Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 19:19:58 -0500
From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD)
Subject: GLAADALERT December 5, 1997

GLAADALERT   December 5, 1997
The GLAADAlert is the weekly activation tool of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation

Ally McBeal's Botched Transgender Tale
The December 1 episode of Fox's critically acclaimed new show Ally McBeal
botches a major transgender storyline, despite undoubtedly earnest
intentions. When Ally becomes the attorney for Stephanie (played by openly
gay actor and GLAAD board member Wilson Cruz), a transgender fashion
designer who has turned to sex work to pay the bills, the lawyer finds
herself offering an unorthodox defense for the solicitation rap: An
insanity plea based on "transvestite fetishism." While Ally makes it clear
that she does not think that Stephanie is crazy, and that it is just a
defense tactic, Stephanie expresses great reservations and eventually
refuses the strategy, noting she left home to escape being called "sick."
Still, Ally calls upon psychological "experts" to diagnose Stephanie with
"gender dysphoria," and one of them says that "He's [Stephanie] more like a
woman, or thinks he's one," and calls Stephanie "confused." After Ally
makes a deal with the judge to postpone ruling for a year while Stephanie
works at Ally's law office, Stephanie finds a largely accepting
environment, though is still faced with a few insensitive remarks. But
Stephanie goes back to prostitution, and is murdered by, as a cop tells
Ally, "A John [who] went crazy when he found out the Jane was a guy." Ally
wonders why Stephanie would go back to the streets if she had a job, but
applies Stephanie's last coat of lipstick as a way of trying to honor her
in death.

Throughout the episode, confusion prevails among many characters-What
pronouns should be used to address Stephanie? Is transsexuality a mental
disorder? Does being comformable with one's transgender identity make a
person "not well?" The only one who is not confused is Stephanie, who has a
clear sense of who she is. If this were the only message, the episode would
have been a strong exploration of trans identity. Unfortunately, there are
many unresolved assumptions which left a bad taste in the mouth of many
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their friends who viewed
the program. Without psychologists to counter the assertion that Stephanie
is "confused," the viewer is left with the impression that she may have
been mentally ill because of her gender role, even if she saw it otherwise.
Also, the show fails to give a larger context to the reason Stephanie
returns to the streets after getting the law office job. If one knew
nothing about transgender people beyond this show, it would be easy to
think that the murder had been caused by Stephanie's hooking, without
recognizing the real threats all transgender people-not just sex
workers-face in a society that is frequently hostile and violent towards
their very existence.

Please let Fox and David E. Kelley Production's know that their exploration
of transgender themes is noteworthy-but that the character got lost in the
show's "confusion" about how to address the larger issues of societal
transphobia and reliance on the stereotypical media representation on
transgender people as sad, desperate hookers.

Contact:
… Brett King, Programming Director, Fox Broadcasting Company, PO Box 900,
Beverly Hills, CA 90213-0900, fax: 310.369.1433, e-mail: askfox@foxinc.com;
… David E. Kelley, Executive Producer, Ally McBeal, David E. Kelley
Productions, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., #80/26, LA, CA 90035, fax: 310.369.3037.


"A Change of Heart" is 20/20
On December 4, ABC's 20/20 highlighted the stories of three women who,
after having been happily married and had children, told their husbands and
family that they were lesbians. Entitled "A Change of Heart," the story
explored these often painful and confusing mid-life realizations and the
effects the revelations had on their lives and their families' lives. Laura
Cowan tells 20/20's John Stossel, "I was in a heterosexual marriage. I had
been in this marriage for 17 years and I had two beautiful children and
where was the word 'lesbian' going to fit into that?" Many of the women
said that thoughts that they may be gay never entered their minds because,
as one woman put it, "when I was growing up, being gay was not an option."

20/20 does a good job of telling the stories of these three women, and
depicting the heart-wrenching pain and difficulties caused by their
revelations. The issue of societal and cultural pressures to conform to the
nuclear family in the 1950's and 1960's is also mentioned as impacting
these women's lives and self-images. Asked whether staying in the closet
and with their husbands would have been easier, they express
the loneliness and despair that this secret was causing them.

Please commend 20/20 for a thought-provoking look at these three women, and
thank them for recognizing that the often difficult "coming out" process is
not something strictly reserved for young-or unmarried-people.

Contact: John Stossel, Correspondent, and Victor Neufeld, Executive
Producer, 20/20, ABC News, 147 Columbus Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY
10023-5900, fax: 212.456.2969, e-mail: 2020@abcnews.com.


John/Joan in Rolling Stone
The December 11 Rolling Stone features the most extensive article yet in
mainstream media regarding intersex issues, and, specifically the story of
"John/Joan," the male infant who doctors turned surgically into a girl 25
years ago. "The case set a precedent for sex reassignment as the standard
treatment for thousands of newborns with similarly injured, or irregular,
genitals. It also became a touchstone for the feminist movement in the
1970's, when it was cited as proof that the gender gap is purely a result
of social conditioning, not biology. For Dr. John Money, the medical
psychologist who was the architect of the experiment, the case was to be
most publicly celebrated triumph of the 40-year career that recently earned
him the accolade 'one of the greatest sex researchers of the century,' But
the experiment was a failure," author John Colapinto writes. The article
goes into the family of "John/Joan," and also the history of the ego,
ambition and ideology of Dr. Money. It recounts the hostility Money had to
Joan when she, as a child, resisted attempts to make her a "normal" girl.
Colapinto also reveals how Money glossed over profound contradictions in
his published reports on the case, including Joan's repeated insistence
that she did not see herself as a girl, and her total hostility towards Dr.
Money as the years wore on. As soon as Joan was told what had happened to
her, "Joan's decision to undergo a sex change was immediate," Colapinto
says, and he became John. The author explains that John agreed to work with
Dr. Milton Diamond on a recent report which would call into question the
value of intersex infant surgeries and how gender and sexual orientations
are developed: "[When] John learned about his fame in the medical
literature and how his reportedly successful switch from boy to girl stood
as the precedent upon which thousands of sex reassignments had since been
performed-that was good enough for John." Finally, the author gives an
excellent assessment of the work of the Intersex Society of North America
(ISNA) and the push of intersex people for dignity, freedom from enforced
sex reassignment, and to "'end the idea that it's monstrous to be
different,'" according to ISNA Director Cheryl Chase.

Please commend Rolling Stone for a watershed, in-depth report on intersex
issues and the individuals struggling against the medical establishment to
bring about a more realistic and humane concept of gender.

Contact: Sid Holt, Managing Editor, Rolling Stone, 1290 Avenue of the
Americas, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10104-0295, fax: 212.767.8203, e-mail:
rsfeedback@rollingstone.com.


Time Out, Proud and Very Young
The December 8 issue of Time featured an article entitled "Out, Proud and
Very Young," about teenage lesbian and gay activists. The article looks at
the progress lesbian and gay young people have made across the country,
focusing on the experiences of Palmer Legare, a 17-year-old senior from
Cabot High School in Cabot, Vermont, and 14-year-old San Franciscan Gina De
Vries, who serves on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advisory
committee of the city's Human Rights Commission.  "For a country that had a
hard time with the coming-out of a 39-year-old TV actress earlier this
year, the whole notion of the boy next door eyeing the boy next door-and
talking about it-is startling," it says. "The emergence of gay youth is
sparking the newest battles in the decades-old brawl over gay rights, which
at the local level is more focused than ever on schools." The article notes
that high schools in 25 states have gay-straight alliances, and that
between three and ten percent of U.S. teens now tell pollsters they are
lesbian, gay, bisexual or "questioning." "Lonely gay kids can find solace
in two Webzines, dozens of online chat rooms and some 50 community support
groups, usually run by social workers not affiliated with local schools.
Some churches are doing more to shepherd gay kids," it adds. Still, "for
most students taking baby steps from the closet, the decision to broadcast
homosexual feelings is fraught with the possibility of negative, even
violent reactions." Citing figures of anti-gay abuse in public schools and
the Nabozny case, it says that other forms of attack come from "a backlash
from officials" opposed to gay-straight alliances.  "A remarkable feature
of these skirmishes is that they have been fought largely as local issues,
without [either] the Christian Coalition or the Human Rights Campaign
[having] a developed strategy to deal with the emergence of gay youth," it
notes.

