Date: Fri, 1 Aug 1997 19:58:10 +0100
From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD)
Subject: GLAADAlert August 1, 1997


GLAADALERT
August 1, 1997
The GLAADAlert is the weekly activation tool of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation

KCBS Falls Prey To Anti-Gay Propaganda
On July 30, KCBS-Los Angeles ran a glaringly anti-gay propagandist story
posing as news. The piece centered on Andy Comiskey, a so-called "ex-gay"
who, with his wife Annette, founded the Anaheim-based Desert Stream
Ministries which claims to help gay men and lesbians "change" their sexual
orientation. With "Amazing Grace" playing in the background, soft-focus
pictures of the Comiskey's wedding and children and commentary from crying
parents who were just happy that their child was now "living a clean life
and living for the Lord and doing what he was created to do," the
eight-minute segment could not have been better produced as an ad for
Desert Stream Ministries. As a bone tossed toward "balance," the piece
ended with a brief mention that ten percent of the population is gay and
leading "healthy and satisfying lives."

GLAAD and The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center met with officials from KCBS
news the next day. While claiming it had no intention of making it anti-gay
and apologizing if it came off that way, KCBS had thought that this would
be a "controversial" piece. While putting the piece together, it evolved
into a "personal story." KCBS noted that it was their intention to show all
sides of this issue in upcoming stories and to read some of the responses
that were posted on their Web site about it. After the meeting, KCBS ran
reaction to the piece from local lesbian and gay advocates during their Six
O'clock News. However, prior to their reactions, KCBS showed the offensive
original segment once again. After explicit protests from GLAAD
representatives, KCBS finally decided to run more reaction during the
Eleven O'clock News, without showing the eight-minute anti-gay propaganda
first. It featured commentary from gay advocates, psychologist Betty Berzon
and a priest who welcomed gay people in his congregation. It also advised
parents not to shun their children if they come out as gay or lesbian and
noted that the core problem is society's homophobia.

While based more in homo-ignorance than homophobia, KCBS's story revealed a
profound insensitivity to gay men and lesbians and an incredible
gullibility with a story that peddled in myths, lies and religious snake
oil. Still, after meeting with GLAAD and other organizations, KCBS proved
eager to better represent lesbians and gay men with fairness and accuracy.

Please write KCBS and let them know that while its attempt to rectify the
situation is appreciated, the original piece was shockingly bad news
coverage that ventured into propaganda. Encourage them to consult with gay
and lesbian organizations in the future when covering issues affecting our
community.
Contact: Larry Perret, News Director, KCBS-TV, 6121 Sunset Boulevard, Los
Angeles, California 90028-6423, fax: 213.460.3079, e-mail:
cbs2news@channel2000.com, feedback form on WWW:
http://www.kcbs-tv.com/email/index.html.

Deal With This...
"Deal With It," a regular column in the Rolla (Missouri) Daily News, ran a
July 29 piece  entitled "Cunanan is Dead, and Aren't We All A Little Better
Off?" that uses the crimes of Andrew Cunanan as a stick with which writer
Bill Morrison bashes the entire lesbian and gay community. Using the Bible
to justify his hatred, Morrison manages to not only trot out the usual
misinformation about the community, but then maintains that Cunanan did a
good thing, by killing 2 fellow gay men. "According to news reports," the
columnist writes, "Cunanan's killing spree involved homosexual people he
probably had had past relationships with. Which leads me to wonder, where's
the downside to this story?" Morrison continues on claiming that being gay
is "unnatural" and a choice, how Cunanan would have been in "hog heaven" if
imprisoned, and how if he had gone to a counselor to deal with his being
gay people may not have died. Lastly, the columnist spews, "On reflection,
I believe what happened was for the best. Cunanan is dead and he took along
several people who were ultimately contributing to the erosion of the moral
state of the country."

It is obvious that Morrison saw Andrew Cunanan's crimes as a perfect spot
from which to preach his anti-gay views. The climate surrounding the media
coverage of Cunanan's murders unfortunately contributed to the perceptions
that his orientation and the murders were causally linked.

Tell the Rolla Daily News that the overtly homophobic Morrison needs to
learn about the lesbian and gay community, and that the paper owes
Cunanan's victims and all of us a huge apology. Tell them to deal with
that!
Contact: Stephen E. Sowers, Publisher, Rolla Daily News, 101 W. Seventh
St., Rolla, MO 65401, fax: 573.341.5847, e-mail: rdn@rollanet.org.

