Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 17:41:11 -0700 From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Subject: GLAADAlert July 23, 1998 GLAADALERT-July 23, 1998 The GLAADAlert is the weekly activation tool of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation GLAADAlert Index: 1) How Does it Feel? Asks Rolling Stone 2) Media Coverage of Ad Campaign Begins to Shift 3) Showtime Original Series To Feature Lesbian Characters 4) "Trans Across America" 5) Reggie White Encounters Limits of Free Speech 6) Buzzword Bonanza 7) Getting It Right 1) How Does it Feel? Asks Rolling Stone The August 6 issue of Rolling Stone features a 14-page special report, "To Be Young and Gay," in which author David Lipsky uses stories from across the country to create a broad and compelling portrait of lesbian, gay and transgender youth. The piece is referenced in an inset box on the cover. Even on the contents page, Rolling Stone manages to set this article apart by inserting a half-column commentary by Managing Editor Robert Love. Love writes: "'To Be Young and Gay' is the result of Lipsky's six reporting trips (more than 10,000 miles of travel), during which he was threatened by the police, gay organizers and by one boy's very irate father," continuing to quote Lipsky himself, who says "I decided I had to keep going back because I wanted to get a sense of the extremes that these kids find themselves in. Some had left school, others had been asked to leave their homes. I found their bravery inspiring." Lipsky begins the piece light-heartedly, describing a fifteen-year old who came out in front of a national audience when he appeared on CBS' 48 Hours some time ago. The boy told Lipsky, "My mom said, 'I know you [smoke]. But I just don't want to see you on national TV smoking.'" Lipsky writes, "In 1998, parents might be more unhappy having friends and relatives know that their child smokes than that their child is gay." But Lipsky does not take lightly the plights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, specifically addressing the discrimination, the harassment, the increased rates of destructive behavior and suicide attempts such youths face. At one point, Lipsky writes, "I walk out of the [restaurant]...and there are a couple of cowboys sitting on the front bumper of a truck. They look me over coolly. I think for a second that I'm going to get beaten up. It's the first time I've ever had that feeling." Lipsky details the experience of Jamie Nabozny, a young gay man who made history last year when he sued the Ashland, Wisconsin school district where he attended high school, and with whom he settled the case for $900,000 as compensation for years of mental, emotional and physical brutalization. He uses Nabozny's case as a springboard for comparing legislative protections for lesbian and gay youth in different states, as well. He speaks with Kelli Taylor and other Salt Lake City students about a 1996 controversy involving their attempts to form a Gay-Straight Alliance in their high school, and asks them about the suicide of one of the group's founders, Jacob Orosco. One of Jacob's schoolmates tells him that "There's just that feeling ... with everything he'd done and gone through: 'Well, if Jacob was this stud of a guy who was so out there and so ready to take on the world and he couldn't do it, what makes me think that I can?" Lipsky also goes to youth group meetings, joins the kids for coffee and meals, and shows them to be-above all else-human. Please thank David Lipsky, Robert Love, and Rolling Stone for prominently facilitating a dialogue about the continuing plights of our nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, and for sensitively highlighting the courage of these teens. Contact: Robert Love, Managing Editor, and David Lipsky, Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Fl., NY, NY 10104, fax: 212.767.8203, e-mail: letters@rollingstone.com 2) Media Coverage of Ad Campaign Begins to Shift After 15 religious-political extremist groups unveiled full-page "recruit and cure" ads in three major newspapers the week of July 13, media attention centered almost exclusively on the political implications. For instance, Margaret Carlson wrote in the July 27 Time that, "If the right could challenge the growing belief that gayness is innate and not a life-style choice, it could galvanize the troops for the fall elections, all the while looking Christian." While the tendency by some to view the ads in their larger socio-political context was encouraging, other important issues where largely unexamined. This past week journalists' focus widened to such an extent that they began to question the effectiveness of the "reparative" therapies the groups are touting; examine the claims the ads made about the relationship between religion and homosexuality; and pointed at their effects on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. The July 20 Baltimore Sun said the furor caused by the campaign "raises a fundamental question: Is it possible to be gay and a good, practicing Christian? The answer is an unequivocal yes, according to some Baltimore-area clergy who have formed a coalition to advocate the acceptance of gay