From: MediAction@aol.com Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 12:30:19 -0400 (EDT) Subject: "MEDIAlert!" [B] - 04.24.97 ------------------------------------------------------------ INDEX: "MEDIAlert!" - 04.24.97 [PART "B" ONLY]. -ITEM 3: "Gene Blues" [U.S. News & World Report; The Politics Of Biology; Quality-Quotient Poll; PR Newswire]. -ITEM 4: "Medialert/Briefs" [Married With Children; The Rise And Fall Of Gay Culture; Time; Dartmouth Review; Channel Q; Island Lifestyle; Faze; Out In The Mountains; Benton Foundation]. ------------------------------------------------------------ M E D I A l e r t ! [ "B "] _______________________________ April 18 - 24, 1997 Al Kielwasser [3] G E N E B L U E S "Americans are more likely to support gay rights, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, and funding for research on mental illness if they think certain behaviors are determined primarily by heredity and genes rather than upbringing and environment." So says a recent poll, conducted on behalf of Bozell Worldwide (a global marketing firm) and "U.S. News & World Report" magazine. Touted as a "unique collaboration to examine quality of life issues and American's concerns with values," the new survey was reported by "PR Newswire" (April 12) and provided fodder for a major cover story in "U.S. News" (April 21). At turns provocative and intriguing, this coverage also reveals a not-so-unique bias in the media's approach to "gay genes." In the survey itself, questions asking respondents to "think specifically about homosexuality" (#17) were followed directly by questions regarding "mental illnesses," "alcoholism," and "drug addiction" (#18). Whatever the scientific rationale, this linkage made its way unfortunately into the mainstream press -- with only a modest effort to disentangle notions of "gay" and "sick." In his "U.S. News" article -- "The Politics of Biology" -- reporter Wray Herbert begins by discussing "the view of mental illness as a brain disease." For seven pages, the story goes on to offer similar takes on: VIOLENCE ("How can an act of vandalism or a bank robbery be rooted in DNA?"), MENTAL ILLNESS ("Are psychiatric disorders diseases?"), ALCOHOLISM ("Heredity might be involved in some kinds of alcoholism. But no gene can make you buy a bottle of Scotch") and, lastly, HOMOSEXUALITY ("Gay-rights advocates once argue that homosexuality was a matter of lifestyle choice. Now they stress genes and destiny"). Though the inclusion of sexual identity on such a laundry list might be defensible, it is obliquely explained here. To transition from the topic of alcoholism to homosexuality, Herbert explains: "It would be a mistake to focus only on biological explanations of psychopathology; the cultural shift is much broader than that." To be fair, the reporter DOES raise a number of important points -- and he does so adequately, at least. "U.S. News" effectively conveys the dual-edged nature of biological determinism, which can have "paradoxical consequences at times, leading to disdain rather than sympathy for the disadvantaged, and marginalization rather than inclusion." As Herbert reports, "It's probably no coincidence that the biologizing of culture has accompanied the country's shift to the political right...." With regard to homosexuality, deterministic arguments -- "that biological status conveyed legal status, and protection under the law" -- are precarious at best. "A generation ago, the gay community was at war with organized psychiatry, arguing (successfully) that sexual orientation was a lifestyle choice and ought to be deleted from the manual of disorders," Herbert explains. "Recently the same community was celebrating new evidence that homosexuality is a biological (and perhaps genetic) trait, not a choice at all." Heeding "history's warning," however, Herbert points out that "homosexuals were not given extra sympathy or protection" in the Third Reich's passion for eugenics. As in the past, "a new eugenics movement" is being used by contemporary bigots to classify homosexuality -- again -- as a disease (chronic or otherwise). Herbert also cites Philip Kitcher -- philosopher and author of "The Lives to Come" -- who criticizes "gene talk," or the "simplistic shorthand for talking about genetic advances." Specifically, Kitcher suggests that "public discourse may need to include more scientific jargon -- not a lot, but some -- so as not to oversimplify the complexity of the gene-environment interaction." Kitcher's point can be extended, generally, to a critique of the "public discourse" on sexual identity. In mainstream magazines such as "U.S. News," the subject of homosexuality could also benefit from more "complex" reporting -- to include the related "jargon" of homophobia and heterosexism, for instance. In reporting that the "gay community was celebrating" new biological