Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 23:50:50 PST From: wasmith@eis.calstate.edu (Waugh Smith) Subject: GLAAD JAN 95 Newsletter Part one GLAAD Newsletter (Part One) January 1995 Index 1) GLAAD Media Awards 2) Will Halm, GLAAD Co-President 3) "Victor Victoria" 4) David Geffen 5) "Serving in Silence" (Cammermeyer) 6) "The Bradie Bunch Movie" 7) Transsexual Battery FILMS & TELEVISION 8) "Beverly Hills 90210" 9) "Melrose Place" (Matt & Jeffrey) 10) Black Entertainment Network 11) Donahue Black Homophobia Children of gays & lesbians 12) "The Little Rascals" 13) "Boys Life" 14) "Pulp Fiction" 15) Liz Smith on Melrose Place RADIO & PRINT 16) New York Times David Dunlap on Sheila Kuehl 17) New York Times John J. O'Connor on Visibility 18) New York Times Response to SFBA 19) Los Angeles Times Bernard Cooper 20) Forbes Dr. Thomas Sowell (see part two) 21) Wall Street Journal Jonathan Bauch 22) People Pedro Zamara 23) Marvel Comics Northstar 24) Parade NEA ADVERTISING 25) LAPD 26) Support Advertisers Resist Wildmon 27) Out Magazine Dial-a-Mattress 28) Tracking the Ads 29) Portland Field Office Donna Red Wing 30) New York Report Donald Suggs 31) Atlanta Paul Lange 32) Chicago Randy Snyder 33) Kansas City Mary Jane Houston 34) Capitol Area Cathy Renna 35) San Francisco Bay Area Peter Lund GLAAD News 36) Women's Caucus, New York 37) Martina Navratilova 38) Sexual Orientation in the Workplace 39) Executive Director Ellen Carton 40) General Meeting LA 41) Media Outreach LA 42) Speakers Bureau LA 43) Executive Director Search 44) Op Ed Project 45) Letters 46) Electronic 47) Advance Notice of Production GLAAD Reports - January '95 Carl Matthes, Editor (213) 254-2726 - fax (213) 257-5878 1) Media Awards Kick-off... Our Real Heroes: Table Sponsors/Table Hosts The 6th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Show & Dinner will be held in Los Angeles at the Century Plaza Hotel & Tower on March 12, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on March 16, and in our nation's capital, Washington, D.C., on March 19 at the National Press Club. Trying to top last year's effort where, in New York, Tom Hanks and Susan Sarandon made surprise appearances, and in Los Angeles, Robin Williams gave Harvey Fierstein his award and Lea DeLaria and Mariel Hemingway recreated the famous "Roseanne lesbian kiss," will not be easy. However, inside word is that 1995's Media Awards is shaping up as the best ever. And we need your help. We want you to become a table sponsor/table host - one of our real heroes - and in the process receive: 2) Co-Chair Report by Will Halm Is the Radical Right winning the war? If you count the political casualties after the recent elections - Cuomo, Richards, Foley, Brown, Miller and too many others - the answer seems to be "yes." Many of our allies were defeated in last November's elections, while the Radical Right's henchmen were elected in record numbers across the nation. An anthem of hate and bigotry is being sung throughout this country and the Radical Right's four-star generals - Dole, Gingrich, Helms and Thurmond - are hoisting a flag of war over Washington. These are scary times, indeed. Hatemongering is revered and verbal gay bashers are becoming fashionable. Powerful elected officials and public figures - such as Robert Bork, Rush Limbaugh, Pat Buchanan and Ed Meese - want to see us silenced and obliterated. Our civil liberties are facing sharp swords of discrimination wielded by arrogant homophobes. We, the gay and lesbian community, cannot shrug our shoulders at this resurgence of bigotry. We cannot quietly assure ourselves that McCarthy's witch hunts and Japanese-American internment camps cannot happen again. They can - and will - if the well-funded and insidiously well-organized fundamentalist right extremists have their way. How do we fight back? How do we penetrate the monolithic religious, legal and political institutions which are steeped in homophobia? How do we convey to the rest of the country that it is fundamentally absurd to make sex between two women or two men illegal, as our lawmakers and judges do; to condemn gay men and lesbians as sinners, as many of our priests, ministers and rabbis do; to shun people who look or act differently, as heterosexual social arbiters do? The answer, as you all know, is simple. We must change public beliefs and opinions about gay men and lesbians and thereby transform the values underlying our cultural institutions. The answer, I said, is simple, not easy. Changing the opinions of the American public may seem like a preposterously daunting challenge. However, as we have all heard so many times, the single most important factor in influencing someone's attitude about gay men and lesbians is whether he/she knows someone who is gay. So, all we need to do is to introduce the tens of millions of straight people in this country to an openly gay man or woman! Impossible? Well, the millions of closted gay people in this country could all come out at once - like on National Coming Out Day. Okay, next idea. We can bring lesbians and gay men into millions of straight homes through television, radio, film, magazines and newspapers. Gay and lesbian characters on television shows such as "Roseanne," "Seinfeld," "Northern Exposure," "Melrose Place" and "Sisters"; accurate and thorough coverage of our issues in Time, Newsweek and other publications; accurate reporting and sensitive commentary on our lives on radio - all of these can, and will, eventually change the way people think about us. Changes in the country's laws, mores and values will follow. This is what GLAAD is all about - insuring that people read about all aspects of our lives, hear positive messages about us and see that, finally, we are no different. The result of GLAAD's work is nothing less than cultural change. This is why the mission of GLAAD is of paramount importance to the entire gay and lesbian movement. Fighting our battles in the courtroom and lobbying in Washington are, of course, critical. However, in order to secure sustained and lasting changes, we must first change minds and attitudes. With your help, this is what GLAAD intends to do. Television and Film 3) "Victor,Victoria"... Blake Edwards Drops Homophobic Lyrics from Upcoming Stage Production In a swift, sensitive and remarkably intelligent decision, Blake Edwards, producer of the upcoming Broadway show "Victor, Victoria," has asked that homophobic lyrics in one of the show's planned songs be changed. The song, "You'd Be Surprised," will "either be re-worked, so that it reflects the sensibilities of the movie, or it will not be in the show." (The 1982 Blake Edwards' movie version of "Victor, Victoria," one of the few mainstream releases to deal with both homosexuality and cross-dressing, was praised widely in the gay and lesbian community for its positive messages.) After receiving complaints from actors who'd been asked to sing the song during auditions for the show, GLAAD wrote a letter to the producers of "Victor/Victoria" to complain about the lyrics. The song, written by lyricist Leslie Bricusse, contains lines such as, "If you knew who's a tough, but who's a real powder puff, you'd stand with your back to the wall," and "Til the laws are revised...convicts are compromised...Boy Scouts and choir boys terrorized..." Your comments may be sent to: Blake Edwards, 11777 San Vicente Blvd., #520, Los Angeles 90049. 