From: GLAADSFBA@aol.com Date: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 01:51:06 -0500 Subject: GLAAD MediAlert, Dec. 25-31 _______________________________________________________________ INDEX: 1. "Jeer Leader" (TV Guide, Roseanne, ABC, Friends, NBC) 2. "Rated: H" (American Family Association, Courthouse, The Crew, Friends, NYPD Blue, Melrose Place, Volkswagen, Procter & Gamble, McDonald's, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Labs) 3. "Terminologically Ill" (Desert News, Charlotte Observer, Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, CNN) 4. "School Daze" (Texas Education Commission, Byron Center School Board, East Allen County School Board) 5. "Media Briefs" (Parent's Television Council, Sisters; New York Times; Slant; People Magazine) 6. General Information (about GLAAD; about MediAlert; about membership) _______________________________________________________________ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * M e d i A l e r t * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * for the week of December 25 - 31, 1995 by Al Kielwasser Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, San Francisco Bay Area J E E R L E A D E R Once again, the "Cheers & Jeers" column in "TV Guide" has given thumbs-down to homophobia. The December 30 "TV Guide" awards a well-earned "Jeer" to ABC for rescheduling a "gay wedding" episode "Roseanne." ABC claimed the time change was necessary to protect children from the (purportedly) "adult humor" in the episode. Sensing the network's heterosexist double-standard, "TV Guide" questions "just how legit is ABC's concern over gay nuptials?" The magazine points out that another sitcom, on another network -- NBC's "Friends" -- will also feature a same-sex wedding story, on January 18. "And NBC plans to air the show at 8 (PM), just as it always does," says "TV Guide. "Maybe that's the kind of thinking that put NBC in first place." The insult is brief, but biting -- and the significance of such critical asides should not be underestimated. "TV Guide" is, after all, the most widely circulated periodical in the United States. "Jeering" network homophobia seems a particularly good use of the magazine's privileged access to America's homes. *** ACTION ALERT! Vocal support FROM queers can help maintain vocal support FOR queers. Send a cheer to "TV Guide's" new editor: Steven Raddcliffe, Editor-in-Chief, "TV Guide," Radnor, PA 19088 (correspondence intended for publication should be directed to the "Letters Department," at the same address). R A T E D : H Self-described as "a Christian organization promoting the Biblical ethic of decency in American society with primary emphasis on TV and other media," the American Family Association (AFA) is actually a well-financed, heterosexual supremacist group. The organization's monthly magazine, the "AFA Journal," has begun the new year with a bigot's guide to broadcasting. The January 1996 issue offers readers a homophobic accounting of prime-time television programming. To indicate the "offensiveness" of particular programs, the AFA has assigned various ratings codes. These codes include: "AC" (anti-Christian), "PC" (politically correct), "S" (objectionable sexual content), "P" (profanity) and -- of course -- "H" (promotes homosexual agenda). For example, an episode of "The Crew" (FOX, November 16) is rated "S H P6." Thus, according to the AFA, the episode contained objectionable sexual content, promoted the homosexual agenda, and used profanity six times. A brief content summary is also provided, adding specific details about the episode: "RuPaul is a guest star, and dialogue is packed with homosexual jokes, bondage jokes and more." Of the 22 prime-time programs reviewed by the AFA, no less than 15 are accused of "promoting the homosexual agenda." "H" ratings are given to "Courthouse" (CBS), "The Crew" (FOX), "Friends" (NBC), "High Society" (CBS), "Homicide" (NBC), "Hope & Gloria" (NBC), "Hudson Street" (ABC), "Melrose Place" (FOX), "The Nanny" (CBS), "NewsRadio" (NBC), "NYPD Blue" (ABC), "Pursuit of Happiness" (NBC), "Roseanne" (ABC), "The Single Guy" (NBC), and "Sisters" (NBC). Of these series, five -- "The Crew," "Friends," "Melrose Place," "Courthouse" and "NYPD Blue"-- are cited for broadcasting MULTIPLE promo-homo episodes. Significantly, AFA members are NOT encouraged to write or call the TV networks, but rather the companies that purchased airtime during "H" rated shows. These advertisers are urged to stop sponsoring the "homosexual agenda," or risk a loss in sales. The effectiveness of such threats is difficult to determine (and the subject of some debate). Despite official industry denials, however, advertisers undoubtedly wield SIGNIFICANT influence over the content of commercial television. The AFA, which reaches a large and responsive membership, intends to wield significant influence over the conduct of advertisers. The January "AFA Journal" specifically targets Abbot Labs (Murine eye drops, Selsun Blue shampoo), for advertising during "Courthouse" episodes that portrayed lesbianism as "normal" and a lesbian as the "heroine." McDonald's (fast foods) is cited for sponsoring episodes of "The Crew," which featured "Paul, the series homosexual." Procter & Gamble (Tide, Spic & Span, Pringles) is also listed, for purchasing airtime during episodes of "Friends" in which there were "numerous homosexual and condom" references and "God's name is used in vain about once every 2.5 minutes." The AFA targets Volkswagen (Audi, Volkswagen cars), for sponsoring "NYPD Blue's" inclusion of a lesbian police officer, a homosexual secretary, and "many crude scatological and sex terms (piss, pullin' my pud, joint, etc.)