From: GLAADSFBA@aol.com Date: Tue, 7 Nov 1995 17:24:38 -0500 Subject: GLAAD MEDIALERT, Nov. 7 INDEX: 1. "Deep Kissing" (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) 2. "Rating the Ratings" (When Night Is Falling, MPAA, The New York Times) 3. "At Seventeen" (Seventeen Magazine) 4. "Lifestyle Choices" (TV Guide) 5. "Media Briefs" (NBC movie-of-the-week; GLSTN resources, educational media/equity; NGLTF activism manual; World Wide Web sites; bites and kisses) 6. General Information (about GLAAD; about MediAlert; about membership) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * M e d i A l e r t * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * for the week of November 6 - 12, 1995 by Al Kielwasser Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, San Francisco Bay Area D E E P K I S S I N G The November 1 broadcast of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" ("DS9") featured one of the most passionate same-sex kissing scenes ever to grace prime-time television. The "DS9" episode, titled "Rejoined," centered on the alien "symbiot" (or "Trill") known as Dax. Dax once inhabited a male body but now lives in a female "host," Jadzia (played by series regular Terry Farrell). In "Rejoined," Jadzia is reunited with Lenara -- a woman that Dax had been married to a century ago, when he was hosted by a male humanoid. While such obscure "Trill" history might escape new viewers, a kissing scene involving Jadzia and Lenara was anything but vague. The two women lock lips (and tickle tongues) in a kiss that makes all previous "lesbian kissing scenes" on television look like mere pecks on the cheek. "Rejoined" not only demonstrated a rather casual acceptance of same-gender and bisexual relationships, but also explored the broader issue of discrimination and taboos associated with love (it is revealed that "Trill" culture has a taboo against association with "past-life" lovers). Although the episode was not specifically "about lesbians," the story line clearly struck a responsive chord. As one lesbian viewer -- and a self-professed "Trek" fan -- put it: "The kiss was great, real, and lesbian. What a treat! Also, neither woman died -- this is a big deal, considering most shows I've seen." Other fans, however, offered more-cautious praise. Tim Perkins, who works with a group of lesbian and gay Trek fans known as the "U.S.S. Harvey Milk," agrees that "the kiss between Jadzia and Lenara was electric and I'm happy the camera did not flinch." But, Perkins adds, "if this is a step forward, it is a small step. After thirty years of 'Star Trek' and promises of regular gay and lesbian characters, it is a very small step." Perkins claims that "Star Trek" producers continue to offer allegories and metaphors about homosexuality, instead of simply introducing a full-fledged homosexual character. "Wouldn't it be a much more effective, direct and courageous statement to show a gay or lesbian human being as a resident character on 'DS9'," Perkins asks, "as an ongoing character who has a distinctive personality and depth, who doesn't die in one episode, but grows and changes and interacts with other members of the crew, who has a chance to relate to a lover the way heterosexual characters do?" He adds: "Isn't the fact that there are no human characters who are gay or lesbian in any iteration of 'Star Trek' a denial of our existence?" Shortly before he died, "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry promised to introduce a continuing lesbian or gay character into his imaginative universe. To date, producers have failed to fully honor Roddenberry's death-bed wish. *** ACTION ALERT! Share your thoughts with Rick Berman and Jeri Taylor, Executive Producers, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," 5555 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038, tel. 213-956-5000; copy your correspondence to Kerry McCouggage, President, Paramount Television, 5555 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038, tel. 213-956-5000 and Lucy Salhany, President, United Paramount Network, 1180 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025, tel 310-575-7000. To join in a national petition drive to secure a positive, ongoing, queer "Star Trek" character, contact Kristy Billuni, GLAAD/Voyager Visibility Project, 1360 Mission Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94103, e-mail billuni@aol.com (K. Billuni) or outspeaker@aol.com (T. Perkins), URL http://www.gaytrek.com/gaytrek. R A T I N G T H E R A T I N G S "When Night is Falling," a new movie from