Lifetime Premieres Any Mother's Son
On August 11, Lifetime Television will premiere Any Mother's Son: The
Dorothy Hajdys Story, a touching and thought-provoking made-for-TV movie.
In 1992 Hajdys' son, Allen Schindler, was brutally beaten to death in Japan
by two fellow Navy shipmates because he was gay.  Any Mother's Son depicts
the struggle of Hajdys to accept that her beloved son was gay.  She then
discovers that the Navy was covering up important details about the case
against the two accused of killing her son in order to avoid addressing the
high numbers of anti-gay attacks within the armed forces .

Any Mother's Son will also be shown on August 14, 17, 23 and 31.  Please
watch, and then thank Lifetime for bringing this powerful story to the
small screen.
Contact: Lisa Nee, Program Director, Lifetime, 309 W. 49th St., New York,
NY 10019, fax: 212.957.4448, e-mail: comments@www.lifetimetv.com, feedback
form on WWW: http://www.lifetimetv.com/home/mail/index.html.

Cunanan Media Coverage Defames Gay Community
The July 29 San Jose Mercury News evaluated some possible long-term effects
of Cunanan media coverage, including fueling a misperception of a "gay
underworld," overemphasizing gay "sugar daddies," and the HIV blame craze.
The article quotes gay activists from all over the country, noting "the
problem is that Cunanan and the details of his racy, scheming and
apparently violent life only reflect the reality of one individual--not an
entire minority group," adding that the activists "believe that the
mainstream media were largely responsible for perpetuating the myth that
Cunanan was a part of a gay underworld, where decency and morals have long
been forgotten and prostitution and murder are commonplace." In addition,
it quotes Chris Thomas, editor of San Joe's gay newspaper OutNOW!, noting
that the public made "'a lasting connection between HIV and the killings'"
as the media widely reported on an AIDS organization volunteer who spoke
with Cunanan. Since then, Cunanan has been confirmed as HIV-negative.
Finally, the story notes that much was made of Cunanan's being a "gay
gigolo": "The fact is, there are some older, affluent gay men who pay to
maintain the company of young, attractive partners...but the same is true
of heterosexuals."

The San Jose Mercury News has the self-awareness to realize that the
media's irresponsible Cunanan coverage warps the realities of the gay
community. By noting this and acknowledging their own hand in it, the
Mercury News educates the public about stereotypes and holds the media
industry accountable.

Please thank the San Jose Mercury News for an insightful article which
speaks to the morality of balanced coverage.
Contact: David Yarnold, Managing Editor, San Jose Mercury News, 750 Ridder
Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190-0001, fax: 408.288.8060, e-mail:
letters@sjmercury.com.

ET Gets Positive
Last week, Entertainment Tonight 's top story was about Michael Jeter, who
co-stared with Burt Reynolds on television's Evening Shade, coming out as a
gay man living with HIV. ET highlighted Jeter's attitude of responsibility
and his optimism in dealing with his HIV status. Explaining how it felt to
come out as HIV-positive at a Hollywood AIDS symposium, he says, "'I was
scared the moment I said it, I thought, 'Am I going to work again?' you
know,  'Am I going to be able to get insurance?' Frankly, it feels good not
to carry the secret anymore. Secrets rot your soul, they are useless
things.'" He also says, "'For the wonder that is my life and has been my
life, I am extremely, sublimely grateful.... I am a happy, happy man. I
have a wonderful person in my life. If I died tonight, I'd die happy." He
plans to continue living a full life, and expects to live as long with HIV
than he would have without it.

Entertainment Tonight shows us the personal side of Jeter and how he has
come to live with HIV. By spotlighting gay celebrities and those with HIV,
Entertainment Tonight helps Americans understand how the epidemic affects
people.

Please thank Entertainment Tonight for including this uplifting story.
Contact: Linda Bell Blue, Executive Producer, Entertainment Tonight, 5555
Melrose Ave., MAE W. Bldg. #120, Los Angeles, CA 90038-3197, fax:
213.862.4954, e-mail: et@pde.paramount.com.

