From: Date: Wed, 07 Sep 94 08:15:11 EDT Subject: GLAAD Atlanta Aug 7 GLAAD/Atlanta News August 7, 1994 by Carl Lange HERE'S THE STORY OF A DYKE NAMED BRADY . . . by AL KIELWASSER, GLAAD/SFBA "Here's the story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls . . . ." For well over a decade, the familiar Brady Bunch refrain has chimed daily from television sets around the globe. Now, the campy 70's hit series is being made into a Hollywood feature film and one of those "lovely girls" might also be a lovely lesbian. The Paramount film is currently in production and writers Jim Berg and Stan Zimmerman (creators of Roseanne's infamous "lesbian kiss" episode) have suggested that the character of Marcia Brady will become involved with another woman. In the film, Marcia's best friend is Nicole, an out lesbian. Marcia's friend develops a crush on the eldest Brady daughter and, according to Stan Zimmerman, "Nicole gets what she's after in the end." Of course, it could be argued that not Marcia, but Jan Brady would have been the more logical choice for a lesbian love interest. In the original series, after all, it was Jan who demonstrated the most pronounced queer qualities: intelligence, sincerity, and a passion for justice (she was, after all, a member an oppressed community -- middle children). But seriously, a queer Brady -- any queer Brady -- could powerfully subvert the historical heterosexism of television's "family" sit-coms. A lesbian Marcia would explode the mythic heterosexuality of The Brady Bunch, radiating a uniquely affirmative message throughout the popular culture. Such cultural transformations -- whether humorous or serious -- are essential to combating homophobia, which is largely maintained through the media of film and television. Send feedback to Stan Zimmerman and Jim Berg, Brady Bunch movie, c/o Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood CA 90038, tel. 213-956-4900. PEOPLE WHO READ PEOPLE by AL KIELWASSER, GLAAD/SFBA Readers of "People Weekly" have been treated to an improved, more lesbian-positive magazine. Most recently (Sept. 5), the popular magazine's "Couples" section featured a two-page spread on singer Melissa Etheridge and her lover Julie Cypher. "Her Grammy is nice," the magazine notes, but Etheridge's lover is her "greatest prize." "A House in Harmony," written by Peter Castro and John Griffiths, profiles Etheridge and Cypher in both words and photos. The feature deals nonchalantly with the couple's blossoming relationship and peeks -- without sensationalism -- into the personal histories of each woman. Make sure that the magazine's letters-to-the-editor page is filled with more than just hate mail from panicky homophobes. Send your letter to Jason McManus, Editor-in-Chief, People Weekly, Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY, 10020. We welcome and thank you for your contributions to this column. Permission is granted to distribute and/or reproduce this column in part or in its entirety provided attribution is made to GLAAD/Atlanta and Al Kielwasser, GLAAD/SFBA when appropriate. For more information about GLAAD/Atlanta write PO Box 55111, Atlanta, GA 30308; phone 404-876-1398; fax 404-876-4051; internet: glaadatl@aol.com. This column is a product of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/Atlanta, Incorporated. ####