From: GLAADSFBA@aol.com Date: Fri, 1 Sep 1995 23:19:04 -0400 Subject: GLAAD MEDIA WATCH, Sept. 1 M E D I A W A T C H for September 1, 1995 by Al Kielwasser Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, San Francisco Bay Area H O M O S E X U A L D I V E R S I O N S The August 30th "CBS Evening News" carried a report on the first day of school in Merrimack, New Hampshire, where the local school board has imposed an ABSOLUTE ban on discussing, distributing or teaching ANYTHING that might present homosexuality "in a positive light." The CBS correspondent covering the story interviewed a gay teenager, as well homophobic parents and school board members, to gain their perspective on what could be the strictest censorship code of its kind. One school board member who backed the ban was asked if, in her experience, information about homosexuality had ever harmed Merrimack's school children. When she answered "no," the reporter asked her why, then, did she think this new ban was needed? "Why take vitamins?" the woman replied, "It's preventative." A local father was also interviewed, who claimed that providing children with information about homosexuality amounted to "promoting" the "lifestyle" and would be the equivalent of "sending alcoholics to the local bar." A gay teen -- who had come under fire for wanting to list lesbian/gay resources in his school paper -- made the sane counterpoint that information is hardly promotion. While CBS News focused much-needed attention on a national disgrace, this otherwise-competent segment was marred by the reporter's closing comment. Of the Merrimack controversy, he concluded: "What's not in dispute is that this issue is diverting attention away from the schools' primary mission: Education." Providing fair and accurate information about sexual orientation IS education. The fight against homophobic censorship is NOT a diversion from the mission of our schools; it is the enactment of public education's primary goal -- a search for truth. **** ACTION: Direct feedback to Eric Ober, President, CBS News, 524 W. 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, tel. 212-975-4321, fax 212-975-1519 (Eric Ober) or 212-975-2115 ("CBS Evening News"). F L I G H T Y C O M E D Y The premiere episode of "The Crew" aired August 31st, and the promising new program is one of several Fall series that include a continuing lesbian or gay character. The situation in this particular comedy centers on the lives and laughs of four young flight attendants, one of whom is gay . . . or, "heterosexually challenged," in the words of a straight colleague. In the opening episode, Paul is set up as the object of numerous snipes from his straight cohorts. It appears, however, that he will be able to trade barbs with the best of them. Additionally, this comedy is not without a conscientious fringe. For example, in one scene Paul celebrates a birthday with his coworkers. He explains that he discovered he was gay as a Cub Scout, though his parents knew even earlier -- at age seven, in fact, when his father found him serving chocolate cake to Malibu Barbie from his sister's Easy Bake Oven. This comic picture was darkened, however, when Paul added -- matter of factly -- that his father's reaction was to "smash the oven mitts." A moment of instructive silence ensued. The producers of "The Crew" have promised that, over the course of the new television season, Paul will develop into a well-rounded, affirmative character. Of course, only prime-time will tell. **** Send supportive feedback to Marc Cherry and Jaime Whooten, Producers, "The Crew," c/o FOX Broadcasting, P.O. Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213; copy your correspondence to Chase Carey, President, FOX Broadcasting, at the same address, tel. 310-277-2211, e-mail foxnet@delphi.com. K I D S ' S T U F F In the September 1995 issue of "Child" magazine, psychologist Alex Packer offers "straight answers to kid's tough questions" about sex. Fortunately, Packer's answers are not TOO straight. In his cover story ("Everything Your Kids Want to Know About Sex . . . And Aren't Afraid To Ask"), Packer advises parents to "think of each question your child asks (about sex) as a great opportunity to convey your values and to help her feel loved, well informed, and encouraged to express herself." The bulk of Packer's article recommends sex-positive answers to several common questions, asked by children "from infancy through the preteen years." These questions range from "Mommy, how did I get inside you?" to "Daddy, what's a condom?" Included on Packer's list of questions is: "Why are those men kissing?" The author reminds parents that "homosexuality is bound to come up as your child listens in on conversations, observes people around him, and deals with his own emerging sexuality." Packer further suggests: "Speak empathetically about homosexuality, and you'll foster tolerance in your child and counter society's anti-homosexual messages." He also advises parents to tell their children that "if you grow up to be gay, I will love you as much as I do now." Billed as "The Essential Guide for Today's Parents," "Child" is a monthly, mainstream magazine carried by newsstands around the country. "Child" attracts a number of major advertisers, including Fisher-Price (Mattel, Inc.), Johnson & Johnson, and the Nickelodeon cable network (Viacom International, Inc.). **** ACTION: Compliment "Child's" mature journalism and encourage future articles dealing specifically with homosexuality and homophobia. Contact Pamela Abrams, Editor-in-Chief, "Child" Magazine, 110 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011, e-mail childmag@aol.com. As usual, the magazine's advertisers are