4) Walters & Geffen In her own thorough and probing manner, Barbara Walters began her "20/20" ABC-TV interview of David Geffen on November 11 with, "His biography could be titled 'The Incredible Journey:' the story of how a child born poor in New York became one of the richest and most powerful men in Hollywood. It's the story of David Geffen, producer extraodinaire." Confirming these opening remarks, Walters listed Geffen's activities and achievements and observed, "In an industry that keeps its secrets, he is openly gay. He is both respected and candid." While his movie and stage productions successes are impressive, from "Little Shop of Horrors" to "Cats" (including "Risky Business" which made Tom Cruise a star), it is in music that he has made his fortune, discovering the Eagles, Guns and Roses, and Nirvana. Barbara continued, "But you've never hidden you were gay." "They knew everything there was to know about me," said David. "I've never kept it a secret...I really had to pursue saying who I am and I've done so...You are as sick as your secrets. The healthy person is the person who doesn't have to hide anything." Hugh Downs and Barbara closed the segment with Hugh observing, "A really interesting and likeable man. Bright, but not in the Hollywood way: canny and shrewd - bright in an insightful way." And Barbara agreed, "I think he's spent a lot of time in his life trying to make his life better and the world around him a little better." Your comments may be sent to: "20/20," ABC News, 47 W. 66th Street, New York 10023. 5) Judy and Glenn to Get Close (On TV!) in the Cammermeyer Story "Serving in Silence: The Colonel Margarethe Cammerymeyer Story," starring Glenn Close as the Colonel and Judy Davis as her lover, will be beamed into homes by NBC-TV all across America next month. And across the nation, GLAAD is scheduling house parties to celebrate and publicize this historic event. Produced by Barbra Streisand from TriStar TV, "Serving in Silence" will spotlight the unfair and discriminatory practices of the U.S. Military as it terminated the 26 year military career of Cammermeyer - the highest ranking woman in the armed services - because she told the truth: "I'm a lesbian." This is an exciting television event that everyone should see and GLAAD wants you to help make this a national celebration. We would like you to host a "Cammermeyer House Party" in tribute to the bravery displayed by this lone woman as she remained steadfast, even in the face of formidable odds and personal consequences. If you can help lead the way by hosting a party, or if you wish to attend one, call the Los Angeles headquarters at (213) 658-6775; the New York headquarters at (212) 807-1700; or Portland Field Office/Donna Red Wing at (503) 224-5285. 6) "The Brady Bunch Movie" In an early screening of "The Brady Bunch Movie," we see plenty of gay and lesbian content. In one instance, Jan is seeing her guidance counselor, played by drag diva RuPaul. Behind Ru's head, in plain view, is a large sign for the lesbian and gay high school support project, Project 10. It also turns out that Marcia's best friend is a lesbian. At the end of the movie, one of the couples that live in the Brady neighborhood turn out to be gay. As of this writing, there is still a great deal of lesbian and gay content. Take this opportunity to thank the writers and producers for these inclusive portrayals. Write: Ms. Sherry Lansing, CEO, "The Brady Bunch Movie," Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles 90038. 7) Battering a Transsexual "Adolescent transsexual bashed on national television!" That's the promo that should have advertised a recent segment of "The Jerry Springer Show." The show, "My Boy Friend Turned Out to be A Woman," was about women who assume a male sexual identity and the problems that occur when their female partners are not told. Springer didn't explore why it would be difficult for a transsexual to be open about gender change, and never even uttered the word "transsexual." (This is outrageous given the recent national coverage of Brandon Teena, a young female-to-male transsexual, who was raped and murdered by an ex-boy friend of his female lover.) Even more disturbing was the treatment of one of Springer's guests, Sean, a 19-year old transsexual whose female lover recently discovered his transsexuality. Springer allowed panelists and members of the studio audience to viciously attack Sean. A so-called professional on transsexualism who was in the audience, joined the attack on Sean while displaying no understanding of transsexuality. Springer's lack of control and sensitivity in allowing this attack on Sean was unprofessional. In addition, future shows need to feature reputable psychologists and psychiatrists who will dispense accurate information. It is the prejudice and violence that transsexuals face that is sick, not the transsexuals themselves. Write to: Richard Dominick, Executive Producer, "The Jerry Springer Show," 454 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60611. 8) Lesbians Trapped in Beverly Hills What? Lesbians in Beverly Hills? On the November 30 episode of "Beverly Hills, 90210," lesbians showed up at a holiday rave put on by Steve Saunders. (David Silver accidentally dropped the notice for the rave in the wrong place on the internet, posting it in the "Women seeking Women" file.) Later in the episode, Kelly and Alison (one of the lesbians who came to the party) start a conversation as they wait for the bathroom. While they are waiting a fire starts and the two are trapped. Are lesbians about to be included in Beverly Hills? Send comments to: "Beverly Hills, 90210", Spelling Television, 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90036. 9) Home for the Holidays The Nov. 21 episode of "Melrose Place" featured a holiday storyline that re-enforced true family values. In that episode, gay character Matt intends to bring boy friend Jeffrey to Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Matt's parents. The parents -- while pleading their false "understanding" and "acceptance" - tell Matt that they would like him to keep the gay relationship in the closet for the dinner's duration. To his credit - and that of the "Melrose" writers -- Matt refuses. When his mother asks him what she should say to the family when they wonder where Matt is on Thanksgiving, he replies: "Tell them I'm having dinner with my lover." Though "Melrose Place" has been faulted for Matt's relatively one-dimensional character, this effort still outpaces much of what mainstream television has to offer on the subject of homosexuality. Send comments to: Aaron Spelling, Darren Star, and E. Duke Vincent, Executive Producers, "Melrose Place," Spelling Enterprises, 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90036. 10) GLAAD to BET... "Homophobia is No Laughing Matter!" Black Entertainment Network (BET) recently featured two virulently anti-gay comics, and it's time we let the network know that anti-gay bigotry is no laughing matter. During an October segment of BET's "Comic View's Clips of the Week," a comic named Thumper delivered a monologue that portrayed homosexuality as unnatural and stereotyped gay men. In November, Sheryl Underwood railed against equal rights for lesbian and gay men and ended with a gratuitous slur: "I've got one thing to say to the homosexual, the penis may be strong enough for a man, but it's made for a woman." For this bigoted outburst, she received a standing ovation and won the evening's competition. This type of material promotes ignorance and divisiveness, and perpetuates the invisibility of the Black lesbian, gay and bisexual community, which has to struggle against racism as well as homophobia. Your comments may be directed to: Curtis Gadson, Vice-President, West Coast Operations, BET, 2801 W. Olive Ave., Burbank, CA 91505. 