Subject: "MEDIAlert!" [B] - 04.24.97
From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 12:30:19 -0400 (EDT)

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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].
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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 [email-masked], 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 [email-masked], web http://www.foxworld.com;
 "Newsday," Two Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5676, fax 212-696-0396,
e-mail [email-masked].

* * *  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 [email-masked].

* * *  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
[email-masked].

* * *  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 [email-masked], 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:  [email-masked].

* * *  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 [email-masked].

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 [email-masked];
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]

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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 [email-masked].

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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.