Subject: GLAAD MEDIALERT, Sept. 25
From: [email-masked]
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 1995 18:20:18 -0400

T h e   G L A A D   M e d i A l e r t     

for the week of 
September 25 - October 1, 1995 

by 
Al Kielwasser 
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, 
San Francisco Bay Area 

W H A T   A R E   T H E Y   T A L K I N G   A B O U T  ?

A "Special Report" in "TV Guide's" September 23-29 issue previews litigation
surrounding the murder of a gay talk-show guest, who was killed shortly after
his appearance on "Jenny Jones" last March ("A Daytime Talk Show Goes On
Trial," Mike Hammer and Ileane Rudolph).   As part of the talk show's "secret
admirers" segment, Scott Amedure had revealed his attraction for another
guest (John Schmitz, a heterosexual); three days later, Amedure was shot and
killed by the "embarrassed" Schmitz.  

A $25 million civil suit has been brought by Amedure's family, which accuses
the "Jenny Jones" show of negligence.  That case will be heard sometime next
year.  The criminal trial of John Schmitz is scheduled to begin this year, on
October 30, in Oakland County, Michigan.

"TV Guide" also previews (unwittingly) the flawed reporting likely to
surround these trials.  Though Amedure's murder was widely-reported in March,
virtually none of the initial coverage mentioned the word "homophobia."
 Remarkably, the hate motivation behind the crime went unreported.  The press
focused instead on the issue of whether or not TV talks shows have become
"too trashy." 

The mainstream media seem poised to flop again.  According to "TV Guide,"
Court TV "is not planning to cover the criminal case and will instead focus
on the civil suit."

Court TV's decision appears indefensible, and suggests a general disinterest
in the killing of queers.  The trial of "Jenny Jones" cannot be more vital
than the trial John Schmitz, unless murdering gay men is only newsworthy when
the entertainment media are implicated.

Unfortunately, the themes of the civil and criminal trials ARE expected to
overlap.  "TV Guide" observes:  "With the O.J. Simpson case finally winding
down, TV's next sensational courtroom drama could well be a murder trial that
also may indict the ambush-interview tactics of TV talks shows."  

James Burdick, Schmitz's attorney, will argue that the "Jenny Jones" show --
and NOT his client -- is to blame for the murder of Scott Amedure.  According
to Burdick:  "The shows are on trial, as far as we're concerned . . . .  I'm
hoping that if people watch the proceedings they'll stop participating in
these ambush shows and the producers will stop doing them."  "TV Guide"
quotes talk show host Mark Walberg, who agrees that the trial "is a wake-up
call that we have an obligation to protect some guests against themselves."  

Presumably, if homophobes are to be "protected" from their own propensity to
kill, then talk shows will have to shield bigots from queer guests . . . .
AND queer discussions.  Inside this twisted logic, the victimizer truly
becomes the victim, and industry self-censorship is the likely remedy.

"TV Guide" also reports that "the tabloid shows and such network
newsmagazines as ABC's "PrimeTime Live" and "Dateline NBC" are already
seeking interviews with the attorneys, Schmitz, and Jones."  Schmitz's lawyer
has been quick to respond that his client "has no money" and "somebody would
have to offer a lot of money for an interview."

It would be unconscionable for these shows to offer "a lot of money" to any
hate criminal.  It would also be inexcusable if, this time around, the media
fail once more to tell the REAL story. 

Talk shows are not properly on trial here.  Including out and open queers on
television, after all,  is no crime.  But KILLING THEM is.

If not the lawyers, then at least mainstream journalists should examine the
Schmitz trial by focusing on our nation's epidemic of hate violence.  The
high-profile court coverage could, indeed, serve as a welcome "wake-up call"
-- by putting homophobia itself on trial.  