11) Two from "Donahue" On Target with Blacks & Gays... "Donahue," in a rare example of television exploring the diverse ways that ethnic groups view homosexuality, recently broadcast a program dedicated to homophobia in the Black community. The segment featured two reactionary members of the Black church, who are so fiercely opposed to equal rights for lesbians and gay men that they have said they would be willing to work with the Ku Klux Klan to promote their homophobic agenda. The voices of reason on the show included Elias Farajaje, a bisexual Black minister from Howard University who is an expert on the Black church, and Mandy Carter of the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum and the Human Rights Campaign Fund - both of whom were referred to "Donahue" by GLAAD. While discussion of the issues was heated, Donahue kept it focused and on track. The result was a better understanding of the threat posed to both gays and African-Americans by the extreme right's attempt to recruit within communities of color. Baby Boom... The December 12 broadcast of "Donahue" featured a wide-ranging discussion on lesbians and gay men conceiving babies, adopting children and building families. Featured as guests were Lynn Wallace and Lori Barnes, a lesbian couple from San Diego, CA who were "co-parents" of Mitchell; John Knowles and Jim Beers, the two gay "dads" of Devin, who is the child of Patricia Adams, a now-single lesbian mom; April Martin, PhD, who, with her lesbian lover are the mothers of two children; Mike Piazza, pastor of the Cathedral of Hope Church in Dallas, TX and the gay parent of two children; and Vina Vinik, a lawyer for the ACLU in Florida currently fighting an adoptive rights case on behalf of a gay man. The discussion of artificial insemination, a female signing a birth certificate as the "father," the convoluted bureaucratic and judicial cases, and the worry of how the children will face their peers, left many in the audience wide-eyed and baffled. However, all this was swept aside when Phil brought on stage the two children, Devin and Mitchell. Radiating joy and well-being, the two stole the show and helped put to rest the question on the adequacy of lesbians and gay men raising children. Send your thanks to: Patricia McMillen, Executive Producer, "Donahue," 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 10112. 12) We get letters... "Rascals" Reponse Dear GLAAD: I apologize for the inappropriate use of the word "fairies" in my recent film ("The Little Rascals" GLAAD Reports Oct. '94) and I thank you for the heartfelt and eloquent explanation of your stance. In no way do I want to contribute to the creation of homophobic attitudes...Please understand that I as a filmmaker and as a person am an ally of the gay community, not an enemy. I was raised in a family where two of the four children were gay. I send my best to you and your organization and pledge my lasting support for your cause. Very warm regards, Penelope Spheeris, Producer, "The Little Rascals" 13) "Boys Life" Dear Editor: While I was pleased to see the encouragement to Laemmle Theaters for booking the program of short films "Boys Life," I feel that you are overlooking the contribution of Strand Releasing which actually "packaged" the shorts and is distributing it nationally. Strand Releasing has been responsible for the release of "Grief," "Super 8 1/2," "Totally F***ed Up" and the soon to be released "World and Time Enough." This company has made a serious commitment to the release of independent films from gay and lesbian filmmakers. Again, I applaud GLAAD's encouragement to Laemmle, however, the distributors who take chances on releasing these films ought to be equally encouraged. Sincerely yours, Jeffrey McFarland (Editor's note: We are pleased to be alerted to the role of Strand Releasing. Without the team work demonstrated by Strand and Laemmle, films by and about lesbians and gay men would find it more difficult to compete in the commercial market. Your comments may be directed to: Jeffrey McFarland, Overseas Filmgroup, 8800 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90069; fax (310) 855-0849. 14) "Pulp Fiction" Dear GLAAD, Re: December GLAAD Reports on "Pulp Fiction" I was not at all drawn into the "redneck" portrayal as being "...one view of gay men and their sexual practices." In fact, I left with a pleased feeling that Tarantino chose to portray these male rapists of men as anything but gay. I would also venture to guess that most rapists of men of men consider themselves heterosexual and view these as acts of violence and not of sexuality. Sincerely, Veronica Davis 15) Smith & "Place" Dear GLAAD, I was shocked and dismayed to read in Frontiers Media Watch (see article reprint), GLAAD's approval of Liz Smith's column condemning the addition of a gay character living with HIV/AIDS to "Melrose Place" cast, suggesting this is an "unhealthy" image of a gay man. GLAAD has not only given credibility to Smith's insipid writing, but alienated the many women, transgenders, men, youths and children courageously living, right next to everyone else, with the disease. It is the paramount of insensitivity to say "right on Liz" when she describes HIV-positive persons as "doomed symbols"... Television is the perfect medium to educate people about safer sex, getting tested for HIV... Shawn Griffin Councilmember, GLAAD Reprint of Media Watch Column appearing in Frontiers: And finally we're GLAAD that syndicated columnist Liz Smith, writing in the November 9 edition of the Los Angeles Times, really came out blazing with her "reality check" about the popular Fox TV program, "Melrose Place." Said Smith, "After three seasons of virtual unemployment as the token homosexual on 'Melrose Place,' actor Doug Savant has been given a story line - he's fallen in love with a guy who has AIDS. "How original! Maybe it hasn't occurred to 'Melrose' producer Darren Star that there are millions of homosexuals who don't have AIDS and who might like to see themselves represented as fully functioning human beings rather than doomed symbols." Smith then draws an interesting plot-line parallel: "Breast cancer kills more than 50,000 women a year. But I've yet to see one of the crazy ladies of Fox TV's fictional apartment house get a mammogram. You can confirm Smith's "reality check" by contacting her through: Liz Smith, c/o Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; fax (213) 237-7386. Radio & Print 16) NYT Watch Dunlap is Gay Beat Reporter at NYT... David Dunlap, a long-time and openly gay reporter at The New York Times, has been appointed to cover issues on gays and lesbians at the paper. Even at the real estate desk, his former position, he did ground breaking reporting on the way AIDS has devastated architects (profiling an openly gay PWA) and documented the economic clout of the gay community in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. Among his first stories was the November 20 profile of Sheila Kuehl - once "Zelda" on the TV sitcom "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" (1959-1963). Sheila became the first openly gay/lesbian to win election to the California state legislature. She will represent some 370,000 people of her West Los Angeles district in the State Assembly. Dunlap pointed out, "Zelda Gilroy should only have known, as she longed hopelessly more than 30 years ago for the indifferent Dobie Gillis, that the boys who truly fancied her were legion. And so, it turned out, were the girls." The feature traces Kuehl's history, from the time she was expelled from her sorority for being a lesbian to her recent victory in California's political arena. Dunlap replaces the late Jeffrey Schmaltz who was instrumental in getting the Times to focus on more coverage of AIDS and the new-found prominence of lesbian and gay issues. Remember, your letters get results. Send your encouraging comments to: Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr., Publisher, Joseph Lelyveld, Executive Editor, The New York Times, 229 W. 43 St., New York 10036. 