." Finally, Johnson & Johnson (Johnson baby products, Tylenol) is cited, for sponsoring the "Homosexual character Matt" -- staple of the prime-time soap opera "Melrose Place." *** ACTION ALERT! Urge companies targeted by the AFA to resist the forces of homophobic hate -- through the continued support of fairness, accuracy, and diversity in television. Contact: Duane L. Burnham, Chair, Abbott Laboratories, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, IL 60064, tel. 708-937-6100, fax 708-937-1511; Ralph S. Larsen, Chair, Johnson & Johnson, One Johnson & Johnson Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ 08933, tel. 908-524-0400 or 800-635-6789, fax 908-214-0332; Michael R. Quinlan, Chair, McDonald's Corporation, 1 Kroc Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60521, tel. 708-575-3000, fax 708-575-5512; Edwin L. Artzt, Chair, Procter & Gamble, P.O. Box 599, Cincinnati, OH 45201, tel. 513-983-1100 or 800-435-9254, fax 513-562-4500; Clive Warrilow, President, Volkswagen of America, P.O. Box 3951, Troy, MI 48007, tel. 313-340-5000 or 800-822-8987, fax 313-340-4930. The "AFA Journal" is the product of Donald E. Wildmon, Executive Editor and President, American Family Association, P.O. Drawer 2440, Tupelo, MS 38803, tel. 601-844-5036, fax 601-844-9176, e-mail amfamily@ebicom.net, URL http://www.gocin.com/afa/home.htm. T E R M I N O L O G I C A L L Y I L L Journalists certainly appreciate "the right word." Indeed, most newspapers require their reporters to adhere to "style books" that detail precisely which words to use, when, and why. While style guides have come far in regard to queer terminology, the situation is remains far from perfect. Reporters continue to utilize such biased adjectives as "admitted" and "practicing" to describe "homosexual." The term "homosexual" itself, as both adjective and noun, is still used with reckless imprecision. An article in the December 19 "Desert News" is headlined "Male Prostitute Going To Prison," and the paper's staff writer uses the phrase "male prostitute" throughout the piece. While this gender specificity might not be essential, it is at least preferable to "gay prostitute" -- a phrase used in the "Charlotte Observer." The December 21 "Observer" carries this headline: "Gay Prostitute Returns To University Faculty." The article itself, written by Associated Press reporter David Crary, uses the phrase "gay prostitute" in the lead sentence. Phrases like "homosexual rape" or "gay murderer" have no heterosexual counterparts in mainstream reporting. Such terms only reinforce phobic associations between homosexuality and criminality. They are also unnecessary. The facts in any crime story should be sufficient to indicate sexual orientation (when it is relevant). Biased and inaccurate terminology also mars the December 17 "Chicago Tribune," one of the nation's leading newspapers. The phrase "practicing homosexual" appears several times in staff writer Shirley Salemy's article, "Ex-Episcopal Bishop Faces Heresy Trial For Supporting Gays." Such terminology arises directly from the rhetoric of homophobes, who insist that homosexuality is merely a sex act -- a "practice" -- which, if ceased, is "cured." When it comes to sexual orientation, the Associated Press (AP) has had a particularly poor style record. To identify various minority groups, most media outlets recognize the terminology currently used within the community itself -- words like "lesbian" or "gay." AP stories, however, have relied almost exclusively on the clinical term "homosexuality." AP reporters have narrowly lumped lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons into the category of "homosexuals." As one critic of this practice, Chris Kryzan, explains: "This point might seem like a nit, but it is a very insidious way of positioning us as 'things' rather than people." Most recently (Dec. 14), a few AP articles HAVE finally used the terms "lesbian" and "gay" -- a first, according to Kryzan. But it's not clear if this change will persist. The "new" style has yet to be applied commonly or consistently across the many AP stories filed daily. Misguided style is not limited to newsprint, of course, but taints broadcast journalism as well. In his December 13 segment on a Chicago murder, CNN bureau chief Jeff Flock TWICE referred to the victim's "admitted homosexual lover" (who had been acquitted of the crime). To describe an openly-gay person in this way insidiously suggests that homosexuality itself is a crime -- a dirty little secret, confessed through police interrogation or torture. *** ACTION ALERT! Urge the news media to adopt style guides that ensure greater precision and accuracy -- by explicitly DISCOURAGING homophobic and heterosexist terminology. Contact: "The Desert News," Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110, fax 801-237-2121; "The Charlotte Observer," P.O. Box 2138, Charlotte, NC 28233, fax 704-358-5022; "The Chicago Tribune," 435 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, tel. 312-222-3232, fax 312-222-2568, e-mail tribletter@aol.com; The Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020, tel. 212-621-1500; Cable News Network, 1 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30348-5466, tel. 404-827-1700, fax 404-737-3323, e-mail