***   ACTION ALERT:  Insist that the media get it right (or at least
much-less wrong) this time around.  Send preemptive feedback to local and
national news outlets, including Rita Quinn, "PrimeTime Live," 147 Columbus
Avenue, New York, NY 10023, tel. 212-456-7777, fax 212-456-1297;  ABC
Audience Information, 77 W. 66th Street, New York, NY 10023, e-mail
[email-masked];   Mark Rosenwasser, "Dateline," 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Room
410, New York, NY 10112, tel. 212-664-3880, fax 212-664-7073, e-mail
[email-masked] or [email-masked];  Steven Brill, President,
Courtroom Television Network, 600 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY
10016, tel. 212-973-2800;  Mark Walberg, "The Mark Walberg Show," 510 W. 57th
Street, New York, NY 10019, tel. 212-265-3760, fax 212-246-5099, e-mail
[email-masked];  Steven Reddicliffe, Editor-In-Chief, "TV Guide," Radnor,
PA 19088, e-mail [email-masked].

B I B L I C A L   E S S E N C E   

"Before I came out in print, I had never had someone tell me that I was going
to hell.  Now people say it to me regularly."  So begins Linda Villarosa's
biographical essay in the September 1995 issue of "Essence" magazine.  The
essay is one in which -- as the magazine's cover indicates --  "A Lesbian
Takes on the Bible."

Villarosa, who is also is the executive editor of "Essence," utilizes a
mixture of personal experience and social critique as she strikes at the
hypocritical heart of the "Religious" Right.  "These so-called righteous
people take the Bible literally when it suits them," she explains, "ignoring
anything that doesn't easily support their narrow condemnations."  

Villarosa undermines the conservative obsession with homosexuality, revealing
the Religious Right's inconsistent and irrational use of biblical texts.  The
hecklers who regularly quote the Bible when condemning her lesbianism,
Villarosa observes, have precious little to say about other scriptural
taboos.

"It didn't take a biblical scholar to figure out that people who shout me
down in lecture halls and write me letters are not sending hate mail to
people who are divorced," Villarosa says.  "The man who lashed out at me in
Oregon is not condemning people who eat pork (Leviticus 11:7-8).  Neither is
he carrying on about cattle breeders, farmers who grow two different crops,
or anyone who wears a poly-cotton blend of clothing (Leviticus 19:19)." 

As an African-American, Villarosa notes the particular pain she has
experienced within the community, when "Black people are using the Bible
against their lesbian and gay sisters and brothers just as Whites used the
Scriptures against our ancestors when they interpreted passages . . . to mean
that our people should remain enslaved."  

Villarosa concludes her essay with a plea for some scriptural -- and common
-- sense.  The essential message of compassion can be rescued, Villarosa
suggests, once people "stop taking the Bible literally and begin to read it
critically and intelligently."  

Targeting a readership of African American women, "Essence" ranks favorably
among the nation's popular periodicals.  Celebrating 25 years in publication,
the magazine represents a significant venue for honest and affirmative
reporting by and about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
communities.

***   ACTION ALERT:  Ensure supportive feedback, to ensure supportive
journalism.  Send comments to Susan L. Taylor, Editor-In-Chief, and Linda
Villarosa, Executive Editor, "Essence," 1500 Broadway, New York, NY 10036,
tel. 212-642-0600, fax 212-921-5173, e-mail [email-masked].

M A K I N G   T H E   C A S E    

On October 10, the United States Supreme Court will begin hearings on "Romer
v Evans," the case that will finally determine the fate of Colorado's
"Amendment 2."  This amendment to the Colorado state constitution was
approved by 53.4 percent of the 1.5 million votes cast in 1992, and would
have excluded lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens from any protection on the
basis of sexual orientation.  

In effect, the Amendment 2 sanctions anti-gay discrimination in everything
from housing to employment.  The Colorado courts have ruled the amendment
unconstitutional, however, and it has not yet been enforced.

As this case now reaches the Supreme Court, it is vital that the media
provide fair and accurate coverage.  Reporters must be admonished to avoid
any unchallenged references to "special rights."  They should, instead,
characterize Amendment 2 precisely as what it is -- a law driven by
homophobic interests that would single out lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens
for SPECIAL DISCRIMINATION.  

Reporters should also be discouraged from using outmoded and inaccurate "gay
rights " terminology.  In an Amendment 2 story filed on September 15, for
example, the Associated Press (AP) refers to "gay-rights advocates," the
"gay-rights cause,"  and just plain old "gay rights."  Yet, the substance of
the story actually has NOTHING to do with "gay rights," but rather the CIVIL
and EQUAL RIGHTS of lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens.  

