Date: Sat, 29 May 1999 23:44:55 -0700 From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Subject: GLAAD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOAN M. GARRY RESPONDS TO FLORIDA CABLE OUTLETS' DECISION NOT TO AIR "EX-GAY" ADS MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Wonbo Woo, Communications Associate phone: (212) 807-1700 x24 pager: (800) 689-0196 e-mail: woo@glaad.org GLAAD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOAN M. GARRY RESPONDS TO FLORIDA CABLE OUTLETS' DECISION NOT TO AIR "EX-GAY" ADS NEW YORK, NY, SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1999 - After originally accepting a paid advertisement promoting "conversion" for lesbians and gay men to heterosexuality, Time Warner Communications, in conjunction with Central Florida News 13, announced today that it will not air the ad. Joan M. Garry, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), issued the following statement in response: "While the sponsors of these ads have dubbed it the 'Truth in Love' campaign, its name is very much a misnomer. Don't be fooled: it's a politically motivated campaign that's deceptive, morally bankrupt, and espouses beliefs that are anything but loving. Ask the nation's leading voices on issues of mental health, and they'll tell you that attempts at 'conversion' can be extremely dangerous. What's more, the campaign perpetuates damaging stereotypes, and, in the words of News 13 and Time Warner, holds the potential for 'subjecting the gay and lesbian community to discrimination.'" "GLAAD applauds News 13 and Time Warner Communications for seeing this campaign for what it is, and for upholding the principles of fairness and accuracy which are so fundamental to journalistic integrity." Background: In the Summer of 1998, a group of religious political organizations launched a $250,000 print ad campaign in major newspapers across the country, touting "conversion" for lesbians and gay men to heterosexuality. The American Psychological, Psychiatric and Medical Associations, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, have all denounced the practice of "conversion" therapy. On October 8, 1998, the morning after 21-year-old Matthew Shepard was found beaten nearly to death in Laramie, Wyoming, the same coalition released broadcast versions of its "Truth in Love" ads. The spots were first aired on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9 on Washington, DC's UPN affiliate, WDCA-TV, two days before the start of Congressional hearings on a proposed Hate Crimes bill which would include protections from crimes targeting people on the basis of their sexual orientation. It was announced earlier this week that the campaign would move on to Orlando, Florida, where the annual Gay Days celebration will take place next weekend. Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have been concerned with the negative effects of the advertisements from the start, and a coalition of progressive organizations has been working to address the issues raised. This coalition includes GLAAD; BiNet USA; Equal Partners in Faith, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network; the Human Rights Campaign; the Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center of New York City; the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center; the Metropolitan Community Church Cathedral of Hope; the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; the National Latino/a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization; Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays; and the People For the American Way Foundation. 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- A copy of the release issued by Central Florida News 13 and Time Warner Communications follows: CENTRAL FLORIDA NEWS 13 AND TIME WARNER COMMUNICATIONS DECLINE TO AIR "CENTER FOR RECLAIMING AMERICA" AD Central Florida News 13 and Time Warner Communications are committed to promoting an atmosphere of acceptance for all members of the community. We are concerned that the Center for Reclaiming America advertisement could be perceived by our viewers as subjecting the gay and lesbian community to discrimination. In combination with increased attention and sensitivity surrounding next week's "Gay Days" annual gathering in Central Florida, News 13 and Time Warner Communications believe it is appropriate to decline to air this particular advertisement. Contacts: Craig Hume General Manager Central Florida News 13 (407) 513-1350 Diane Pickett Vice President/Public Affairs Time Warner Communications (800) 604-3876 ### ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Loren R. Javier Interactive Media Director GLAAD Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation javier@glaad.org phone: 925.831.1092 The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is a national organization that promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation of individuals and events in the media as a means of combating homophobia and challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are registered trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc.