Date: Sun, Jun 11, 1995 2:27 PM From: "Charles Zweig" Subject: GLAAD Reports-July/August '95 ACTION ARTICLES FROM GLAAD REPORTS JULY/AUGUST 1995 INDEX 1) "incredibly" 2) "Braveheart" Gibson's homophobia Al Kielwasser TV Guide GLAAD's national protest GLAAD's Executive Director Donna Red Wing Dishonest history GLAAD's Flyer New York Newsday 3) "Sex Unplugged" ABC breakthrough 4) "Celluloid Closet" 5) "Friends" NBC 6) "NYPD Blue" ABC (the gay character, John) 7) LA Times Armistead Maupin Melissa Etheridge AIDS Ride - SF to LA - $5 million Op-Ed Marriage in Hawaii 8) NY Times Adoption by G&Ls Cincinnati Anti-Gay Initiative Gay Image in Hollywood 9) Melissa Etheridge Rolling Stone 10) Harper's Bazaar Bisexuality 11) USA Today Suicide and Fundamentalism 12) Spin Homeless Teens with HIV 13) Dear Abby 14) Same Sex Marriage Alaska, Utah, South Dakota 15) Hawaii Update The Mormons 16) Buddhism Same Sex Marriage 17) MS magazine G&L Marriage Debate 18) Adoption in Canada 19) Advertising The Rush Limbaugh advertisers: Ralph's, Kinko's, Verbal Advantage, Black Angus, Comp USA, Hooked on Phonics, Hunt-Wesson Donald Wildmon's recommends boycott these friends: Unilever: Calvin Klein, Close-Up, Q-Tips, Vasoline, Lipton, Dove, Lifebuoy, Lever Bristol-Myers Squib: Clairol Saturn in Out magazine 20) MEDIAPOLIS GLAAD on the Internet Out magazine begins Internet service GLAAD's E-mail Activation 21) Electronic Mail 22) Letters "Serving in Silence" - the responses Joyce Miller Volunteer in Arkansas Stephen Golding Red Book Marta Brady 23) GLAAD Poster 24) William Morris Agency - Health coverage for partners 25) FBI Surveillance of ACT UP 26) GLAAD's offices: National Field Office Radical Right Library Kansas City Leadership Awards and Reception Los Angeles Freedom to Marry Coalition GLAAD's booths at the fairs New York "Psychic" Singles National Capitol Area Washington Post on bathhouses Black G&L Pride Day Braveheart Media Coverage San Diego Media Awards with Garrett Glaser Congressman Cunningham ("Barney Fag") San Francisco California's homophobic Attorney General and his US Supreme Court filing Homophobic KSFO, owned by ABC/Capitol 27) Love! Valor! Compassion! 28) Navratilova on HBO 29) TV Guide: Scott Thompson 30) "This Way Out" on 85 public/community radio stations 31) Film Festival entries 32) NLGJA National L&G Journalists Associ ation 33) National Education Association: Virginia Sex Education 34) PFLAG "Queer Son" 40 minute documentary 35) The GLAAD Mediawatch 3 minute weekly cable spot 36) Hollywood Supports: Sexual Orientation in the Workplace GLAAD Reports - July/August 95 Carl Matthes, Editor (213) 254-2726; fax (213) 257-5878 This issue of GLAAD Reports is for both July and August. Next issue will be September, 1995. Carl Matthes, long time editor of GLAAD Reports, is stepping down from that volunteer position. Action Alert 1) "The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love" A tomboy from the wrong side of the tracks woos the prettiest, smartest, most popular girl in her school on the big screen this summer. Maria Maggenti, ACT-UP activist, documentary film producer, is now the writer and director of the independent feature "The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love." "Incredibly" is a comic story of first love between two girls in their senior year of high school. Randy De an (played by newcomer Laurel Hollmon), a rebellious tomboy who lives with her lesbian aunt and her aunt's lover in a working class neighborhood, falls in love with Evie Roy (Nicole Parker), a smart and beautiful African-America who is one of the most popular girls in their school. Matter of fact lesbian subject matter yet light and funny. "Incredibly" is sure to heat up the summer box office. Lesbian, gay and bisexual teen relationships are rarely celebrated so positively in a major motion picture. Contact Fine Line Pictures and let them know we appreciate their decision to distribute what will no doubt be a popular and breakthrough film. Use one of our pre-addressed postcards or personally contact: Sarah Eaton, Fine Line Pictures, 888 7th Avenue, New York 10106; fax (212) 956-1042. 2) "Braveheart" Al Kielwasser: With the Paramount Pictures release of "Braveheart," the film's producer/director/star - Mel Gibson - continues his career in gay bashing. In this much- hyped film, gays are (once again) singled out for gratuitous contempt. The ostensibly "fact-based" epic portrays Edward II (believed by historians to be gay) as an excessively foolish and vain homosexual, deserving of the audience's ridicule. In screenings thus far, audiences have consistently laughed (on cue) every time the character appears on screen, and have even cheered as Edward's lover is tossed out a window to his death. In their rush to pay homage to Mel Gibson, the mainstream media have ignored "Braveheart's" homophobia. The New York Times instantly declared the film "a stroke of brilliance." Gibson has been further flattered by his appearance on the covers of several major magazines, including the May issue of GQ and the June issue of US. In her six-page GQ cover story ("Mad Mac"), Stephanie Mansfield never once mentions the possibility of "Braveheart's" homophobia, even though she was treated to a pre-screening of the film before it's final edit and release. In "Wild At Heart," US magazine's Jancee Dunn offers -- over the course of five dense pages -- only a parenthetical comment about the film's anti-gay bias. Of Edward II, she writes "It's a part that could have been written by Andrew Dice Clay, and one which critics will be sure to seize upon." Nevertheless, US opted to use Gibson's face on the "subscription cards" tucked into each magazine. In its "Summer Movie Preview" issue (May 26), Entertainment Weekly also gives ample page space to "Braveheart." Once again, homophobia is utterly ignored. The myopic hype continued on "Larry King Live" (CNN, May 26). Appearing on the popular talk show, Gibson said of his "Braveheart": "It's the kind of film I always wanted to see when I was growing up." Unfortunately, "Braveheart" is the kind of film that too many children already see; Hollywood consistently markets an unbalanced homophobia to youth audiences. Is it any wonder that young men perpetrate most of the anti-gay hate vio lence in this country? While "Braveheart" appears inconsistent with historical fact, it certainly is consistent with Mel Gibson's own history of contempt for gays. He has regularly made a point of ridiculing the gay community, publicly suggesting that gay men and gay sex are disgusting and unnatural. Gibson has also stated that he feared being perceived as gay because he is an actor. "I became an actor despite that," he told one interviewer, "But with this look, who's going to think I'M gay? It would be hard to take me for someone like THAT." Obviously, there's nothing BRAVE about being homophobic. Everyday, lesbians and gay men are attacked and assaulted. And like a COWARDLY school-yard bully, Mel Gibson just keeps cheering on the bashers. Send much-needed feedback to any or all of the following: Sherry Lansing, Chair, Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90038; Arthur Cooper, Editor-In-Chief, GQ, 350 Madison Avenue, New York 10017; e-mail gqmag@aol. com; Jann S. Wenner, Editor-In-Chief, US: The Entertainment Magazine, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10104-0298; fax (212) 767-8214, e-mail usmag@echonyc.com; James Seymore, Managing Editor, Entertainment Weekly, 1675 Broadway, New York, 10019; e-mail JamesS5089@aol.com (online comments can also be posted to America Online, keyword "EW"); Larry King, "Larry King Live," c/o CNN, and Ed Turner (not Ted), Executive Vice President, CNN, One CNN Center, P.O. Box 105366, Atlanta, GA 30348-5366; fax (404) 737-3323. Quotable Quote... From Mel Gibson to writer Stephanie Mansfield in the May '95 issue of GQ, "I'm terribly vindictive. If somebody ripped me apart in the press, I'd kill them. I would HAVE them killed, and no one would ever know." Los Angeles "Braveheart" Demonstration Coverage: GLAAD's national protest against the defamatory portrayal of gays in Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" was widely covered in both the electronic and the print media. Highlights included GL AAD Board Co-chair Will Halm's appearance on CNN and E! and protests across the country were also covered, including pieces in The Washington Post and the Atlanta-Constitution. We got 18 segments of TV and radio coverage of our protest at the Chinese, also on UPI newswire. The CNN segments with Will Halm were solid sound bites. CNN reports nationwide protests, mentions nine cities, and was continuing the Halm interview through Sunday June 4. Executive Director's Report by Donna Red Wing The GLAAD Los Angeles and New York headquarters along with seven chapters and outposts (Seattle, Portland, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit) participated in the GLAAD protest against "Braveheart" starring and directed by Mel Gibson. GLAAD read a script for this film last September and immediately contacted Alan Ladd, the producer of "Braveheart," to discuss what was perceived as extremely negative gay stereotypes, including a number of homophobic slurs in the script, and a scene where one of the gay characters is tossed out a window to his death. Mr. Ladd declined to meet with GLAAD. Although the homophobic slurs do not appear in the film, the two gay characters: Edward II and his male companion, Philip, are so ridiculously attired (including full make-up and lipstick), they provoke the audience's laughter every time they appear on-screen. Most offensive of all, in an entirely unnecessary sequence, Edward's father, the King, tosses Philip out a castle window to his death--to the applause and laughter of the audience. To highlight the homophobic prejudice in this film, the GLAAD Los Angeles headquarters produced a leaflet parodying the movie poster. The leaflet changed the name of the film to "No Heart" and created a tagline that posed the question: "How Brave is Mel's Gay Bashing?" On the back of the leaflet, there was a message for moviegoers. It read, in part: "Mel Gibson has gone out of his way to use his powers as direc tor and star to ridicule gays. This is not the first time. How brave is his gay bashing--and how funny is it--when we are beaten up on the streets of America because of who we are and whom we love?" Ten thousand leaflets were distributed in ten cities and generated a tremendous amount of press, TV and radio attention. Interestingly, Mr. Gibson and his representatives responded in several different ways before they were forced to confront the real issue at hand. First, the classic, angry "No comment:" In USA Today on May 23rd, in a story titled, "Gay alliance Bashes 'Braveheart,'" Alan Nierob, a Gibson spokesperson was quoted as follows: "The only thing on the record I will say is 'no comment'...I'm not even going to dignify any of it." Then, another classic, "None of it's true:" In the May 23rd edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, when Gibson was asked about his alleged homophobia, he responded: "They'll use anyone if you give them a little, because they ne ed publicity. None of it's true. I have no explanation for it." Then, a limp defense: In an interview with the Detroit Free Press as quoted in the Atlanta paper, Gibson defended Edward II's characterization this way: "If you read the books on this guy, he was an insipid, weak king. If you look a little further, he also happened to be a homosexual. Alexander the Great was one of the greatest kings ever. He was a military genius...He also happened to be a homosexual. But this story is not about Alexander the Great. It's about Edward II." Sooner or later, self-denial rears its head: In the Oregonian on May 24th, the paper pointed out that the "most despicable bad guy in 'Braveheart' is Britain's King Edward II, who's portrayed as an outrageous queen and coward. Does Gibson fear," they asked, "that the movie will re-ignite gay anger?" Gibson answered, "no, that hasn't happened--I don't see how it could be interpreted that way, actually...I don't foresee any problem." Finally, confronted with the facts by a paper too big to bluff, Mr. Gibson conceded that there was indeed something lacking in the character development of Edward II: USA Today in their LIFE cover story/feature interview on May 24th: "The actor/director is under fire from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation for a scene in which Edward II's male lover is tossed to his death through an open window by cruel Edward I. Some audience laughter has been reported, which perplexes Gibson. "'We cut a scene out, unfortunately...where you really got to know that character (Edward II) and to understand his plight and pain..but it just stopped the film in the first act so much that you thought, "When's this story going to start?"'" Stories are still being written and our protest is still being covered as this issue of the newsletter goes to press. We accomplished what we set out to do--to make a point about the nature of homophobic prejudice in movies in general and in Mel Gi bson's "Braveheart," in particular. By raising our collective voices, the nation heard us, and so did Mel Gibson. And of course, there were some reviewers who understood, without any prompting whatsoever, precisely what Mel Gibson had done in his film. Here is an excerpt worth reading from Andy Klein's review of "Braveheart" in the May 26th issue of the LA Reader: "Yes it's generally accepted that Edward II way gay; and it's generally thought that he was a lousy king. But Gibson, who created a flap a few years ago with some less than astute comments about homosexuality, seems to be deliberately stirring up the waters again with his gratuitously nasty perspective on Edward II. "It's not merely that one of the film's leading sources of humor is making fun of Edward's effeminate manner. Again, it could be argued that the movie is merely mocking him for his military incompetence and his uncharismatic affect. But, when Edward throws one of his son's boyfriends--who seems ne ither incompetent nor effeminate--out the window, the scene is played for a big laugh. That it never happened is almost beside the point; that if it had happened, it wouldn't have been the least bit funny, is the point." Quotable Quote... From Mel Gibson commenting on the charge that "Braveheart" was homophobic, "This guy in the other room called the movie homophobic. I don't know how any intelligent person could say that. Those kinds of accusations make me angry.'' "Braveheart" - An Exercise in Dishonest History by Wally Smith: Recently there have been some honest portrayals of gays and lesbians in film, but Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" is retrograde. To Mel, gays are the old Hollywood stereotype: unmanly, unwarlike, untrustworthy, lack sound judgement, and are ridiculous creatures. In Mel's portrayal it is OK to scorn them, kick them, kill them. This three hour film feels like six. Each battle feels like the same footage in rerun. The blood and violence become the norm. When a gay man is thrown to his death the desensitized audience can hardly be faulted if it misses the point that this is gay bashing. The time is early 1300's and the plot deals with the Scots' battles against the English. Mel had to take some large liberties with history to set up his gay hate. Isabelle, the French princess, figures prominently in Gibson's plot about Scotland's Sir William Wallace. But Edward II married Isabelle in France in 1308, three years AFTER the death of Wallace. So Isabelle never acted as emissary to Wallace in Scotland; Isabelle never warned Wallace of the plots against him; Wallace never spent the night with Isabelle; Isabelle didn't carry Wallace's child instead of a legitimate child of the Plantagenet line. Gibson made up all this false history to set up his homophobia. Thus the slurs that Edward II would not be able to produce a child. Not that it makes any difference, but he did, Edward III. Honest historians should be upset w ith Gibson as much as gays. GLAAD/LA's former Executive Director, Lee Werbel, protested the script, a script that used Mel's favorite epithet, "Shit poker." At least her protest got this deleted, but all the other gay slander remains. If you think it would do any good you can write: Mel Gibson at Ikon Productions, Paramount, 5555 Melrose, Hollywood, CA 90038. What specifically is objectionable? 1) Edward II, the gay son of Edward I, is portrayed as the archetypical Hollywood gay: a weak, effeminate dandy. Who knows if he was a dandy? And if he were, what difference, considering all the departures from history? The plot is a historical fantasy. Mel is up to his routine defamation of gays. 2) There is a line, approximately: If the Princess is to have a child it will probably be up to "Longshanks" (Edward I, the father), and perhaps that is what he (Edward I) had in mind (in arranging the marriage). Which he did not arrange; Edward I was dead and Edward II was king before he married. Another gratuitous slander. 3) Having William Wallace impregnate the Princess is an intended insult to her gay husband. As gratuitous as it is insulting; Wallace could never have met Princess Isabelle. 4) Throwing Philip out the window - murdering a gay - 14th century gay-bashing. Philip (another character who never existed) is supposed to be Edward's lover. 