Looking Beyond Cunanan
Two articles that ran on July 25 helped examine the perspective of the
lesbian and gay community in the aftermath of Andrew Cunanan and the media
surrounding him. USA Today examined the relationship between gay and
lesbian communities across the country and law enforcement. Reporters
Richard Willing and Maria Puente talked about the difficulties FBI agents
had in approaching the community, and the traditional wariness of lesbians
and gay men towards law enforcement. The article talks to both FBI
representatives and community members, all of whom hope the gains made
during this difficult time are only the beginning. Newsday in New York
covered the five serial murderers of gay men and transgender people who
remain at large. The article quotes Christine Quinn, executive director of
the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project talking about how hard it is to
get law enforcement to take the murders of lesbians and gay men as
seriously as they might otherwise, and points out that it was the murder of
Chicago businessman Lee Miglin that first brought Andrew Cunanan to light.
Reporter Karen Freifeld finished with a summary of each of the five serial
murderers and their crimes. USA Today also finished their story with
information about the unsolved murders.

Please let USA Today and Newsday know that their efforts to cover the
lesbian and gay community thoroughly are appreciated, and that alerting
their readers to the unsolved murders may help stop violence against us.
Contact: David Mazzarella, Editor, USA Today, 1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington,
VA 22229, fax: 703.276.6585, e-mail: editor@usatoday.com; Anthony Marro,
Editor, Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Road, Melville, NY 11747, fax: 516.843.2953,
e-mail: letters@newsday.com.

Miami Herald-Local Coverage, Done Right
As the local paper of record in the Greater Miami area, the Miami Herald
covered Andrew Cunanan's crimes with excellence and humanity, showing that
solid journalism is alive and well despite the circus which surrounded
their city. Throughout the tense days after Gianni Versace's murder, the
Herald's coverage distinguished itself not only because of its central
location, but because of its quality as well. Carl Hiaasen, whose columns
have been praised before in GLAADAlert, wrote about a mass murder committed
on a ship that garnered little publicity due to Cunanan's time in the
spotlight. Other columnists wrote about the air of fear and suspicion that
hung over the city while a killer remained at large. Editorials discussed
the victims who were lost, and how many unanswered questions will linger
after Cunanan's suicide. And the thriving gay and lesbian community in
South Beach was profiled positively, asked about its response to both
Cunanan's presence and the vilification perpetrated by some against them,
including Miami's own Edna Buchanan, who commented on NBC's Today Show,
"they're [the city's tourist bureau, in fostering gay tourism] the ones
that sort of put this thing in motion."

Let the Miami Herald know that its coverage was both solid and sensitive,
and that we hope they will continue to report on the Miami lesbian and gay
community in future editions.
Contact: Saudra Keyes, Managing Editor, Miami Herald, One Herald Plaza,
Miami, FL 33132-1693, fax: 305.376.5287, e-mail: heraldedit@aol.com.

Reel Marriage Bisexual Bunk
Columnist Bill Reel writes in the July 25 Newsday that religious approvals
of same-sex marriage could lead to church-sanctioned adultery and polygamy.
Discussing the recent move by Harvard University's Memorial Church to
approve same-sex unions, Reel asked Memorial Church's spokesperson, "'What
if a bisexual student were to show up at your church and request a ceremony
to bless a three-way union with a male and a female partner?'" While the
spokesperson dismissed him, he continues writing, "What about eligible
triples? With marriage extended to affirm homosexual relationships, on what
basis could the Harvard church refuse to bless a committed bisexual
relationship? Don't Harvard bisexuals have rights, including the right to
religious rites? Wouldn't discrimination against bisexuals seeking
sanctification of their unions be seen as insensitive, intolerant,
judgmental and blatantly biphobic?"

Reel reveals his complete ignorance of bisexual identity through repeating
the myth that bisexuals, due to their attractions to both men and women,
must have both simultaneously. As absurd as this stereotype is, Reel's
reliance on it allows him to ignore that the approval of religious
sanctions for same-sex marriage does, in fact, provide monogamous bisexuals
the "right to religious rites" he bemoans. With the recognition of the
committed relationships of two people, regardless of gender, Harvard
celebrates committed monogamy for all who seek it-heterosexual, bisexual or
gay. The granting of same-sex blessings has no more to do with polygamy
than the granting of cogendered ones.

Tell Newsday that Bill Reel needs to get the facts straight about same-sex
unions and bisexuals.
Contact: Anthony Marro, Editor, Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Road, Melville, NY
11747, fax: 516.843.2953, e-mail: letters@newsday.com.

