Date: Sat, 1 Apr 1995 07:33:29 -0500 From: GLAADSFBA@aol.com M E D I A W A T C H for March 31, 1995 by A L K I E L W A S S E R Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter PHOBIC PIZZA One of the nation's leading fast food chains has hired one of the nation's leading homophobes to serve as a company spokesbigot. Pizza Hut's new television campaign features none other than Rush Limbaugh. In the Pizza Hut commercial, Limbaugh praises both the pizza and his ego. Shown stuffing a pizza slice in his mouth, Limbaugh chats about his knack for "always being right." In a somewhat odd twist, Limbaugh has already used his own national TV show to promote the Pizza Hut commercial. He recently described, at length, the ad's content and told his viewers to be on the look-out for it. Needless to say, Limbaugh has also offered glowing praise for Pizza Hut, urging his fans to praise the company for having the "good sense" to hire him. When he's not busy pushing pizza, of course, Limbaugh is busy bashing lesbians and gays, women, and people of color. His radio and television broadcasts are filled with homophobic misinformation and downright ridicule. During one broadcast of his TV show, for example, Limbaugh derided a meeting of rural lesbians, which took place on a farm. These women, Limbaugh said, were "mating with pigs" in order to "perpetuate the species." Fortunately, "operators are standing by" at Pizza Hut's corporate offices, monitoring public response to the Limbaugh commercial. Reports are being filed on the basis of each telephone call. Register your toll-free complaint by calling 1-800-358-2222. You can also write to Pizza Hut, Consumer Affairs, 2100 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30339-5014. POLITICALLY INEPT On a recent episode (March 30) of the talk show "Politically Incorrect," host Bill Maher wandered -- aimlessly, as usual -- into a discussion of stereotyping. First, he registered his disapproval of Arabs, who worry too much about their "terrorist" image. Then, Maher directed his disgust at lesbians and gays for protesting the film "Basic Instinct." "Get over yourselves!," he shouted, "The movie is not about gays." According to Maher, the sexual identity of "Basic Instinct's" ice-pick killer was just a "tiny" part of the movie, too insignificant for all the fuss. Maher is no brain child, but his error in perception is a common one. This sort of heterosexist bias is evident amongst film reviewers and talk show hosts alike (even movie directors are not immune; William Friedkin, for example, has told critics that his films "The Boys in the Band" and "Cruising" are "not about homosexuality"). What Maher and others fail to see is that the issue is never really about ONE image, or even one film. "Basic Instinct" IS a movie "about gays" because it perpetuates a stereotype found in MANY Hollywood creations. Negative lesbian, gay and bisexual images have been the rule, rather than the exception. The consonant, ubiquitous and cumulative nature of these portrayals -- collectively experienced -- adds extraordinary force to each individual stereotype. A negative stereotype takes on even further meaning in a society in which most people claim they do not know (and often do not WANT to know) any lesbians or gays. For large numbers of people, the mass media are often their ONLY source of "information" about homosexuality. Given that so much of this "information" (when it exists at all) has been defamatory, is it any wonder that a majority of U.S. citizens still think lesbian teachers pose a "threat" to children? In its annual report to law enforcement agencies, released March 31, the Southern Poverty Law Center verifies that lesbians and gays are the primary focus of bias-motivated violence; anti-gay bias prompted 25 percent of the assaults and 2/3 of the homicides tracked. It is especially insulting to ask lesbians and gays -- who daily face hate violence, job discrimination, and legally-sanctioned prejudice -- to "get over" the media stereotypes that cultivate homophobia. The next time he watches a movie, Bill Maher should try a little harder to see beyond his heterosexist blinders. He just might "get over" himself. Send comments to Bill Maher, "Politically Incorrect," c/o Comedy Central, 1775 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, tel. 212-767-8600 or 310-201-9500, fax 310-201-9488. Copy your correspondence to Bob Creek, President/CEO, Comedy Central, at the same address. INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW For all its sensationalist sleaze, the "National Enquirer" has a certain reputation for accuracy when it comes to gossipy entertainment news. In January, the popular tabloid reported that scriptwriters for "Roseanne" had put together an episode titled "D.J.'s Coming Out," in which the Conner's teenage son tells his parents that he is gay. The "Enquirer" quoted an "insider" who claimed the plot could unfold over several episodes, with the "Coming Out" storyline ready to air this May (a critical "ratings sweeps" period, when the popularity of TV shows are surveyed nationally). In the rumored scenario, D.J. (played by Michael Fishman) develops what the "Enquirer" described as "an unusually close friendship with a new boy at school." The script reportedly will deal with the peer harassment D.J. experiences, his father's "macho" efforts to teach him self-defense, and the young teen's eventual revelation that "I was fighting myself -- fighting my feelings." The "Enquirer's" source also reported that -- while "Roseanne" producers are bracing for a homophobic backlash from the network (ABC) -- the plot development is fully backed by Roseanne herself, who hopes "that D.J.'s coming out could help kids who are going through the same thing." It remains to be seen if these rumors have any basis in fact. Rest assured, however, that the widely-read "Enquirer" has already provoked letters from "concerned" homophobes, who prefer gay boys to kill themselves rather than come out. Already overpopulated with heterosexual teens, prime-time television would surely benefit from "D.J.'s Coming Out." Send encouraging feedback to Roseanne, Co-Executive Producer, "Roseanne," c/o ABC Entertainment, 2040 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067, tel. 310-557-7777, fax 310-557-7170. Copy your correspondence to Ted Harbert, President, ABC Entertainment, at the same address; e-mail abcaudr@ccabc.com. BUYING TIME Last week, a homophobic political advertisement made its debut during a broadcast of WAVE-TV News in Louisville, Kentucky. Created by the American Family Association (AFA) of Kentucky, the 30-second spot urged viewers to vote against a proposed ordinance that would "give homosexuals special minority rights in the workplace, including our schools." The ad argued that lesbians and gays earn an annual income that is $23,000 more than the "average American." Following such "statistics," the narrator rhetorically asked: "Does this indicate discrimination?" The myth of a "wealthy gay elite" has become one of the more popular invectives in an arsenal of Right Wing lies. In fact, there is NO reliable evidence to support the notion that lesbians and gays are wealthier than the "average person." Actually, recent studies suggest that lesbians and gays, along with other oppressed minorities, are subject to economic privation. For example, the 1992 exit polls conducted for the four major television networks strongly indicate that self-identified homosexuals earn LESS than heterosexuals. Isn't it odd -- after all -- that "wealthy gays" have been UNABLE to buy as much radio and television airtime as the "poor homophobes?" Significantly, the Kentucky AFA advertisement urged viewers to request a free packet of "information." "If enough people call to get the free packet of information," a local activist has suggested, "maybe it will deplete their . . . resources . . . and we won't have to put up with them for awhile, at least, here in Louisville." Send your requests to Dr. Frank Simon, Director, American Family Association of Kentucky, P.O. Box 6689, Louisville, KY 40206. Also, encourage WAVE-TV (an NBC affiliate) to investigate and report upon the real story behind the myth of lesbian/gay "wealth." Write to Ed Godfrey, News Director, WAVE-TV, 725 S. Floyd St., Louisville, KY 40203, tel. 502-585-2201. Copy your correspondence to Letters to the Editor, " Louisville Courier-Journal," 525 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202, fax 502-582-4290. THE COSTS OF BIGOTRY As part of a new "Value-Based" budgeting program, the San Francisco Board of Education is seeking community input regarding the school district's next annual budget. A "Community Budget Advisory Committee" has been meeting to facilitate that process, which included a March 26th public meeting with various lesbian and gay groups. Somewhat disorganized and poorly-attended, that meeting still offered an unprecedented opportunity for lesbians and gays to provide specific recommendations to the school district on a number of key issues. Those in attendance called for lesbian/gay inclusion in textbooks at ALL grade levels, the re-naming of a school to honor Harvey Milk, and elimination of the para-military Junior ROTC (JROTC). The JROTC program was the focus of numerous objections. Representatives of various lesbian/gay groups noted that JROTC textbooks contain racist and homophobic content, as well as medical misinformation about HIV/AIDS. Speakers also reminded the committee of current U.S. military policy, which denies basic civil rights to lesbians and gays. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is fully embraced by the JROTC (which is, after all, a Pentagon program). In effect, by allowing the JROTC to continue, the school district willingly invites homophobic bigotry directly into our classrooms. The suggestion that JROTC be disbanded was met with opposition from Jill Wynns, who is the Board of Education's liaison to the Community Budget Advisory Committee. According to Commissioner Wynns, "about 1000 students" (of the district's 60,000) have (somehow) told her that they like JROTC. Therefore, Wynns said, she feels bound to support the program. Where's the logic there? If 1,000 students told Wynns that they could get more homework done on crack, would she support the installation of cocaine vending machines? For that matter, it's probable that at least 1,000 students dislike mathematics; but, on that basis, should the school district drop any math requirements? Furthermore, Wynns completely ignored the fact that JROTC programs across the nation utilize a systematic process of intimidation. A "code of silence" surrounds children in the program, who have only reluctantly begun to report numerous instances of "hazing" and other brutality that are JROTC hallmarks. In particular, lesbian and gay students -- whose already-homophobic schools are made only more threatening by a JROTC presence -- may be the least likely to register their complaints. Ultimately, the JROTC program cannot be defended on either intellectual