From: GLAADSFBA@aol.com Date: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 01:51:58 -0500 Subject: GLAAD MediAlert, Jan. 1-7 _______________________________________________________________ INDEX: 1. "Bad Newsgroups" (CompuServe) 2. "Global Disaster" (Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe) 3. "Advice Without Virtue" (Ruth Westheimer, Chicago Tribune) 4. "Voices of Reason" (Lynn Minton, Fresh Voices, Parade) 5. "Media Briefs" (Walt Disney, Inc.; web sites; Jeffrey, Orion Home Video; Diversity -- A People of Color Coalition; newsletters; on-line mailing lists; Digital Queers annual gala) 6. General Information (about GLAAD; about MediAlert; about membership) _______________________________________________________________ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * M e d i A l e r t * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * for the week of January 1 - 7, 1996 by Al Kielwasser Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, San Francisco Bay Area B A D N E W S G R O U P S In a massive capitulation to censorship, the world's leading online service -- CompuServe, Inc. -- has suspended access to over 200 Internet "newsgroups." The new ban was orchestrated during the last week of 1995. Though it affects all CompuServe users around the globe, the ban was initiated at the request of just one country -- Germany. According to a company spokesperson, "German government officials, as part of an investigation of illegal material on the Internet, ordered CompuServe to do what was necessary with respect to specified newsgroups in order to comply with German law." CompuServe currently has 500,000 clients in Western Europe, and hopes to quick double that number. Overall, the company currently services more than 4 million users in more than 140 million countries. "Newsgroups" are specialized forums that allow Internet users to read or post information on almost any conceivable subject. By one estimate, there are currently over 16,000 active newsgroups, dedicated to everything from baseball (rec.sport.baseball) to bondage (alt.sex.bondage). Most the newsgroups banned by CompuServe addressed (or simply APPEARED to address) an erotic or sex-related theme. The company deleted a number of lesbian, gay and bisexual groups, INCLUDING groups that had NO erotic focus. CompuServe banned newsgroups dedicated to resources for young queers, lesbian/gay journalism, and information about coming out. Of course, lumping ALL lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender subjects under the heading "sexually explicit" is inaccurate as well as defamatory. The definition of heterosexual lives is never limited ONLY to sex acts. It would STILL be unacceptable, however, even if CompuServe had "only" banned SEXUALLY-EXPLICIT newsgroups. The censorship of such groups -- queer or otherwise -- is equally retarded and regressive. As queer communities know, SEX NEGATIVITY goes hand-in-hand with HOMOPHOBIA. Prohibitions against the SEXUAL communication of "pornography" and "obscenity" lead, inevitably, to prohibitions against HOMOSEXUAL communication of any kind. Acting with very little integrity, CompuServe has attempted to deflect criticism by claiming the company is at the complete mercy of German law. A CompuServe spokesperson explained: "CompuServe did not select any groups or determine the nature of the newsgroups that have been impacted by this action." If one person selects the titles, but another person strikes the match, aren't BOTH guilty of book burning? A censor who is following someone else's orders is STILL a censor. *** ACTION ALERT! Demand that CompuServe act as a mature, responsible caretaker of free expression on the Internet. Contact: Robert Massey, President, CompuServe, Inc., 5000 Arlington Center Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43220, tel. 614-457-0802, e-mail 70006,101@compuserve.com. CompuServe members can also complain directly to customer service, via "GO FEEDBACK." G L O B A L D I S A S T E R In the December 21 "Boston Globe," columnist Jeff Jacoby looks back on "Another Year Of Liberal Libels." His thesis -- that criticism of bigotry is, itself, an act hate speech -- has become a popular rhetorical ploy, particularly amongst bigots (for example, when PFLAG publicizes Pat Robertson's homophobic hate speech, Pat Robertson condemns PFLAG for making such hateful accusations). Jacoby argues, in essence, that calling someone a "homophobe" or "racist" is no less a slur than "fag" or "nigger." He claims: "No slur is more popular in the hate lexicon of the Left than 'racist.' Except possibly 'Nazi.' When characterizing conservatives and Republicans, liberals reach for both." According to Jacoby, a "never-ending campaign to demonize conservatives and conservative ideas rolled on" throughout 1995. But, he says, this "bile from the Left" did not attract the same attention or condemnation that is heaped upon racist or homophobic epithets. "When some prominent Republican utters a nasty epithet, the condemnation is swift, certain, and severe, " Jacoby writes. "House Majority Leader Dick Armey was buried beneath an avalanche of censure when he blurtingly referred to the gay congressman from the Boston suburbs as 'Barney Fag.'" "But left-wing vitriol rarely seems to have that effect," Jacoby complains. "Nobody hissed with disapproval when Jesse Jackson, miffed at a Supreme Court decision, declared that the justices were 'paving the way back to slavery.' There was no storm of outrage when the president of the American Bar Association, George Bushnell, described Congressional Republicans as 'reptilian bastards'." Of course, Jacoby's "logic" ignores some rather fundamental distinctions. Not all "nasty epithets" are created equal. Not all "ugly slurs" constitute hate speech. The disproportionate, systematic HATE VIOLENCE experienced by certain communities (queers, women, and people of color) distinguishes particular slurs (homophobic, misogynist, and racist epithets) as HATE SPEECH. Supreme Court Justices are not, on the basis of their occupational identity, subjected to psychiatric cures, refused employment or housing, and denied custody of their children. Congressional Republicans are not, on the basis of their party affiliation, being beaten, stabbed, or shot to death. According to the FBI's conservative estimates, homosexuals are among the most frequent victims of hate crime in the United States. Homophobes, as a group, have never made the list. Outrageously, homophobes -- masquerading as victims rather than victimizers -- are now attempting to deny responsibility for the consequences of their own hate. They intend, quite simply, to get away with murder. *** ACTION ALERT! Hold Jacoby accountable; expose the masquerade. Send critical feedback to: Jeff Jacoby, columnist (e-mail jacoby@globe.com), and Matthew Storing, Editor, "Boston Globe," Box 2378, Boston, MA 02107-2378, tel. 617-929-3020, fax 617-929-2098, e-mail letter@globe.com. A D V I C E W I T H O U T V I R T U E Mainstream advice columnists now regularly tackle queer questions, with varying degrees of success, in newspapers around the globe. A recent effort by Ruth Westheimer is a notable failure. In "Ask Dr. Ruth" ("Chicago Tribune," Dec. 21), the popular sex expert responds to a 17-year-old gay transvestite, who wrote: "I have a big dilemma. I live at home with my mother and stepfather and neither one of them agrees with my lifestyle . . . . I have not flaunted my lifestyle in their faces. I do not have my boyfriend call my house and I don't use my mother's clothes. I dress at my friend's house and my boyfriend pages me. I go to the mall to buy my own clothes, makeup and jewelry." The young man concluded: "My parents want me to move out, but I don't have a place to stay. Do you have any advice?" Westheimer answered: "Since you are only 17, you do have a dilemma. Without a job, it is really not possible for you to move out. You need to finish your schooling . . . ." She added: "Since you have been discreet, I hope you can convince your mother and stepfather to allow you to stay. You might want to sit down and talk to them and tell them that you will do everything in your power to keep your lifestyle under wraps. Ask them to give you a little more time so you can get on your feet." "If that fails," Westheimer concluded, "there may be a group home nearby where you can find a place to stay." Westheimer's advice is lazy and vacuous. "There may be a group home somewhere" is hardly the stuff of expert wisdom. Westheimer might have at least expended the slightest energy and referred this potentially-homeless boy to specific hotlines or agencies in his area. Westheimer is either indifferent or blind to this teenager's real dilemma. The boy isn't TOYING with the idea of moving. He is facing the very real possibility of FORCED homelessness because of his sexual orientation (it's an all-too-common problem, as an "expert" like Westheimer should know). Westheimer advises the boy to tell his parents "that you will do everything in your power to keep your lifestyle under wraps." As an "expert," Westheimer might have mentioned that the closet (however unavoidable it can seem) is NOT a healthy place to live. Conceding to the ignorance of others might be necessary for immediate survival, but it must always be a LAST option. Casually, Westheimer suggests that this teenager might further accommodate his parents. More accurately, of course, the boy would be