Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 11:12:05 +0100 From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD) Subject: GLAADLines 02.16.96 GLAADLINES Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation contact: Claudia Manley (212) 807-1700 manley@glaad.org News, Tips, and Information about the Gay & Lesbian Community February 16, 1996-- COMPUSERVE REINSTATES NEWSGROUPS: Online service provider CompuServe, Inc. has been commended by GLAAD for reinstating all but five newsgroups that had been blocked after a German prosecutor asked them to censor those containing "offensive" words, including "gay" and "lesbian." Newsgroups were being blocked whether or not they contained sexually explicit materials. "It is important that this information not be blocked by any means. The Internet is often the first contact many gay and lesbian people have with community, " said Loren Javier, GLAAD's Director of Information Systems. For more information, contact Loren Javier at (213) 658-6775. ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS, PRAISE AND CONDEMNATION: GLAAD commends the Motion Picture Academy's nomination of Dutch film Antonia's Line for Best Foreign Language Film. The film tells the story of one woman's life and the people who are part of it. One character is Antonia's daughter, Danielle, who falls in love with another woman. "Antonia's Line is a very honest story about women, and we're pleased that included amongst the women is a lesbian who is depicted in a fair and accurate manner, "said Tamra King, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Director. GLAAD is, however, disappointed with the nominations Braveheart received. "While the film may be of artistic merit, we find it disheartening that the Academy would nominate a film that distorts history and includes gratuitous anti-gay violence," said King. For more information, contact Tamra King at (213) 658-6775. PATAKI BUDGET BREAKFAST: A coalition of advocates for welfare reform, children, HIV/AIDS and health care, immigrants, and social and human services have scheduled a Legislative Breakfast on February 23rd at 8:30am in New York City. The breakfast is part of a broader strategy of opposition to the proposed Pataki budget. The goal is to educate New York City Assemblymembers and State Senators about the potential crisis faced if the budget passes. The coalition includes the Children's Defense Fund, Coalition Against Homelessness, Housing Works, New York Immigration Coalition, and the Patients Rights Hotline. For more information contact the Community Food Resource Center at (212) 344-0195. GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, & TRANSGENDER POLICY IN MINNESOTA: The Gay & Lesbian Community Action Council (GLCAC) Public Policy Committee will meet February 20th at the Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis. GLCAC is part of a coalition of organizations, educators, and students supporting a Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. This bill would provide for students' rights such as access to information and a violence-free education and may be introduced to the Minnesota State Legislature in the coming week. For more information call GLCAC at (612) 822-0127 or email at glcacmpls@aol.com. 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. **************************************************************************** **