***   ACTION ALERT:  Contact the Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New
York, NY 10020, tel. 212-621-1500.  Letters sent to newspaper editors can
also help to properly frame this story, focusing national attention on the
central issues -- of equality and justice -- that are being decided by the
court.  The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) has prepared "national
media awareness" materials and an action kit to assist activists; contact
Tracey Conaty, Field Organizer, NGLTF, 2320 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC
20009, tel. 202-332-6483 (ext. 3303), e-mail [email-masked].  Ground Zero
has also created an "Amendment 2 Informational Package," to help activists
and community groups "prepare for all eventualities;" contact Frank
Whitworth, Executive Director, Ground Zero, P.O. Box 1982, Colorado Springs,
CO 80901, tel. 719-635-6086, fax 719-635-6106, e-mail [email-masked] (to
receive the latest Ground Zero updates on the Amendment 2 case, e-mail your
address to [email-masked], with the instruction "send news").

N E W   Y O R K   P O S T   S C R I P T    

The "New York Post" overflows with homophobic sewage.  In an editorial titled
"Barney Frank's Out-Rageous Threat" (September 22), the newspaper ridicules
the gay congressman for demanding a little less hypocrisy on Capitol Hill.
 Specifically, Frank has suggested that he would expose closeted gay
Republicans who voted for anti-gay legislation.  That's nothing more than
"blackmail," as the "Post" sees things.

The "Post" declares:  "Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), an open homosexual, got
all huffy this January when House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) called
him  'Barney Fag.'  Armey quickly apologized for what he claimed was a slip
of the tongue.  But for all the talk that the remark signified GOP
intolerance, it seems that Frank's the one who's quick to hold a politician's
sexual orientation against him."

The newspaper goes on to whine:  "Frank threatened to 'out' gay Republicans
if any supported an expected GOP move to overturn an executive order of major
concern to gays. The order --- issued last month by President Clinton ---
forbids federal agencies from using homosexuality as a basis for denying
security clearances."

"The idea that a congressman's predilection should be exposed whenever his
party dissents from Frank's gay-rights agenda is pernicious," the "Post"
argues.  "But Frank's sexual politics are interesting:   He considers
homosexuality a private matter --- unless you fail to vote his way.  Then,
out you go!

"Frank's threat to name names is an obvious attempt to chill debate," the
"Post" concludes.  "If he can't scare Republicans by calling them
'homophobic,' he'll just try 'homosexual.'"

It is ironic, to say the least, for a newspaper to argue that THE TRUTH will
chill debate.  The "Post" fails to understand that hiding one's sexual
orientation is never an act of privacy, but secrecy.  Stating that a
politician is gay does NOT "hold sexual orientation against him," unless you
are convinced that homosexuality is a dirty, disgusting secret.  Stating that
someone is a "fag," however, IS typically an act of intolerance, especially
if you happen to be a straight, white, male homophobe like Dick Armey.

Several years ago, Vic Basile -- then head of the Human Rights Campaign Fund
-- commented on the same sort of political dissimulation recently attacked by
Barney Frank.  Basile said:  "Those who participate in the gay community and
then vote against it are guilty of hypocrisy -- hypocrisy that causes harm to
a whole class of people.  They are like Jews who put other Jews into the
ovens . . . .  Their duplicitous, devious, harmful behavior ought to be
exposed."

Unlike Dick Armey and the "New York Post," Congressman Barney Frank is
seeking the means to justice, not its end.

***   ACTION ALERT:  Send criticism and corrections to The Editor, "New York
Post," 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, fax 212-815-8283
(letters intended for publication must include the sender's name, address and
phone number).

S O M E   P I E C E   O F   M I N D   

Advice columnists give the world a piece of their minds on every imaginable
subject, and homosexuality has become a regular item on that agenda.  These
influential columns range from good to bad, with many mixed (and disturbing)
messages in between.

In her September 17 column, Ann Landers -- one of the world's most popular
advice columnists -- printed a letter from a reader who challenged the
"nonsense" of Sen. Jesse Helms.  The reader wrote:  "Sen. Helms wants to
reduce federal AIDS funding because the disease is brought on, he says, by
'deliberate, disgusting, revolting conduct.'  This foolishness comes from a
man who vigorously supports taxpayer subsidies fro the tobacco industry."

