Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 16:50:48 +0100 From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD) Subject: GLAADLines - December 15, 1995 GLAADLINES Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation contact: Claudia Manley (212) 807-1700 manley@glaad.org News, Tips, and Information about the Gay & Lesbian Community December 15, 1995 -- MURDER IN MEDFORD: More than a dozen civic organizations will be represented on December 18th in a Portland meeting at the Metropolitan Community Church to discuss the community's response to the murders of lesbian activists Roxanne Ellis and Michelle Abdill. With the recent arrest of Robert James Acremant, and his upcoming trial, GLAAD expects continued interest in the case. The meeting will begin a community-wide discussion among organizational representatives and community leaders. A press conference is scheduled for later next week. For more information contact GLAAD Field Director, Donna Red Wing at (503) 224-5285. "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" IN NEW YORK: A challenge to the Clinton Administration's ban on gays and lesbians in the military will be argued before a federal appeals court in New York on Tuesday, December 19th at 10am. The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund will hold a news conference outside the courthouse following oral arguments. ----Able v. USA is the first case to directly challenge the constitutionality of the military ban. For more information contact Denny Lee (ACLU) at (212) 944-9800, ext. 424. MIAMI BEACH VICE: Discrimination charges have been filed against the Miami Beach Police Department by a gay ex-police officer. Pete Zecchini served on the force for six years, for two of those he was openly gay. After his lover contracted HIV, his treatment within the department radically changed. The Miami Beach Police Department is charged with violating the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Federal Rehabilitation Act. For more information contact Zecchini's attorney, Loring Spolter, at (954) 728-3494. WRIGHT AND WRONG: GLAAD, the National Organization for Women, and the Women's Sports Foundation held a press conference on Thursday, December 14th, commending Sports Illustrated for its article "Living With A Lie," which re-examined an incident last May in which CBS golf announcer Ben Wright made sexist and homophobic remarks about women and lesbians in golf. Both GLAAD and NOW are calling for the immediate dismissal of Wright. CBS has steadfastly refused to take action. For more information call GLAAD Interim News Director, Chiqui Cartagena at (212) 807-1700. "CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE...": But what are gay and lesbian families doing for the holidays? As millions of Americans are inundated with images of families celebrating the holidays, thousands of gays and lesbians are left out of the picture. "The holidays are an especially challenging time for gay and lesbian families," said Entertainment Media Director Tamra King, "They can be terribly lonely and isolating." Consider other voices in your holiday coverage. For more information contact GLAAD Field Director, Donna RedWing at (503) 224-5285 or Interim News Director, Chiqui Cartagena at (212) 807-1700. If you know of an event that merits media coverage, or if there is a news story breaking in your area, please contact us. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is a national organization that promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of combating homophobia and all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. To subscribe contact Claudia Manley at (212) 807-1700 or at glaad@glaad.org. ****************************************************************************** Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation GLAAD glaad@glaad.org 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. **************************************************************************** **