accommodating his PARENT'S BIGOTRY and IGNORANCE. The problem, after all, is THEIRS. Homosexuality is not the cause of homophobia. Homophobes are not cured when homosexuals go "under wraps." Unfortunately, Westheimer never considers the possibility that this boy's parents could -- like many others -- exchange their ignorance for understanding. Instead, she writes as if homophobia were chronic. Westheimer's advice neither affirms nor informs. *** ACTION ALERT! Share your own advice with: Ruth Westheimer, "Ask Dr. Ruth," c/o "The Chicago Tribune," 435 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, tel. 312-222-3232, fax 312-222-2568. V O I C E S O F R E A S O N Lynn Minton's "Fresh Voices" has scored another successive hit against homophobia. The column, in which Minton moderates youth discussions of current affairs, is published weekly in "Parade" magazine. "Parade" is a popular tabloid, inserted in the Sunday editions of newspapers throughout the country. Titled "Who Is 'Your Own Kind'?," Minton's December 24 column features teen perspectives on the use of slurs in school. Minton talked with a panel of four high-school youth, ranging from 16- to 18-years-old. Their discussion spanned issues of "political correctness," free speech, racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia. One young man, John Bechtold (age 18), attempted to argue that when students use slurs like "nigger" and "fag," they are NOT attacking any particular group in a bigoted way. "It's just used as another insult," he said. "It's not referring to a person or group of persons." Minton challenged Bechtold to think again. "Suppose I'm a black person," Minton said, "and somebody in the hall says 'nigger.' He isn't really prejudiced -- he's just using the term as an insult. You think I won't find that offensive?" During the discussion, one of the younger students -- Jennifer Kalweit (age 16) -- pointed out a problem in her school that is common in many others. "Basically," Kalweit said, "there's no diversity here . . . . You walk through the halls, and you hear comments: 'You're a nigger.' Or, 'You're a faggot.' They just use it like any other word in their vocabulary." Another student, Michelle Haff (age 16), agreed. Haff observed: "People use the word 'faggot' in their everyday vocabulary. And it's just come to a point where some of us are sick of it." Haff illustrated this problem, with a specific recollection: "Me and my friend were sitting in the library and two guys were talking, and my friend said, 'Will you please not use that word?' And they were like, 'Why? Faggot, faggot, faggot. Why does that bother you?' Another person at our table wrote the word 'fag' on a piece of paper and was flashing it in front of us and would not give up. And one guy said, 'I don't understand why it offends you. You're not gay. And no one in this room is gay.' He has no way of knowing that at all . . . ." Commenting on Haff's recollection, Minton said: "Maybe you interpret your 'own kind' a little more broadly than some people." Haff responded: "Yes. Definitely. Humankind." "Fresh Voices" provides a singular, high-profile and accessible forum for challenging bigotry (for example, the December 10 column interrogated the heinous notion of "special rights"). Through this column, Lynn Minton has consistently attempted to affirm young queer identities. *** ACTION ALERT! Support should be directed to: Lynn Minton, Box 5103, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-5103 (Minton especially seeks feedback from teens). Copy your compliments to Carlo Vittorini, Chair and Publisher, "Parade," Parade Publications, 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. M E D I A B R I E F S IT'S A SMALL-MINDED WORLD, AFTER ALL . . . The December 15 "Entertainment Weekly" offers another report on Right Wing attacks against Walt Disney, Inc. In "Disney Catches Hell," Benjamin Svetkey explains how "gay day and 'subliminal' messages at Mickey & Co. bring on the Religious Right's wrath." Contact: "Entertainment Weekly," 1675 Broadway, New York, NY 10019; Michael Eisner, Chair, The Walt Disney Company, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521, tel. 818-560-1000. WEB WATCH . . . 1. A World Wide Web site has been established for the 11th International Conference on AIDS (http://unixg.ubc.ca:880/stlouis/AIDS96.html). 2. Professing the "friendliest way to learn more about bisexual, gay and lesbian Democratic politics in Utah," a web site has been launched by GLUD -- Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats (http://members.aol.com/glud/). 3. Net surfers concerned with net censors will find much of value at web sites maintained by the Center for Democracy and Technology (http://www.cdt.org/), Electronic Frontier Foundation (http://www.eff.org/), Electronic Privacy Information Center (http://www.epic.org/), Wired Magazine (http://www.hotwired.com/special/indecent/), and Voters Telecommunications Watch (http://www.vtw.org./). 4. "Critical Mass" -- the "Webzine of Communication Issues" -- intends to provide a forum to explore mass communication, media literacy, and "the potential of the WWW as a communication and publication medium" (http://fas.sfu.ca/comm/c-mass/). 5. The Institute for Alternative Journalism (IAG) has launched "Democracy Works," a website that "highlights news from organizations fighting intolerance and far right political trends, provides links to other progressive web sites, and features some of the best alternative journalism" (http://www.alternet.org/an/demworks.html). HOMO VIDEO . . . Print ads for the home video release of "Jeffrey" prominently (and passionately!) feature a same-sex kissing scene. Orion Home Video, the film's distributor, has also established a promotional website for "Jeffrey" (http://www.datalounge.com/jeffrey). Contact: Orion, 304 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010. CONFERENCE CALL . . . "Keep Your Head To The Sky: Queers Of Color Coming Together" is the theme of an upcoming conference, called "to develop strategies and combine our strength as Communities of Color to combat hate, discrimination, and oppression." The event unfolds April 19, 1996, at Ohio State University, Columbus. Currently, organizers are seeking presentation/workshop proposals AND "technoqueers to spread news of the conference everywhere." Contact: Diversity of Ohio, 263 Crestview Road, Columbus, OH 43202, tel. 614-486-5664, e-mail sharifax@aol.com or abernathy.6@POSTBOX.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU. NEWSLETTER NEWS . . . 1. "Out In Academia" is a "newsletter of multicultural & lesbian studies." Contact: "Out In Academia," 300 Eshleman Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720. 2. "D.A.T.A." (Disability Access to Arts) is the newsletter of the Corporation on Disabilities and Telecommunication/Northern California. The CDT was founded in 1981 "to encourage better media portrayals of disabled people and to provide support for people with disabilities interested in or working in media." Contact: CDT/NC, P.O. Box 1107, Berkeley, CA 94701, e-mail Grooverlee@aol.com. E-MEDIA . . . 1. AIDS activism and health care politics are the focus an ACT UP's on-line mailing list. To subscribe, e-mail act-up-request@world.std.com, with "Subscribe ACT UP Please" in your message area. 2. As part of a new Transgender Family & Friends Support Network, PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) has launched a TGS-PFLAG, an on-line mailing list for "people all over the world who have friends or family members who are transgendered" and "those in the TG community who are concerned with issues of parental/familial acceptance." To subscribe, e-mail tgs-pflag-request@mtcc.com, with "SUBSCRIBE" in the message area. PAYING THE TOLL . . . Freedom of access is anything but free. The potential of new media -- computers, modems, printers -- is often prohibited by cost. Fortunately, one organization -- Digital Queers (DQ) -- was founded to help community activists pay the tolls on the new "Information Superhighway." DQ chapters (which are currently active in Boston, Atlanta, Florida, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, London, Sydney, and Washington, DC) provide computer training, funds and resources to non-profit and community service groups. To do that work, of course, DQ must raise funds of its own. This year's DQ fundraising gala -- featuring comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer -- takes place January 13, in San Francisco. For details, contact: Digital Queers, 584 Castro Street, Suite 560, San Francisco, CA 94114, tel. 415-252-6282, e-mail DQWebel@aol.com (fundraiser information) or DigiQueers@aol.com (general information). **************************************************** 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. 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. When appropriate, attribution should be made to "Al Kielwasser" and/or "GLAAD San Francisco." MediAlerts are available by mail, e-mail or fax. GLAAD/SFBA greatly appreciates copies of any publications that make use of these weekly reports. **************************************************** A B O U T M E M B E R S H I P . . . GLAAD's work is directly supported by our members. Please consider joining with us in one of the following membership categories. All memberships include a subscription to the monthly newsletter, "GLAAD Update." 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