Date: Thu, 11 Apr 1996 13:38:57 -0700
From: glaad@glaad.org (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
Subject: GLAAD DEMANDS APOLOGY FOR ANTI-GAY SLUR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

contact:        John Henning
                (213) 658-6775

                Loren R. Javier
                (213) 658-6775
                javier@glaad.org


GLAAD DEMANDS APOLOGY FOR ANTI-GAY SLUR

LOS ANGELES, CA -- April 11, 1996 -- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation (GLAAD) joins the coalition of Asian American organizations in
condemning racist remarks made about Asian-Americans by Bill Handel, a
radio host for KFI in Los Angeles.

Handel's remarks come on the heels of an anti-gay slur he made during his
show on March 7, 1996, in which he described a waiter he had encountered in
a restaurant as a "prancy little fag."

"Handel's racist and homophobic remarks are deplorable," said John Henning,
Chair of GLAAD's Media Monitoring & Response Committee in Los Angeles.  "In
particular, the word 'fag' has no place on the airwaves -- not even to make
a point, or for comedic effect.  There is no justification for such
comments.  They only give a green light to people who would commit violence
against gay men and lesbians."

GLAAD demands an on-air apology from both Handel and KFI management for
Handel's anti-gay remark.   GLAAD also supports the Asian Pacific American
Legal Center, the Media Action Network for Asian Americans, the
Japanese-American Citizens and the Chinese-American Civil Liberties
Organization in their demand for an apology for Handel's attack on
Asian-Americans.

GLAAD is a national organization that promotes fair, accurate and inclusive
representation of individuals and events in the media as a means of
challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.


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Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
glaad@glaad.org
VISIT THE GLAAD WEB SITE AT 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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