5) Edward Longshanks, throwing Edward his son down and kicking him: another instance of gay-bashing and a display of Mel's contempt for gays. 6) Giving Edward II silly lines to make him look foolish: Edward, the father, says to his son (approximately): What would YOU do [with the rebel William Wallace]? Young Edward says fatuously, he'd have a magistrate bring him in. The Scots are in rebellion (as they both know) and Edward Longshanks says: And with what magistrate! The gay son has to look the fool. 7) Edward the father sends Isabelle to negotiate with Wallace and the rebels. Better to send a woman than to send his gay son! (and a secondary slam against women) 8) Just the fact that Mel Gibson and his writers would set up all this false history, just so they could trash Edward II, is slander against gays. Am sure there are more. Perhaps others who see the film would like to add to this list. Here is the text of a GLAAD flyer that was passed out at movie theaters across the country during the opening of Mel Gibson's "Braveheart." "Braveheart" What's wrong with this picture? In "Braveheart," Mel Gibson has gone out of his way to use his powers as director and star to ridicule gays. This is not the first time. How brave is his gay bashing - and how funny is it - when we are beaten up on the streets of America because of who we are and whom we love? In the history of film there have been few positive or realistic portrayals of lesbians and gay men. In most films, we have been stereotyped as victims or killers; warped sociopaths, pathetic or comi c, effeminate men, or miserable lesbians who would be happy, the films suggest, if only they had a man. What lesbians and gay men traditionally do in the movies is die - - usually in some horrible manner. The inescapable conclusion is that we deserve it. The underlying message for the film audience is that lesbians and gays are the one minority it's still OK to bash. Hate crimes are rising in America, and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) would like you to understand a simple fact: Negative stereotyping breeds prejudice. The entertainment industry can choose to inflame prejudice and hatred, or take a stand against it. Please don't be unconscious where prejudice is concerned. At the very least, be the person who understands what is wrong with this picture. Quotable Quote... From Gabriel Rotello writing in New York Newsday, June 1, 1995, about "Braveheart," "When we first meet the pouting prince he is getting married to a lovely princess while casting longing glances at his male lover. The audience at the screening I attended snickered. When the king orders him to do something about Wallace's rebellion and he lisps, 'I shall convene my military council,' the audience roared. When a lady in waiting whispers to the prince's love-starved wife that, with any luck, Prince Eddie will be killed in battle, another roar. When the king decides not to send Eddie north to negotiate with Wallace because 'the sight of my gentle son would encourage an enemy to take over the whole country,' yet another roar." 3) "Sex Unplugged" On June 1, the ABC television network broadcast "In A New Light: Sex Unplugged." Through fast-paced edits and celebrity sound bites, the prime-time special targeted young viewers with information about safer-sex. In a breakthrough for network television, "Sex Unplugged" examined teenage sexuality with a tone that was more positive than pedantic. The program went beyond the usual rhetoric of absti nence, which has consistently failed to educate or empower youth. The program's hosts - Rosie Perez and Ed Love - were supported by a large celebrity cast that included brief appearances by Greg Louganis and Melissa Etheridge. One segment of "Sex Unplugged" was devoted exclusively to gay concerns. The gay youth segment opened with an apt lament from C. Everett Koop. The former U.S. Surgeon General noted: "Nobody is paying much attention to homosexual teenagers." From there, the youth took over the dialogue and explained some of the (literally) lethal consequences of homophobia. Uniquely, "Sex Unplugged" addressed the often-overlooked role that self-esteem plays in HIV prevention. This issue is particularly pertinent for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth, who are relentlessly deprived of affirmation at all levels of society. As one youth asked: "If no one wants to talk to me about what it means to be gay, how are we ever going to get to a place where it's OK to talk about safer sex for young gay men?" "Sex Unplugged" provided a few precious minutes of sex-positive education in an otherwise barren media landscape. Of course, even those few minutes are certain to raise the hackles of right-wing censors. The postcard campaigns - demanding that ABC stop "promoting homosexuality" and "corrupting family values" - probably began even before the show aired. Counter the critics and encourage ABC to move even farther ahead, producing more prime-time programming that is focused entirely on lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. Send one of our pre-addressed postcards and your own comments to: Ted Harbert, President, ABC Entertainment, 2040 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles 90067; fax (310) 557-7170; e-mail abcaudr@ccabc.com copy to Joseph F. Lovett, Executive Producer, "Sex Unplugged," Lovett Productions, 19 Van Dam Street, New York 10013; fax (212) 242-7347; e-mail 74757.721@compuserve.com 4) More on "Celluloid" HBO will debut "The Celluloid Closet," t he documentary based on the late Vito Russo's book about the way lesbians and gay men have been portrayed in the movies, in February, 1996. The film, directed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein, will debut at Robert Redford's 1996 Sundance Film Festival. Russo was a founder of GLAAD. Some of the stars participating in the film include Lily Tomlin, k.d. lang, Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, Shirley MacLaine, Harvey Fierstein, Gore Vidal, Larry Kramer and Whoopi Goldberg. 5) Great "Friends" Though not part of the main cast, a lesbian couple has made a notable contribution to the mix of characters on the NBC series "Friends." In the May 11th episode, Carol (one half of the couple) is in labor. The plot twists around the interactions between Susan (Carol's lover) and Ross (Carol's ex, and the father of the baby). At the hospital, Ross and Susan fight over helping Carol. Carol eventually kicks them both out of the delivery room, but the fight continues. Each seems jealous of the other's impending relationship with the new baby. Ross complains that Susan will be with the baby every night, while Susan bemoans Ross' biological ties to the child. Conveyed convincingly was the genuine concern each felt for Carol and the soon-to-arrive baby, demonstrating that lesbians and gay men, as well as heterosexuals, have genuine feelings for their loved ones, their families and their children. The conflict is resolved on a particularly affirming note. An observant friend reminds both Ross and Susan that this baby is especially lucky, to have so many people to care for it -- an experience many children lack. Send encouraging feedback to: Warren Littlefield, Vice President of Entertainment, c/o NBC Viewer Services, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 10112. 6) The Disappearing "Queer Blues?" According to USA Today ("Back On Blue?," May 11), John - a gay character on the prime-time series "NYPD Blue" -- might not be back next season. Currently, the ABC seri es ranks amongst the coveted "top twenty" shows, watched by over 20 million TV viewers each week. Calls for John's return should be directed to Steven Boccho and David Milch, Executive Producers, "NYPD Blue," Steven Boccho Productions, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles 90035; copy your correspondence to: Ted Harbert, President, ABC Entertainment, 2040 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles 90067; fax (310) 557-7170; e-mail abcaudr@ccabc.com Quotable Quote... From actress Nora Dunn in an interview with the Lesbian News, "I think it's interesting that when you play a lesbian, people ask you if you're lesbian. But if you play a serial killer, nobody asks you if you're a serial killer." Radio & Print TimesWatch 7) Los Angeles... "He Still Has Plenty of Tales to Tell," declared the headline of the May 10 Los Angeles Times article by Stephen M.H. Braitman on Armistead Maupin. The interesting article brought readers up-to-date on the most recent twists and turns of "Tales of the Ci ty" including the statement by Maupin that, "If federal funding for PBS had been eliminated last year instead of this year, 'Tales of the City' would still be a viable project, because PBS would be answerable only to its viewers, and the viewers clearly loved 'Tales of the City!'" The Times also included a full-color photo of Mr. Maupin and his lover/business manager Terry Anderson. The May 7 Calendar section featured a provocative article on Terrence McNally, author of "Love! Valour! Compassion!," and his latest new drama "Master Class," which received its West Coast premier at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Theatre writer Patrick Pacheco gave his readers personal glances of Mr. McNally as well as a tantalizing view of his new work. In his May 16 Pop Music Review, Steve Hochman paid tribute to the rise and rank of Melissa Etheridge, chronicling her beginnings in Leavenworth, Kansas to the success of her most recent album "Yes I Am." Exclaims Hochman, "...'Yes I Am' has pushed the current Rolling Stones cover girl beyond her already strong cult-heroine status, into the realm of heartland rockdom..." The Times failed to properly cover California AIDS Ride Event giving it only a cursory glance. The May 27 Calendar section continued the Times' coverage of the importance contributions of our community to the Arts with a story on Director Reza Abdoh. In the Metro section "Dainty," a 200-plus-pound drag diva who does a warm-up opera aria act for punk and rock groups, was featured. On May 17 the Op-Ed pages featured "Marital Bliss May Not Require a Bride, After All," a community essay by Mike Ausiello. Mr. Ausiello is a staff member on "Entertainment Tonight" and his article presented his attitude toward same-sex marriages in light of the court case in Hawaii. 