17) "On TV, a Heightened Gay Presence"... The November 23 column by John J. O'Connor in the New York Times chronicled the present state of gay and lesbian visibility on national television. In his opening paragraph, Mr. O'Connor poses, "...the recent election triumphs of the Republican right have re-energized crusades and catch phrases -- "family values" is one -- that have traditionally been used against homosexuals. Will gay men and women be forced to step back, even if only part way, into the closet? The question at the moment is this: Is the door half open or half closed? The answer, at least as far as television entertainment is concerned, is that the door has never been open wider." He then confirms that helping in this effort is "Roseanne" ("Heading the barrier-breaking list..."), followed by "Melrose Place," "My So-Called Life," etc. In addition to the weekly series, O'Connor lists specials such as Barbara Walters' interview with David Geffen, Comedy Central's "Out There," MTV's "Real World III" with Pedro Zamora, the PBS series "In the Life" and various individual productions. O'Connor ends his piece with, "Forces of divisiveness and exclusion may indeed be preparing for new rounds of onslaughts. But with ever more gay and lesbian images easing into television's universe, easy demonizing may be a thing of the past. It is almost impossible to imagine the closet door being shut again." Ask the New York Times to continue keeping the closet door open by writing: Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr., Publisher, Joseph Lelyveld, Executive Editor, The New York Times, 229 W. 43 St., New York 10036. 18) NYT Response Mr. Tom di Maria GLAAD/SFBA Dear Mr. di Maria Thank you for your interest in the New York Times...recent advertising campaign. (The use of Rush Limbaugh as a spokesperson, GLAAD Reports Dec. '94) As you pointed out, the television campaign utilizes a variety of celebrities who draw attention to different parts of the paper. The celebrities chosen were intended to represent a cross-section of opinions and viewpoints...to demonstrate that The Times can appeal to all people...(and) that it is not necessary to read everything in the paper in order to get value, entertainment and information... I hope this explanation clarifies our advertising objectives for you. Sincerely, Alyse Myers Promotion Director The New York Times 19) November LAT Watch by Joanne Cunha The Los Angeles Times continued its almost daily coverage of our community in November. Articles appeared in almost every section of the newspaper covering subjects as diverse as the Supreme Court and the separation of church and state, review of gay films, political victories and defeats, theatre awards, etc. Encourage the Times to continue this coverage by contacting: Mr. Shelby Coffee III, Editor-in-Chief, Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. "Burl's" The November 27 issue of the Los Angeles Times Magazine carried a story by Bernard Cooper entitled "Burl's." That a story about a boy who is questioning what gender means could be told in an understandable and sensitive way, is made only more remarkable by its appearance within the pages of the Times Sunday magazine. Mr. Cooper, a contributor to Harper's and the author of several paperback books, calls "Burl's" a "personal memoir." Your comments may be sent to: Bret Israel, Editor, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; fax (213) 237-7386; Bernard Cooper, same address. 20) Sowell Off Target - Again The December 19 issue of Forbes Magazine contains "Observation," a column written by Dr. Thomas Sowell, economist and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution which is on the campus of Stanford Univeristy. Dr. Sowell is unhappy that the "principal trade paper of the academic world," The Chronicle of Higher Education, devoted 13 consecutive pages to "AIDS and homosexuality." Evidently, though, The Chronicle of Higher Education is only "the tip of a huge iceberg. From kindergarten to the universities, propaganda for homosexuality has become one of the hallmarks of American education..." Then Dr. Sowell brings up his favorite subject: cruising in the Stanford library toilets. This is the same Dr. Sowell who wrote a venomous column against allowing gay and lesbians citizens to serve openly in the U.S. Military two years ago. And his tune hasn't changed. "Gays have become another privileged class (because college) men's toilets have become rendezvous centers for homosexual activity. When you can't even go to the toilet without being a witness or a target of homosexual activity...can anyone imagine how soldiers, Marines or paratroopers, are going to react to such situations?," writes Dr. Sowell. And we stand by what we observed two years ago, "While Forbes has the right to clutter its opinion columns in any way it sees fit, where are the articles that would promote a serious discussion of this issue or provide a balance to the blatant prejudice and ignorance of a Mr. Sowell?" Contact Forbes and encourage them to get out of this rut. Write: Malcolm Forbes, Jr. President and Editor-in-Chief, Forbes, 60 Fifth Avenue, New York 10011; cc: Caper Weinberger, Chairman; Mr. Thomas Sowell, c/o Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305; (415) 723-1754. (see part two)  Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 23:55:50 PST From: wasmith@eis.calstate.edu (Waugh Smith) Subject: GLAAD JAN 95 Newsletter part two GLAAD Newsletter Part Two January 1995 Index 1) GLAAD Media Awards 2) Will Halm, GLAAD Co-President 3) "Victor Victoria" 4) David Geffen 5) "Serving in Silence" (Cammermeyer) 6) "The Bradie Bunch Movie" 7) Transsexual Battery FILMS & TELEVISION 8) "Beverly Hills 90210" 9) "Melrose Place" (Matt & Jeffrey) 10) Black Entertainment Network 11) Donahue Black Homophobia Children of gays & lesbians 12) "The Little Rascals" 13) "Boys Life" 14) "Pulp Fiction" 15) Liz Smith on Melrose Place RADIO & PRINT 16) New York Times David Dunlap on Sheila Kuehl 17) New York Times John J. O'Connor on Visibility 18) New York Times Response to SFBA 19) Los Angeles Times Bernard Cooper 20) Forbes Dr. Thomas Sowell (see part two) 21) Wall Street Journal Jonathan Bauch 22) People Pedro Zamara 23) Marvel Comics Northstar 24) Parade NEA ADVERTISING 25) LAPD 26) Support Advertisers Resist Wildmon 27) Out Magazine Dial-a-Mattress 28) Tracking the Ads 29) Portland Field Office Donna Red Wing 30) New York Report Donald Suggs 31) Atlanta Paul Lange 32) Chicago Randy Snyder 33) Kansas City Mary Jane Houston 34) Capitol Area Cathy Renna 35) San Francisco Bay Area Peter Lund GLAAD News 36) Women's Caucus, New York 37) Martina Navratilova 38) Sexual Orientation in the Workplace 39) Executive Director Ellen Carton 40) General Meeting LA 41) Media Outreach LA 42) Speakers Bureau LA 43) Executive Director Search 44) Op Ed Project 45) Letters 46) Electronic 47) Advance Notice of Production PART TWO of GLAAD January 1995 Newletter 21) The Wall is On The Wall Street Journal, September 29, carried an Op Ed piece by Mr. Jonathan Bauch, asking the Republican party to rethink its position on rights of gay men and lesbians, and to disassociate itself from the extreme right wing elements that accuse us of being a threat to "family values." Mr Rauch points out that the problems with families are: teen-age pregnancy, child abuse, wife beating and divorce. Gay men and lesbians have little if anything to do with any of these. The piece was three columns by 30 column inches. Here are three excerpts from Mr. Rauch's article: 1) Maybe Republicans are ready, at last, to decouple the debate about family from the obsession with homosexuality. 