From: GLAADSFBA@aol.com Date: Fri, 28 Jul 1995 23:44:23 -0400 Subject: GLAAD MEDIA WATCH, July 28 M e d i a W a t c h for July 28, 1995 by Al Kielwasser Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, San Francisco Bay Area FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS Lea Delaria -- the out and proud lesbian comic -- recently taped an episode of "Saved By The Bell," the popular NBC-produced series that targets young viewers. Delaria will appear as "Miss Hearst," a hard-edged high school teacher. According to an NBC spokesperson, however, Miss Hearst's sexual orientation "is never mentioned." Apparently, there is a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in force at Bayside High, the fictional school that provides the setting for "Saved By The Bell." And just like the U.S. military, Bayside adheres to a firm double-standard. Scripts for "Saved By The Bell" CONSTANTLY mention the HETEROSEXUAL orientation of the program's characters. In fact, since its inception, the series has focused on little more than the "boy meets girl" exploits of the cast. Because lesbians and gays are "never mentioned" on programs like "Saved By The Bell," young audiences are relentlessly socialized in the ways of hatred and fear. The message is loud and clear -- only heterosexuals are worth mentioning, only heterosexuality is acceptable. In one national survey of young men 15 to 19 years of age, 89 percent said that sex between two men is "disgusting" and only 12 percent "felt confident that they could befriend a gay person." Television's silence not only fails to challenge such homophobia, but actively supports it. *** Encourage NBC to finally "mention" homosexuality on "Saved By The Bell;" remind the network how important it is to regularly include lesbian, gay and bisexual characters in programming for children and young adults. Contact "Saved By The Bell," 3000 West Alameda, Studio 9, Burbank, CA 91523, tel. 818-840-2250; copy your correspondence to NBC Viewer Services, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, tel. 212-664-3370. SPRING INTO ACTION! The Colorado Springs "Gazette Telegraph" is soliciting public opinion about a profoundly homophobic "Resolution for Community Standards" campaign. The "Resolution" is a sort of non-binding, "do-it-yourself" declaration of hate principles that can be adopted by any city council, school board of other governing body. The campaign is sponsored by Colorado for Family Values, the heterosexual supremacist cult that championed Colorado's "Amendment 2;" CFV currently expects the resolution to be passed by five local governments in the state. On July 26, the "Gazette Telegraph" asked readers: "We would like to know what you think of this resolution. Would it be a good idea . . . to adopt the resolution below? Should the resolution be modified or is the idea itself fundamentally flawed?" The newspaper printed the full text of the resolution, which runs on for nearly 700 words. Bloated with bigotry, the "Resolution for Community Standards" invokes the "outspoken voice of the majority" to "defend the moral and social safety, health, and welfare of the community" against "pornography, violence, homosexuality" and threats to the "preservation of the nuclear family." On pornography, the resolution declares: "The community recognizes pornography (to include but not limited to definitions by federal and state laws) to have no social or artistic value whatever for our community. Any economic value is immediately offset by the destruction of the family, the degradation of women and children, and the addictions of men -- the inevitable by-products of pornography." On violence, the resolution concludes: "The high representation of Blacks and Hispanics in our jails and detention centers is a direct result of fatherless homes and a generally less active, positive family unit in those communities." On homosexuality, the CFV resolution states: "Homosexuality is not morally, ethically, or legally equal to heterosexuality. It is understood that all citizens of America have equal rights by virtue of their American citizenship; the privileges accorded citizenship do not extend to the behavior of homosexuality. Our community must unconditionally advocate heterosexuality, through the institutions and policies that support it." Based upon these declarations, the resolution calls for a number of actions, include a prohibition on funding ("directly or indirectly") for any "activities which seek to contravene these community standards." In adopting this resolution, each governing body also "recognizes that constitutional and civil rights are not self-defined. The above statement of standards are not violations of legally understood rights." Ground Zero -- a Colorado organization defending the basic civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered citizens -- has asked that everyone, everywhere respond to the "Gazette