8) New York... This month was full of bad news for the lesbian and gay community, but The New York Times softened the blow with good news coverage of these depressing events. A May 1 article by David Dunlap," Support for Gay Adoptions Seems to Wane," focused on the increasingly inhospitable environment for lesbians and gay men who are hoping to adopt, either as couples or as the other parent of a partner's child. The piece explained the different types of adoptions sought by same-gender couples and the recent court decisions which have caused many of these couples to put their adoption plans on hold. Dunlap's front page article in the May 14 National Report, "Court Upholds Anti-Homosexual Initiative," covered equally depressing territory, a Federal appeals courts decision to upheld Cincinnati's anti-gay ballot measure. It is the highest court to uphold such legislation, which denies Americans protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Dunlap provides a plethora of legal information, including the actual wording of the decision. He also provides a forum on the constitutional implications of the ruling, that that inclu des both friends and foes of our community. On a more cheery front, Michael Cunningham's May 9 film article, "Straight Arrows, Almost," talks about the new mainstream image of the gay community in motion pictures. Cunningham's piece is tongue-in-cheek. However, the issue he raises is serious, that depictions of our lives can be messy and somewhat stereotypical, but still manages to ring true. The piece doesn't answer the question of how we can satisfy our political imperatives and still reflect the complexity of our experience, but it leaves you feeling that we must find a way for Hollywood to love us just the way we are, even when were not being the role models were expected to be. 9) Etheridge Rolling Lesbian rocker Melissa Etheridge fills the cover of Rolling Stone's June 1 issue. An important "rock 'n role model" for lesbian and gay youth, she makes a striking image -- decked out in gold lame pants, guitar in hand,Etheridge passionately belts out another hit. "She' s the Boss," the headline declares. Inside the magazine, Jancee Dunn's feature offers a portrait of Etheridge and her sexual orientation. The article pays ample and forthright attention to Etheridge's "longtime love, director Julie Cypher." "They do a lot of...bickering back and forth like an old married couple," Dunn writes, "Which, in a sense, they are, having been together for five years...The two complement each other nicely." On an ironic note: This feature story also includes extensive commentary from comedian/TV star Ellen DeGeneres, who is a good friend of both Cypher and Etheridge. DeGeneres has given reporters a routine "no comment" in response to persistent questions about her own sexual orientation. That situation remains unchallenged in this story (and Etheridge, according to Dunn, "does not support outing"). Comments to: Jann S. Wenner, Editor and Publisher, Rolling Stone, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10104; fax (212)767-8214; e-mail rollingsto ne@echonyc.com 10) Harper's a Hit A significant contribution to bisexual visibility has been made by one of the nation's oldest fashion magazines. The June 1995 issue of Harper's Bazaar (which has been published since 1867) features two articles on bisexuality. In the first article, Lynn Darling explores bisexuality as it is focused through the lens of popular culture. Examining the relationship between media images and social values, Darling argues for the recognition of bisexuality as an orientation that is both valid and worthy of validation. The second article was written by Rachel Cohen, a young bisexual woman. Cohen offers a personal perspective on the myths, fears and ignorance that bisexuals confront - in both the heterosexual and lesbian/gay communities. In the midst of yet another conservative backlash - and a presidential campaign marked by the MOST sex-negative rhetoric - articles such as these are particularly important. These public discussions challeng e sexual orthodoxy and provide a forum for the affirmation of sexual freedom and diversity. Direct your comments to: Elizabeth Tilberis, Editor-In-Chief, Harper's Bazaar, 1700 Broadway, New York 10019. 11) "A Gay Son's Suicide" "Soon a tractor-trailer roared toward him on the freeway below and, with perfect timing, he jumped the 25 feet into its path. The impact ripped away most of his clothes. He was killed instantly." With that stark description, Craig Wilson begins his compelling feature story, "A Gay Son's Suicide, A Mom's Rebirth." The article appears on the front page of the Life section, in USA Today's May 9th issue. Wilson's article relates the powerful saga of Mary and Bobby Griffith. Mary, a fundamentalist "Christian," could not accept her son's homosexuality, and so she worked diligently to rid Bobby of "the most despicable evil of them all." Bobby killed himself in 1983, and it was then that Mary began the "journey from conservative church-goer to parade- marching activist." Wilson touches upon many of Griffith's tireless efforts as he charts her encouraging transformation. Through this story, Wilson reveals how the homophobia of the "religious right" can be "pretty deadly." He also includes comments from other lesbian and gay activists, who highlight a range key issues (suicide, resource programs, educational equity, PFLAG, cultural invisibility). USA Today is the nation's largest newspaper, reaching an estimated 5.5 million readers. It is no exaggeration to suggest that this kind of reporting could very well help save lives. The last words belong to Mary: if you have a gay son, "Just love him." Send your comments to: USA Today, 1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22229; fax 703-276-5513, e-mail usatoday@clark.net 12) Spin on Top "Homeless teens with HIV" are the subject of Dennis Cooper's essay in the June 1995 issue of Spin, a pop music-culture magazine targeted to the youth/young adult market. Whether they are queer or straight, many HIV+/homeless teens struggle to earn a living as "gay hustlers." Their story is an important one, too often untold. Cooper's essay ("AIDS: Words From the Front") focuses on "Jason," a "young, reckless, fledgling drummer in a ragtag Hollywood punk band" who is "also HIV-positive and homeless." In telling Jason's story, the author adopts a decidedly-subjective, moral tone that won't please every reader. Still, Cooper does allow his subjects to speak for themselves. And they do so with an eloquence that forcefully captures both their pathos and passion, their triumphs as well as their tragedies. Ultimately, Cooper's essay -- however "flawed" or partial -- is a welcome contribution on a subject that most mainstream media (and even some lesbian/gay outlets) prefer to ignore. Given our society's wide-spread persecution of young sex workers, such ignorance is intolerable. With this feature story, Spin provides a break in the silence that truly equals death. Comments may be sent to: Craig Marks, Executive Editor, Spin, 6 West 18th Street, New York, 10011; e-mail spinonline@aol.com 13) Dear Abby...Really!?! Among advice columnists, Abigail Van Buren has been sensitive to lesbian and gay issues. "Dear Abby's" May 5th column, however, seems an unfortunate exception. In that column, Van Buren reprinted a letter from a man who complained: "I am a bachelor in my early 30's...When I used to share an apartment with another bachelor, people assumed that we were gay. I now have a very nice place of my own. However, if I have bachelor friends over, I am still perceived as being gay. And if I entertain a female friend, people say I am bisexual...I am straight, and I am sick of all this ugly talk. What can I do to stop this vicious gossip?" "Dear Abby" advised the man that there was little he could do unless he knew who was behind the "ugly accusations." Van Buren closed her response by reprinting a poem she had previously p ublished about the horrors of "gossip," which "breaks hearts," "ruins lives," "topples governments," and "wrecks marriages." Not once did Van Buren question the premise that being "perceived as gay" is something "ugly." Not once did she suggest that it is homophobia that "ruins lives." Your advice may be sent to: Abigail Van Buren, "Dear Abby," P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles 90069. 14) Family Values Same-Sex Marriage The Spring National Gay & Lesbian Task Force 1995 Task Force Report featured same-sex marriage on the front page, alerts against bills introduced into the Alaska legislature against same sex marriage and domestic partnerships, and reports from Utah, South Dakota, and Alaska. The legislatures in Alaska, Utah and South Dakota are already dealing with same-sex marriage legislation designed to head off a positive ruling expected on a same-sex marriage case in Hawaii. Currently, no U.S. state recognizes marriage for same-sex couples. Alaska: Two bills recently introduced in the Alaska State Legislature could slow the efforts of local activists working for domestic partnerships and marriage for same-sex couples in that state. HB226 would prohibit domestic partnership benefits for state and university employees. HB227 would bar legal recognition of same-sex marriages. If passed, Alaska would become the second state this year to pass legislation banning marriage for same-sex couples. Contact: Governor Tony Knowles, State Capitol, PO Box 110001, Juneau, AK 99811; fax: (907) 465- 3980; e-mail: tony_knowles%gov@state.ak.us Utah: Utah activists are organizing to oppose legislation that banned recognition of same sex couples. South Dakota: The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, with local activists, helped form South Dakota's first gay organization - the South Dakota Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Federation - to defeat a bill banning same-sex marriages. Contacts: HERMP, Tom Ramsey, Secretary, Steering Committee, Hawaii Equal Rights M arriage Project, 1820 University Ave., Honolulu, HI 96822. NGLTF, 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009. 