Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 08:50:07 +0100 From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD) Subject: GLAADLines - 01.26.96 GLAADLINES Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation contact: Claudia Manley (212) 807-1700 manley@glaad.org News, Tips, and Information about the Gay & Lesbian Community January 26, 1996 -- ANTI-MARRIAGE BILLS FACED IN SEVERAL STATES: Gays and lesbians are facing a variety of state-level legislative battles. California is considering a bill that would prevent recognition of same-sex marriages performed legally in other states. Utah became the first state to pass such legislation last year. Washington, Alaska, South Dakota, Colorado, and Virginia are other states now considering similar bans. In Maine, after the state's recent bitter struggle in which voters defeated an anti-gay ballot initiative, gays and lesbians breathed a sigh of relief as Lewiston Senator Gerogette Berube withdrew her bill to prohibit same-sex marriages. For more information contact Evan Wolfson (Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund) at (212) 995-8585. RESOURCE TO THE STARS: GLAAD has just released it latest media guide. Lesbian and Gay Images: An Entertainment Media Resource focuses on lesbian and gay representations in the entertainment media by examining industry efforts of the past, describing projects currently in development, and offering some thoughts on the future of lesbian and gay images. "In the way that the GLAAD Media Guide (1994) laid out many of the issues that affect members of our community, the Entertainment Media Resource provides resources and materials to serve as catalysts for new entertainment projects depicting lesbians and gay men," said Robert Nowland, Program Coordinator in GLAAD's Entertainment Media Office. For more information contact Robert Nowland (GLAAD) at (213) 658-6775. EDUCATION ISSUES ABOUND: The Missouri state legislature is considering a bill which would outlaw the use of any "pro-homosexual" materials in Missouri public schools. In particular, the bill states, "no public school district shall publish, disseminate or use any material that promotes or advocates homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle." The bill was to be put to vote on January 25th. In New York City, a one-day conference on "Education and School Board Issues: A Crash Course" has been co-sponsored by six major organizations. The conference, featuring the Hon. David Dinkins as keynote speaker, is designed to inform concerned parents, the public, and school board candidates. It begins at 9am on January 27th. For more information call Gail Malhado (People for the American Way) at (212) 944-5820. TV TO WATCH OUT FOR: On January 26th, Oprah Winfrey features a show on same-gender marriage. Also on the same show, former PFLAG Vice President Bob Bernstein is featured with his daughter Bobbie during the weekly 5-minute segment, "Salute to Parents." UPCOMING CONFERENCES: January 27-28: ERA Strategy Summit, at the NOW Action Center in Washington, DC. For more information call (202) 331-0066. January 29-30: 19th Annual Legislative Conference, "Making it Count for Choice," sponsored by Family Planning Advocates of New York State. For more information call (518) 436-8408. 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. **************************************************************************** **