2) Anti-gay rhetoric is today an obstacle to dealing squarely with the crisis of the family. 3) A party or faction that tolerates gay-baiting rhetoric in the name of "family values" makes "family values" look more and more like common bigotry. Your comments may be sent to: Amity Shales, Editor, Wall Street Journal, 200 Liberty Street, New York 10020. 22) Pedro in People The November 28 issue of People Magazine did a wonderful farewell to 22-year old Pedro Zamora, the openly gay cast of member of MTV's "Real World III." Emphasizing Pedro's phenomenal AIDS education and outreach efforts, as well as his strong relationship with family, the article incorporated four accompanying photographs including a picture of Pedro with his lover Sean Sasser, a San Francisco AIDS activist. Quotes from "Real World" executives added further insight into the profound effect Pedro had on the cast, on MTV, and on the viewing audience. Comments to: Editor, People Magazine, Time/Life Bldg., Rockefeller Center, New York 10020, fax (212) 522-0794; Internet: 74774.1513@CompuServe.com 23) X-Men: Bring Back Northstar As part of its re-vamping of the X-Men comic book story line, Marvel Comics may bring back the short-lived Northstar, an openly gay character in the former Alpha Flight comics. In an interview with Wizard magazine, a comic book journal, X-Men writer Scott Lobdell said that if Northstar is featured he would continue to be gay. Marvel and the writers of the X-Men need to be encouraged to bring Northstar back. The religious right gave them considerable flak when Northstar came out in 1992. By establishing this much needed role model for young gay people, Marvel has made a serious commitment to the idea that it's OK to be gay. Send your comments to: Stan Lee, Publisher, Marvel Comics, 387 Park Ave. South, New York 10016; fax (212) 576-9289. 24) Parade Misses the Boat The October 30 issue of Parade featured a story on Jane Alexander, current chair of the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA). Prominently missing from the story by Dotson Rader was any mention of lesbians and gay men and the NEA. Rader reports agency statistics: "The NEA has made more than 100,000 grants in its 29-year existence. During those years, just 11 of the grants have been singled out by detractors, who point out nudity, political content or other sensitive subject matter in some works." "Sensitive subject matter" means gay and lesbian art; "detractors" equals Jesse Helms, Patrick Buchanan and the American Family Association, just for starters. And, the controversial (read gay and lesbian) artists include Marlon Riggs, Holly Hughes, Tim Miller and Ron Athey. The story's code words don't stop there, however. Alexander says, "We're part of a very large discussion that's ongoing among certain forces in America - political, philosophical and cultural." Further elaboration as to nature of these "certain forces" is altogether lacking. Parade's national readership probably won't be aware of these omissions. But, defamation by omission is defamation nonetheless. We would like to know, at least, why the story didn't include the obvious? Contact: Publisher Carlo Vittorini, Editor Walter Anderson and writer Dotson Rader, c/o Parade Magazine, 711 Third Ave., New York 10017. Advertising 25) LAPD = Lesbians Are Police Darlings While we all know that LAPD does not stand for "Lesbians Are Police Darlings," we didn't expect it to be confirmed by a few LAPD female officers reacting negatively to recruitment ads, "CommUnity Cops," placed in gay and lesbian publications - specifically the Lesbian News (see ad reprint). These LAPD female officers were interviewed over radio and television objecting to any mention that lesbians (gulp!) are welcomed and, indeed, are already serving with distinction and honor within the ranks of the LAPD. And furthermore, the idea that a minority community, i.e. lesbian, gay, black, hispanic, should be made aware that past discriminatory practices, whether official or unofficial, are no longer entrenched and that all are welcomed, well...that's discriminatory! According to Theresa Adams Lopez, one of those helping to formulate the informational campaign of the LAPD towards its non-discriminatory recruitment efforts, the pulled ads were correct and met department guidelines. However, new ads are being prepared and they will not mention any type of minority status. Your comments to: LAPD, Recruitment Office, 150 N. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles 90012. 26) Supporting Advertisers Attracting attacks from the well-funded right wing - Reverend Wildmon and others - are the companies who advertise in gay and lesbian oriented publications. Advertisers have made it clear that their advertising support of our publications will continue only as long as there is positive response from the gay and lesbian market. When you are reading your favorite publication, please check out and keep in mind the advertisers. In some cases, these companies have become the targets of right wing threats and boycotts. You can help by not only purchasing the products of these advertisers but by continuing to write and thanking them for their support. Attracting new advertisers to the gay and lesbian market depends on our support of the present advertisers. This support enables us, as a community, to write for and about our lives. For information on individual advertisers, please call: Harry Taylor, Publisher, Out, The Soho Bldg., 110 Greene St., Suite 600, New York 10012. 27) "A King for Every Queen" "Leave off the last 's' for savings," is the last line of the Dial-a-Mattress Corporation's commercial for their (800) telephone line. But now that they have begun advertising in Out magazine, that last "s" may stand for "smart." The ad carries the tagline "A King for Every Queen," and depicts a cartoon gay male couple atop their newly purchased king-sized mattress. Let Dial-a-Mattress know that we sleep more peacefully knowing we're patronizing a company that respects us as consumers. Contact: Napoleon Barragan, CEO, Dial-a-Mattress Corp., 31-10 48th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101; (718) 472-1200. 