Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 20:42:23 +0100 From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD) Subject: GLAADLINES 7.14.97 GLAADLINES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 1997 contact: Don Romesburg (415) 861-2244 romesburg@glaad.org http://www.glaad.org News, Tips and Breaking Stories about the Gay & Lesbian Community MCDONALD'S DECIDES TO VALUE FAMILIES: On Tuesday, July 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Valuable Families, a Northampton, Massachusetts organization for lesbian and gay parents and their children, will finally hold a fundraising dinner at their local McDonald's. The July 7 issue of GLAADLines reported that McDonald's had banned Valuable Families from participating in a national fundraising partnership initiative because their group was "too controversial." At a press conference held on July 10 outside the McDonald's, Valuable Families announced their victory, having regained the fundraising dinner from which 25% of the proceeds will be donated to the group. In addition, Kim Hennig, Regional Marketing Manager for McDonald's Corporation, stated that McDonald's has a "zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination based on sexual orientation." The July 15th event will take place at McDonald's, 221 King Street in Northampton, MA. For more information contact Jeannie Dewey (Valuable Families) at (413) 367-9432 or Liz Tracey (GLAAD) at (212) 807-1700 or pgr. (800) 946-4646 pin# 1423527. TEAR GAS BOMB HITS D.C. GAY BAR: On July 12, a tear gas bomb was thrown into Remington's, a gay bar in Washington, D.C., and though no one was seriously injured, some patrons reported that paramedics and police on the scene did little to investigate and administer emergency care. Several Marines, possibly from a near by base, were seen outside the bar, but no arrests have been made. GLOV (Gay Men and Lesbians Opposed to Violence) has scheduled a meeting on July 21 to gather eyewitness testimony and provide counseling to victims for post-traumatic stress. "It is our understanding from community members that police did not respond appropriately to this incident, either by collecting evidence or interviewing witnesses," said GLOV Chair Darryl Cooper. "GLOV will scrutinize police conduct very closely to ensure that they institute an effective and thorough investigation." For more information contact Darryl Cooper (GLOV) at (202) 418-1039. WHITEWATER COUNSEL STARR QUESTIONED FOR "IMPLICIT BIGOTRY": Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has called for an end to the Whitewater investigation after openly gay former White House liaison for the Interior Department Bob Hattoy reported that independent counsel Kenneth Starr repeatedly asked him if he tried to place gay people in high-ranking jobs with the Clinton administration. "Were these investigators so laggard in their understanding of American politics that they thought that demonstrating-or perhaps threatening to demonstrate-that the president had hired openly gay and lesbian employees would somehow give you leverage over him?" Frank asked Starr in a letter. Frank said "the implicit bigotry which this displays is one more reason why it is clear that the time has come for Mr. Starr to wrap up his unsuccessful investigation," accusing Starr of "insensitivity and incompetence." For more information contact Peter Kovar (Representative Frank's Chief of Staff ) at (202) 225-5931. STUDIES SHOW STATE, LOCAL ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES TO GAY CIVIL RIGHTS: Two studies released by People For the American Way (PFAW) and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) reveal that while much progress has been made during the 1990s towards government protection against anti-gay discrimination, hostility against lesbians and gay men has also increased, in large part due to orchestrated campaigns by radical religious organizations. On July 8, PFAW released "Hostile Climate," a state-by-state report of anti-gay activity. It concludes a significant proportion of discrimination "results from planned activity by far-right groups claiming to act in the name of religion." PFAW President Carole Shields said, "On a daily basis, Religious Right leaders go on television and radio and hammer gay men and lesbians...[saying] outrageous things in the name of God Almighty. It's offensive to my Baptist upbringing and to millions of Americans who think it's wrong to use faith as a tool to divide our society." Still, civil rights gains are being made in the face of increased bigotry. "All Politics Is Local: An Analysis of Local Gay Rights Legislation," a study by University of Florida professors released through the NGLTF Policy Institute states anti-discrimination laws have advanced dramatically in the 1990s and those local laws make a profound impact in the lives of lesbians and gay men. For more information contact Will Hayniger (PFAW) at (202) 467-4999 or Mark Johnson (NGLTF Media Director) at (202) 332-6483, ext. 3314. OUTFEST '97 SPOTLIGHTS GAY DIRECTORS: On July 16, GLAAD and Hollywood Supports are co-sponsoring "Sense and Sensibility: The Challenge for Gay and Lesbian Directors," as part of OUTFEST '97, the 15th Los Angeles lesbian and gay film festival, which runs through July 20. Featuring eight major directors who are also gay and lesbian, panelists will discuss what the roles and responsibilities of openly gay directors in fostering diverse images of gay men and lesbians. Panelists include Paris Barclay (Don't Be a Menace to South Central... ), Clive Barker (Hellraiser), Nicole Conn (Claire of the Moon), Marita Giovanni (Bar Girls) and Randal Kleiser (It's My Party), among others. For more information contact Mark Abelsson (Hollywood Supports) at (213) 468-1270. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is the nation's lesbian & gay news bureau and the only national lesbian & gay multimedia watchdog organization. GLAAD promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive representation as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. To subscribe contact Don Romesburg at (415) 861-2244 or at romesburg@glaad.org. "GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc.