Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 18:21:55 -0700 From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Subject: GLAADLines 03.16.98 GLAADLINES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 1998 News and Breaking Stories about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community contact: Don Romesburg (415) 861-2244 romesburg@glaad.org http://www.glaad.org INTERNET SCHOOL FILTERING ACT THREATENS GAY COMMUNITY: On March 12, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill to require schools and libraries that receive federal funds for Internet access to install software to block material inappropriate for children. GLAAD and Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) are concerned about this proposition as a violation of the First Amendment rights of students and citizens. "I am not only GLAAD's executive director, I am a mother, and can appreciate the potential use of Internet filtering software in the home, where parents can make their own personal value judgments about what filtering software to purchase and what types of sites to block," said Joan M. Garry. "However, requiring a public institution to make this judgment for local citizens is a violation of First Amendment rights. I don't want anyone but my partner and me telling my kids what they can and cannot see." For more information, contact Cathy Renna (GLAAD Interim Communications Director) at (202) 986-1360 or e-mail at renna@glaad.org. RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS REEVALUATE ROLE OF GAY PEOPLE: Several days after Nebraskan United Methodist pastor Jimmy Creech was acquitted by a jury of religious peers on charges that he violated church law by performing a same-sex union ceremony, several other gay-related issues have developed in mainstream religions around the country. In New Jersey, the Episcopal Diocese of Newark announced March 13 that among the five final candidates to succeed their former bishop is openly gay Rev. Gene Robinson. If elected in June, Robinson would be the only openly gay bishop running an Episcopal diocese in the U.S.. In Florida, Dr. Ray Whetstone, an openly gay elder of the Second Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, is fighting for his position after a congregant contested Whetstone's standing based on rules set forth by the national General Assembly. The case will go before the denomination's high court in August. On March 17, the South Florida region of the church will vote on a national proposal concerning the ordination of lesbians and gay men. "This trend is an indication that it is time for people of faith to come out of the closet in support of gay rights-and that's what is happening," said Equal Partners in Faith Advisory Committeemember Laura Montgomery Rutt. "The religious right has tried to frame the debate as Christians versus non-Christians, but now we are showing that, because of our faith, many Christians and people of faith support equal rights and privileges for everyone regardless of sexual orientation." For more information contact Laura Montgomery Rutt (Advisory Committee Equal Partners in Faith) at (202) 296-4672 or pgr. (888) 859-3051. VICTORY FUND ANNOUNCES WINNERS WHILE LOG CABIN ATTACKS RIGHT-WING ELECTIONEERING: During March 10 special elections, openly lesbian and gay candidates in Massachusetts and Arizona won, while at least one anti-gay, far-right candidate in California lost. Supported by the Victory Fund, an organization assisting qualified openly lesbian and gay candidates nationwide, Liz Malia won a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, while Tempe, Arizona voters reelected gay Republican Mayor Neil Giuliano. Victory Fund Executive Director Brian Bond said the Giuliano win "proved that mean-spirited tactics against openly gay and lesbian candidates will ultimately fail because a clear majority of fair-minded citizens believe that good government, provided by leaders regardless of their sexual orientation, should be rewarded." The Log Cabin Republicans, a national gay Republican group, expressed concern over a pattern of pro-gay Republican candidates with broad-based support losing out in primaries to anti-gay candidates funded by the radical religious group Campaign for Working Families, headed by Gary Bauer. These candidates then lose to Democrats in the general elections. "By targeting moderate Republicans and defeating them in primaries one after another, Bauer is losing elections for Republicans," said Log Cabin Executive Director Richard Tafel. He warned of a March 17 Illinois primary election in which Loletta Didrickson (R), who polls indicate as the Republican candidate most likely to beat incumbent Sen. Carol Moseley-Brown (D) may lose to anti-gay insurgent Peter Fitzgerald, who Bauer is helping fund. For more information contact Kathleen DeBold (Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund) at (202) 842-8679 and Kevin Ivers (Log Cabin Director of Public Affairs) at (202) 347-5306, ext. 12. MEDICAL GROUP REJECTS GAY DOCTORS: In a decision described by the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) as "outrageous," the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in a March 3 letter denied a request for the organization to have exhibit space at the annual conference. In the letter, ACOG stated, "Your service would not benefit or be of interest to the majority of our membership." GLMA Board Member Dr. Jocelyn White said, "Lesbians don't often obtain gynecological services because they fear encountering homophobia from their gynecologist, and their health suffers because of this. ACOG's mission is to educate its members about all women's health issues, yet [the rejection] shows they are willing to ignore the medical needs of millions of women. Lesbian patients expect, and deserve, more." For more information contact Sue Rochman (GLMA Communications Director) at (415) 255-4547, ext. 309. IRISH LESBIAN AND GAY MEN PROTEST EXCLUSION IN NEW YORK: On March 17, St. Patrick's Day, the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization (ILGO) will demonstrate to once again protest the holiday march organizers, Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) exclusion of ILGO from the march. At a March 16 press conference, ILGO will announce plans for the next day. Since 1990, AOH has banned ILGO from participating. For more information contact Lisa Fane at pager (917) 780-0347. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is the nation's lesbian & gay multimedia advocacy 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 registered trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) glaad@glaad.org TO REPORT DEFAMATION IN THE MEDIA - Call GLAAD's Alertline at 1.800.GAY.MEDIA or go to the GLAAD Web Site at www.glaad.org and report through our Alertline Online. 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