15) Hawaii Update On May 31, the Mormon Church in Hawaii filed a motion with Hawaii's Supreme Court to expedite their appeal of Circuit Court Judge Shimabukuro's decision against them. They would like their appeal decided this summer in advance of the scheduled Sept. 25 hearing date for Baehr v. Lewin in Circuit Court. The Mormon Church filed in February with Honolulu's Circuit Court to become co-defendants with the state against HERMP in Baehr v. Lewin. They were rejected in March by Circuit Court Judge Shimabukuro. The Mormons then appealed Shimabukuro's rejection to Hawaii's Supreme Court. Alas, for them, such appeals usually take one year and the Circuit Court is scheduled to hear Baehr v. Lewin on September 25. For this reason, the Mormons have filed for special treatment. HERMP's Dan Foley will provide a brief against the Mormons' request for an exped ited appeal. Jim Thomas, editor of the News-Telegraph (a leading lesbigay newspaper in the Midwest) wrote an op-ed piece "The coming storm over marriage" which predicts disaster greater than what happened with the military (it was also reprinted in San Jose's OutNow). Their email addresses are: newstele@aol.com and jct@netcom.com Jim's points are clear: "We are totally unprepared," our leaders are failing us, "because we made no effort to hold an internal discussion of the issue, we will not be unified...We are about to get creamed." 16) Buddhists to Hold Same-Sex Weddings Dear HERMP members, I am happy to state that a report I wrote, "Social Acceptance of Same-Sex Marriages: Models from Other Cultures," along with letters by others, led the USA Central Executive Conference of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist Association to decide to begin holding wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples. This is the largest Buddhist association in the USA. Their national newsp aper World Tribune (May 5, 1995) reported that SGI-USA General Director Fred Zaitsu said that allowing marriages for all Buddhists regardless of sexual orientation reflects the Buddhist "spirit of non-discrimination and equality. I believe we have made great progress toward making our organization more humanistic." Thanks to all those SGI members who wrote in to support this report. Step by step, we make progress. Best regards, Walter L. Williams Professor of Anthropology University of Southern California Los Angeles CA 90089-0032 17) "I Do" vs. "I Don't" In the May/June '95 issue of MS, the magazine's executive editor examines some of the urgent issues surrounding the lesbian/gay marriage debate within the lesbian/gay community ("Is Marriage The Answer?: Domestic Partnership Activists Don't Think So"). Contact: Barbara Findlen, Executive Editor, "MS," 230 Park Ave., New York 10169; e-mail ms@echonyc.com 18) Canadian Adoptions Four lesbian couples have been allowed to adopt children under a ground-breaking decision by Canadian court Judge David Nevins who granted adoption orders to the eight women, saying the definition of spouse under the relevant law in Ontario was discriminatory and violated Canada's charter of rights and freedoms. Nevins ruled that the Child and Family Services Act, which precluded gay and lesbian couples from applying to adopt, could not be justified in a free and democratic society. 19) Advertising The following businesses are currently advertising on the "Rush Limbaugh Show." Take a few moments to contact them and let them know your feeling about their support for America's leading hatemonger. Ralph's 1100 W. Artesia Blvd. Compton, Ca 90220 Kinko's P.O. Box 8000 Ventura, CA 93002-9928 Achievement Dynamics RE: Verbal Advantage 1150 Calle Cordillera San Clemente, CA 92672 Alpine Lace Brands, Inc. RE: Black Angus Restaurants 450 Newport center Newport Beach, CA 92660 Robinson-May 6160 Laurel Canyon North Hollywo od, CA 91606 Comp USA P.O. Box 1031 Palo Alto, CA 94303-0890 Gateway Products RE: Hooked on Phonics 1045 W Katella Ave., Ste. 20 Orange, CA 92667 Hunt Wesson, Inc. RE: Peter Pan Peanut Butter 1645 W. Valencia Dr. Fullerton, CA 92633 Right-Wing Hard at Work The American Family Association (AFA), Donald Wildmon's right-wing organization dedicated to media monitoring, claims an "active involvement of one million plus supporters." Wildmon describes his organization as "America's #1 pro-family organization fighting for wholesome, family-oriented TV." His well-funded efforts continually demonize gay men and lesbians while dispensing misinformation about our lives. Wildmon's newest campaign calls for a boycott of Unilever products which include Calvin Klein cosmetics, Close-Up toothpaste, Q-tip swabs, Vaseline products, Lipton tea, and the Dove, Lifebuoy and Lever 2000 brands of soap. According to Wildmon, Unilever is "a leading sponsor of programs promoting homosexuality." The c ampaign involves a "Nationwide Television Values Survey," mailed to his members. The "results" of the "survey" will be shared with major TV advertisers. The highly biased "survey" materials, which doubles as an AFA fundraising letter) state: "Our children are crying for network TV to teach them values. But instead of giving them values, Hollywood and network TV give your children...OVER 15,000 SEXUAL ACTS AND INNUENDOES IN A GIVEN YEAR!" "The single best way to change what's on TV," Wildmon writes," is to CONVINCE CORPORATE AMERICA TO STOP SPONSORING TV SHOWS which TEACH our children to be...SEXUALLY ACTIVE... ANTI-GOD and ANTI-FAMILY." With his "values survey," Wildmon has shipped out thousands of "boycott cards" that list Unilever's many products, instructing his members to "Send a message by leaving these products on the shelf." They have also been given pre-printed complaint postcards, addressed to Unilever. It's important for Unilever to hear from consumers who su pport the fair, accurate and diverse representation of lesbian and gay lives. Use one of our pre-addressed postcards, or send your personal comments to: Richard A. Goldstein, President, Unilever United States Inc., 390 Park Avenue, New York 10022; fax (212) 906-4411; Donald Wildmon can be reached through: AFA, P.O. Drawer 2440, Tupelo, MS 38803; Modem monitors can track AFA activities on America OnLine (in the publications library of the Religion forum; keyword "RELIGION") and CompuServe (in the Religion forum's Christianity library; "GO RELIGION"); AFA publications are also available through AFA's section of CompuServe's Christian Interactive Network ("GO CIN") or by e-mailing the AFA cult directly (AmFamily1@aol.com). In addition, the AFA is calling for a boycott of all products manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, because the company has advertised its Clairol Men's Choice hair products in The Advocate, a national lesbian/gay news magazine. Reportedly, letters from h omophobes "are pouring into corporate headquarters." Contact: Richard L. Gelb, Chair, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, 345 Park Avenue, New York 10154; fax: (212) 546-4020. Saturn is Out of this World A two-page advertisement for Saturn automobiles appears in the May issue of "Out" magazine, a national lesbian/gay monthly. According to business reporter Joann Muller, "It marks the first time that an American carmaker has advertised in the gay media." Saturn cars are manufactured by General Motors, which also purchased advertising time during the February broadcast of "Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story." "With this public success comes greater attack from the radical right," cautions "Out" editor Michael Goff. "The radical right crew is responding with massive letter-writing campaigns to our advertisers. The very existence of our institutions such as 'Out' magazine are at stake if companies are bullied out of making simple good business decisions." Enco urage General Motors to continue supporting "Out" as well as other vital and diverse lesbian/gay media. Contact: John Smale, Chair of the Board, General Motors Corporation, General motors Building, 3044 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202; Donald B. Bryant, Saturn Assistance Center, Saturn Corporation, 100 Saturn Parkway, P.O. Box 1500, Spring Hill, TN 37174-1500. 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: (213) U R GLAAD; fax (213) 658-6776; in New York (212) 802-1700; fax (212) 807-1806. 20) On Line Mediapolis New York based Mediapolis, Inc. puts businesses and organizations from al l over the world on the Internet's World Wide Web. Drawing upon extensive experience in computer system design, media marketing, and business affairs, Mediapolis works closely with its clients to create valuable sites and strategies for the Web. Using the most powerful computer equipment available and the highest band-width Internet connections, Mediapolis presents Web sites that are fast, effective and easy to access. Mediapolis commercial clients include Out Magazine, RCA Victor, Zoo Entertainment, ECM Records and Production Arts Lighting. As a community service Mediapolis provides sites pro-bono for not-for-profits like AIDS Projects Los Angeles, Hollywood Supports and GLAAD. The Mediapolis team consists of Michael Rhodes, a systems analyst with twelve years specialization in large-scale business and process control systems for the entertainment industry; Carl Pritzkat, a marketing director for BMG with over thirteen years experience media marketing; and Tony Travos tino, an ex-business affairs vice president for Multi Media Motion Pictures with ten years experience as an entertainment attorney. "Being gay owned and operated, we are especially proud to put GLAAD on the Internet. The GLAAD site is a textbook example of the Internet's power to inform, motivate and strengthen the Lesbian/Gay community," says Carl Pritzkat. Mediapolis, inc. can be reached at: fax: (212) 501-8239; 158 W. 81st St., Penthouse, New York 10024; e-mail: mediapolis@digitopia.com World Wide Web: http://www.digitopia.com/mediapolis/ GLAAD's address is http://www.datalounge.com/glaad/ Out Begins Gay Internet Service; Apple Sponsors With groundbreaking sponsorship from Apple Computer Inc., Out magazine is about to do for cyberspace what it's done in print. The magazine launched OUT.com, a new kind of World Wide Web service,during the first week of June, the start of Gay Pride Month (http://www.out.com). According to Out editor and president Michael Goff, O UT.com will be the first commercially sponsored gay site on the Internet, with Apple Computer as the sole sponsor for the site's first month online. Out is America's bestselling gay and lesbian publication, with a circulation of more than 120,000 worldwide. With contributions from the magazine and a network of local gay newspapers, OUT.com will be the first timely national source for information of Gay Pride month and beyond. America's leading gay newspapers will participate in OUT.com, including The Washington Blade, Miami's The Weekly News, Seattle Gay News, Philadelphia Gay News, New York's HomoXtra, San Francisco Bay Times, and the Lesbian News. "The level of community involvement in OUT.com will be unique - there isn't a site on the 'Net this interactive," said Carl Pritzkat, principal of Mediapolis, Inc, which designed the site. New GLAAD e-mail Activation Tree! Attention all activists in Cyberspace! Help GLAAD advocate for fair, accurate and inclusive repres entations of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals by becoming part of our new e-mail activation tree. You will receive our activations and alerts as they come out, so that you may contact the various media outlets in the quickest way possible. All those interested should send your e-mail address to GLAADNATL@aol.com Please write, "e-mail activation tree" as the subject and then write us a small note to add you to our tree and your e-mail address in the text. 21) 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. Access GLAAD on: World Wide Web at: http://www.datalounge.com/glaad/ Queer Resources Directory: qrd@vector.casti.com Soc.motss (members of the same sex): subscribe to the UseNet Group GayNet-Digest: subscr ibe 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 for 2400 bps, (213) 658-6573 for 14,400 bps. GLAAD now has a national e-mail address: GLAADNATL@aol.com If you have any questions, information, want to join the e-mail activation list, or want membership information, please write us! 22) Letters Dear GLAAD - I sent the following letter to all of the sponsors ("Serving in Silence"). Attached are the responses I have received to date. Joyce Miller Sunnyvale, CA Dear Advertising Manager: I want to thank you and commend your organization for sponsoring the excellent television special "Se rving in Silence." The accurate and sensitive portrayal of a lesbian American serving her country with such distinction will go (a) long way to change the negative stereotypes often seen and talked about in the media. I know you will receive criticism from people who promote homophobia and hatred of homosexuals. Please know that there are many of us who support your business decision to sponsor this program. As a mother of a gay son and a lesbian daughter, I sincerely appreciate programs that portray gays and lesbians as the fine human beings I know them to be. Again thanks and keep up the good work. Sincerely, Joyce Miller Repsonses to Joyce Miller's letter include: "Thank you for your recent letter concerning Slim-Fast Foods Company. The best way for Slim-Fast Foods Company to measure the success of Slim-Fast products and advertisements is when people like yourself, write or call to tell their opinions. Please accept the enclosed compliment ary coupons..." "Thank you for taking the time to commend us (Hormel Foods) for advertising...We have forwarded your comments to our marketing executives...they will appreciate learning of such positive support." "We would like to assure you that Warner-Lambert is committed to sponsoring television programs which represent, in a balanced and tasteful manner, controversial issues...Your feedback is much appreciated and truly valued." "Thank you for contacting us regarding Bernstein's Dressings...Your comments will be passed along to our Marketing Department...I am enclosing a coupon towards a future purchase..." "Thank you for taking the time to let us know how strongly you approve of the appearance of Taco Bell advertising...As a business leader Taco Bell takes its repsonsibilities within the community very seriously...Please accept these coupons..." "Since we (Kraft) sponsored our first hour-long television program on May 7, 1947, we have tried to present top-rated programs and Specials which have family appeal and good entertainment value. (Coupon enclosed)" "Your comments will interest and encourage our (Pillsbury) marketing and media people." "We appreciate your taking time to share with us your thoughts... If we can ever be of assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact Saturn (cars) at 1 (800) 553-6000." Dear G.L.A.A.D.: I am ready! I am not a wealthy man, but I do have some time I can donate. I can answer phones, mail letters, make some calls. I've sat by quietly all my life thinking that it will get better, my government will take care of me, protect me and people like me. Well, bullshit!! I'm too old to be afraid of what people think of me, or who see's me where. So, I'm through being afraid and quiet. Stephen L. Golding Arkansas Dear Editors, Redbook: Re: Your May 95 issue. The cover says, of Whitney Houston, "...ugly rumors..." Ann Elliot's article states "...annoy ing questions about her sexuality..." I resent very much the qualifying adjectives, "ugly" and "annoying." There's nothing ugly or undignified or shameful about being gay... As a lesbian, you're losing me as a reader...I give not one whit whether Whitney Houston is a lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual. It's you I take issue with. Sincerely, Marta Brady Los Angeles, CA 23) GLAAD News GLAAD IMAGES When you turn the page you will be seeing GLAAD IMAGES latest campaign poster celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual couples and families. This beautiful poster may be purchased for only $10.00. Warm your happy home with this beautiful poster which features couples and families from around the country including: Brenda & Wanda Henson, Ovett, Mississippi; Doug Robinson, Michael Elsasser and sons, Justing & Zachery, New York, NY; Joe Melillo & Pat Lagon, Hawaii; Honey Ward & Lynn Shepodd, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Daniel Shapiro, Agnes Gund with daughter, Catherine Saalfield & Melanie Hope, New York, NY; Marc Holzman & mother, Margherita Holzman, Orange, New Jersey; Juan Carlos & brother, Andie Montoya-Montes, New York, NY; Dorothy Allison, Alix Layman & son, Wolf, San Francisco, California; Eugene Goforth & Robert Menas, Palm Springs, California; Ashley Herrin & Catherine Angiel, New York, NY; Rod & Bob Jackson-Paris, Seattle, Washington; Davidson & Kim Baysia, New York, NY; Genora Dancel & Ninia Baehr, Hawaii; Police Officer Emma Llaurado, Police Officer Fran DeCenedictis & son, Alexander, Brooklyn, NY; and Lyle Ashton Harris, Thomas Allen Harris & mother, Rudean Harris Leinaeng, Los Angeles & San Diego, California. You may send your check or money order to either GLAAD LA or NY office, or call us directly at (213) 658-6775 (LA) or (212) 807-1700 (NY) to order with your VISA or MC by phone. GLAAD is currently fundraising to place the IMAGES campaign on a slide advertisement in movie theaters nationwide. For information on how you can sponsor a movie slide placement and bring this pro-gay, pro-family message to a theater near you, please call Membership Director Cathay Che in the New York office at (212) 807-1700. 24) Good Health at William Morris Starting this summer, The William Morris Agency will become the second agency to offer health coverage to its employees and their companions, regardless of gender or marital status. (Creative Artists Agency adopted the plan last month.) The structuring of the innovative policy, which is expected to be available to Morris employees by mid or late summer, was hammered out with assistance from Hollywood Supports, a clearing house for the entertainment industry on AIDS and gay issues. To be eligible, couples must sign an affidavit and certify that they have cohabited for at least one year. The policy will offer married and unmarried couples the same benefits. Among the studios, MCA/Universal, Sony, Warner Bros. and Viacom, now offe r this health coverage concept to its employees. 25) Big Brother is Watching The FBI is spying on AIDS activists and gay rights groups, according to documents made public under the Freedom of Information Act obtained by the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York City. The records doumented surveillance of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), the Gay Men's Health Crisis, the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights and Senior Action in a Gay Environment. ACT UP said it announces at the start of every meeting that undercover officers probably are present. "It's just a given they're there, and it's a waste of their time," said Ann Northrop, an AIDS educator and a spokeswoman for ACT UP. "I think the Oklahoma bombing proves that they're looking in the wrong place for trouble." (ACT UP has never committed violent acts, or thrown blood or condoms, Northrop said. One memo showed agents were worried about AIDS contamination at demonstrations.) "This has been go ing on forever," said Eleanor Cooper, a spokeswoman for the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights who has been an activist for more than two decades. "They're very good at spying on us, but they've never been good at spying on people like those miserable creatures in Oklahoma." 26) GLAAD Offices: Portland, Oregon... From The Field by Donna Red Wing The National Field Office is pleased to welcome our summer intern, Louis Eugene Cooper. Louis, who lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a journalism senior at the University of Alabama. He brings to the National Field Office phenomenal journalism and gay activism experience. As an out and open gay man in Tuscaloosa, Louis will teach us a great deal about what it means to be queer in America. He will work with us for three months and will be responsible for a number of projects including our Radical Right library, the NFO archives and grants research for local outlets. He will work, in the field, in Southern and Central Oregon, in Portland and Seattle. We hope to offer him a smorgasbord of GLAAD activism, from the day-to-day, nuts-and-bolts work to actions and alerts. We invite you to call Louis at 503.224.5285 and welcome him to GLAAD. May has been an extremely busy month. Our "Braveheart" project was, in our chapter premiere cities, a real success, raising awareness and garnering extraordinary press. Media trainings, meetings, workshops and speeches took me to Santa Cruz, Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago and San Francisco this month. In Chicago, Randy Snyder and I facilitated a most successful Media 101 training. Participants represented a real diversity of GLBT communities within Chicagoland. As always, Meet The Press and on-camera interviews reinforced the training and offered real insight into the reality of media relations. Media 101 is, in my opinion, a must for any GLBT group who wants to really understand and manage their coverage. "Day of Compassion" Kits were created at the National Field Office and sent out to chapters interested in doing "Day of Compassion" media work in their cities; Dallas, Atlanta, the National Capital Area, Kansas City, San Francisco and Chicago, and to our affiliate at the Triangle Foundation in Detroit. Thom Kincheloe and I wish to thank Rich Jennings and Hollywood Supports for their assistance. Together we created, I think, a wonderful project, one that offered the chapters relevant and realistic options and the tools to create a local response. We continue to outreach around the country, offering activists a way to get involved and to create a GLAAD presence in their locale. Thom and I will be focusing on specific geographic areas for our summer outreach and will do a good deal of rural organizing. Again, if GLAAD members would like information about creating a GLAAD Lookout or OUTpost in their area, please call the National Field Office for information and an organizing kit. We'll help you to become a media activ ist in your city or town. From Chicago... by Randy Snyder Mike Royko, a long-time Chicago Tribune columnist, was arrested for drunkdriving (and a related traffic accident) in December of last year. Recently, a photocopy of the police report of that incident was made public. In this report, a litany of homophobic and racist slurs are attributed to Royko. Royko is quoted as saying "Get your hands off me, you fucking fag" and "fuck you fag, get your fucking hands off me, jag off queer" to the arresting officer. To the ambulance crew, he is quoted as saying: "Get away from me. What are you, fags? Why are you wearing those fag gloves...?" And while being processed, Royko is said to have asked: "You fucking loser, what's your ethnicity, you fag?" Among Royko's bigoted columns, he wrote a piece on March 24, 1994 entitled "Depressing Oscars" criticizing the Academy Awards ceremony. In the column he remarked that he thought Tom Hanks' acceptance speeck was "incoherent, w eepy (and) blubbering." Hanks had just won Best Actor for his role in "Philadelphia." Send your comments, or one of our pre-addressed postcards, to: Mike Royko, Columnist, and Howard Tyner, Editor, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; fax (312) 222-3143. From Kansas City... by Jeanie Keeny and Marilyn Hutchinson On May 24, 1995 GLAAD/Kansas City held its second annual Leadership Awards and Reception at the Central Exchange with over 150 people in attendance. The Awards are presented to community leaders for specific acts of leadership in education and human rights. Winners included were: Art Brisbane, Editor, and the Kansas City Star, Robert Birle, educator and co-founder of Project 21, Cynthia Levin, Producing Artistic Director Unicorn Theatre, Karen McCarthy, U.S. Representative, Lydia A. Moore, Family Health Services, and Paul Smith, senior pastoral leader, Broadway Baptist Church. From Los Angeles...The Freedom to Marry by Rob Volpe and N ancy Perez Great things have been happening in the Los Angeles area surrounding GLAAD and the Freedom to Marry Coalition. The GLAAD booth at Long Beach was very successful, the drawing for a trip for two to Hawaii generated over $450 in ticket donations ($1 each). Our Polaroid snapshots ($5) taken of you and a loved one in some wedding paraphernalia provided lasting memories of this year's pride activities. Several give-away items proved very popular, including a GLAAD magnet with the hotline numbers both in Los Angeles and New York. Over 2,000 were given away! More importantly, the GLAAD volunteers handed out over a thousand wedding bands and informational brochures on the freedom to marry and the pending court case in Hawaii. While many people are aware that the case is coming up, many didn't know the particulars and how the outcome would ultimately affect them. Some people thought the case was over and that marriages were legal. There was very high interest in the issue with nearly everyone the volunteers talked to. Our presence at CSW in West Hollywood is even bigger. A 20' flatbed truck provided our platform for the marriage ceremonies we performed at the parade. While civil ceremonies are not yet legal, our float was instrumental in GLAAD's campaign to create awareness of the issue in the Los Angeles area. GLAAD volunteers were also decked out in T-shirts that carried the GLAAD theme "Freedom to Marry: Love Makes a Family" and prominently displayed the GLAAD logo along with the logos of the Center, P-FLAG, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund and GAPSN/LAAPIS. All of these organizations, along with virtually every gay and lesbian organization in Los Angeles are banding together to continue the fight for our civil rights in this very important cause. GLAAD, Lambda and the Center, in association with 10 Percent magazine, sponsored a wedding reception on Thursday, June 22 at Trigo restaurant. The host committee included Chas tity Bono, Melissa Etheridge, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg among many others. What was also incredible is that all of the following organizations signed on to participate and be involved with this function and show their support of the Freedom to Marry Coalition: APLA, ACLU Foundation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, ANGLE, Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team, Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum, Congregation Kol Ami, Hollywood Supports, HRCF, GAPSN, LAAPIS, Japanese Americans Citizens League, API Lambda Chapter, Lawyers for Human Rights, Lesbian & Gay Bar Association, LLEGO, Lesbian & Gay Rights Chapter of ACLU, MCC, NGLTF, National Gay & Lesbian Journalist Association, P-FLAG, Stonewall Democratic Club, and the Valley Business Association. The summer of '95 is only half way over as GLAAD will have a booth at both Orange County Gay