In addition to telling the inspiring stories of gay young people changing
their local communities, Time speaks to the larger trend of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender youth empowerment during the 1990's, and the
political landscapes they are challenging.

Please commend Time for an interesting article about lesbian and gay young
people making a difference in the face of adversity.

Contact: Letters to the Editor, Time, Time-Life Building, Rockefeller
Center, New York, NY 10020, fax: 212.522.0323. e-mail: letters@time.com.


Alex Suits Washington Post's Style
The November 23 Washington Post Style section featured "Alice Doesn't Live
Here Anymore," an excellent article about Alex Myers, the first openly
transgender student at Harvard. "As a freshman last year, Myers moved
[into] a single room on the all-male fourth floor. He told his dorm mates
the truth: For his first 17 years, he'd been Alice," the story states. Alex
began identifying as transgender after that, "Alice legally changed her
name. But despite having jettisoned his Alice identity, he hadn't opted for
hormone treatments, hadn't even seen a doctor. Perhaps the most arresting
part of this story is what happened next...practically nothing. Mild
surprise followed by a collective so-what. There was more bickering about
loud music than about a man who got menstrual cramps." It notes that,
"outside the rarefied, tolerant air of the academy, others might see
something truly odd about this. Can a person ignore chromosomes and private
parts and declare him/herself to be other than what biology dictates?" The
article profiles a typical day for Alex, from his co-op room to what he
eats for lunch (peanut butter sandwich) and the way he came out as a
transperson during his college interview. It talks about his childhood in
Maine identifying as a tomboy rather than a boy, and his teen years
identifying as a lesbian, and Alex's parents' discomfort with his identity
(one time, his mother, "stumbling between 'he' and 'she,' frustratedly
called Alex 'it.'"). It then discusses Myers' push for Harvard to include
"gender identity" as a category in the non-discrimination policy, noting
that "ordinances forbidding discrimination against the transgendered have
been enacted in municipalities including San Francisco and Evanston, Ill.,
as well as Cambridge itself."  It also closely examines the questions that
arise from the implementation of such a policy as well as some of the
resistance met. It discusses Alex's relationship with his girlfriend, Lexi,
both of whom identify as heterosexual. Finally, it says, "He sees no
contradiction in the things his is. A future scientist. A jock. A man who
menstruates. A sophomore nervously planning to bring his girlfriend home
for Thanksgiving to meet his parents."

The article captures Alex's humanity, determination and strength by
alternatively focusing on him as an individual and explores some of the
wider issues he confronts through his openness and straightforwardness.
Considering that much of the media is still grappling with the basic
problem of whether or not to even discuss transgender issues, the
Washington Post, and reporter Paula Span, break ground with this article,
hopefully setting the tone for transgender media representation in the
future.

Congratulate the Washington Post for really getting Alex's story-and larger
issues of transgender identity-right.

Contact: David Von Drehle, Editor, Style Section, Washington Post, 1150
15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20071, fax: 202.334.5587, e-mail:
webnews@washpost.com.


Gay Dads In the Mormon Mecca
On November 29, the Salt Lake Tribune featured an interesting article about
gay, Mormon dads. "At the end of their weekend retreat, 14 men who grew up
with the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
[Mormons] reaffirmed their spiritual devotion and desire to be loving
fathers," it begins. "Back home in their communities, the men will struggle
for acceptance and connection. All are gay. Some have been excommunicated;
other live in fear they will be discovered. They work to reconstruct their
spirituality in the wake of what for them is a shattered religion. More
than anything, the men do what they can to keep their children in their
lives." The group, Gamofites (short for gay Mormon fathers), "maintain
their friendships via the Internet and weekend retreats," it says. "For
some, especially those whose divorces were so hideous they have no idea
where their children are, that contact is crucial." It quotes members as
angry with their church, but, "the core of their spirituality and Christian
love is Mormon." The article discusses the ways various members reconcile
their sexual orientation and their faith. Finally, a sidebar written by the
Dunns, who are still married and living together after husband Steve came
out to Allison, provides tips for how to work with the disclosure of one
partner's homosexuality, including: "Seek help from a professional
therapist who has a reputation of helping gays and their spouses work
toward positive mental health. Be wary of therapists who promise they can
'fix' the gay partner," and, "Avoid blame. Most gay Mormons married because
they love their spouses and trusted church teachings."

Shaking the fundamental cores of a culture profoundly uncomfortable with
homosexuality, the reality of gay Mormon fathers is most often ignored by
the media. However, Gamofites estimates there may be as many as 30,000 gay
Mormon dads, and the Salt Lake Tribune's sensitive and courageous article
about their struggles is noteworthy, especially considering the level of
ire it is likely to raise.

Let the Salt Lake Tribune know that their willingness to shine a light on
gay Mormon parents is part of a vital and meaningful dialogue about the
realities of alternative families and lesbian and gay people of faith.

Contact: David F. Ledford, Deputy Editor, Salt Lake Tribune, P.O. Box 867,
Salt Lake City, UT 84110, fax: 801.237.2022, e-mail: letters@sltrib.com.


People Who Need People
In a December 8 profile of John Bartlett, People discusses the openly gay
fashion designer's sexual orientation, partner and the challenges that
balancing a successful career and relationship present. "As a youth,
Bartlett realized he was gay, 'but Cincinnati is conservative, so I kept my
mouth shut,'" the article quotes the designer saying. "Finally, at 17, he
told his parents. The only response was acceptance," it adds.  Later,
discussing Bartlett's success, the article notes,  "business also means
frequent separation from his lover of nine years, screenwriter Mark Welsh.
'That,' says Bartlett, 'has been really hard.' The couple share 'an amazing
friendship, tons of laughter and a real respect for each other,' says
Bartlett, as well as a stray dog named Sweetie. 'She's our hairy daughter,'
he says. For his part, Welsh believes it's their differences that keep the
relationship strong. Moved by an inspirational story in the news, Bartlett
recently told him, 'It makes me so thankful. One day, when I've made enough
money as a designer, I'm going to work with people who need help.' Welsh
replied, 'Fine. Fax me. I'll be in Palm Beach.'"

Without overemphasizing Bartlett's sexual orientation, the article explains
some of the ways it has shaped who he is, as well as the vitality of his
relationship with Welsh.  In typical People fashion, the article touches
upon the dynamic of their relationship without making a big deal about the
fact that they are both men.

Please thank People (1997 GLAAD Media Award winner) for recognizing that
great stories about interesting people-regardless of their sexual
orientation-never go out of style.

Contact: Carol Wallace, Managing Editor, People, Time-Life Bldg.,
Rockefeller Ctr., New York, NY 10020, fax: 212.522.0331, e-mail:
editor@people.com.


It's Dragtime on HBO
On December 9, HBO presents Dragtime, an hour long documentary highlighting
some of today's leading drag performers. Traveling from New York to
Philadelphia and from New Orleans to Atlanta, the special showcases the
creative talents of Candis Cayne, Varla Jean Merman, Shequida, Jem Jender,
Lady Bunny, Charlie Brown, Lypsinka, Charles Busch and the legendary
Charles Pierce, who has been impersonating the likes of Joan Crawford and
Bette Davis for 36 years. While not necessarily exploring issues of sexual
orientation or even identity, Dragtime explores the fundamental essence of
drag-performance. The documentary is a fun celebration of the art of drag
in its many forms.

Please check out Dragtime on HBO this coming Tuesday, December 9
(additional air dates Dec. 17, 27 and 30), and let HBO know what you think.

Contact: Dave Baldwin, Programming Senior Vice President, HBO, 1100 Avenue
of the Americas, New York, NY 10036-6712, fax: 212.512.8051, feedback form:
http://www.hbo.com/talk.


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