Telegraph's" request for public input. A Ground Zero representative noted that citizens in Colorado Springs, who "daily face the beast in its lair," would "greatly appreciate" such responses. *** Write to "Tell It To The Gazette Telegraph," P. O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs, CO 80901, fax 719-636-0202, e-mail gazette@usa.net; or call the "Tell It To The GT Phone Line" at 719-472-1919. Ground Zero asks that, if possible, you copy your comments to: The Mayor and City Council of Colorado Springs, P.O. Box 1575, Colorado Springs, CO 80901, fax 719-578-6601; The Board of Commissioners of El Paso County, 27 E. Vermijo 3rd Floor, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2225, fax 719-520-6397; Ground Zero, P. O. Box 1982, Colorado Springs, CO 80901, fax 719-635-6106, e-mail GrndZeroCO@aol.com. LOUSY HEAD A piece in the July 20 "Chicago Tribune" is headlined: "No Room at the Inn? -- A Dispute Over Gay Rights Tests A Michigan Resort Town's Reputation for Tolerance." In the fourth paragraph of the article, however, reporter Paul Gainor (correctly) identifies the dispute as NOT involving "gay rights" but "a civil rights ordinance for people of all sexual orientations." Unfortunately, several paragraphs later, the reporter makes the same mistake as the headline writer, twice using the phrase "gay rights" rather than "civil rights." Similarly, an Associated Press article in the July 20 "Boston Globe" is headlined: "Gay Rights Cause Raises $330,000." The AP reporter also used the term "gay rights," even while reporting that the "cause" involved was a "referendum that would exclude homosexuals from human rights laws in Maine." Such usage only mars otherwise competent articles. The concept of "homosexual rights" or "gay rights" is closely allied with the empty-headed notion of "special rights." Increasingly favored by homophobes, the term "gay rights" demonstrates a clear bias that journalists should avoid. The phrase wrongly suggests that lesbians and gays are seeking extraordinary privileges rather than basic CIVIL (or HUMAN) rights and EQUAL protection under the law. *** Send comments to "The Chicago Tribune," 435 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, fax 312-222-2598, e-mail tribletter@aol.com; The Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020, tel. 212-621-1500; "The Boston Globe," Box 2378, Boston, MA 02107, e-mail letter@globe.com (comments of the "Globe's" coverage should also be copied to the newspaper's Ombudsman, at the same address, e-mail ombud@globe.com). MTV NEWS: A REAL DRAG "MTV News Unfiltered" is a new series that asks viewers to send in their own video news clips, eight to ten of which are then edited together to form half-hour shows. On July 23, the final segment of this alternative news program struck a unique blow for queer visibility. The segment featured a 22-year-old man who was about to graduate from the University of Florida at Tampa. He debated whether he would participate in the pomp and circumstance, and was leaning against going to his commencement exercises. However, he changed his mind once he decided to make the experience more meaningful to him . . . by receiving his diploma in drag (complete with red bouffant). The "unfiltered" news clip highlighted "Tweeka's" preparations as "the big day" finally arrived. Though the university official reading Tweeka's drag name from a 3x5 card was taken by surprise, the reaction on stage was generally appreciative. The new graduate came across clearly and proudly as a happy, cross-dressing, gay man. Viewers of "America's Funniest Home Videos" are never treated to such delightfully queer footage. Once again, MTV News leads its competitors in refusing to censor the diversity of our lives. *** Send comments to Judy McGrath, President, MTV Networks Inc., 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, tel. 212-258-8712 or 212-258-8000, fax 212-258-8718, e-mail mtvmail@aol.com; America OnLine (AOL) users can also post comments directly to AOL's MTV message area (keyword "MTV"). SHUT UP AND LISTEN In a recent editorial, the Los Angeles "Daily News" assailed a gay school board member for making "bigoted and irresponsible" comments about heterosexuals ("Horton Flunks Out," July 14). After he took his oath of office for a second term on the Los Angeles school board, Jeff Horton gave a speech in which he connected "white heterosexual men" with homophobia and racism. "It is distressing," the "Daily News" opined, "to hear such prejudice voiced publicly. . . . A public figure has no business attacking entire groups of people based on their race, gender or sexual orientation." In securing the privileges associated with their status, "white heterosexual men" have surely been responsible for most of the prejudice and intolerance practiced in this nation. In what is becoming a classic ploy, however, the "Daily News" argues that assigning such responsibility