Pride and at Sunset Junction Street Fair. Stop by, pick up a magnet, a brochure so you can educate your friends about th e Freedom to Marry campaign, and while you're there, get a ticket for the Hawaii drawing and have a Polaroid photo taken of you and your loved ones! From New York... 150 participants gathered for the GLAAD "Psychic" Singles event on Sunday, May 7 at the Flamingo East. On site psychic gave free advice to hopeful singles and drag diva Hedda Lettuce hosted drawings for raffle and scavenger hunt prizes. The event was coordinated by volunteer Michael Green and The Membership Committe and sponsored by Absolut, Homo-Xtra, Raymond Dragon and The Gay Rose. NCA... by Cathy Renna Following GLAAD/NCA's activation against the Washington Post for its inflammatory editorial "Why Another Bathhouse in D.C.," we met with Colbert King of the editorial staff. Craig Wilson (Life section, USA Today) was a great speaker at the Monitor/Response meeting on June 1, and discussed his working on gay issues as well as his experience as an openly gay reporter at a national newspaper. GLAAD/NCA participated in a Black Gay and Lesbian Pride Day and Montgomery County (Maryland) Pride, with an information booth. In addition to particpating in the protests against "Braveheart," we got a pre-protest promo from local NBC affiliate WRC, and they followed up with post-protest coverage. GLAAD/NCA put on a "Media Coverage of Gay Issues in the Nation's Capital" panel as part of Lesbian & Gay Freedom Festival on June 13. The panel included Mike Getler, Deputy Managing Editor, Washington Post; Armando Chapelli, Publisher, El Tiempo Latino; Stewart Perkins, BET; Richard Reingold, News Director, WRC-TV; Steve Cheney, NGLJA, Washington D.C. Chapter; and Candace Mays, WJLA. Cathy Renna was moderator. From San Diego... GLAAD/San Diego held its 1995 Media Awards at the Red Lion Hotel Hazard Center on June 29. Garrett Glaser hosted the event. Receiving recognition were: KGTV, KNSD, San Diego Union Tribune, KPBS On Air Magazine, KSDO, Gay & Lesbian Times, Update, The Daily Aztec, Radio 92.5, Greg Louganis, Reverend David Farrell and Diversionary Theater. GLAAD/San Diego does not accept Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham's phony apology for his use of the anti-gay slur "homo." Cunningham, in a written statement issued by his office to "further clarify" his remarks, and in verbal remarks before a May 12 press conference as reported by Associated Press, offered the lame excuse that "he often shortened words, a habit from the military, where he was a Navy pilot." Cunningham's morning-after "apology" reinforces the impression of either blatant dishonesty, in denying that he knew the term "homo" was derogatory, or incredible stupidity, in admitting that he did not know the term would be found offensive. GLAAD/San Diego co-president Dennis Lucarelli adds that "lately, it seems that the bigots are coming out of the closet in droves. Who are these people, who know nothing about gays except a few hate words they learned in kindergarten, to set the mselves up as judges of everyone else? Their hateful words,whether directed at immigrants, people of color, non-Christians, women, environmentalists, or any other group they judge to be unworthy, is creating a dangerous climate of intolerance where harassment of minorities and attacks upon other good and decent people everywhere become acceptable." From San Francisco... by Laurie Falik, Al Kielwasser and Kathleen Wilkinson On May 23, California's Attorney General -- Dan Lungren -- joined with six other state attorneys general in attacking lesbian/gay/bisexual civil rights. "In the name of the people of California," Lungren asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Colorado's "Amendment 2," a 1992 initiative that would have deprived lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens of equal protection under the law. Lungren argued that lesbians and gays are NOT victims of persistent discrimination and that the U.S. Constitution was NOT meant to protect "every and an y special interest group." Lungren's homophobic diatribe was roundly condemned by the San Francisco Examiner, one of the city's major daily newspapers. In a May 25 editorial statement ("Lungren's Harmful Meddling"), the Examiner argued that Lungren had acted "without even a veneer of legal respectability" in supporting Amendment 2. Send comments to: James A. Finefrock, Editor of the Editorial Pages, San Francisco Examiner, P.O. Box 7260, San Francisco, CA 94120; fax (415) 512-1264, e-mail sfexaminer@aol.com Detailing Hate Radio... The June '95 issue of "Details" magazine includes an extensive profile of Spencer Hughes, "the youngest talk-radio host in America, and possibly the angriest." Hughes is on staff at KSFO, an all-conservative (and all-homophobic) San Francisco-based talk radio station, owned by ABC/Capitol Cities. Contact: Joe Dolce, Editor-In-Chief, Details, 350 Madison Ave., New York 10017...DJ Gary Bryant - of Northern California radio station KFRC -- ha s been playing the role of Schlock Jock-In-Residence. On May 23, he described sports writers as a "bunch of limp wristed little jerks" and complained that Bay Area media are "wimpy and feminized." Contact: KFRC, 500 Washington St., San Francisco, CA 94111. 27) Tony for "Love" "Love! Valour! Compassion!'' - Terrence McNally's play about a group of gay men - won the 1995 Tony award for the year's best play, capping an awards ceremony in which the musical "Sunset Boulevard'' emerged as the night's big winner. 28) Navratilova on HBO HBO Sports has hired tennis superstar Martina Navratilova as a Wimbledon commentator. Unless they are closeted, lesbian and gay athletes aren't offered very many high-profile positions in sports journalism. Support for HBO's hiring decision can be directed to Ross Greenburg, Executive Producer, HBO Sports, Home Box Office, 1100 Avenue of the Americas, New York. 29) Cheers & Queers The "Cheers & Jeers" section of TV Guide magazine has consiste ntly supported affirmative, high-quality lesbian, gay and bisexual television. The June 3 issue is no exception. This time, a "cheer" is given to gay actor Scott Thompson. Thompson is formerly of "Kids In The Hall" and is now joining the cast of HBO's "Larry Sanders Show," where he will play a gay character. To compliment "TV Guide" for yet another "cheer," contact: Anthea Disney, Editor-in-Chief, TV Guide, Radnor, PA 19088 (if you want your comments considered for publication, send them to: Letters Department or e-mail tvgeditor@delphi.com). 30) This Way Out The international lesbian/gay radio magazine, This Way Out, is carried by over 85 public/community radio stations around the world, and is also aired on the global short-wave station "Radio For Peace International" (RFPI). For a complete carrier list or more information, contact: This Way Out, P.O. Box 38327, Los Angeles 90038-0327; e-mail TWOradio@aol.com 31) Film Festival Entries Cine Accion is seeking entries for a festival of film and video works that reflect the dignity and diversity of Latino/a, Latin American and Caribbean communities. They are particularly interested in productions that treat such subjects as migration/immigration, youth issues, and the Latin American response to oppression and injustice. Deadline for entries is June 12, 1995. For details, contact: Cine Accion, 346 9th St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103; fax (415) 863-7428. 32) Rewarding Experience The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) is seeking nominations for its Electronic Media Awards, "rewarding excellence in electronic journalism on issues concerning the lesbian and gay community." All works submitted must have been broadcast between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 1995. Deadline for submissions is August 15, 1995. For details, contact contest coordinator Darrel Adams, NLGJA National Office, 874 Gravenstein Highway South, Suite 4, Sebastopol, CA 95472. 33) NEA Today The Ma y 1995 issue of NEA Today, the newsletter of the National Education Association, contains "A Case Study in Gay-Bashing." This article examines attempts by homophobic parents to block implementation of a Virginia sex education curriculum. Contact: NEA, 1201 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-3290. 34) Parental Guidance "Queer Son," a new video by PFLAG mom Vicki Seitchik, is described as "a powerful 40+ minute documentary that reveals the challenges, sorrows and joys of several parents of gay and lesbian children." Contact: Vicki Seitchik, 9 Jackson Street, Cape May, NJ 08204; fax (609) 884-0264. 35) TV Writers & On-Air Talent Wanted GLAAD is seeking TV writers and on-air talent to work on our weekly cable TV spot "The GLAAD MediaWatch." This 3-minute segment is produced in New York and airs in the tri-state area and in parts of the Southwest on gay cable programs. Please call Cathay Che in the GLAAD New York office at (212) 807-1700. Talent is requested to send headsho t and resume to: Cathay Che, GLAAD, 150 W. 26 St., New York 10001. 36) "Workplace Sexual Orientation" GLAAD and Hollywood Supports report that over two dozen, highly trained, volunteer facilitators are available to present the 90-minute seminar "Workplace Sexual Orientation" 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.