cnn.feedback@cnn.com. S C H O O L D A Z E In regard to textbooks and other educational media, the year closed on a discouraging note. Recent actions in Texas, Michigan and Indiana have confirmed that homophobia is very much a part of the course. In Texas, state education officials have rejected $1.85 million in federal funds for AIDS education. The funds were refused to protest -- and avoid -- federal guidelines regarding fair and accurate sex education. Apparently, Texans place substantial value on the "right" of local school boards to teach a biased AIDS curriculum or (in the absence of funds) to teach NO curriculum at all. In Michigan, the school board of Byron Center (situated a few miles from Grand Rapids) recently stopped short of firing an openly-gay music teacher. However, board members did issue this hateful statement: "The school board firmly believes that homosexuality violates the dominant moral standard of the district's community. Individuals who espouse homosexuality do not constitute proper role models as teachers for students in this district." A similar slander was announced by an Indiana school board. On December 19, the East Allen County School Board adopted a resolution declaring: "We resolve . . . to strongly support and value those things which contribute to and improve the stability of families . . . . This is a denunciation of activities such as drug use, premarital sex, violence, or gay and lesbian behavior or the support of such activities." The East Allen school board concluded that: "homosexuality is at odds with the area's Christian beliefs." So was the notion of a round Earth, at one time. It seems the lessons of history have yet to be learned by some educators. *** ACTION ALERT! Send instructive criticism to each of the following: Mike Moses, Education Commissioner, Texas Education Agency, 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701-1494. Copy your correspondence to: Letters to the Editor, "Austin American Statesman," Box 670, Austin, TX 78767, fax 512-445-3679. All Members, Byron Center School Board, 2475 84th Street, SW, Byron Center, MI 49315, tel. 616-878-1541. Copy your correspondence to: Letters to the Editor, "The Grand Rapids Press," 155 Michigan Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49502, fax 616-459-4126. All Members, East Allen School Board, 1240 US 30 East, New Haven, IN 46774, tel. 219-493-3761. Copy your correspondence to Indiana's schools chief and the state's largest newspaper. Contact: Suellen Reed, State Superintendent of Schools, Indiana Department of Education, Room 229, State House, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2798, tel. 317-232-6665, fax 312-232-9121; "The Indianapolis Star," 307 N. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, fax 317-633-9423. Resources for activists working to reform school books and school boards include "Saving Our Schools from the Religious Right: The Lake County, Florida Story" (a publication available from Saving Our Lake County Schools, P.O. Box 492124, Leesburg, FL 34749) and the recently-updated "Community Action Kit: An Information Pack to Support Comprehensive Sexuality Education" (distributed by SIECUS, 130 West 42nd Street, Suite 350, New York, NY 10036, tel. 212-819-9770, fax 212-819-9776). M E D I A B R I E F S THE CHAMP . . . The "Parents' Television Council" (PTC), a conservative media watchdog group, has issued its 1995-96 "Family Guide To Prime Time Television." According to the "Des Moines Register" (Dec. 26), the guide is "bursting with finger-wagging warnings about the dangers of TV shows." The PTC condemns "Sisters" (NBC) because the program attempted to "champion lesbian parenting and euthanasia." Contact: NBC Entertainment, 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, CA 91523, tel. 818-840-4444. CHANGING TIMES . . . The nation's "newspaper of record," "The New York Times," has finally overturned a long-standing (and homophobic) ban on the use of the word "lover" in paid death notices. Previously, the "Times" would print only "long time companion" or "life partner." Contact: Arthur O. Sulzberger, Publisher, "The New York Times," 229 W 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036, tel. 212-556-1234, fax 212-556-3622. A QUEER ANGLE . . . "Slant" is a free, colorful, and over-sized tabloid that is published three times a year (March, August and November). The newspaper's November 1995 issue is dense with alternative journalism -- cartoons, reviews, photos, critical essays. Included in this mix is Adam Block's "Invisible Roots: A Queer History of Rock" -- a welcome and worthwhile contribution to the excavation of hidden media histories. Contact: Caroline Karlen, Managing Editor, "Slant," 1809 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, e-mail urbanout@voicenet.com. POSITIVE PEOPLE . . . The December 11 "People" magazine includes "No Negatives," a brief article about Keith Lewis' unique modeling agency -- which finds assignments for models with HIV and AIDS. Contact: "People," Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020, fax 212-522-0794, e-mail 74774.1513@compuserve.com, URL http://www.pathfinder.com//people/. **************************************************** 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 an independently-incorporated, 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 largest and 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. 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