28) Tracking the Ads The Media Outreach Committee wants to inform the gay and lesbian community of advertisers who either support programs about our community or contribute to censorship of those programs, and you can help. The next time you watch television, keep a pencil and paper handy. If there is such content, jot down the name of the show and its sponsors. Then, call the information into the GLAAD Hotlines: In Los Angeles: English (213) U R GLAAD; fax (213) 658-6776; in New York (212) 802-1700. If you are an advertising industry "insider" who might have access to information about advertisers who have been under boycott or hate-campaign pressure to cease advertising on programs that are lesbian and gay positive, please call us. Any information will be treated in confidence. 29) Portland Field Office Report by Donna Red Wing GLAAD played a major role in post-Measure 13 activities, the 1994 Oregon ballot measure authored by the homophobic Oregon Citizen's Alliance. Donald Suggs, GLAAD New York headquarters Communications Director, and I set up "The Morning After," a press conference at the Portland Hilton Hotel. We identified and worked with almost 30 gay and lesbian organizations, including African Americans for Human Dignity, No On Thirteen Campaign, Brother to Brother, Portland PFLAG, the NGLTF and the HRCF. Working in conjunction with Portland's Metropolitan Human Rights Commission and the Portland Police Bureau, GLAAD also held a post-election rally in the Portland City Council Chambers. As a result, GLAAD has been asked to present a Media Workshop, one that will offer a "nuts and bolts" media training to community-based organizations. Meanwhile, the Oregon Citizens Alliance, undaunted by its second defeat, has already filed its anti-gay measure for 1996. Since the National Field Office opened in August, 1994, we have done tremendous outreach around the country. Our bi-monthly "Dispatch" is faxed, e-mailed and mailed to almost one hundred venues, from Versailles, Missouri to Normal, Illinois. (We have more than four dozen outlets who will, in January, make a formal commitment to become an official GLAAD outlet.) I have also had the opportunity to work with many of the Chapters and to present workshops and make appearances at many conferences and expos. In each of these venues, I was able to talk to people about GLAAD, get them excited about the work we do and the exceptional potential we have. One of the most promising new Outposts is GLAAD/PDX, a Portland outlet for GLAAD that has grown tremendously to meet the challenges of media and monitoring in Oregon. Helping to coordinate this effort is Linda Shirley, known to thousands of radio listeners in the Portland metro area as "The Dyke Behind The Mike." Her radio program, "Right Resistance," is featured on KBOO-FM radio. The Outpost has already established a working relationship with Portland newspapers and will host GLAAD/National's first media training for community-based organizations in January, 1995. It is an exciting time to be part of GLAAD and I invite you to help me in this work. We need your ideas and your contact names in underrepresented regions. We need you to participate in our phone and letter-writing campaigns. I urge you to contact me at the National Field Office. Your comments to: Donna Red Wing, 1130 SW Morrison, Suite #607, Portland, OR 97205; (503) 224-5285; fax (503) 224-5480. E-mail: glaadusa@aol.com or drredwing@aol.com 30) GLAAD on the Move by Donald Suggs GLAAD has become increasingly more visible on a national level since the merger of the Los Angeles and New York Chapters - GLAAD is on the move. As you read in Donna Red Wing's message, GLAAD worked with all of the groups associated with the defeat of Measure 13 in Oregon. The post-election press conference was covered, or its participants quoted, on every local television news show and in The Oregonian, Oregon's largest newspaper. GLAAD Executive Director Ellen Carton's quote about the role homophobia played in openly lesbian Karen Burstein's unsuccessful attempt to become New York state attorney was quoted by Associated Press. Thank you for all the cards and letters sent to "The Ricki Lake Show." They paid off. Ricki was so concerned about the negative reaction to some of her shows that her top three executive producers agreed to meet GLAAD. The result? Ricki followed a GLAAD suggestion by doing an entire segment on gay marriage (GLAAD Reports Nov., Dec.'94). When GLAAD learned that Rodney Wilson, a high school teacher in St. Louis, Missouri, was being threatened with the loss of his job for coming out during a lesson on the Holocaust, GLAAD pitched it to "Dateline NBC" producer Barbara Raab. She consequently did a long, illuminating segment on Wilson's battle to save his job including interviews with students in Wilson's class who have come to his defense. Thanks to the many of you who contacted NBC to thank them for doing this piece. (GLAAD Reports Nov. '94) When "The Phil Donahue Show" wanted to feature the heated battle between lesbians and gay men and homophobic Black ministers, GLAAD was able to guide them to the Human Rights Campaign Fund's Mandy Carter and Howard University's Reverend Elias Farajaje. Both appeared on the show and did a rousing job countering the religious bigots. Former Portland, Oregon Police Chief Tom Potter has been a vocal opponent of discrimination against lesbians and gay men. He has publicly stated his opposition to both of Oregon's anti-gay ballot measures and spoken out publicly about the love and pride he feels in a lesbian daughter. So when his defense of our community led representatives of the Clinton administration to pull him from consideration for a prize job in the Justice Department, it was front page news in Oregon. GLAAD thought it should be national news and immediately put The New York Times in touch with all concerned parties. The Times subsequently did a story and an editorial, which led to Potter getting the national recognition and attention he deserved for refusing to abandon his pro-rights stance. GLAAD Chapter News 31) Atlanta... by Carl Lange Network Q, a national lesbian and gay videomagazine is now being stocked in a number of Tower Video Stores around the country. Now in its third year of production, Network Q, as of December, was available in Atlanta, Austin, Nashville, New Orleans, Seattle and Washington, D.C. Tower Video stores. Currently this arrangement is made through individual stores and regional managers. Based on the success of sales in individual stores, Tower Video may begin to purchase Network Q nationally. Tower Video should be encouraged for recognizing its lesbian, bisexual and gay male customers. If your local Tower Video Store carries the Network Q video tapes, be sure to thank them. If it is not being carried, request that the store begins stocking it. In either case, tell your friends. To thank Tower and to encourage national distribution, contact: Russell Solomon, President, Tower Video, 2500 Delmonte Street, West Sacramento, CA 95691; In the Southeast contact: Michael Ludvik, Southeastern Regional Manager, Tower Video, 3400 Wooddale Dr., #200, Atlanta, GA 30326. Another outlet, Borders Bookstores, is currently considering carrying Q. Send encouraging letters to: Kevin Maher, Video Manager, Borders Bookstores, 5451 South State Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. 