or moral grounds. And it can't be defended seriously on financial ground, either. According to one estimate, JROTC programs cost the San Francisco school district about $700,000 a year. Imagine if even a small percentage of that money was used to purchase textbooks that did not censor lesbian and gay existence. The bottom line is that JROTC textbooks teach hate and violence to our city's children. That's a curriculum that the school district -- and every one of us -- simply can't afford. Send feedback to the SFUSD Ad Hoc Community Budget Advisory Committee, San Francisco Unified School District, Business Services Department, 135 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102-5299, tel. 415-241-6542, fax 415-241-6482. Share your concerns with Commissioner Wynns, as well (the Board of Education might be one vote away from ridding the district of JROTC bigotry); write to Jill Wynns, San Francisco Board of Education, 135 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102-5299, tel. 415-241-6427. Finally, for added impact, copy your letters to the editors of local newspapers. MEDIA BRIEFS * Through the Looking Glass . . . The first issue of "The Mirror" has just been published by the Russian Lesbian and Gay Library. According to Viktor Oboin, Editor-in-Chief, the new bulletin was published despite "modest means" and "social conditions in Russia that still require us to be discreet in our work." "The Mirror" includes a chronicle of events and a review of lesbian/gay content in Russian news media. The Library continues to seek "foreign language materials of all types, which we translate and include in our collection." Send all correspondence to Library, P.O. Box 9, Moscow, Russia 125047. * Fundie Video . . . Right Wing groups continue to pump out hate, lies and video tape. The latest video from the Family Research Council (a homophobic "think" tank) is "The Children of Table 34," which "debunks Kinsey studies on sexuality" and "reveals that Kinsey used children as young as two months of age in sex experiments conducted by pedophiles." Contact the FRC at 800-225-4008. A new video series entitled "Certain Failure" is being touted by the American Family Association as a "powerful expose" that "shows how the federal government is using education reform in the public schools to promote the new world order." Contact Prime Time Design/Opportunity Productions at 800-954-1122 (ext. 1). Finally, American Portrait Films, Inc., has released "Rock-n-Roll Sorcerers of the New Age Revolution;" this film for young audiences argues that rock music is "a vehicle for propaganda of Satanism and New Age philosophies." For more lurid details, contact APF at 216-531-8600. * No, Pat, No! . . . Homophobic talk show host Pat Buchanan has announced his bid to be the Republican nominee for President of the United States. He has also established a toll-free number (1-800-GO-PAT-GO). Intended as a fundraising effort, the phone number also offers an opportunity for registering opposition to Buchanan's bigotry -- literally, at his expense. * On The Way Out? . . . "This Way Out" -- "the world's only internationally syndicated weekly lesbian and gay radio program" -- is close to signing off the airwaves, for lack of funds. "This Way Out" has been on the air since 1988, and is currently heard on more than 85 stations in seven countries. For information, or to make a donation, write to "This Way Out," P.O. Box 38327, Los Angeles, CA 90038, tel. 213-874-0874, e-mail tworadio@aol.com. * Newsletter News . . . The latest (April 1995) issue of "Trikone Magazine," a newsletter focusing on lesbian and gay South Asians (including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet) includes a cover story on "Good Books: A Round-Up of New South Asian Queer Titles." Contact "Trikone," P.O. Box 21354, San Jose, CA 95151-1354, tel. 408-270-8776, fax 408-274-2733, e-mail trikone@rahul.net. * Broader Casting . . . "Susan Kay's Wide World O' Women" is a cable series designed "specifically by, for and about our outstanding Bay Area women's community." "We believe that women, especially women of color, lesbians, differently-abled women and others who have been relegated to the periphery of mainstream television need a vehicle to broadcast our images and voices," says Susan Kay Gilbert, Executive Producer. The show airs the first Saturday of every month, 8:00-9:00 PM, on City Visions channel 53 in San Francisco. Contact "Wide World O' Women," 725 Van Ness Ave., # 405, San Francisco, CA 94102, tel. 415-928-4179. * Modem Watch . . . "OUTline" is a community-based, online HIV information and support network that provides a wealth of information and resources through an easy-to-use graphic interface. Anyone interested in more information can connect, at no charge, using the login ID of "Public" at 415-554-0431 (using VT102 emulation at 8N1, or FirstClass software that can be obtained by calling 415-554-0555 or e-mailing info@out.org). The HandsNet "AIDS/HIV Forum" is another online service "designed to enhance communication among people and organizations working to fight the epidemic at the local, state and national level." For details, contact HandsNet, 20195 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 120, Cupertino, CA 95014, tel. 408-257-4500, fax 408-257-4560. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # 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 GLAADSFBA@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 REPRESENTATION OF 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!