Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 15:25:48 +0100
From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD)
Subject: GLAAD CONDEMNS CENSORSHIP OF "FRIENDS" EPISODE

GLAAD CONDEMNS CENSORSHIP OF "FRIENDS" EPISODE

Contact:        Claudia Manley
                212 807-1700

                Robert Nowland
                213 658-6775

        NEW YORK -- January 18, 1996 --  Two television stations (KJAC in Port
Arthur, Texas and WLIO in Lima, Ohio) have refused to clear tonight's
episode of  "Friends" in its regular timeslot due to the content of a
lesbian wedding scene and are supporting censorship standards rather than
community standards, according to William Waybourn, managing director of the
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
        "The content of this episode of 'Friends' has been widely discussed for
weeks and celebrates the commitment ceremony of two characters who happen to
be both women.  For these stations to pull the plug at the last minute is
censorship, pure and simple.  By not airing the program in its timeslot,
they are sending a chilling message to America that there's something wrong
with lesbian and gay couples publicly stating their commitments to one
another," Waybourn said.
        Ron Kelly, station manager of the NBC affiliate in Port Arthur, Texas,
KJAC, said, "We do not believe the episode of 'Friends' meets the prevailing
standards of good taste in our community."  Kelly said his station objected
to the way the content was handled.
        Despite a last minute plea from GLAAD not to give in to
conservative groups who are attempting to keep the show from airing, Kelly
refused.  Waybourn
said Kelly had no idea how many lesbian and gay youth would be adversely
affected by the action.  "I can't help him with the ratings, but I do know
the facts:  lesbian and gay youth are three times more at risk for suicide
attempts because of stupid tricks like this," Waybourn said.
        Waybourn said GLAAD is asking its members to contact the stations and
express their displeasure over the censoring of the episode.  GLAAD also
commends NBC and 'Friends' for their courage to display a realistic
portrayal of American culture that conservative groups would like to hide.
        Contact Ron Kelly, station manager at KJAC in Port Arthur, Texas,
at (409) 985-5557, and WLIO in Lima, Ohio at (419) 228-8835.  Contact NBC
president
Warren Littlefield at (818) 840-4444.
        GLAAD is a national organization that promotes fair, accurate and
inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means
of
combating homophobia and all forms of discrimination based on sexual
orientation or identity.

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Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
glaad@glaad.org
http://www.glaad.org

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD, is a national
organization that promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation of
individuals and events in the media as a means of combatting homophobia and
all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
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