likely targets for homophobic censorship groups; contact John W. Amerman, Chair, Mattel, Inc., 333 Continental Blvd., El Segundo, CA 90245, tel. 310-524-2000, fax 310-524-2896; Ralph S. Larsen, Chair, Johnson & Johnson, One Johnson & Johnson Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ 08933, tel. 908-524-0400 or 800-635-6789, fax 908-246-7409; Summer M. Redstone, Chair, Viacom International, Inc., 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, tel. 212-258-6000, fax 212-258-6100. R I G H T S A N D W R O N G S Hillary Clinton is under early attack by fundamentalist groups upset with her recently-completed book, "Takes A Village," which is slated for publication by Simon & Schuster (an arm of Viacom, Inc., and the world's largest educational publisher). "Focus on the Family" (FOF) is among several Right Wing organizations lambasting the new "children's rights book. In an August 23 "Family Issues Alert," the FOF advises readers to beware of Clinton's evil campaign to "liberate children from their parents." The alert warns FOF members that Clinton's record on the "rights of children" already includes several legal publications in which she "urges that minors be considered as equals to their parents." Among other blasphemies, the FOF says, Clinton wrote (in a 1979 essay "Children's Rights: A Legal Perspective") that "decisions about motherhood and abortion, schooling, cosmetic surgery, treatment of venereal disease, or employment . . . should not be made unilaterally by parents." The converse rhetoric of "parental rights" is bandied most vigorously by the FOF and similar organizations whenever the subject of homosexuality is raised. In particular, queer youth are routinely denied information and other resources that -- it seems -- violate a parent's absolute right to raise exclusively heterosexual children. According to this "logic," children have no right to their own history or identity. TV programs that fairly portray bisexual characters, textbooks that provide factual accounts of lesbian and gay history, or pamphlets that summarize transgender issues and resources -- ALL such media are rejected for their intrusive involvement in "issues of family morality." "Pro-family" legislative proposals are being pushed by the powerful Christian Coalition, whose "Contract with the American family" demands that legislators "return education control to the local level," "promote parent's rights" and "free parents from increasing government interference in bringing up their children." Similarly, the Christian Action Network (CAN) has published "Defending the American Family: The Pro-Family Contract with America." This book calls for "an end to federal meddling in education," "defunding of the homosexual agenda . . . and programs that promote deviant lifestyles," and the repeal of "sex education programs, which intrude on parents; rights to instruct their children on such matters." **** ACTION: The rights of children must be defended, at every turn, against the wrongs of homophobes. Contact Hillary Clinton, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20500, tel. 202-456-1414 (switchboard) or 202-456-1111 (comment line); Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995, tel. 1-800-A-FAMILY, fax 719-531-3385; Simon & Schuster, 1633 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10019, tel. 800-223-2336. G I V I N G ' T I L L I T H U R T S The press has treated Bob Dole's homophobia as something of a surprise, expressing a sort of editorial shock over the presidential candidate's recent decision to refuse queer money. These media can hardly be blamed, however, since it was a group of gay Republicans -- the Log Cabin Club -- that actually thought Bigot Bob might make good use of their $1000 donation. In fact, the nation's major newspapers merit certain PRAISE for their take on Dole's decision to return the Log Cabin check. The check was returned with the explanation, from Dole campaign press secretary Nelson Warfield, that "Our policy is to decline contributions from political groups that have an agenda that is in opposition to Senator Dole's positions on the issues." The "Boston Globe" was quick to point out that Dole is not only a homophobe, but a hypocrite. In an August 29th editorial ("Dole's Unhappy Return"), the "Globe" pointed out that "Dole has not returned campaign contributions to Time Warner even though he deplores the 'nightmares of depravity' in the entertainment industry. He has not returned money to the National Rifle Association, or ripped up his membership card, even though he does not support that organization's description of federal agents as 'jackbooted government thugs.'" Columnist Debra Saunders, writing in the (Republican-identified) "San Francisco Chronicle," also condemned Dole's "bunk" excuse ("The Dole Way: If You're Down, Kick A Gay," August 30). She wrote: "If Dole returned checks from everyone with 'an agenda that is in opposition to Senator Dole's positions on the issues,' his campaign would be broke." Saunders also concluded: "When Dole said that he wouldn't take their money, he was telling gay Republicans that they do not belong at the table. You don't say that to citizens in politics, especially if their offense is not what they've done, but who they are." Finally, an editorial in "The New York Times" ("An Insult To Miss Liberty," August 29) chided Dole's "new fears of being seen as overly sensible." "It is early," the newspaper lamented, "but this has not been a good campaign for symbols of tolerance." **** ACTION: Share your comments with H. D. S. Greenway, Editorial Page Editor, "Boston Globe," Box 2378, Boston, MA 02170, fax 617-929-2098, e-mail letter@globe.com (letters to the editor) or ombud@globe.com (comments on coverage/Ombudsman); M. Wilson, Managing Editor, "San Francisco Chronicle," 901 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, tel. 415-777-1111; Howell Raines, Editorial Page Editor, "The New York Times," 229 W. 