children. Eastin's task will not be easy, however. The conservative members of the California Board of Education -- who are not elected, but appointed by the Governor -- have resisted lesbian/gay/bisexual inclusion in the public school curriculum. The new Superintendent's efforts will likely be challenged and frequently impeded by that Board. Eastin should be encouraged to stand strong and to speak out, early and forcefully, against homophobia. She might begin by challenging the California legislature to revoke the heterosexist "marriage" provisions (Section 51553, b-5 and b-6) of the Education Code. Write to Delaine Eastin, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Department of Education, P.O. Box 944272, Sacramento, CA 94244-2720, tel. 916-657-3027, fax. 916-657-3000. For additional information about lesbian/gay/bisexual textbook advocacy and educational equity efforts, contact "Project 21," c/o GLAAD, 1360 Mission Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94103, tel. 415-861-2244, fax 415-861-4893, e-mail glaad p21@aol.com. A FILM WITH HIGHER QUALITY Higher Learning, a new feature film from director John Singleton, explores racism and self-determination with sweeping power. This Columbia Pictures release is a singular, must-see contribution to the struggle for liberation of all people. One of the movie's several interwoven storylines is devoted to the emerging bisexual identity of "Chris," a student and peace activist. Chris examines her bisexual identity in a process that develops right alongside the other personal explorations experienced by the cast of young characters, and the film includes her in love scenes with both male and female partners. In Higher Learning, Singleton carefully demonstrates the terrible connections that bind racism, homophobia and, indeed, all forms of oppression. Toward the climax of the film, for example, a gay male couple is brutally attacked by a band of racist skinheads. Compliments can be sent to John Singleton, New Deal Productions, Capra Building # 203, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, tel. 310-280-8000, fax 310-204-1300. GOOD ADVICE Abigail Van Buren ("Dear Abby") continues to outpace Ann Landers, her less-enlightened sister and advice-columnist cohort. The December 30 "Dear Abby" column featured a letter from a 25-year-old lesbian. "Although I am finally happy with my life, the misinformation and misunderstanding of homosexuality continue to appall me," she wrote, "Please print this open letter to all homophobic individuals." Van Buren did print the letter, which stated some simple, yet important truths about homophobia and homosexuality. Moreover, Van Buren offered this reply: "Dear Lesbian: Thank you for your honesty. I have always believed that one's sexual orientation is genetically determined before birth. Homosexuals have, for too long, suffered because of fear, ignorance and prejudice." Comments can be sent to "Dear Abby" at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. LIFE SAVERS A viewer-initiated group has organized to save ABC's My So-Called Life, the only network television series to include a gay teen amongst the cast of main characters. The group, Operation "Life" Support, is raising funds to take out ads in major publications and raise awareness about this pivotal show, which is at-risk for cancellation. On Jan. 26, My So-Called Life went on hiatus, concluding the program's first order of episodes. However, Ed Cintron of ABC Television says he is encouraged by viewer support. Cintron recently stated that his company " is seriously considering the program for next season." To join in the Operation "Life" Support effort, contact the group at P.O. Box 641200, San Francisco, CA 94164-1200, tel. 415-292-5809, fax 415-292-4111, e-mail savemscl@aol.com. MEDIA BRIEFS * Positive Publishing . . . The Positive Planet is a new magazine for HIV-positive readers, with an editorial focus on dating and social concerns. Subtitled "The global HIV dating magazine and HIV treatment catalogue," the publication offers free personal ads, as well as resources to assist readers in finding HIV products/services around the world. Contact The Positive Planet, 323 Broadway Ave. East, # 1205, Seattle, WA 98102, tel. 206-233-7998, fax 206-329-6091, e-mail hivdates@cyberquest.com. * Hate Media . . . God's Final Warning to America details the process by which "divine" intervention (in the form of natural disasters) will ultimately kill off lesbians and gays. This and other homophobic phlegm is being spit out by "Cops for Christ," P.O. Box 99, Farmingdale, NY 11735, tel. 516-579-8902. * English Beat . . . Out This Week, the weekly lesbian/gay broadcast on national BBC radio, has just been recommissioned for a new 39 week series (through March '96). Contact: Out This Week, 49 Wellington St., Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7BN, tel. 0171-240-2070, fax 0171-240-2071, e-mail news@allout.demon.co.uk (news desk) or david@allout.demon.co.uk (David Cook, producer). * Internet Note . . . Net surfers who work for or with the gay press can subscribe to the new on-line (Usenet) newsgroup "alt.journalism.gay-press." # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # WE MUST CONFRONT THE MEDIA'S HOMOPHOBIA IN ORDER TO CURE IT! TO NOTIFY GLAAD/SFBA OF ANY DEFAMATORY OR AFFIRMATIVE MEDIA COVERAGE, CALL OUR 24-HOUR MEDIA WATCH HOTLINE AT 415-861-4588, OR WRITE TO "MEDIA WATCH," GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION/SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, 1360 MISSION STREET, SUITE 200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103; tel. 415-861-2244, fax 415-861-4893, e-mail GLAAD SFBA@AOL.COM. FOUNDED IN 1988, THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA CHAPTER OF GLAAD IS A MEMBERSHIP-BASED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO CULTURAL ADVOCACY AND MEDIA ACTIVISM. GLAAD/SFBA PROMOTES THE FAIR, ACCURATE AND DIVERSE REPRESENTATIONOF LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL LIVES IN ALL FORMS OF MASS MEDIA. -------------------------------------------------------- "MEDIA WATCH" is a weekly report that may be reprinted or posted without prior permission, provided that, when appropriate, attribution is made to Al Kielwasser and/or GLAAD-SFBA. We greatly appreciate copies of any publications that use all or part of the "MEDIA WATCH." Thank you for your participation in GLAAD's vital work!