is itself an act of "bigotry." According to the newspaper: "It is mind-boggling that this bigotry and faulty thinking was voiced by an openly gay member of the Board of Education, who has pushed repeatedly for the school system to crack down on intolerance against gay and lesbian pupils. . . . The most polarizing aspect of Horton's words is that they reflect the kind of prejudice and group hatred he supposedly wants to drive out of city schools." Ignoring the fact that most textbooks and teachers are still preoccupied with "white heterosexual men," the "Daily News" characterized Horton's remarks as "inflammatory" and "self-serving." "From now on," the newspaper concluded, "we'll be wondering whether this guy is primarily interested in learning or whether he has some personal agenda that has little to do with the schools." The "Daily News" editorial suggests that racism, sexism and homophobia have no social or institutional reality. Such rhetoric is commonly used in an insidious effort to stigmatize the very status of "victim," thus deflecting attention away from the actual process of victimization (and those who participate in it). Resisting oppression becomes the vice of "blaming" others. Ignoring color, gender or sexual orientation is touted as a virtue -- especially by those whose CAN conveniently ignore their own (white) color, (male) gender and (heterosexual) orientation. A number of letters to the "Daily News" have followed the editorial's lead. On July 13, readers attacked Horton as a "straight basher" who puts the needs of children "after the need to make political hay for gay rights." One reader added that the "school district (and government in general)" should "quit hanging labels on people" and "just refer to us as Americans. . . . Then you won't have discrimination because there will be nothing to discriminate about." The newspaper's "objective" reporting also displayed a similar bias; the "Daily News'" July 11 coverage of the speech was headlined: "Horton Bashes Straight Males At Swearing-In." An anonymous broadside, widely distributed at the 1990 New York Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade (and later published in "OutWeek" magazine), directly challenged such indignant posturing. The broadside encouraged readers to "be angry that the price of our visibility is the constant threat of violence, anti-queer violence to which practically every segment of this society contributes. . . ." The author also offered this fitting advice: "The next time some straight person comes down on you for being angry, tell them to go away until they have spent a month walking hand in hand with someone of the same sex. After they survive that, then you'll hear what they have to say about queer anger. Otherwise, tell them to shut up and listen." *** Send much-needed feedback to Mark Lacter, Editorial Page Editor, "The Daily News," P.O. Box 4200, Woodland Hills, CA 91365, tel. 818-713-3648, fax 818-713-3723. MEDIA BRIEFS * TV GUIDANCE . . . "OutTalk" is a new lesbian/gay-oriented TV magazine focusing on "the arts, culture, fashion, style, and events that are at the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area and abroad." The cable series premiers on August 22, 8:30 PM, on Viacom channel 35. For more information, contact "OutTalk," P.O. Box 883544, San Francisco, CA 94188-3544, tel. 415-206-1484. * COMING ATTRACTIONS . . . According to "USA Today" (July 14), there could be a fuller future in store for the gay character on "Party of Five," Fox TV's "low-rated but critically acclaimed family drama." Regarding storylines for next season, the newspaper reported: "Even Claudia's gay violin teacher Ross (Mitchell Anderson) is likely to have a relationship by mid-year." Such news will surely inspire letters from homophobes, hoping to kill off a series that is already on the endangered list. Contact: Amy Lippman and Christopher Keyser, Executive Producers, "Party of Five," c/o Fox Broadcasting, P.O. Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213; copy your support to Chase Carey, President, Fox Broadcasting, at the same address, tel. 310-277-2211, e-mail foxnet@delphi.com. * E-MEDIA WATCH . . . "In Your Face!" -- the "national journal-of-record for Political Activism Against Gender Oppression" -- is now available on-line. According to the publishers, "IYF" content is wide-ranging but action-oriented: "If it's about political action against gender and sex-based oppression, we cover it." To subscribe, e-mail the single line message "subscribe iyf-online" to majordomo@zoom.com. Of related interest: The "Transexual Menace Mailing List" is a closed/non-moderated list (available in both regular and digest forms) that "provides a common space to learn about, partake in and discuss the gender non-discrimination and education programs of the Menace." For more information, e-mail the message "info tsmenace" to majordomo@zoom.com. * VOICES OF A GENERATION . . . Alyson Publications is seeking non-fiction essays from "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and intersexed people born after (or shortly before) the Stonewall Riots of 1969" for publication in a new anthology, "Generation Q: Inheriting Stonewall." The editors are "open to working with inexperienced writers" and are willing to advise anyone who has "an unusual or special story to tell but you're unsure how to start." The deadline for submissions is September 4, 1995. Contact: Robin Bernstein and Seth Silberman, Editors, P.O. Box 11172, Takoma Park, MD 20913, e-mail bernstei@wam.umd.edu. * A TEXTBOOK CASE . . . On July 6, 1995, the 2.2 million-member National Education Association (NEA) adopted a resolution supporting "the celebration of a Lesbian and Gay History Month as a means of acknowledging the contributions of lesbians, gays and bisexuals throughout history." The NEA has previously called for the "accurate portrayal of the roles and contributions of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people throughout history, with acknowledgment of their sexual orientation." Contact your local school board and ask if current history textbooks meet the NEA standard. Also, inquire about your district's plans for celebrating Lesbian and Gay History Month. For more information about the Lesbian and Gay History Month Project, e-mail LGBHM@aol.com. The NEA Division of Human and Civil Rights can be reached at 1201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036-3290, tel. 202-833-4000. A classroom poster depicting famous lesbian, gay and bisexual people and events throughout history is available from Project 21: A Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Coalition for Curriculum Advocacy; for details, contact Kristy Billuni, Project 21 Poster, 1360 Mission Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94103, tel. 415-861-3021, fax 415-861-4893, e-mail gladdp21@aol.com. * HOMO VIDEO . . . "Hate, Homophobia and Schools" is a new 60-minute video tape intended "to lessen the impact of homophobia in our society, by helping teens understand what it is like to live with hate and fear." For details, contact: NEWIST/CESA 7, IS 1040, University of Wisconsin at Green bay, Green bay, WI 54311, tel. 414-465-2599 or 800-633-7445. * THE DISHONEST TRUTH . . . Charlie Reese, staff columnist for the "Orlando Sentinel," informed readers that Sen. Jesse Helms "speaks the truth" about homosexuality ("Calm Down And Listen To Helms," July 18). Said Reese: "How one would describe the physical acts homosexuals perform is a matter of opinion. Helms chose disgusting and revolting. That's his opinion. He's entitled to it. Some would agree and some wouldn't, though if an honest description of the acts were published and an honest public opinion poll taken, I think more would agree with Helms than with his critics." Share your honest opinion with: "The Orlando Sentinel," 633 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801-1349, fax 407-420-5286, e-mail osoinsight@aol.com. * CYBER NATION . . . "LGNY" -- the "new lesbian and gay newspaper for New York" -- now operates a World Wide Web site (http://www.fly.net/~lgny), as does the "Seattle Gay News" (http://www.sgn.org/sgn). "Utne Reader" -- a progressive version of "Reader's Digest" -- has launched "The Utne Lens," a biweekly periodical for web watchers (http://www.utne.com). The White House is also on the web-friendly (http://www.whitehouse.gov), as is the Democratic National Committee (http://www.democrats.org). To help "overwhelm the Radical Right, organize an army of online activists and get out the vote," the DNC also publishes a weekly on-line newsletter, "The Internet Democrat" (to subscribe, send e-mail to internet-democrats-request@webcom.com; in the body of the message, type only the word "subscribe"). ################################################ THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN GLAAD'S WORK. YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VITAL! Founded in 1988, the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of GLAAD is a volunteer-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. GLAAD challenges homophobia in and through the mass media . . . shaping the forces that shape our society. 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/San Francisco. We greatly appreciate copies of any publications that use all or part of the MEDIA WATCH. To notify GLAAD/SFBA of any defamatory or affirmative media coverage, or to request GLAAD membership information, please call our 24-hour Media Watch Hotline (415-861-4588) or write to Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, 1360 Mission Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel. 415-861-2244. Fax 415-861-4893. E-mail glaadsfba@aol.com. URL http://www.gaytrek.com/gaytrek/glaad.html. LET THE MEDIA KNOW YOU'RE WATCHING! ################################################