From: GLAADSFBA@aol.com Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 08:15:01 -0500 Subject: MediAlert! - Apr. 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ INDEX: "MediAlert! - April 7" - Item 1: "Homophobia In Focus" [Focus on the Family; America Online; Center for Media Education; Christian Computing Magazine; Steve Case; DataCenter]. - Item 2: "Teen & Heard" [Soap Opera Magazine; All My Children; Tommy Michaels; Ben Jorgensen; Brian Gaskill; ABC; GLSTN]. - Item 3: "The Thought That Counts?" [Parade; Marilyn vos Savant; Ask Marilyn]. - General Information [about GLAAD; about MediAlerts]. - Errata [Free Speech TV/The 90's Channel]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ M e d i A l e r t ! ___________________ for the week of April 1 - 7, 1996 by Al Kielwasser Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, San Francisco Bay Area H O M O P H O B I A I N F O C U S The official discussion regarding child welfare and on-line media use has focused almost exclusively on one theme -- SEX. Politicians and software producers alike have harped on the threats, imagined or real, of "cyber porn." This debate has left little room for other concerns. Recently, for example, the Center for Media Education released a report asserting the "manipulative, deceptive, and exploitative" ways in which the children of cyberspace are targeted by advertisers and marketers. Yet software manufacturers are hardly rushing to the fore with programs to facilitate the automatic blocking of product pitches. Also excluded from much of the Internet debate has been any serious analysis of the proliferation of so-called "Christian computing;" as one indicator of a growing market, "Christian Computing Magazine" currently has 90,000 subscribers in over 50 countries. Many of the new on-line media are Right-Wing, fundamentalist ventures, serving as vehicles for the same old sexist and homophobic jeremiads found in their print and broadcast counterparts. James Dobson's "Focus on the Family" forum, distributed through America Online (AOL), is one of the emergent pulpits for fundamentalist hate. Dobson, a professional homophobe, has designed this forum to market his lucrative "ministry." He pitches an array of "resources" -- pamphlets, books, magazines, tapes -- which explain why homosexuality is evil and beating children is good. Under the guise of "Youth Culture Resources," much of this material is either about or aimed at children and young adults. Typical "Focus" articles condemn popular bands for "spewing pro-homosexual lyrics" (Bob Smithouser, "When Teens' Tolerance Turns to Compromise") or attack MTV "and its long-standing promotion of the gay lifestyle" (Jeff Hooten, "Breaking the Culture's Grip"). Other alarmist "resources" provide guidelines for keeping "pro-homosexual" books out of libraries and combating the "homosexual agenda invading schools nationwide." In the public or "message board" section of Dobson's forum, the talk is just as cheap. Many of the individuals' postings are simply homophobic rails. On the subject of "School Homo/Glorifying," for example, one "Focus" fan (TradisValu@aol.com) explains how "homosexuals have their sights on winning the hearts, minds and little bodies of your children." Whether individual or corporate, such content is surely "protected speech." What is not illegal, however, may still be immoral . . . and inhumane. Protection from censorship implies no protection from criticism. Nevertheless, the critics of homosexuality are infrequently criticized. Industry condemnation of homophobia -- and its systematic promotion amongst children -- is conspicuously absent from the incessant buzz about "parental rights" and "Internet safety." The silence is deafening. * * * ACTION/OPTIONS: Encourage software companies, computer trade magazines and on-line service providers to exercise a little moral leadership -- by publicly condemning homophobia AND the professional homophobes who (like James Dobson) prey with impunity on our youth. Perhaps AOL's Steve Case should consider the subject for one of his regular editorial "Letters" to the "AOL community?" Contact: Steve Case, Chairman and CEO, America Online, Inc., 8619 Westwood Center Drive, Vienna, VA 22182, e-mail SteveCase@aol.com. - AOL users can directly monitor Dobson and Co., in the "Focus on the Family" forum of "Clubs & Interests" (Keywords: FOTF or Dobson). - Besides on-line media, "Focus on the Family" produces print and broadcast materials; the corporation claims to reach an international audience of millions each week. Contact: Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995, tel. 719-531-5181 or 800-232-6459. - The Center for Media Education is located at 1511 K Street NW, Suite 518, Washington, DC 20008, tel. 202-628-2620, fax 202-628-2554, e-mail cme@access.digex.net. - An annotated bibliography on "The 'Parental Rights' Movement" ("CultureWatch," March 1996, #30) has been compiled by the DataCenter, a non-profit social justice research center dedicated to providing information to those working for progressive social change. Contact: DataCenter, 464 19th Street, Oakland, CA 94612-2297, tel. 510-835-4692, fax 510-835-3017, e-mail culturewatch@datacenter.org. T E E N A N D H E A R D The April 2 issue of "Soap Opera Magazine" -- a popular supermarket tabloid -- includes Teresa Grigolo's "Teens on the Edge." The two-page article transcribes a roundtable discussion with the younger cast members of "All My Children" (AMC). The headline announces: "AMC's hot young stars are pushing the show to new limits by dealing with today's tough issues -- unwanted pregnancies, drugs, AIDS and gay pride. Here, they talk about the pressures of their storylines and the messages they send to teenage fans." Last November, AMC launched a pioneering storyline that now involves two recurring gay characters -- a high school teacher, and a student [see "Teaching Television," MediAlert, Feb. 12]. In "Soap Opera Magazine," Ben Jorgensen -- who play's the gay teen ("Kevin") -- reflects briefly on his singular role. "At first I thought my character was extremely overwrought," he observed. "Then I started to read the fan mail . . . ." Jorgensen suggests that AMC's depiction of "vile homophobes screaming loudly" is not histrionic melodrama, but sadly realistic. Recalling the real-life coming out experiences of a personal friend, he added: "It's a horrible thing to have to be ashamed -- or even to have to be sacred of others' reactions." In response to a follow-up question -- "Has the gay storyline helped to break stereotypes?" -- another AMC actor, Brian Gaskill ("Bobby"), explained: "Our storyline isn't doing it alone. But to be a part of the battle, to say, 'It's not a bad thing,' that's one step forward." The youngest member of the cast , Tommy J. Michaels ("Tim"), was unable to join the discussion "because of his rigorous school schedule." But -- as a sidebar explains -- he still "wanted to tell what it's been like for him to participate in the gay storyline." For Michaels, a generation gap in the plot line is most "interesting." While his character could accept homosexuality, his character's father sided with the "vile homophobes." "It mattered more to his dad than to him," Michaels noted. "In a way, you'd think it would be the other way around -- that the father would be telling the son that being gay isn't wrong." "If you think about it," the young actor concluded, "a child has to get his prejudices from his parents. You're not born able to discriminate against somebody." * * * ACTION/OPTIONS: Though "Soap Opera Magazine" won't be read by many teens, it's positive message WILL reach many of their parents, nationwide. To encourage the magazine's considerate coverage of a considerable storyline, write: Richard Kaplan, Editor, "Soap Opera Magazine," 660 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591. - On-going support for AMC's efforts can be sent to: Felicia Minei Behr, Executive Producer, "All My Children," 320 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023. Copy your correspondence to: ABC Daytime Programming, 2040 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067-4785, e-mail daytime@ccabc.com; ABC Television Network Group, 77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023, e-mail abcaudr@ccabc.com. - Actress Natalie Ross -- who plays one of AMC's adult characters -- will join the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) for a special benefit, April 11, in New York City; the soap's storyline has moved her to action, says Ross, and "to really think about the problems that gay kids in school must face and the damage that homophobia can do to them." For more information, contact: GLSTN, 122 W. 26th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10001, tel. 212-727-0135, fax 212-727-0254, e-mail glstn@glstn.org, URL http://www.glstn.org/freedom/. T H E T H O U G H T T H A T C O U N T S ? Despite the hackneyed "Ask Marilyn" title of her column, Marilyn vos Savant claims a certain distinction from the pack. According to her publisher, Savant "is listed in the 'Guinness Book of World Records' Hall of Fame for 'Highest IQ.'" Each week, she offers "thoughtful, occasionally unconventional" answers to questions posed by the readers of "Parade" magazine -- who send Savant more than 35,000 letters a year. "Parade's" March 31 issue features an "expanded edition" of Savant's column and, as part of a promotion for her new book, includes her on the cover as well. The headline promises Savant will not only tackle "a probability question involving two pairs of shoes," but also answer the questions "Has the existence of God been proved mathematically?" and "Is homosexuality a choice?" Actually, Savant tackles two questions on the origins of homosexuality. One reader asks for help in settling a domestic dispute; her husband "thinks homosexuality is a choice," but she feels "it is something over which gay people have no control, similar to being right- or left-handed." Another reader writes: "Do you think homosexuality has a genetic origin, or is it a choice of behavior? If you answer my question, please sign me anonymous. I accept my sexual orientation, and my family tries to accept, but they would be embarrassed . . . ." Savant's single answer to both questions runs ten paragraphs long. Several times, she attempts to dispel intolerance and affirm that "gay people are just as good as the rest of us." However, she also offers a series of dismissive, capricious -- and frankly BIZARRE -- opinions, which seriously undermine the effort. Savant begins by announcing why -- at last -- she decided to answer this question, which readers "have been asking . . . for years." Previously, she "resisted the temptation to reply" because the "subject has become political." "The subject is clearly a matter of science, not politics," says Savant; she'll answer these two questions, since they "don't address the issue of rights." Following this awkward buildup, Savant pontificates the obvious: "It appears to me our reasoning is going astray, because were operating on a hidden assumption -- that all gay behavior comes from a single source. Maybe it doesn't." Savant quickly moves from the obvious into gross obscurity, however, as she lays out her own theory of "true" vs. "apparent" homosexuality. "True homosexuals" are "born that way," she reasons, and their homosexuality is biologically (if not genetically) determined. "Apparent homosexuals," by contrast, "are not born that way but . . . develop gay behavior as a result of external influences." "In neither case do I think it is a matter of choice (except for a few people who just enjoy being different, which we find in any kind of behavior group)," she says. Savant further explains that "true