Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 20:16:44 -0400 From: "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)" Subject: GLAAD AND NCAVP CONDEMN DEFENSE STRATEGY IN SHEPARD TRIAL MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Wonbo Woo, GLAAD phone: (212) 807-1700 x24 pager: (800) 689-0196 e-mail: woo@glaad.org Jeffrey Montgomery, NCAVP phone (in Laramie): (307) 742-6611 x111 cell: (313) 506-1847 e-mail: trijeffm@aol.com GLAAD AND NCAVP CONDEMN DEFENSE STRATEGY IN SHEPARD TRIAL NATIONAL LESBIAN AND GAY ANTI-VIOLENCE AND MEDIA ADVOCACY GROUPS RESPOND TO DEVELOPMENTS IN TRIAL OF AARON MCKINNEY NEW YORK, NY, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1999 - In the first two days of testimony in the trial of Aaron McKinney, the second of two men charged with the murder of Matthew Shepard, defense attorneys have outlined a strategy hinging upon McKinney's allegation that Shepard had made a pass at him and the surprising revelation of an alleged history of sexual abuse. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) issued the following statements today in response: "It's tragic that even from the get-go, the defense is grasping at straws, doing its best to deflect attention from the horrifying brutality of Matthew's murder," said NCAVP Steering Committee Member Jeffrey Montgomery, who is in Laramie, Wyo., for the trial. "Time and again, we've seen defense teams try to capitalize on short attention spans and easily-confused jurors by bombarding them with irrelevant information in attempts to cloud their judgment. We have every faith in the current jury and its ability to see through the deceptive tactics being employed by a sensationalistic defense team." GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry said the following, addressing her remarks principally to journalists covering the story: "Even if we leave the credibility of McKinney's allegations aside, framing the story with undue focus upon the allegation of a sexual advance inherently blames the victim. It suggests that Shepard's alleged actions somehow gave McKinney license to commit murder, because Shepard was gay. Sexual orientation - whether real or perceived- does not give license to discriminate, perpetuate violence, or commit murder. It's GLAAD's hope that journalists will consider the effects their coverage will have on promoting or dismantling such a damaging and diversionary tactic." Montgomery is currently in Laramie, Wyo., for the trial, and GLAAD has had representatives in Laramie three times since Shepard's death last October - directly following the murder, during the trial of Russell Henderson and during jury selection in McKinney's trial. Spokespersons for both groups will be available for comment throughout the duration of the trial. GLAAD is the nation's lesbian and gay media advocacy organization. GLAAD promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of combating homophobia and all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. -30- __________________________________________________________________________ Wonbo Woo Communications Manager Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) (212) 807-1700 x24 email: woo@glaad.org Visit GLAAD Online at: http://www.glaad.org To report defamation, call our toll-free Alertline at: (800) GAY-MEDIA or visit our website Vote for "The 20 Best Lesbian & Gay Films of the 20th Century" at www.glaad.org __________________________________________________________________________ The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. __________________________________________________________________________ 'GLAAD' and 'Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation' are registered trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc. __________________________________________________________________________