32) Chicago... by Randy Snyder GLAAD/Chicago is condemning the hiring of Illinois House Republican Chief of Staff, Michael Tristano, as Vice Chancellor for Human Relations for the University of Illinois at Chicago. Mr. Tristano has admitted helping to write blatantly false and inflammatory leaflets which were distributed just before the November 8 election last year that attacked candidates with voting records that favored non-discrimination towards lesbians and gay men. The leaflets included the false charges that American citizens who happened to be gay or lesbian wanted "special rights" and were a threat to families. You may record your response to this hiring by contacting: Dr. James J. Stukell, Chancellor, University of Illinois at Chicago, 601 S. Morgan, Room 2833, Chicago, IL 60612; fax (312) 413-3393. The Nostalgia Channel, a national cable network, has notified GLAAD/Chicago that it will not broadcast an episode of "Marcus Welby, M.D." called "The Other Martin Loring." This episode tells of a married gay man who reveals his sexual orientation to Welby. The good doctor's advice is for the man to seek psychiatric counseling to "cure" his homosexuality. Nostalgia's Traffic Director of Programming, Niki Rousso, was contacted by the GLAAD/Chicago outpost that monitors the Peoria/Bloomington media market and who explained that Nostalgia had already purchased the episode but agreed to preview it before deciding whether or not to air it. Nostalgia decided not to air it. Said Randy Snyder, Executive Director of GLAAD/Chicago, "Nostalgia has demonstrated intelligence and compassion with its decision..." Your response may be sent to: Niki Rousso, Traffic Director, The Nostalgia Channel, 4217 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304; (800) 235-7857. 33) Kansas City... by Mary Jane Houston On September 15, 1994, as a handful of people watched, the grounds of the Kansas Public Library's main branch became the site of a book burning. The burning was "such a jarring image; it harkens back to Nazi book burnings," said Rob Birle, Regional Coordinator of Project 21. (Project 21 is the GLAAD/KC-sponsored organization that yearly donates books portraying homosexuality in fair and accurate terms to area high schools.) He said that concerned citizens should also be willing to support publishers who produce good books. Project 21 volunteers share a common interest with their love of books and reading in general and continually bring books dealing with homosexuality to the attention of the public library systems. The group also urges people to write to Holt, Rinehart & Winston, which withdrew their health textbook from the Texas market rather than make anti-gay editorial changes demanded by the Texas Board of Education in response to pressure from the radical right. Contact: Sam Sherman, Vice President of Sales, Holt, Rinehard & Winston, Inc., 577 Airport Blvd., #185, Burlingame, CA 94101. 34) National Capitol Area... by Cathy Renna GLAAD/NCA Co-Chair Cathy Renna testified to the Board of the Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) on December 12 expressing GLAAD's concerns around public broadcasting issues. This is the second time that GLAAD was invited along with other organizations, from the Human Rights Campaign Fund to the Family Research Council, to testify. Testimony will be entered in CPB's report to Congress in 1995 when its funding comes before congress. 35) San Francisco Bay Area... by Peter Lund GLAAD/SFBA is currently producing the sequel to "Seen Anything Good Lately?," its annual video program highlighting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender visibility on television. Last year's 90 minute program debuted to rave reviews at the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Film Festival with two sold out shows. The program has since appeared in several other venues and is used by GLAAD/SFBA to demonstrate the media's evolving representation of our community. In compiling the sequel, your recommendations of positive or negative portrayals in all media and entertainment formats are welcomed. Contributors will receive acknowledgement in the final video's credits. Call (415) 861-4588. GLAAD News 36) Exciting New York Event... Women's Caucus/LIFT On October 20, the GLAAD Women's Caucus in New York got off to a great start with a panel discussion co-sponsored by LIFT, Lesbians in Film and Television. Over 150 women gathered to hear an impressive panel composed of writer Kate Millet, Playboy model Angeline Straatman, "20/20" producer Gabriella Messina, "Go Fish" star Guenivere Turner and Gay Entertainment Television movie critic and GLAAD Membership Director Cathay Che, discuss images of lesbian sexuality in popular culture. The event was held in the "Maury Povich Show" studios which inspired a lively "talkshow" debate and insightful comments. The GLAAD Women's Caucus, a new umbrella group for all women - board, staff and volunteers involved with GLAAD - will continue to host stimulating social and networking events focusing on issues of lesbian media representation. The Women's Caucus meets in the New York GLAAD headquarters the third Thursday of each month at 6:30pm and is currently organizing a Lesbians In Media Coalition brunch to be held in February. 37) Martina's Last Tournament Benefits GLAAD On November 15, 75 members and supporters of GLAAD gathered with thousands of fans to watch what turned out to be Martina Navratilova's last single's match. Her first round at the Virginia Slims Championship at Madison Square Garden (conveniently down the street from GLAAD New York headquarters) was against Gabriela Sabatini. The finals score was 6-4,6-2. After the match, a banner was hung in honor of Martina's achievements and the crowd roared as a contingent of "NY's Finest" females rolled out a Harley-Davidson given to her by Virginia Slims. GLAAD wishes Martina the best in her new life. We will miss her on the courts but hope to see her in the media, being an activist and continuing as one of the greatest role models lesbians and gay men have ever had. Her final game put the word "lesbian" out on national TV and around the world in a consistently positive light. 38) Workplace Sexual Orientation GLAAD and Hollywood Supports are seeking facilitators for "Sexual Orientation in the Workplace" seminars. Beginning on February 22, 1995 volunteers will be trained to facilitate discussion of policies and practices of inclusion, while outlining the business advantages of including gay and lesbian awareness as an aspect of workplace diversity. The training sessions will continue on Monday and Wednesday evening for four weeks including one Saturday, March 18. Training class size is limited and an interview is required. For an application call: Tamra at (213) 655-7705. And remember, over two dozen highly trained volunteer facilitators are available to present the 90-minute seminar at your workplace. For more information, to make suggestions on whom to contact at your workplace regarding the seminar, or to schedule a seminar, contact: GLAAD at (213) 658-6775 or Hollywood Supports Assistant Director Tamra King at (213) 655-7705. 