October Films, is scheduled to open this month. The film tells a lesbian love story that the homophobic Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has deemed unfit for most audiences. Despite objections and a formal appeal from October Films, the MPAA has given the movie an "NC-17" rating. The "NC-17" classification is the most restrictive of the MPAA ratings, and effectively limits access to adults (over 17). The new rating also carries a popular stigma (from an affiliation with "soft core pornography") that could cause some adults to shy away as well. To date, most mainstream producers have viewed the NC-17 rating as a detriment to a film's financial and popular success. "When Night is Falling" focuses on a theology professor, whose chance meeting with a circus performer leads to romance -- LESBIAN romance. The film includes two love-making scenes that are no more graphic or gratuitous than similar HETEROSEXUAL scenes routinely included in "PG-13" and "R" rated movies. "It is our strong belief that if these two scenes had involved heterosexual love-making, we would have received the less restrictive 'R' rating," said October Films executive Amir Malin. "It is very unfortunate, and quite ominous, that the MPAA has opted to take this course with its rating decision." The MPAA's homophobia has been mirrored by "The New York Times." The nation's "newspaper of record" has refused to print an paid advertisement for "When Night is Falling." The ad depicted two figures, embracing and partially covered by a bed sheet. As long as homosexual love scenes are treated like nuclear waste, movie audiences will be encouraged in their homophobia. In a culture that routinely "advises," "warns" and otherwise discourages the viewing of lesbian or gay affection, it becomes easy -- even inevitable -- to ignore, fear or despise homosexuals. What is censored in fiction, is censored in fact. *** ACTION ALERT! Protest the NC-17 rating of "When Night is Falling." Contact the MPAA, Classification and Rating Administration, 14144 Ventura Blvd., Suite 210, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, tel. 202-293-1966, fax 202-293-7674. Complaints should also be directed to Lorren Elkins, Managing Director, Advertising, "The New York Times," 229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036, tel. 212-556-1234, e-mail LorrenElk@aol.com. A T S E V E N T E E N . . . Several lesbian and gay references can be found in the November issue of "Seventeen," a magazine that targets a readership of young women. The popular periodical chastises censorious homophobes, supports National Coming Out Day, and offers advice for "girls who check out stuff like kissing together." In a blurb for National Coming Out Day, the magazine explains: "This is one of the holidays that schools don't teach about -- it's a lesser-know celebration, to say the least. Anyway, there are les-bi-gay teens everywhere, in school and at home and in town and everything. If someone comes out to you today, or any other time, please try to support and accept them, cuz they are just the same person they were before you knew of their sexuality." In another brief comment, "Seventeen's" associate entertainment editor, Sadie Van Gelder, takes a well-deserved swipe at the CBS series "Central Park West," which purposely re-wrote a gay character as straight. "So does 'CPW' stand for Censored Park West,?" Van Gelder asks. In a longer piece, the magazine's advice column ("Ask Seventeen") addresses this reader's question: "Lately my best friend and I have been in an experimenting mood, and I'm not talking science fair here. Because she and I were wondering what it was like, we kissed each other one night. We hope this doesn't';t mean we're gay. We've never had strong feelings for each other . . . . Do other girls do this?" "Seventeen's" Sarah Duncan answers: "A lot of girls find themselves in a situation like yours at some point -- and, no, it doesn't;t mean you're gay. Friends like you two, who are really close and who trust each other, sometimes check out stuff like kissing each other because they're interested in it or just curious about it. It's perfectly normal." Duncan adds: "And even if you feel attracted to your friend, that would be normal, too, and it wouldn't necessarily mean that you're gay, or couldn't be attracted to boys." Duncan takes note of the confusion that can be caused by "raging hormones" that make it "tough to be sure about your sexual orientation." She advises the girls that, "because people in school cab be kind of silly