Landers replied:  "I, too, was stunned by that statement by Sen. Jesse Helms,
which is factually incorrect.  Someone should inform the Senator that AIDS
has been transmitted through blood transfusions, to newborn babies whose
mothers are infected and to healthcare workers who were accidentally pricked
by needles used on AIDS patients and not properly sterilized."  She noted,
lastly:  "I also would like to add that the notion of any illness being a
punishment from God is not only ignorant but mean-spirited."

While Landers does not agree with Helms, she nevertheless fails to challenge
his HOMOPHOBIC ignorance.  Neither Landers nor her reader specifically
mention that the "disgusting acts" Helms was referring to were HOMOSEXUAL
acts.  In fact, Helms would probably agree to provide AIDS funding for
newborn babies and health workers, as long as they weren't queer.

It is also notable that Landers -- a professional journalist for several
DECADES -- should be "stunned" by Helms' statement.  Doesn't Landers READ any
of the HUNDREDS of newspapers for which she writes?  The "factually
incorrect" Helms has been spouting sexist, racist, homophobic nonsense for
years.

***   ACTION ALERT:  Recently, Landers' overall coverage of lesbian and gay
issues has shown marked improvement (thanks -- she admits -- to forceful
reader feedback).  Obviously, though, there is still room for improvement.
 Write to Ann Landers, P.O. Box 11562, Chicago, IL 60611-0562.

M E D I A   B R I E F S   

* MORE ROTTEN ADVICE . . .   "Let's Talk" is an advice column that purports
to offer "Tough Questions; Honest Answers."  The column, written by Jim
Burns, appears in "Campus Life," a Christian youth magazine.  In a recent
issue, one reader wrote:  "Not long ago I found out a close Christian friend
of mine is gay . . . .  What should I do?"  Burns recommended spiritual
counseling, and concluded:  "Is it possible to love the sinner and hate the
sine?  You bet it is."  Demand some good advice, for a change, from "Campus
Life," 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188, fax 708-260-0114, e-mail
[email-masked].

* SUBMIT! . . .   Contributions are sought from lesbian/bisexual women of
color and transgendered writers to complete the anthology "Looking Queer:
 Body Image and Identity in Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgendered
Communities;" contact Dawn Atkins, P.O. Box 861, Iowa City, IA 52244-0861,
e-mail [email-masked] (all submissions and queries should
include a self-addressed, stamped envelope). 

* RADIO ACTIVISM . . .   "CounterSpin" is a weekly radio program produced by
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR), a progressive media watchdog group.
 Recently, radio station KAJX in Aspen, Colorado canceled the series.  When
asked for a reason, (outgoing) station manager Sy Colemen accused
"CounterSpin" of spending too much time on "lifestyle" issues like "that bar
in New York" (Stonewall). Current general manager Julie Townshend claims she
won't broadcast "CounterSpin" because a neighboring station (KDNK) carries
the program (never mind that both stations run NPR news, or that KAJX and
KDNK do not cover identical broadcast areas).  FAIR is asking for input to
KAJX management, seeking a change of mind.  Contact:  Julie Townshend, KAJX,
Suite 134, 110 East Hallam, Aspen, CO 81611, tel. 303-925-6445.  For those
who live outside Colorado, make sure "CounterSpin" is represented in your
radio market.  Contact:  FAIR, 130 W. 25th Street, New York, NY 10001, tel.
212-633-6700, fax 212-727-7668, e-mail [email-masked].

* BUSTING OUT . . .   The nation's leading video rental chain -- Blockbuster
Video -- has not always been a showcase for new queer cinema.  In the latest
issue of "Blockbuster News & Previews," an in-store promotional "magazine,"
the company has begun soliciting customer recommendations.  "Anybody
listening out there?," the magazine asks.  "What have you seen, heard or
read?  What would you like us to write about?"  A review of Blockbuster's
queer-themed films would be nice.  So would a concerted effort to acquire new
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender titles.  Send these or other
suggestions to "Blockbuster News & Previews," P.O. Box 407060, Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33340, e-mail [email-masked].  