39) Executive Director's Report by Ellen Carton Bulletin: Just in! - Blake Edwards, producer of the upcoming Broadway production of "Victor/Victoria," will revise or drop a homophobic song that was slated to be in the show. That news is just the latest in a string of GLAAD victories, made possible by your support of our new organization. (For more GLAAD highlights, see page TK). As we begin 1995, we face startling contrasts in the representations of our lives. Just recently U.S. Representative Newt Gingrich (R-GA) compared homosexuality with alcoholism. On the flip side, Glenn Close told Out magazine "It's kind of nice to kiss a woman," describing the kiss between herself and co-star Judy Davis in their upcoming TV movie "Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story." In order to counter misinformed and dangerous statements like Gingrich's, we must ensure that Americans see more representations of ourselves as we really are, like "Serving in Silence." (Already an early favorite for a 1996 media award!) The Los Angeles advance screening of "Serving in Silence" on January 23 will benefit GLAAD and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund (see page 2). GLAAD is also organizing house parties around the country to ensure that Monday, February 6, - the night that NBC-TV will be broadcasting the movie - is a night to remember! (For more information about how you can participate, see page TK). Even if you can't attend a house party, please remember to watch this movie and commend the advertisers who will surely be targeted with threats of boycots and reprisals by the American Family Association, the well-funded right wing hate group. Because NBC is airing the show intact, complete with lesbian kiss, be sure to commend the network, too. Elsewhere in this issue, you'll read about our work throughout the country in our field director's report from the Oregon front and from individual GLAAD Chapters. National GLAAD is starting with seven chapters and more than twenty outposts (mini-chapters), from Lubbock, Texas to Normal, Illinois. If you want to start a chapter in your area, please contact Donna Red Wing in our field headquarters at (503) 224-5285. Our national board of directors will meet in Los Angeles the week-end of January 14 to develop GLAAD's programs for 1995. These will include a campaign supporting equal marriage rights for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals, expanding our support for Project 21, a program supporting inclusion of gays and lesbians in high school curricula and a celebration of GLAAD's Tenth Anniversary! Finally, I'd like to thank you for your overwhelming support during our transition from a local to a national organization. We are about to complete our Founder's Campaign, which successfully raised the $250,000 needed to get our national organization off to a flying start. In the next issue of GLAAD Reports, we'll acknowledge each of you who generously participated in this campaign. 40) General Meeting Schedule The next general meeting in Los Angeles will be Tuesday, January 24, 1995 and will feature a video tape of the October 1, 1994 "A Paul Monette Celebration." This will be a real opportunity to enjoy what has been called an "historic" event. If you were one of the many who were turned away at the door, join us for this special evening of inspiring and moving readings by Tom Hulce, Tony Kushner, Patricia Nell Warren and others. Also to be shown, will be exclusive video interviews with Paul and our guest readers. Schedule: 7:00 p.m. refreshments, 7:30 p.m. program. Come to: Temple Beth Chayim Chadishim, 6000 West Pico Blvd., one block east of Crescent Heights. Donations requested. (No one turned away for lack of funds.) 41) Media Outreach Committee The Los Angeles Media Outreach Committee is developing a project that will examine/promote the portrayal of gay men and lesbians in advertising. If you're in the ad business - working on either the agency or client side, and would like to share your insights with GLAAD - please come to the next meeting on January 17 at 7:00pm at the Los Angeles headquarters, 8455 Beverly Blvd. #305, Los Angeles 90048; (213) 658-6775. 42) Speaker's Bureaus GLAAD's Speaker's Bureau will be meeting on January 16 from 7:30 to10:00pm in Los Angeles and on January 25 at 6:30pm in New York. In Los Angeles, under the guidance of Jody Hoenninger, anyone interested in improving their speaker skills is invited to attend on the 16th, and to come prepared to present a speech on yourself, gay/lesbian/bisexual issues, or Martin Luther King. For more information, call: Cathay in New York, (212) 807-1700; Jody in Los Angeles, (213) 658-6775. 43) ED Search Continues The search for an Executive Director for GLAAD is continuing. Korn/Ferry International and the Alexander Group, the two firms retained by GLAAD to facilitate the search, have been conducting interviews, receiving resumes and talking with GLAAD National Board Members to help round out the ED profile. Information regarding the position may be obtained by contacting: Eunice Azzani, Korn/Ferry International, 600 Montgomery St., 31st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111; fax (415) 956-1988; or Steve Fogel, Alexander Group, 465 California St., #514, San Francisco, CA 94104; fax (415) 677-8674; GLAAD Search Committee Co-Chairs: Loretha Jones, (213) 658-6775; Mary Nealon, (212) 807-1700. 44) Op Ed Page Project Do you like to write about gay and lesbian issues? Then we need you to help with GLAAD's Op Ed Page Project. The focus of the project is to write opinion pieces about gay and lesbian topics in the news. The pieces go to about 70 newspapers throughout the country for use on Op Ed pages. If we can send pieces regularly, the chance of their getting published by the newspapers will increase. This is one way we can put a dent in homophobic thinking while helping pro-gay voices on national issues. Your commitment is one or two essays of 500 to 1,000 words each in the course of a year - and an occasional meeting to talk over ideas. Call John Kroll, director of the project, at (818) 990-7759 for additional information. 45) GLAAD Wants Your Letter The need for continual gay and lesbian reaction to the events that are shaping our lives and our future is very important; this is one of our most effective tools. When you send a letter responding to a g/l issue, send a copy to us for our files. We would also like to have a copy of any response you receive. Send to: Los Angeles Headquarters, 8455 Beverly Blvd, #305, Los Angeles 90048; fax (213) 658-6776; New York Headquarters, 150 W. 26th St., Suite 503, New York 10001; (212) 807-1700; fax (212) 807-1806. 46) Electronic Mail If you have a computer with a modem and have access to any of these nets, you can pick up this newsletter before it goes to press, about two weeks ahead of your mailbox. Queer Resources Directory: qrd@vector.casti.com Soc.motss (members of the same sex): subscribe to the UseNet Group GayNet-Digest: subscribe by sending e-mail to: majordomo@queernet.org message to consist of: subscribe gaynet-digest The newsletter is on both America Online and Internet with just the articles and an index. You can get the complete newsletter, exactly as it goes to the printer and at the same time it goes to the printer, by setting your modem for the GLAAD BBS, (213) 658-6516. You'll find it usually available by the 15th of the preceeding month. 47) "Hot Tips" Welcomed GLAAD needs advance information on films, TV programs and commercials with lesbian/gay themes or characters. The Media Outreach Committee would like to know of any projects in any stages of production or release. (Development stage may be premature.) Call, fax or write to us in Los Angeles at: Hotline (English) - (213) U R GLAAD Hotline (Spanish) - (213) 658-6074 fax - (213) 658-6776 Address - 8455 Beverly Blvd., #305, Los Angeles 90048. or in New York: 150 W. 26th St., New York 10001 (212) 807-1700 fax (212) 807-1806 When you contact us, please include the following information: producing company or studio; names of the producers or directors; synopsis; start or release date; any relevant material. All information will be kept confidential. 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000