Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 17:04:23 -0700 From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Subject: GLAADLines 11.24.97 GLAADLINES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 24, 1997 News, Tips and Breaking Stories about the Gay & Lesbian Community contact: Don Romesburg (415) 861-2244 romesburg@glaad.org http://www.glaad.org ELLEN'S "LIKE A VIRGIN": This Wednesday, November 26, Ellen DeGeneres' TV character takes steps towards the bedroom, signaling the characters continual coming out process. Titled "Like A Virgin," the episode is slated to include Ellen Morgan's first trip to the bedroom with new girlfriend Laurie (Lisa Darr). ABC is expected to include yet another "parental warning," which has appeared on previous shows that have included a same-sex kiss and hand-holding. "This Wednesday, Ellen Morgan will mark an important and integral step in the representations of lesbian and gay relationships, the first night loving couples spend together," said Chastity Bono, GLAAD Entertainment Media Director. "While radical religious pundits are up in arms about the inclusive representations of loving gay relationships, GLAAD believes that fair-minded Americans will see Ellen Morgan's latest step as simply the natural progression in any loving relationship between two adults, regardless of gender." For more information, contact Liz Tracey (GLAAD Associate Communications Director) at (212) 807-1700, or via e-mail at tracey@glaad.org. STUDY REVEALS GAY FRIENDS IMPROVE BEDSIDE MANNERS: According to a new study, knowing someone who is lesbian or gay and being aware of gay issues improves medical students' attitudes towards lesbians and gay men. "Medical Student Attitudes of Homosexuality and Implications for Health Care," published in the Journal of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, surveyed 127 medical students enrolled in an elective human sexuality course. Nearly 86% said they had a lesbian or gay acquaintance, and nearly 80% of those students ranked "high" on their knowledge of homosexuality. Only 50% of those without a gay friend ranked highly on the questions. "This study confirms that the more information students have about gay men and lesbians, the more likely they are to have a positive attitude toward homosexuality," said Dr. Cynthia G. Olsen, co-author of the study. For more information contact Sue Rochman (Gay and Lesbian Medical Association Communications Director) at (415) 255-4547, ext. 309. DISNEY CHIEF SAYS ANTI-GAY BOYCOTTS A FLOP: During a November 23 interview on CBS' 60 Minutes, Disney Chairman Michael Eisner announced the failure of a boycott attempt by leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention because of the company's inclusion and fair treatment of lesbians and gay men. Eisner noted that the boycott attempt "hasn't had a financial effect." Specifically addressing ABC's Ellen, Eisner called the development of the openly lesbian lead character "very well done," and noted that same-sex kissing on the show did not offend him. "It would be hard to ask ABC, either in their news division or...their entertainment division to cancel or edit something out that was mature." In the year ending September 30, Disney's revenues have risen by a reported 6% to $22.5 billion, while its operating income has soured 18% to $4.3 billion. "While GLAAD supports any group's right to call a boycott, the leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention clearly have little support from Southern Baptists, much less other Americans," said GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry. "The boycott's a bust because most people simply don't support their 'sky is falling' scare tactics around fair representations of lesbians and gay men." For more information contact Liz Tracey (GLAAD Associate Communications Director) at (212) 807-1700, or via e-mail at tracey@glaad.org. AS ANTICIPATED, MARINES HELD IN GAS ATTACK ON DC GAY BAR: On November 21, Navy investigators acknowledged that five Marines from the Marine Barracks on Capitol Hill are suspects in a July 12 tear gas bomb assault on Remington's, a gay bar in Washington, D.C. Though no one was seriously injured, some patrons reported that paramedics and police on the scene did little to investigate and administer emergency care. At the time, representatives from GLOV (Gay Men and Lesbians Opposed to Violence) noted that witnesses saw several marines outside the bar. The Marine Corps are considering an "article 32 hearing," similar to a civilian grand jury proceeding. "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 has continued to keep pressure on local officials to seek resolution on the attack. For more information contact Darryl Cooper (GLOV) at (202) 418-1039. CAMMERMEYER RUNS FOR CONGRESS: Retired National Guard Colonel Margerethe Cammermeyer, whose story of dismissal and reinstatement into the National Guard was told in the made-for-television movie Serving in Silence, recently announced her candidacy for Congress in Langley, WA. In recent elections, a number of openly lesbian and gay candidates won their races, including 3 candidates each in New York City and Minnesota. Kathleen DeBold of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund said, "As a decorated war hero, human rights activist, mother and grandmother, Margerethe Cammermeyer has already proven herself worthy of not only the respect of all Americans, but their votes as well." The decorated Vietnam veteran is running to unseat two-term Republican Rep. Jack Metcalf. For more information, contact Kathleen DeBold at the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund at (202) 842 8679. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is 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. 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