Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 22:08:08 -0500
From: woo@glaad.org (Wonbo Woo)
Subject: GLAADAlert 03.20.98

GLAADALERT
March 20, 1998
The GLAADAlert is the weekly activation tool of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation

GLAADAlert Follow-Up: GLAAD Talks with Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Recently, GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry had a productive
conversation with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's publisher, Walter
Hussman, following the paper's repeated publishing of the names of those
arrested in police raids of men seeking sex with other men in public parks.
The practice of publishing the names, which Hussman defended as
"consistent" with the editorial policy, continued even after one man
committed suicide because his name was published (see GLAADAlerts 2.6.98,
2.20.98, 2.27.98).

In a March 16 letter following their phone conversation, GLAAD requested
the newspaper reconsider the policy of printing the names of men arrested
for misdemeanor sex crimes. "You began our conversation indicating that you
felt as if your organization was being misrepresented as 'anti-gay,' and
pointed to a history of support on your pages," said Garry in the letter.
"You pointed to the [paper's] criticism of the arcane [Arkansas] sodomy
laws....We at GLAAD applaud you for recognizing that laws and policies must
be scrutinized continuously and altered when that scrutiny uncovers flaws.
The Democrat Gazette would be well advised to consider an evaluation on its
editorial policy in this light. I appreciated your thoughtful
interpretation and defense of your policy but see all too clearly that this
policy (like the sodomy laws) is seriously flawed and requires a
change....When you answered the question 'how was the public interest
served by printing the man's name?' with 'It was in keeping with our
editorial policy,' I did not find that a compelling response. The
gentleman's suicide note was infinitely more compelling to me. It is our
obligation to make our community aware of injustice wherever it exists. But
we also inform our community of media outlets striving for fairness. We
would love to count the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette among the latter."

Please politely encourage the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette to review their
editorial policy.

Contact: Walter E. Hussman, Jr., Publisher, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 121
E. Capital, Little Rock, AR 72201-5734, phone: 501.378.3485, fax:
501.372.3908, e-mail: news@ardemgaz.com

20/20 Clearly Sees the Issue of Discrimination Against Gay Teachers
On March 13, ABC's 20/20 aired an excellent feature on the hardships faced
by some high school educators when they are discovered to be lesbian or
gay. Correspondent Deborah Roberts interviewed Randy Block, the widow of
Byron City, Michigan music teacher Gerry Crane, about Crane's struggle
after being outed. She also interviewed Richard Gregory, the leader of an
anti-gay church, who spearheaded the attempt to push Crane out. He says,
"If I were to ask you today, is it appropriate for a pedophile to teach in
public school, you and others would say, 'Of course we can't abide that.'
Fifteen years ago, the same would have been true for homosexuals." Roberts
follows up, "But there is no proof that a gay man is a pedophile." He then
backpedals: "Oh no, I'm not trying to make that linkage." She says, "We're
talking about a gay teacher, we're not talking about someone who tries to
prey on children." He replies, "We're talking about a sexual deviance."
Then Roberts interviewed Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
Executive Director Kevin Jennings, who states, "Gay teachers are the canvas
on which a community projects every nasty stereotype, myth and lie they've
ever heard about gay and lesbian people." Roberts talks to Utah teacher
Wendy Weaver and briefly discusses the attacks on Weaver by the local
school board and parents. Finally, Roberts says Crane died at age 33 of a
heart attack five months after resigning. "Indulgence in sinful lifestyles
brings heartache," anti-gay Gregory says. But students say Crane taught
respect, love, and self-worth. "They had one of the best teachers to teach
music and they basically threw it all away," adds one student. Ending the
story is a tearful Block, who in a choked voice says, "It took all of the
joy out of his life. Teaching was what he considered his calling in life,
his vocation by God. And a very small group of vocal people took that away
from him." In closing, Barbara Walters asks, "When will we begin to looking
at people as individuals?"

The program touches upon the hardships faced by some teachers when they
come out--or are discovered--as gay or lesbian. Roberts also asks tough
questions of the radical religious leader who attempts to pull the wool of
the old pedophile propaganda over the eyes of America, and allows him to
reveal his own bigotry, intolerance and callousness for all the world to
see.