Cinemax Explores the Life of Monette
On August 14 Cinemax's Reel Life Documentary Series will premiere Paul
Monette: The Brink Of Summer's End, the insightful and touching documentary
about the authors life.  With commentary by friends like Judith Light and
Larry Kramer, interviews with the late Monette and narration by Linda Hunt,
the Audience Award winner at Sundance (produced by a GLAAD board member) is
a fitting tribute to the award winning author.  In 1992, Monette won
National Book Award for non-fiction for his autobiography Becoming A Man:
Half A Life Story.  The real strength of the film lies in Monette
himself-his amazing zest for life, love and his adamant will to live, work
and write about AIDS.

Please watch Paul Monette: The Brink Of Summer's End, and thank Cinemax for
highlighting such a talented and inspirational gay, HIV-positive man's
life.
Contact: Cinemax, 1100 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036-6737,
fax: 212.512.1000, feedback forum: http://www.hbo.com/feedback.html.

"Why She Had to Leave the Husband She Adored"
Redbook's July 1997 issue describes a woman who realized she was a lesbian
after being married to a man for six years. Her process of discovery, the
revelation to her husband, their divorce and her new life are sketched out
as the article unfolds. The hardest part for her was telling her husband:
"He was my best friend. We shared everything--our lives, our business, our
friends. When I realized I was gay, what I needed more than ever was to
talk to my best friend about it. The problem was, my best friend was going
to get hurt." While in the marriage she had been increasingly depressed and
alienated herself from those close to her, when she did come out to loved
ones, "Far from being appalled at [her] coming out, those closest to her...
who had watched with alarm as the light slowly faded from her eyes... were
happy to see her taking back some control in her life."

What Redbook shows is that coming out is a lifelong process which begins at
a deeply personal level. It also reflects the challenges that lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people face when disclosing their sexual
orientation to loved ones. Most important, it highlights how coming out
makes us stronger and more complete.

Please thank Redbook for an insightful journey into a lesbian's life.
Contact: Abigail Greene, Managing Editor, Redbook, 224 W. 57th Street, New
York, NY 10019-3299, fax: 212.581.8114, e-mail: hard@homearts.com, feedback
form on WWW: http://homearts.com/mail/rbmail.htm.

Trail Less Traveled
The August 11 issue of People magazine has a story written by the sister of
Jeffrey Trail, the alleged first victim of Andrew Cunanan that captures the
loss felt by Trail's family as well as shedding light on some of the issues
faced by Trail's parents upon learning he was gay. Candace Parrot reflects
on her first meeting with Andrew Cunanan, who she knew as Andrew DaSilva,
and recounts learning from her mother about her brother's death. She
reveals that her parents did not know her brother was gay until he was
murdered. Parrot shares her feelings about Trail, as well as his new
relationship with a man named Jon Hackett, with whom he spent his last
weekend alive with. She remembers her brother as a fine and honorable man,
who served in the Navy and served as an example to family and friends.
Finally, Parrot speaks of her family's loss, and how they think of what
Trail would want them to do.

Please let People know that its touching and personal portrait of Trail,
which was exceptionally important in showing the basic humanity of a gay
man, who was unfairly blamed by some for bringing this on himself because
of his sexual orientation. Thank them for this warm and emotional look at
Jeffrey Trail's life and those he left behind.
Contact: Landon Y. Jones, Managing Editor, People, Time-Life Bldg,
Rockefeller Ctr., New York, NY 10020, fax: 212.522.0331, e-mail:
editor@people.com.


The GLAADAlert is the weekly activation tool of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation.
GLAAD is the lesbian and gay news bureau and the only national lesbian and
gay multimedia watchdog organization. GLAAD promotes fair, accurate and
inclusive representation as a means of
challenging all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
Contact GLAAD by e-mail at glaad@glaad.org or by phone at
213.658.6775 (Los Angeles), 212.807.1700 (New York), 415.861.2244 (San
Francisco),
202.986.1360 (Washington, DC), 404.607.1204 (Atlanta) and 816.374.5927
(Kansas City)
Report defamation in the media by calling GLAAD's Toll-Free AlertLine!
1-800-GAY-MEDIA (1-800-429-6334)
Visit GLAAD's Web Site at http://www.glaad.org
"GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are registered
trademarks
of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc.


_______________________

GLAAD -- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
E-Mail: glaad@glaad.org
GLAAD Online http://www.glaad.org -- AlertLine 1-(800) GAY MEDIA

GLAAD promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation as a means
of challenging all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation
or identity.
______________________________________________________________________________
'GLAAD' and 'Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation' are registered
trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc.