From: GLAADSFBA@aol.com Date: Tue, 12 Dec 1995 15:07:20 -0500 Subject: ROSEANNE/ABC's GAY DELAY (Press Release) N E W S from THE GAY AND LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION San Francisco Bay Area Chapter FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 1995 CONTACTS: Al Kielwasser, Laurie Falik, 415-861-2244 Kristy Billuni, Managing Director, 415-861-3021 _________________________________________________________________ GLAAD CONDEMNS ABC TELEVISION'S ATTEMPT TO MARGINALIZE GAY IMAGES "Scheduling of Controversial "Roseanne" Episode Reveals Double-Standard, Disdain for Youth Audience" _________________________________________________________________ SAN FRANCISCO -- The ABC Television Network has rescheduled this evening's broadcast of "Roseanne," airing the episode at 9:30 PM instead of 8:00 PM, the show's regular time slot. The episode -- entitled "December Bride" -- will feature the wedding of recurring gay character "Leon" (Martin Mull) and his lover "Scott" (Fred Willard). "We felt the adult humor within the show was more appropriate at a later time period when there are fewer children in the audience," said ABC spokesperson Janice Gretenmeyer. Gretenmeyer estimates that less than 10% of viewers for the 9:30 PM period are children under 11 years old. The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD/SFBA), condemns ABC's biased decision. "ABC's action appears indefensible," said GLAAD spokesperson Al Kielwasser, "especially since the network has no problem with broadcasting images of heterosexual romance at 8:00 PM." "ABC is capitulating to the stalest of homophobic notions," Kielwasser said, "reinforcing the fear that, somehow, gays are a threat to children." According to GLAAD/SFBA, the decision to delay tonight's episode of "Roseanne" is likely a disservice to young viewers and their families. "Keeping homosexuality hidden from children only perpetuates the homophobia that already pervades their lives," said Laurie Falik of GLAAD/SFBA. The suggestion that homosexuality is an essentially "adult" subject is at odds with current research, which suggests that lesbian and gay children are quite aware of their sexual orientation by early adolescence. Moreoever, many of these children experience unusual levels of stigma, harassment and violence. If only by ignoring or hiding the issue, prime-time television has reinforced the stereotypes and cultural attitudes that support childhood homophobia [see "Additional Background," below]. "Roseanne's" title character has also criticized ABC's action. The actress stated that ABC's decision is groundless, since she has tailored all of her scripts to suit the show's family-hour time slot. According to Roseanne, ABC's unfortunate move will result in a net loss of audience for an episode that she feels is particularly important. Significantly, ABC's decision comes amidst increasing efforts to restrict youth access to positive role models and accurate information about homosexuality. The National Coalition Against Censorship reports that "censorship demands based on charges about 'promoting the homosexual agenda' have increased enormously in every section of the country." "The sequestration of children from homosexuality is just raw abuse," said Kielwasser. "Unfortunately, in this area, the decision-makers at major TV networks have yet to learn the difference between protection and persecution." Founded in 1988, the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of GLAAD is a nonprofit media advocacy organization, dedicated to promoting the fair, accurate and diverse media treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender subjects. GLAAD/SFBA is the largest and oldest GLAAD chapter in the nation. # # # _________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL CONTACTS ABC Entertainment, 2040 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067, tel. 310-557-7777, e-mail abcaudr@ccabc.com. _________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND In Real Life, Homosexuality is NOT Limited to "Adult Audiences." Current research indicates that many children are well aware of their lesbian or gay orientation by early adolescence or younger (Savin-Williams, 1990). On prime-time television, however, homosexuality is typically limited to "adult audiences." Currently, no popular television network (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) has expressed an explicit interest in providing fair or accurate images of homosexuality to young viewers. In fact, the mainstream networks have actively promoted childhood homophobia (Kielwasser & Wolf, 1992, 1993/1994). In Real Life, Homophobia is also NOT Limited to "Adult Audiences." Several researchers have reported that homophobia is virulent in the lives of children. In one study, "teenagers surveyed about their biases against a variety of minorities reacted more negatively to gay people than to any other group" (Herek & Berrill, 1992). Other reports concur that lesbians and gay men "are perceived as legitimate targets that can be openly attacked" (Governor's Task Force, 1988). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth are at particular risk for lowered self-esteem, self-injury, forced homelessness, harassment and physical violence (American Psychological Association, 1993; Savin-Williams, 1990). According to statistics reported by Community United Against Violence (CUAV), 50% of gay bashers are youths under the age of 21. A recent study of juvenile offenders found that a majority "had engaged or had the distinct potential to engage in anti-gay or anti-lesbian victimization and violence." The researcher concluded: "Most of the defensive positions adopted by the young offenders were girded by mythology and popular stereotypical belief systems. . . . Any teaching strategies for dealing effectively with homophobia should address and seek to counter such myths, stereotypes, and victimization" (Van de Ven, 1995). Of course, ABC's decision does little to counter such myths; in fact, it will likely have the opposite effect. _________________________________________________________________ REFERENCES & RESOURCES American Psychological Association. (1993, February 28). "Resolution on lesbian, gay and bisexual youths in the schools." APA, 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, tel. 202-336-6041. Community United Against Violence, 973 Market street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94103. Governor's Task Force on Bias-Related Violence. (1988). Final Report. New York: Division on Human Rights. Herek, G. M. & Berrill, K. T. (Eds.). (1992). Hate Crimes: Confronting Violence Against Lesbians and Gay Men. Newbury Park: Sage Publications. Kielwasser, A. P. & Wolf, M. A. (1993/1994). "Silence, difference, and annihilation: Understanding the impact of mediated heterosexism on high school students." The High School Journal, vol. 77, nos. 1 & 2. Kielwasser, A. P. & Wolf, M. A. (1992). "Mainstream television, adolescent homosexuality, and significant silence." Critical Studies in Mass Communication, vol. 9, no. 4 National Coalition Against Censorship, 275 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, tel. 212-807-6222, fax 212-807-6245, e-mail ncac@netcom.com. Savin-Williams, R. C. (1990). Gay and Lesbian Youth: Expressions of Identity. New York: Hemisphere Publishing. Van de Ven, P. (1995). "Talking with juvenile offenders about gay males and lesbians: Implications for combating homophobia." Adolescence, vol. 30, no. 17. _________________________________________________________________ GLAAD/SFBA, 1360 Mission Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, California 94103 Administration Line 415-861-2244 Facsimile 415-861-4893 E-Mail GLAADSFBA@aol.com