Please commend 20/20 for an outstanding news story and encourage them to do
a follow up program about openly lesbian and gay teachers who are supported
by and enrich their communities through their openness.

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

Knight-Ridder Highlights Black Lesbians and Gay Men
Knight-Ridder newspapers are currently distributing an excellent article
exploring identities and challenges for African-American lesbians and gay
men. It begins, "It would not be inaccurate to describe Michael Hinson, Jr.
as a gay, African-American male. But that does not mean he'd like it.
'Sexual minorities of color will generally define themselves by their race
first,' says Hinson, executive director of Colours, a support and
educational agency for black, Hispanic and Asian homosexuals." It discusses
the struggle to find acceptance and understanding from both other
African-Americans and white gay people. "After a history of being closeted
by the violence-ridden homophobia of the majority and shunted into denial
by what some black homosexuals describe as a 'don't ask, don't tell' ethos
in their own community, African-American lesbians and gays, prodded, in
part, by the AIDS epidemic, are now charting an increasingly public
course," it says. "Despite similarities between the glimmerings of
acceptance claimed by both African-Americans and white homosexuals, there
are differences in the experiences of gays and lesbians of different
races." It also discusses the particular relationship between historically
black churches and lesbian and gay congregates, and the "strong conviction
that one of the best ways to attack the spread of [HIV/AIDS] is by
promoting and supporting stable, monogamous homosexual relationships." It
points to an gay male couple of 18 years and the relationship of black
lesbian filmmaker Cheryl Dunne and her partner, Alexandra Juasz, who are
"expecting a child." [Editors note: Dunne actually just recently gave
birth.]

Too often, the media pits lesbians and gay men against communities of
color, making the two seem mutually exclusive.  This story not only looks
into some of the issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
people of color, it also highlights several leaders of the lesbian and gay
community who are also African-American talking about their experiences in
their own words.

Please let Knight-Ridder Newspapers know that the distribution of the
excellent article is a welcome addition to mainstream media coverage of the
full diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Contact: Kathleen Carroll, News Editor, Knight-Ridder Newspapers, 529 14th
St. NW, #700, Washington, DC 20045-1707, fax: 202.383.6075

Boston Globe Ombudsman Sees The Middle Road
In his March 16 column, Boston Globe Ombudsman Jack Thomas discusses the
strength of personal relationships in helping opposing sides better
understand one another. After countering op-eds ran in the Globe which were
written by National Gay and Lesbian Journalist Association member Chuck
Colbert and John Haas, head of the conservative Catholic Pope John Center
for the Study of Ethics in Health Care. Colbert approached Haas and Haas
agreed, "Dialogue is good." Thomas notes the two "share roots in Western
Pennsylvania. They are intelligent, articulate, charming. But one is a
liberal gay activist, the other a conservative father of nine." Haas told
Thomas, "I was a little uncomfortable[at Colbert's suggestion they meet for
dinner]...because homosexual militants have a reputation for disrupting
ordination services or throwing condoms at Catholics, and I [didn't] know
where Chuck fit in." While each came away from the dinner "unchanged in his
beliefs," Thomas says, both were "encouraged by the friendship." Haas
realized, however, that while "the church bears no ill will to
homosexuals...reactions has been that I was cruel. If the church is not
articulating its message, it must be expressed differently."  Thomas says,
"Haas and Colbert talk of expanding their dialogue to a pubic forum with
gay and nongay Catholics. 'Thirty years ago, Catholics thought Jews were
Christ-killers on their way to hell,' says Colbert, 'and today were take
pride in Catholic-Jewish relations. Gay Catholics are within the family,
and we've been reluctant to talk about it.'" The two continue to meet,
Thomas says, ending by writing, "'What has taken over,' says Colbert, 'is
humanity."

Please let the Boston Globe know that printing this rational, informed
discussion is infinitely more valuable than printing alarmist, anti-gay
op-eds, and encourage them to increase coverage of ways that communities of
faith are reconciling with their gay congregants.

Contact: Marjorie Pritchard, Op Ed Page Editor, and Jack Thomas, Ombudsman,
Boston Globe, 135 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester, MA 02125-3338, fax:
617.929.2098, e-mail: letters@globe.com

L.A. Times  Profiles Rev. Perry
On March 16, the Los Angeles Times presented an excellent lengthy profile
of Reverend Troy Perry, founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches, which now has 52,000 members in 314 congregations
around the world. The article begin with Perry watching the film The
Apostle and feeling a connection to the defrocked Pentecostal minister
abandoned by his church and wife "as a punishment for past sexual
dalliances. Thirty years ago, Perry was also a Pentecostal minister
banished from his church and deserted by his wife after a watershed sexual
disclosure: He acknowledged that he was gay." It says, "Perry's churches
are testimony to his audacity, his patience and--in an era when AIDS has
killed or afflicted more than 10,000 of his congregates--his longevity." It
adds, "Perry's movement holds to a defiant minority view: that the Bible
does not condemn homosexuality or find it a sin. It's a stand that has won
him critics and outright enemies." After discussing his calling to the
ministry in the Church of God and his excommunication, the article notes
that he struggled, unable to reconcile both his religion and his sexual
orientation. But "suggestions by his mother and a neighborhood psychic to
start his own religious movement finally led him to announce in [L.A.] he
was holding services." It also interviews Perry's younger son, James
Michael, a "33-year-old Midwestern construction worker," who says, "'Now
that I know him, I'm proud of what he's done. I don't understand
homosexuals, [but] I'm different now, thanks to my father.'" It also
discusses Perry's commitment to activism and social change and says, "his
churches have gained legitimacy among the religious community at large,
accepted into a growing number of interfaith councils.

Please commend the Los Angeles Times for an excellent profile of an
underappreciated religious leader.

Contact: Michael Parks, Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror
Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, fax: 213.237.7679, e-mail:
letters@latimes.com

Pardon Me, Boy Scouts, Who Is that Chattanooga Cuckoo?
The March 15 Chattanooga Free Press featured a diatribe about the Boy
Scouts which tried to connect gay sexual orientation to pedophilia. "When a
court orders the Boy Scouts to drop their guard against such people
altogether and accept applicants regardless of sexual orientation, things
are really fouled up," asserts Karl Spence. "The point most eagerly urged
by 'gay rights' activists is that homosexuality and pederasty have nothing
to do with each other." Spence then cites a highly reputable study from
Denver Children's Hospital, which found that only two of 269 documented
cases of sexual child abuse by adult  attackers of the same gender involved
a gay male perpetrator. His response? A quote from the anti-gay Kevin
Tebedo of the radical religious group Colorado For Family Values, saying
"'You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that when a man has sex
with a little boy it is a homosexual act.'" He then cites another reputable
study from the U.S. Bureau of Justice which indicates that 25-40 percent of
victims of child molestation are boys and the vast majority of perpetrators
are male. From this, he indicates that "only three percent of the male
population is homosexual, yet homosexual molestation accounts for about a
third of child sex abuse." From this "evidence," Spence concludes that in
the "[culture] war the Boy Scouts of America could use some help."

Spence's wrong-headed thinking belies a confusion many people have about
the difference between homosexuality and pedophilia. Molestation, like rape
and other nonconsensual acts, is about power, as any reputable psychologist
would explain. Consensual adult sex acts, on the other hand, regardless of
the gender of the partners, is based in desire, emotional attachment and a
host of other affirming qualities. While Spence may not be a "rocket
scientist," he should surely understand that distinction. He also fails to
see the difference between a "homosexual act," meaning any act between two
people of the same gender, regardless of the motivations or sexual
orientations or ages of the participants, and sexual orientation, which is
just one facet of an individuals identity that exists whether or not the
person engages in sexual activity. Thus, when studies repeatedly show that
the vast majority of molesters of boys are heterosexual men, it means
precisely that. Spence's own hostility and fear towards gay people blinds
him to these simple truths. It is that same ignorance which leads the Boy
Scouts of America to ban gay male Scouts and leaders solely based on their
sexual orientation.

Let the Chattanooga Free Press know that as a serious newspaper it should
demand higher factual standards and more conclusive evidence before
allowing a writer to foment unwarranted hostility towards gay people.