homosexuals" may be neurotic, though only "because of the miserable way they're so often treated." "But gay people shouldn't need to wait for the approbation of straight people," she notes, "and that's one reason they're agitating for change." As for the "apparent homosexuals," Savant says, MOST of them ARE neurotic. She adds: "This group is largely responsible for giving all gay people a reputation they don't deserve. Sometimes I wish the true homosexuals -- who are just as serious, responsible and productive as the rest of us -- would distance themselves from the bad actors and nut cases." Savant concludes her "opinion" with a critical flourish. She dismisses the handedness metaphor, rejects the concept of "sexual orientation," and denies the very existence of "homophobia." Unlike the fingers on left- and right-handed people, Savant argues, the sex organs of heterosexuals and homosexuals actually "function" differently. Her point, it seems, is that heterosexuals tend to reproduce. She does will not use the term "sexual orientation" because it "implies that homosexuality and heterosexuality are merely insignificant variations of sexual behavior." "That attitude takes reproduction far too lightly," says Savant As for homophobia, she declares: "I also don't think that heterosexual people are afraid of homosexual people at all. . . . Targeting homophobia as a problem wastes precious time and energy that could be directed at more fundamental problems -- like simple intolerance." Clearly -- and despite any record-breaking IQ -- Savant has NOT grounded her beliefs in the research literature on homosexuality or homophobia. Though she would deny the interplay of politics and science, her naive positivism cannot mask the ideology of Savant's own writing. Her "unconventional opinions" exhibit a fairly conventional bias. Well-meaning heterosexuals often act as if they are literally "entitled to an opinion" about homosexuals; heterosexuality is almost never subject to such speculative free-for-alls. Homosexuality is singled out -- time and again -- as the problem to be solved or thing to be explained (as if heterosexuality made perfect sense). In Savant's "solution," there is no distinction between "heterosexual" and "normal." Gay people are "perfectly fine" and "worthy of respect" not BECAUSE -- but WHEN -- they are "just as serious, responsible, and productive as the rest of us." Anyone who is not "just as good as us" -- that is, anyone who is not apparently heterosexual -- is a "nut case." This heterosexism is perhaps most blatant in Savant's claim that, since homophobes do not exist, combating homophobia is a waste of time . . . a distraction from "more fundamental problems." Of course, homophobic bigotry is not simply an expression of fear, but hate. The climate of violence, abuse, and discrimination that surrounds lesbian and gay people cannot be understood -- or effectively challenged -- as "simple intolerance." Homophobia is epidemic precisely because it is so seldom acknowledged. It's the thoughtlessness that counts. * * * ACTION/OPTIONS: Send questions (or, better yet, answers) for Marilyn vos Savant to: Ask Marilyn, "Parade," 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017; copy your concerns to Walter Anderson, Editor, "Parade," at the same address. - Savant's new book, "The Power of Logical Thinking," is published by St. Martin's Press. _______________________________________________ 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, nonprofit organization, which is volunteer-based and member-supported. Dedicated to cultural advocacy and media activism, GLAAD/SFBA promotes the fair, accurate and diverse representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives. The San Francisco chapter of GLAAD is the largest and oldest in the nation. To report any defamatory or affirmative media coverage, call the 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.ccnet.com/gaytrek/glaad.html. ________________________________________________ A B O U T M E D I A L E R T S . . . . "MediAlert!" is a weekly, action-oriented column of media criticism, produced and distributed on request by GLAAD/SFBA. This material may be printed, published or posted, under these or any titles, in whole or part, without prior permission. When appropriate, attribution may be made to "Al Kielwasser" and/or "GLAAD San Francisco." ________________________________________________ A B O U T M E M B E R S H I P . . . . GLAAD/SFBA's work is directly supported by our members; to request a membership brochure or further information about other GLAAD projects and programs, please contact: Kristy Billuni, GLAAD/SFBA, tel. 415-861-3021, fax 415-861-4893, e-mail billuni@aol.com, URL http://www.ccnet.com/gaytrek/glaad.html. For membership information in any of the following cities, direct your request to these GLAAD Chapter Offices: Atlanta (tel. 404-876-1398, fax 404-876-4051), Chicago (tel. 312-871-7633, fax 312-685-8064), Dallas (tel. 214-521-5342 ext. 816, fax 214-247-5803), Kansas City (tel. 816-374-5927, fax 816-561-7604), Washington, DC (tel. 202-429-9500, fax 202-857-0077), San Diego (tel. 619-688-0094, fax 619-294-4814). ________________________________________________ ERRATA: In "Access Abilities" [MediAlert, March 31], contact information for The 90's Channel should read: Free Speech TV/The 90's Channel P.O. Box 6060, Boulder, CO 80306 tel. 303-442-2707; fax 303-442-6472, e-mail fstv@freespeech.org; URL http://www.freespeech.org/. Free Speech TV is a programming service that "offers a progressive voice in the cable revolution." ________________________________________________ "MediAlert" [TM] is a trademark of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/San Francisco Bay Area, a nonprofit [501(c)(3)] organization; the views expressed by GLAAD/SFBA do not necessarily represent the opinions of other GLAAD chapters.