evidence, Herbert himself is guilty of oversimplification. From the start, homosexual critics have recognized the complexities of such research. Dissecting the "politics of biology" is old news to (most) lesbian and gay journalists. Ultimately, Herbert concludes: "More and more experts, including dedicated biologists, sense that the power of genetics has been oversold and that a correction is needed." But corrected how? And oversold by whom? Certainly, the media themselves are not guilt-less. Both alternative and mainstream journalists have "oversold" and oversimplified the biological spin on homosexuality. Some of the attitudes recently polled by "U.S. News" are quite possibly based in the magazine's own prior record of reporting. Without diminishing its contributions to social science or political debate, the "U.S. News" poll also serves as an inadvertent measure of the media's diminished scope. When opposed to other stories -- of gay art, transsexual history, or lesbian psychology (to name but a few) -- stories of "gay genetics" have been told with more frequency and fervor in the mainstream press. Historically, a similar spin characterized the reporting on gender and race in America. An over-emphasis on biology actually "dehumanizes" the lesbian and gay community -- which is made up of much more than designer genes. * * * * ACTION ALERT! Survey the "complexity" of reporting on the queer beat, and keep the press apprised of your results; feedback regarding the "News" poll should be sent to: Harrison Rainie, Editor, "U.S. News & World Report," 2400 N Street N.W., Washington, DC 20037-1196, tel. 202-955-2000, fax 202-955-2685, e-mail letters@usnews.com, web http://www.usnews.com. Additional Contacts: The "U.S. News/Bozell Worldwide Nature-Nurture Survey" was conducted by KRC Research, which polled a nationwide sample of 1,000 adults (margin of error +/- 3.1 percent); a copy of the survey can be obtained by calling: Fax-On-Demand, tel. 800-685-4573, access code 123, document #805. [4] M E D I A L E R T / B R I E F S * * * SHE'S NO PATTY DUKE . . . . Decades ago, sitcoms such as "Patty Duke" and "Bewitched" pioneered the genetically absurd "twin cousins" premise. Now, "Married With Children" promises a refreshing new twist on this "classic" theme. According to "Newsday" (April 14), the FOX television series will feature a unique lesbian plot line on April 28. "In the second of two episodes back-to-back from 9 to 10 p.m., openly gay series regular Amanda Bearse plays both man-hungry Marcy and her visiting cousin, Mandy," reports "Newsday's" TV Wire. "When Marcy-hating Al finds himself oddly attracted to Mandy, he soon discovers that the look-alike is a lesbian." C o n t a c t : Fox Broadcasting, P.O. Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213, tel. 310-277-2211, e-mail foxnet@delphi.com, web http://www.foxworld.com; "Newsday," Two Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5676, fax 212-696-0396, e-mail ndstaff@newsday.com. * * * LITERARY UPS & DOWNS . . . . Of special interest to media watchers is a new book by Daniel Harris, "The Rise and Fall of Gay Culture." Just published by Hyperion -- and currently listed as an alternative selection by QPB (the popular Quality Paperback Book club) -- Harris' book argues that: "The assimilation of gay culture into mainstream society is rapidly undermining gay men's sense of themselves as a distinct minority." Drawing upon a range of cultural images and media icons, the author attempts "to show how a once vibrant sensibility, which was originally created in response to oppression, is now being eroded by social acceptance and rampant commercialization." At its heart, "The Rise and Fall of Gay Culture" poses an urgent -- and persistent -- question. Can liberation be won, without losing to assimilation? C o n t a c t : Hyperion, tel. 212-633-4468, fax 212-633-4811; Daniel Harris, e-mail DHarris624@aol.com. * * * APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED . . . . Several weeks ago, Laura Ingraham -- the CBS and MSNBC commentator -- attempted to "reinvent" her homophobic image, in an apologia for the "Washington Post" [see "MEDIAlert!," Mar. 1-15, 1997]. Since then, fortunately, several of Ingraham's fellow journalists have seen through her incredulous spin. Even Jeffrey Hart -- faculty adviser to the conservative "Dartmouth Review" (which Ingraham once edited) -- has ridiculed her "phony political confession." Hart credits Ingraham with holding "the most extreme anti-homosexual views imaginable." More in the media mainstream, Margaret Carlson -- writing for "Time" magazine (April 21) -- noted that Ingraham's "killer views against gays, feminists, gun-control advocates and welfare stand out even in that booming segment of the instant-pundit industry: right-wing women commentators. That's why her recent essay in the 'Washington Post' apologizing for her rabid intolerance of gays dropped like a bombshell." Specifically, Carlson chides Ingraham for claiming "that she changed her views after witnessing 'the dignity, fidelity and courage' with which her brother and his late companion coped with AIDS." Carlson challenges "the leap of moral imagination required to change one's public stance based on personal experience." "Equal rights for gays will be slow in coming if each of us has to find a gay person to love," Carlson concludes. "By that standard, what would it take for a conservative to embrace the assault-weapon ban -- mayhem at Starbucks? For expanded health insurance -- a sister unable to get cancer treatment? For abortion rights -- a daughter who's pregnant?" C o n t a c t : "Time" Magazine Letters, Time & Life Bldg., Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020, tel. 212-522-1212, fax 212-522-0601, e-mail Letters@time.com. * * * LIST SERVICE WITH A STYLE . . . . For up-to-the-minute queer news, analysis and action alerts, net surfers should avail themselves of "Channel Q." This useful (and FREE) list service was conceived -- according to general manager Chris Kryzan -- "as a tool that will help the lesbigay community to be even more effective in its struggle for equal civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people." To subscribe, simply send an e-mail message to qnews@channelq.com, with one of the following subject headings: SUBSCRIBE (to get a copy of every message as it's issued, which is between one and five messages a day) or SUBSCRIBE DIGEST (to get the complete text of the messages, once a day). * * * WEB WATCH . . . . "Island Lifestyle" -- "Hawaii's lesbigaytrans monthly magazine" -- now has its own site on the world wide web. Point your browsers to http://www.islandlifestyle.com. * * * 'ZINE & HEARD . . . . Currently in development, "Faze" intends to become a "small press gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender magazine for Southern California." According to the publisher, "Most current local gay publications make it seem like we all live in West Hollywood, listen to only club music, and want to meet people, get massages, and have sex through the personals" -- whereas "Faze" plans to be "more alternative, rough edge, coffee-house, artistic, and youth oriented." Though still "in the works," the 'zine is now seeking contributions -- from "all writers, poets, artists, and cool queers." For details, e-mail "Faze" at: chasgca@aol.com. * * * FROM THE 'HELP WANTEDS' . . . . "Out In The Mountains" -- billed as "Vermont's Only Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Transgender Newspaper" -- is seeking a new editor and editorial assistant. According to the publisher, "Current editor Hugh Coyle has announced that he can no longer provide this voluntary service to the paper after May 1997." Interested parties can submit their resumes to: Steven Kopstein, 167 Ewerts Drive, Huntington, VT 05462, fax 802-434-5659, e-mail Uniqueprop@aol.com. The Benton Foundation -- a national media literacy and advocacy organization -- is seeking applicants to fill "a Project Associate position for Open Studio: The Arts Online, a million-dollar funding initiative with the National Endowment for the Arts to get more arts and culture online." For details, contact Anne Green, project coordinator (e-mail annieg@benton.org; put "Open Studio Search" in subject line) or send resumes and cover letters to: Open Studio Search, Benton Foundation, 1634 Eye Street NW, 12th Floor, Washington DC 20006, fax 202-638-5771. [end of part "B"; part "A" posted separately] ---------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT MEDIALERTS Distributed as a community press service since 1992, "MEDIAlert!" [TM] is a biweekly, advocacy-oriented column of media criticism, primarily focused on lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender issues. Recipients may print, publish or post this material, in whole or part, under this or any title, without prior permission. When appropriate, attribution can be made to "Al Kielwasser" and/or "MEDIAlert!" File copies of publications using all or part of any "MEDIAlert!" are always appreciated. Next "MEDIAlert!" = May 9, 1997. Contact: A. P. Kielwasser, MEDIAction, 163 Park Street, San Francisco, CA 94110-5835, voice-mail/fax 415-826-5203, e-mail mediaction@aol.com. ---------------------------------------------------------- AUTHOR NOTES Al Kielwasser is the editor of "Gay People, Sex and the Media" (New York: Haworth Press). His media criticism and research have appeared widely, in both mainstream and academic publications (including the "Journal of American Culture," "Journal of Homosexuality," "Journal of Popular Culture," and "Critical Studies in Mass Communication"); he was twice elected Chair of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/San Francisco Bay Area.