* INCLUSIVE REPORTING . . .   Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
or issues are routinely -- and inappropriately -- left out of general news
stories about health care, romance, education, and so on.  In fact, such
DEFAMATION BY OMISSION is one of the most common and insidious types of press
bias.  A recent exception can be found in the "Statesman-Journal" newspaper,
where reporter Kay Kusumoto matter-of-factly includes comments from a gay man
in her article commemorating National Singles Week ("For Salem Singles, Going
Solo Is A Love/Hate Way Of Life," September 19).  Contact:  Kay Kusumoto, and
Mike Whitehead, Executive Editor, "Statesman-Journal," P.O. Box 13009, Salem,
OR 97309-1015, tel. 503-399-6611, fax 503-399-6706, e-mail
[email-masked].

* SPECIAL WRITES . . .   Submissions are now being sought for a
"ground-breaking anthology" about "the presence of various organized
right-wing groups on campus in both the U.S. and Canada."  Topics could
include (but are not limited to) "Media Connections," "Reactionary Rhetoric,"
"Hate Group Activities," "Think Tanks and Foundations," "Coercion in the
Classroom," and "Strategies for Resistance."  Contact:  Disturbing Alliances,
P.O. Box 7205 - University Station, Syracuse, NY 13210-7205, tel./fax
315-478-7914, e-mail [email-masked].  Deadline:  November 1, 1996.

* BIGOT SCOUTS . . .   On September 17, Neil Chethik, columnist for "The
Detroit Free Press," reported:  "My recent column opposing the
no-gays-allowed policy of the Boy Scouts of America met with fierce
resistance from scouts, former scouts and even one gay scout leader.  But an
equal number of readers called on the Boy Scouts to open it's doors . . . ."
 "Not surprisingly," he adds, "the religiously self-righteous used the column
as an opportunity to spew.  Their letters regularly referred to gays as
'queers' and 'fags.'"  Such hate mail is common, though not often reported.
 Contact:  Neil Chethik, P.O. Box 8071, Lexington, KY 40533-8071, e-mail
[email-masked].

* WEB WATCH . . .   (1)  The "MindStation X" web site
(http://www.slip.net/~rigged) features, according to its publishers, "obscure
African American/Native American history, bisexual information and resources,
and an impressive collection of related links" (e-mail, [email-masked]).
   (2)  A new web site features out gay comic/actor Scott Thompson
(http://204.225.234.1/~scottlnd/index.html).    (3)  International queer
news, filed by Rex Wockner, is now posted on the World Wide Web
(http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/world/wockner.html).    (4)  The homepage for
Hollywood Supports (http://www.datalounge.com/hsupports) features information
about upcoming films and lesbian/gay/bisexual workplace issues in the
entertainment industry.    (5)  For ready reference, web browsers can access
the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual-Centered Movie List
(http://io.com/user/topman4u/glbohead.html).    (5)  Information about "The
Question of Equality" -- a new four-part television documentary on the
struggle for lesbian and gay civil rights -- is available on the web
(http://www.itvs.org/ITVS/programs/QofE), along with "a space to publicly
discuss the issues pertinent to your community and a survey to test your
Queer Quotient."

* SOUND BITE . . .   "You can't blame the show if Schmitz didn't like that
Amedure was gay.  Everyone has to take responsibility for his own actions"
(talk show host Jerry Springer, rebuking the claim that "Jenny Jones" caused
a homophobic guest to kill a gay man, "TV Guide," September 23)

* (UN)SOUND BITE . . .   "Supporters of a referendum to restrict
anti-discrimination laws urged Mainers to back them at the polls.  The
Coalition to End Special Rights also accused the media of unfairly portraying
those who condemn homosexuality as bigots . . . " (report from Augusta,
Maine, "USA Today," September 22).

********************************************************

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 our 24-hour MediAlert
Hotline (415-861-4588) or write to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation, 1360 Mission Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94103, tel.
415-861-2244, fax 415-861-4893, e-mail [email-masked], URL
 http://www.gaytrek.com/gaytrek/glaad.html.

To support our on-going monitoring and response efforts, GLAAD/SFBA welcomes
copies of any correspondence individuals send to, or receive from, the media.

********************************************************

MEDIALERT is a weekly column that may be printed, published or posted, under
any title, 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 any publications that make use of
these weekly reports.

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