Contact: Lee Anderson, Editor, Chattanooga Free Press, 400 East 11th St.,
Chattanooga, TN 37403-4200, fax: 423.757.6383, e-mail:
ksloan@chatfreepress.mindspring.com (put "Letter to the Editor" in subject
line of all e-mails)

Kentucky Editorials Oppose Anti-Gay-Marriage Law
Editorials in the March 13 edition of the Louisville Courier Journal and
the March 16 Lexington Herald Leader in Kentucky both lambasted the state
legislature for passing a bill banning same-sex marriage. Of the bill, and
another which required physicians to give women who want abortions
information but send them home for 24 hours before conducting the
procedure, the Courier Journal says, "On the floor of the General Assembly,
they are revealed for what they really are: mean-spirited attempts to take
away personal liberty." It adds, "There was only one reason to address
same-sex marriage now: fear....You don't have to favor homosexual rights to
be offended by the legislation. It was cruel; it was passed without concern
for folks with difficult lives. Most of us know someone wonderful who will
be hurt by these bills." It then calls upon fair-minded people to stand up
to oppose the bills, since "the only mobs roaming the halls and holding
rallies are wearing pro-life buttons and anti-homosexual stickers.
Lawmakers are always going to response to what they see as the will of the
people. It's time that what they see is the good will of the people." In
the Lexington Herald Leader, the editorial states: "Fear and confusion.
These are the complication emotions undergirding [the] vote against
recognizing the rights of any homosexual who may one day be allowed to
marry in another state. Understanding these emotions is crucial for the
Senate, which must now resist the temptation to aggravate differences among
Kentuckians. The House got swept away with Paul Revere-like warnings: 'The
gays are coming. The gays are coming.' But gay people are already our
friends, neighbors and co-workers. And some have been fortunate enough to
find another to share their lives. At a time when half of heterosexual
marriages end in divorce, gay marriage seems to be an illogical scapegoat
for moral decay and lost moorings in fast-changing times."

Please thank both the Louisville Courier Journal and the Lexington Herald
Leader for their clear-headed calls for common sense.
Contact:
… David Hawpe, Editor, Editorial/Opinion Page, The Courier-Journal, 525 W.
Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202-2137, fax: 502.582.4360, e-mail:
cjletters@louisvil.gannett.com
… Vanessa Gallman, Editorial/Op Ed Page Editor, Lexington Herald-Leader,
100 Midland Ave., Lexington, KY 40508-1999, fax: 606.255.7236, e-mail:
hledit@lex.infi.net

Errata: The contact information for the Myrtle Beach Sun News (GLAADAlert
3.13.98) accidentally indicated it was in Florida, despite being identified
correctly as in South Carolina throughout the body of the item. In
addition, contact information for KXAN-TV in Austin was inadvertently run
along with news outlets which ran sensationalistic stories about public sex
between men. According to KXAN-TV, they did not run any such report. While
GLAAD did not assert that they did, their contact information was
accidentally listed. GLAAD regrets any confusion this may have caused.

The GLAADAlert is the weekly activation tool of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation.
GLAAD promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation in the media as
a means of
challenging homophobia and 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
816.756.5991 (Kansas City)

Feel free to pass GLAADAlert on to friends, family and associates!

Report defamation in the media by calling GLAAD's Toll-Free AlertLine!
1-800-GAY-MEDIA (1-800-429-6334)
 Visit GLAAD Online at http://www.glaad.org
"GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are registered
trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc.
GLAADAlert may be freely distributed and reprinted in all forms of media
under the condition that any text used carry the full attribution of "Gay &
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)."

_________________________________________________________________________
Wonbo Woo
Communications Assistant
Internship Coordinator
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
(212) 807-1700 x24
email: woo@glaad.org

Visit GLAAD Online at:  http://www.glaad.org
To report defamation, call our toll-free Alertline at:  800-GAY-MEDIA
_________________________________________________________________________
SAVE ELLEN! Visit GLAAD's "Save Ellen!" Campaign at:
http://www.glaad.org/glaad/ellenwatch/save-ellen.html
_________________________________________________________________________
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation 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.
_________________________________________________________________________
'GLAAD' and 'Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation' are registered
trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc.
_________________________________________________________________________