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036, tel. 212-556-1234, fax 212-556-3622. M E D I A B R I E F S * OUT LOUD . . . Sales of "Out Loud" -- a new compact disc (CD), featuring such artists as U2 and The Indigo Girls -- will benefit the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC). Contact: IGLHRC, 1360 Mission Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94103, tel 415-255-8680, e-mail iglhrc@igc.apc.org. * COLORLESS JOURNALISM . . . "Folio" -- a standard magazine ABOUT the magazine industry -- commissioned a recent survey of racial and ethnic diversity in publishing. The survey found that only 12.6 percent of magazine staffers who responded were people of color. Worse yet, over 70 percent of the 211 magazines surveyed employed "no minorities at all" on their editorial staffs. Contact: "Folio" Magazine, 1929 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Berkeley, CA 94704, tel. 510-848-6767, fax 510-848-3812. * GAY GOPHER . . . The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Programs Office of the University of Minnesota operates the "Information and Referral Database" (IRD). The IRD utilizes the "Gopher" search program and provides on-line access to a broad range of informational sources, organizational listings, educational media/teaching resources, event information and action alerts. Contact: GLBT Programs Office, University of Minnesota, 425 Walter Library, 117 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455-0110, tel. 612-625-6042, fax 612-626-9622, e-mail glbt@maroon.tc.umn.edu. * SINEMA . . . According to "USA Today" (August 31), the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver has plunked out $28,000 a month to operate a new toll-free hot line (tel. 800-311-4222), which "gives information on which movies are 'morally objectionable.'" * WEB WATCH . . . (1) "Queer News" -- Australia's "first lesbian and gay magazine on the Internet" -- will soon be joining the World Wide Web; the new magazine includes "local, national and international news, feature articles, reviews and on-line resources." Contact: "Queer News," P.O. Box 334, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia, e-mail sherilb@ozemail.com.au. (2) The Cable News Network (CNN) has launched a web site (http://www.cnn.com) that -- according to CNN President Tom Johnson -- "upholds the high standards for fairness, completeness and timeliness that CNN has set for itself and which the world has come to expect." (3) A current list of participating stations and "lots of other information" about "This Way Out" -- the "international gay & lesbian radio magazine" show -- can now be found in the Queer Resources Directory (http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/media/radio/thiswayout). (4) The Community Directories Homepage has been updated and refurbished (http://www.tde.com/~directories/). * SOUND BITE . . . "According to Mel Gibson's press rep, the American Humane Association approved 'Braveheart' because only mechanical horses were speared. Too bad gays were treated worse than animals in the movie; it seems Gibson's heart is ANYTHING but brave" (Ted Casablanca, columnist for "Premiere" magazine, in the September 1995; "Premiere," 1990 South Bundy Drive, Suite 250, Los Angeles, CA 90025, fax 310-826-5990, e-mail 76702.2132@compuserve.com). * UNSOUND BITE . . . "Senator Dole's record speaks for itself. He strongly opposed President Clinton's effort to lift the ban on gays in the military, and he has used his campaign for the presidency to elevate moral issues to the forefront of the national debate. But we want nothing to do with those who promote a militant agenda of hate" (Scott Reed, Dole's campaign manager, in the August 31"Des Moines Register," hopelessly trying to explain how his boss is a civilized homophobe . . . and not anything like that uncouth Fred Phelps). ****************************************************************************** ********************************** LET THE MEDIA KNOW YOU'RE WATCHING! The GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION challenges homophobia in and through the mass media . . . shaping the forces that shape our society. Founded in 1988, the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of GLAAD is a non-profit, volunteer-based membership organization dedicated to cultural advocacy and media activism. GLAAD/SFBA promotes the fair, accurate and diverse representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives. To notify GLAAD/SFBA of any defamatory or affirmative media coverage, or to request GLAAD membership information, please call the 24-hour Media Watch Hotline (415-861-4588) or write Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, 1360 Mission Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94103; Fax 415-861-4893; E-mail glaadsfba@aol.com; World Wide Web http://www.gaytrek.com/gaytrek/glaad.html. To support on-going monitoring and response efforts, GLAAD asks individuals to forward copies of any correspondence they send to, or receive from, the media. MEDIA WATCH is a weekly report that may be printed, published or posted, in whole or part without prior permission. When appropriate, attribution should be made to "Al Kielwasser" and/or "GLAAD San Francisco." GLAAD/SFBA greatly appreciates copies of publications that make use of the MEDIA WATCH. ****************************************************************************** **********************************