men and lesbians in their congregations." The Sun quoted Emmett C. Burns Jr., a Democratic state lawmaker and Baptist minister, who said, 'The Bible speaks against homosexuality and that's the way it is." But staff reporter John Rivera also quoted United Methodist Rev. Joan I. Senyk, whose reply was: "There are places in the Bible it's translated that homosexuality is a sin. But there are also places that say women should not speak in church.... that says wayward sons should be stoned to death....People ignore those...and hang on to the passage against homosexuality." In the July 27 Newsweek, Mark Miller wrote of one highly pertinent study that among 100 persons who had undergone "reparative therapy," it appears to have effected permanent alteration for only a "handful....Many more, however, were psychologically harmed by the therapies....That's a point the ads didn't make." In a July 20 column in the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, James L. Stout added the chilling perspectives of history and psychology: "These tactics are disturbingly reminiscent of those the Nazis used in the Jew-baiting prior to the Final Solution...When the victims speak out in protest, they are deemed intolerant and the propagandists claim to be the ones persecuted. These hollow claims are then used to justify even greater persecution of the target group, in this case, our gay and lesbian neighbors." Please thank the Baltimore Sun, Newsweek, and Cedar Rapids Sun for their insight and in-depth reporting. Contact: … William K. Marimow, Managing Editor, Baltimore Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, fax: 410.332.6977, e-mail: letters@baltsun.com … Mark Whitaker, Managing Editor, Newsweek, 251 W. 57th St., NY, NY 10019, fax: 212.445.4120, e-mail: letters@newsweek.com (be sure to include name, address, and phone number with all letters) … Mark Bowden, Managing Editor, Cedar Rapids Gazette, 500 3rd Ave, SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, fax: 319.398.5846, e-mail: gazette@fyiowa.com [include phone number when sending e-mails] 3) Showtime Original Series To Feature Lesbian Characters On Saturday, August 1, two of Showtime's new original series will deal with sexual orientation, and both in innovative ways. On August 1, Linc's, a dramatic comedy set in a Washington, DC bar and grill with a principally African American clientele, will premiere. In the episode, recurring character Rosalee (Martin's Tisha Campbell) transfers from her military base to a station near DC so she can be closer to home. Upon her return, she tells her father, Russell "Linc" Lincoln (The X-Files' Steven Williams), that she is questioning her sexual orientation. While he reacts initially with shock and disappointment, Linc later comes to understand that Rosalee needs his love and support. The episode discusses many of the stereotypes associated with the lesbian and gay community, and helps dispel the predominant myth that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not people of color. The series also stars Pam Grier (Jackie Brown), whose character encourages Linc to love and support his daughter. On Rude Awakening, the network's new irreverent comedy starring Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks), lesbians and same-sex experiences are presented simply as part of life. The sexually-charged premiere focuses on former Hollywood star Billie Frank (Fenn) and her sometimes funny, sometimes poignant life-struggles. At one point, Billie graphically retells her own hilarious same-sex experience in order to annoy her born again sister-in-law. And during a meeting at Addictions Anonymous (for her drinking problem), she reluctantly befriends Jackie (Rain Pryor) a cooky African American lesbian with an even wackier girlfriend. Rude Awakening also stars Lynn Redgrave as Billie's mother. While Linc's and Rude Awakening deal with the issues associated with sexual orientation differently, both have gracefully introduced Rosalee and Jackie into prominent ensemble casts. More significant, however, is Showtime's commitment to diversity by featuring questioning or openly lesbian women of color. For a number of years, television has only represented the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as being white individuals. Please check out Linc's (10:00 PM ET/PT) and Rude Awakening (11:00 PM ET/PT) on Saturday, August 1 and then thank Showtime for reflecting the diversity of our community. Contact: Peter Keramidas, Programming Senior Vice President, Showtime Networks, Inc., 1633 Broadway, 17th Floor, NY, NY 10019-6708 4) "Trans Across America" In its July 20 issue, Time magazine becomes one of the first national publications to present an extensive article on transgender individuals. "No one knows how many transgendered people exist," Time states, "but at least 25,000 Americans have undergone sex-reassignment surgery, and the dozen or so North American doctors who perform it have long waiting lists." The article explains that a person is "'transgendered,' if that person's mental gender-his or her "deepest awareness" of identity- "doesn't correspond to the parts" he or she was born with.. Writing of one male-to-female transgender, it says