Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 18:14:31 -0500 From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD) Subject: GLAADLines 12.8.97 GLAADLINES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 1997 News, Tips and Breaking Stories about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community contact: Don Romesburg (415) 861-2244 romesburg@glaad.org http://www.glaad.org GLAAD'S INTERNET FILTERING SOFTWARE REPORT BREAKS GROUND: Following its participation in the Internet Summit: Focus on Children held in Washington, D.C. last week, where GLAAD distributed its report, Access Denied: The Impact of Internet Filtering Software on the Gay & Lesbian Community, the only national lesbian and gay multimedia advocacy organization has raised its concern over fair treatment for sites with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender content. This report marks the first time a lesbian and gay national organization has produced research and analysis of such depth on the issue of Internet access. While GLAAD appreciates the importance of beginning a dialogue around child safety on the Internet and recognizes and shares parents' concerns, it is troubled by the overemphasis on the "technology toolbox" set forth by the Summit. As outlined in Access Denied, current technology is still imperfect and poses a threat to many educational, informational and support resources on the Internet. "We commend GLAAD for their careful analysis of commercial filtering software and constructive recommendations," said Daniel Weitzner, Deputy Director of the Center for Democracy and Technology, a leading Internet civil liberties group. For more information contact Liz Tracey (GLAAD Associate Communications Director) at (212) 807-1700, pgr. (800) 946-4646 pin# 1423527 or via e-mail at tracey@glaad.org. SALT LAKE CITY NON-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE UP FOR VOTE: In spite of attempts by one right-wing City Councilmember to block the vote, the Salt Lake City Council will vote December 9 on whether to add "sexual orientation" to the city's nondiscrimination ordinance. The proposal, put forth by Councilwoman Deeda Seed, states that "employment practices and decisions within the Salt Lake City government shall be made using valid job-related criteria and standards. Discrimination against an otherwise qualified applicant based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability is prohibited." According to Councilwoman Seed, who anticipates the proposal will pass, "This sends a message that Salt Lake City will not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation. I see this as a basic issue of human rights." For more information contact Councilwoman Deeda Seed at (801) 364-4015 or (801) 535-7600. GAY REPUBLICAN BREAKS D.C. MOLD: In a December 2 special election, 29-year-old openly gay conservative Republican David Catania beat overwhelming odds to become the first openly gay candidate to be elected to the D.C. City Council. Catania is the first Republican ever in the city's history to win a head-to-head election against a Democrat, in what is historically a Democratic stronghold. Catania beat his opponent, Arrington Dixon, by a margin of 43 percent to 37 percent. According to the gay organization Log Cabin Republicans, Catania captured over 70 percent of the vote in heavily lesbian and gay precincts. "David Catania's victory is an example of how a message of fiscal conservatism, fighting crime and reforming education combined with tolerance and respect for individual rights for all citizens is winning elections for Republicans around the country," said Log Cabin Executive Director Rich Tafel. For more information contact Kevin Ivers (Log Cabin Republicans) at (202) 347-5306 ext. 12. PACIFIC EXCHANGE INVESTS IN ITS EMPLOYEES DOMESTIC PARTNERS: On December 1, the Pacific Exchange (PCX) became the first U.S. stock exchange to offer domestic partner benefits when it announced it would include same-sex and opposite sex domestic partners of employees in its benefits plan beginning in 1998. "We have a diversified work force in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and we wanted to make sure all our employees had the coverage they needed," said Viola Lucero, PCX vice president of Human Resources. "It's the right thing to do, and it strengthens our abilities to attract and retain a talented work force." PCX joins the growing ranks of companies offering such benefits, including a number of traditionally conservative companies, including IBM, American Express and Time-Warner. For more information contact Dale A. Carlson (PCX) at (415) 393-4198. AT&T EMPLOYEE GROUP ESTABLISHES GAY YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP: Recognizing the challenges faced by today's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, the lesbian and gay employee group at AT&T recently announced the establishment of a foundation to administer its youth scholarship fund. The LEAGUE (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgendered United Employees) at AT&T Foundation will promote diversity, understanding and academic excellence by providing grants of up to $1,000 to college-bound graduating high school seniors who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and are active in their local communities. For more information, contact LEAGUE at (703) 713-7820. To report events that merit media coverage, or news stories breaking in your area, please contact us. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive representation as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. 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