about the whole subject," it is "even easier to get really confused or feel paranoid about what you are." Duncan concludes with a welcome comment about those who DO know they are gay (though she feels compelled to toss in one last "it doesn't mean you're gay" reminder). "Some gay people know they're gay when they're 13 (or younger) -- others don't figure it out until they're 30," Duncan writes. "What I'm saying is, a little sexual experimentation with another girl does not determine your sexuality -- it's much more complex than that." Of course, Duncan's advice could have been a bit more "complex" itself (e.g., "coming out" involves more than "figuring out" you're queer). Significantly, no specific mention is made of "homophobia" or its role in causing "confusion." Duncan could have done a better job of gently -- but directly -- challenging the girls' own homophobia ("We hope this doesn't mean we're gay"), instead of simply reassuring them that they were probably heterosexual. All-in-all, though, Duncan's advice clearly intends the right thing. Regardless of sexual orientation or gender, young readers are seldom told ANYTHING about homosexuality. "Seventeen's" up-beat, colloquial efforts are a welcome break in the silence. *** ACTION ALERT! Teen magazines that address homosexuality in anything less than defamatory terms are routinely subject to advertiser boycotts and hate mail campaigns. Send supportive comments to Caroline Miller, Editor-in-Chief, "Seventeen," Editorial Department, 850 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10022, tel. 212-407-9700, fax 212-935-4237, e-mail Ask17OL@aol.com. L I F E S T Y L E C H O I C E S Over the past few years, "TV Guide" -- one of THE most-widely circulated periodicals in the United States -- has exhibited a trend toward supporting lesbians and gays, offering "Cheers" for fair, accurate and diverse programming. Still, the magazine has only begun to adequately broach the subject of homosexuality. Articles that COULD include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender references typically DO NOT. For example, "TV Guide's" annual review of children's programming has NEVER considered the needs of young queer audiences or the role that "kid vid" might (and MUST) play in combating the ravages of homophobia. The popular periodical also needs some guidance in the terminology department. In the November 4-10 issue, Susie Wetmore and Tom Mitchell -- authors of the "Soap Opera Guide" column -- recap the previous week's soap opera storylines. Their synopsis of an "All My Children" ("AMC") plot line states: "Michael cemented his friendship with Dixie with a confession about his lifestyle." In fact, Michael -- "AMC's" new gay character -- revealed his SEXUAL ORIENTATION. "Lifestyle" utterly ignores the complexity of sexual orientation. The term plays into the hands of homophobes, who wish that homosexuality simply could be "given up" like any other "perverse lifestyle" (e.g., drinking, gambling, enjoying sex). Moreover, Michael CAME OUT. The character did not CONFESS, but REVEALED his homosexuality. The term "confession" -- frequently coupled with "lesbian" and "gay" -- suggests that homosexuality is either a sin or a crime. In the mainstream press, by contrast, heterosexuals almost NEVER "confess" that they are straight. "TV Guide" has made poor "lifestyle" choices in its program notes as well. The description of a recent "Seinfeld" episode also referred to a gay man's "lifestyle," even though the plot clearly addressed his IDENTITY. *** ACTION ALERT! Encourage "TV Guide" to tidy up the terminology. Send letters to the misguided Susie Wetmore and Tom Mitchell, Soap Opera Guide, "TV Guide," Radnor, PA 19088; copy your correspondence to Steven Reddicliffe, Editor-in-Chief, "TV Guide," at the same address. Also, promote editorial inclusiveness and remind Reddicliffe -- who is new to his position -- to consider the queer slant in routine articles. Invite him to offer special features (or issues!), as well; other magazines (e.g., "Entertainment Weekly") and numerous newspaper columnists have already taken note of the unprecedented wave of new lesbian and gay visibility on television, a multifaceted subject that "TV Guide" is well-suited to explore. M E D I A B R I E F S * BE REAL . . . Bunim/Murray Productions (BMP), producers of MTV's "Real World" and "Road Rules" series, is currently conducting a nationwide search for people who have real-life high-school reunion stories to tell. The stories and their tellers will serve as the basis for a two-hour documentary, which will air as an NBC movie-of-the week. Producer Jon Murray said: "We'd love to include the story of a lesbian or gay person who either came out to their friends during high school or who has since come out, but has not reconnected with their high school friends to tell them." Participants will be compensated. Contact: BMP, tel. 213-965-8796, fax 213-965-0932, e-mail reunion@primenet.com, URL http://www.primenet.com/~reunion. * TEXTBOOK ACTIVISM . . . "What You Can Do: Ideas & Resources for Educators Working to End Homophobia in Schools" is a concise, suggestive guide to books, films, organizations and more. This reference is provided by the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN), 122 West 26th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10001, tel. 212-727-0135, e-mail glstn@glstn.org, URL http://www.glstn.org/freedom/. * BY THE BOOKLET . . . "To Have and To Hold" is the latest activist manual published by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). Subtitled "Organizing for Our Right to Marry," the new 24-page booklet is billed as "a comprehensive, easy to use, activist-friendly work kit for educating and organizing your community." Contact: NGLTF, 2320 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009-2702, tel. 202-332-6483(ext. 3327), fax 202-332-0207, e-mail ngltf@ngltf.org, URL http://www.ngltf.org. * WEB WATCH . . . 1--A new site on the World Wide Web features information about "Gay Day at Walt Disney World," one of the many "evil" events that have recently earned Disney the organized scorn of homophobes across the nation (http://www.gayday.com). 2--Queer News From Australia: Brendon Wickham produces a web page for "Brother Sister," out of Melbourne (http://werple.mira.net.au/~leto/news/index.html). 3--Ads for programs broadcast on the NBC television network now invite viewers to "Check out NBC on the Internet!" (http://www.nbc.com). 4--"Electronic red ribbons" are just some of the items that can be found at a new World AIDS Day site (http://www.wad.hea.org.uk/wad/). 5--The Internet Movie Database (http://www.msstate.edu/Movies/) provides a "list of famous married couples, past & present" (http://www.msstate.edu/Movies/couples.html) and the site managers welcome the names of lesbian, gay or bisexual couples that should be included. 6--The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) has launched a new web site, offering "resources to educators, students, parents, and community activists on how to create change in their schools" (http://www.glstn.org/freedom/). 7--Modeled on successful "Day Without Art" and "Day Without Light" campaigns, "The Day Without Graphics" intends to bring AIDS awareness to the Internet on World AIDS Day (http://www.cyberzine.org/html/WAD/wadpage.html); individuals interested in linking their homepage to the effort can contact Tom Hicks (e-mail wad@cyberzine.org) of The CyberQueer Lounge (http://www.cyberzine.org/html/GLAIDS/glaidshomepage.html). 8--"Straight Jobs, Gay Lives" (a new Simon & Schuster release) has provided the impetus for a web site that features "a bunch of highly informative gay workplace pages" (http://www.nyu.edu/pages/sls/gaywork/). * SOUND BITES AND KISSES . . . "What's the big deal? You don't have a problem kissing puppies, do you? You're playing a role, man! I've been in acting classes when I've done that before. It's like doing an accent." -- Wesley Snipes, actor and "To Wong Foo," on kissing men (quoted in "USA Today") "I do not find myself attracted to my own sex . . . It WAS uncomfortable . . . This is a true, serious love story, not something sensational. This is not like 'Roseanne' . . . ." -- Terry Farrell, actress and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" star, on kissing another woman (quoted in "TV Guide," October 7-13) **************************************************** A B O U T G L A A D . . . 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. GLAAD/SFBA is the oldest GLAAD chapter in the nation. 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: 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. To assist our on-going monitoring and response efforts, GLAAD/SFBA appreciates copies of any correspondence individuals send to, or receive from, the media. **************************************************** A B O U T M E D I A L E R T . . . MediAlert is a weekly column that may be printed, published or posted, under this or any title, in whole or part, without prior permission. 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