she "does plan to undergo what doctors call 'sex-reassignment surgery' when she and her beau David can afford it; it will cost about as much as their new Nissan." The article offers its own gender balance as well, including interviews with both male-to-female and female-to male transgenders. This unique article realizes the significance of the community's smallest victories: "Transgenders faced practical obstacles to organizing themselves separately. Most couldn't simply dress as a member of the opposite sex without getting beaten or fired." The writing is non-sensational and highly informative. It is an accurate and through examination of the transgender community, its triumphs and challenges. Please thank Time magazine for sensitively portraying the challenges facing transgender people without dipping into sensationalism. Contact: Walter Isaacson, Managing Editor, Time Magazine, Time-Life Building, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020, fax: 212.522.8949, e-mail: Letters@time.com (include phone and address with all correspondence) 5) Reggie White Encounters Limits of Free Speech A July 15 ad in USA Today's Sports section pictured Reggie White in his Green Bay Packers uniform. The headline read: "Toward an open debate on homosexual behavior." A large-type photo caption read: "In defense of free speech." Reporters thought the defensive end might exercise those rights again after practice this past Monday (July 20). But The Associated Press' headline read: "Packers stop White from addressing media," and quoted White as saying that, "'What me and Mike talked about is between me and Mike.' White said. 'I mean, it don't make no sense for me to be telling you what me and Mike talked about." White was referring to Coach Mike Holmgren who canceled White's spontaneous group interview, saying it was in order to avoid training camp disruptions. In addition, White has been ordered not to appear in uniform in future ads. "Not a problem," said his agent, Bill Horn (not GLAAD's Assistant Entertainment Media Director). "Everybody knows who Reggie White is. So he doesn't have to be in uniform." Furthermore, in a letter of apology to the Human Rights Campaign dated July 21 Packers President Bob Harlan wrote: "As an organization, we regret the use of our uniform in the advertisement. Please accept our apologies." Please thank Green Bay Packers President Bob Harlan and Coach Mike Holmgren for insisting that the team image not be used for homophobic purposes. Contact: … Bob Harlan, President, Green Bay Packers, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI 54307 fax: 920.496.5738 … Mike Holmgren, Coach, Green Bay Packers, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI 54307, fax: 920.496.7753 6) Buzzword Bonanza In its July 20 "Inside Politics" column, the Washington Times manages to squeeze pejorative descriptions of gay men into one three-sentence item about James Hormel's stalled ambassadorial nomination. In the first sentence, columnist Greg Pierce calls Hormel an "avowed homosexual." In the last, he says conservative Republicans describe Hormel as advocating "special rights" for homosexuals. These are the threadbare, inaccurate phrases anti-gay opponents still trot out when attempting to discredit the struggle for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. Please share with the Washington Times your perceptions of how such disparaging and misleading phrases continue to foster a climate of intolerance. Contact: Bill Giles, Managing Editor, Washington Times, 3600 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002, fax: 202.526.7583 7) Getting It Right Law enforcement officers made a sweep of "cruising" parks in socially conservative Citrus County, Florida recently, and charged several gay men in connection with having sex in public. In an extensive July 19 article, the St. Petersburg Times presents a wide variety of viewpoints on this controversial topic-from a gay man who says, "Really, those are the only places you can meet people," to City County Sheriff Sgt. Dave DeCarlo's statement that "Community members want something done and we're in the business of getting that done." The report quotes at length from sources ranging from the mayor's wife- a local P-FLAG member who worries that the public arrests will distort the public view of gay men-to a gay man who spent a year in jail after exposing himself to an undercover officer. Reporter William Yardley did think to ask if deputies would arrest a woman offering free sex to an undercover officer. However, the story did not report whether county arrest records indicate equal resources have been expended enforcing against public sex by heterosexual couples in parks. Please thank the St. Petersburg Times for their informative presentation of the many complex issues surrounding this issue. Contact: Neil Brown, Managing Editor, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, fax: 813.893.8675, e-mail: letters@sptimes.com 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 (LA), 212.807.1700 (NY), 415.861.2244 (San Francisco), 202.986.1360 (DC), 404.876.1398 (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. 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