GLAAD/LA Reports February '93 Issue Carl Matthes, Editor (213) 254-2726 - FAX (213) 257-5878 Front Page - Lead Story GLAAD/LA Media Awards... "Show of the Year" Unfolds Mar. 20 GLAAD/LA's Fourth Annual Media Awards Show is rapidly approaching. The dinner and show, which promise to be both exciting and inspirational, will take place on Mar. 20, 1993, in the glamorous International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. For the volunteers who have already donated hundreds of hours to make sure this will be a glittering and fast-paced event, it cannot happen soon enough! For those of you who have yet to purchase your tickets, time (and tickets) are running out. There are still many opportunities for those who would like to volunteer to help with this exciting fundraiser. Please call either of the dinner co-chairs, Will Halm at (310) 273-9222 or Carmichael Smith-Low at (213) 874-1139, to offer your services. Entertainment and media figures whose presence at the dinner has been confirmed as of press time include Steve Allen, Roseanne and Tom Arnold, Beatrice Arthur, Rene Auberjonois, Bruce Davison, Robert Desidereo, Amanda Donohoe, Jill Eickenberry, Sheila Kuehl, Judith Light, Paul Monette, Rita Moreno, Kathy Najimy, Lisa Pelikan, Carl Reiner, Doris Roberts, Doug Savant, George Takei, Rip Taylor, Michael Tucker, Karen Malina White, JoBeth Williams and Hattie Winston. The Celebrities Committee is continuing its industry wide efforts and the names of additional personalities who will be attending will be announced in next month's GLAAD/LA Reports. Individuals purchasing premium tickets to the event will attend a private cocktail reception with the award presenters and recipients. Cocktails will be available for everyone attending the Awards Show. During the cocktail reception, a silent auction, patterned after last year's successful effort, will be held. Unique items and showbiz memorabilia, including a "Murder, She Wrote" script signed by Angela Lansbury, and a "Glengarry Glen Ross" screenplay signed by Jack Lemmon, will be on the auction block. The cocktail hour and Silent Auction, set in the Beverly Hilton's Executive Center, will begin promptly at 6:00 pm followed by dinner at 7:30 pm. The show has been put on even a stricter diet than last year (we promise!), will begin at 8:30 pm and is planned to end by 10:00 pm. Robert Norton, Esq., of Harmony Gold will again produce the show, and GLAAD/LA's own David M. Smith is in charge of public relations for the dinner, with the able assistance of Jeff Sullivan. Tom Mondragon is contributing all graphics, and Wayne Shimabukuro all the photography. In addition, a gala kick-off cocktail party for the show was held at the home of Frank and Oli Agrama on Jan. 23. Beyond all of this, of course, is the purpose of the dinner, which is to honor our special guests: the women and men of the media who have taken a principled stand against homophobia, and those celebrities who are helping to present the awards. The awards show will be signed for the hearing impaired, and vegetarian dinners are available with advance notice. Both the cocktail reception and the dinner are wheelchair accessible. By attending GLAAD/LA's Media Award Show, you will be telling those people who promote honest and accurate media portrayals of lesbians and gay men how much we need and appreciate them. Also, funds raised from this event help GLAAD/LA to fulfill its purpose. To reserve a ticket for this gala event, call Events Unlimited, Inc. at (310) 996-1188, or mail in the cut-out coupon in this issue of GLAAD/LA Reports. Co-President's Column by Dean Hansell Visioning the Future "I know one thing we did right Was the day we started to fight Keep your eyes on the prize Hold on, hold on." ...Traditional song of the civil rights movement. Starting a new year and the beginning of a Democratic administration, it is not too fanciful an idea to look to where we should be going. While we do not always agree with each other on the best ways to get there, it is important to remember that we all share the same ultimate goals. By stating what some of our shared goals are, we realize that our differences in approach are not as significant as the similarities. Here is my list of some of the goals for GLAAD/LA: 1. Complete elimination of the ban on military service by lesbians and gay men. Although Presidential candidate Bill Clinton made this pledge many times, its accomplishment will by no means be certain or easy. Even key national Clinton supporters such as Senator Sam Nunn and Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr. have urged Clinton not to proceed and instead create a commission to study the issue forever. Clinton will need to be reminded of the arguments made to President Truman by the military in 1948 that the elimination of racial barriers would be disruptive and bad for morale. Recent KKK activity on several Southern military bases reminds us that there is still racism within the military but few could argue that integration is a mistake. So it is with eliminating the military ban against lesbians and gays. Such a move may not eliminate homophobia entirely in the military but this should not deter Clinton from doing what is right. 2. Elimination of all sodomy laws. It is hard for us in places such as California to imagine that in 1993 about half of the states still maintain laws against sexual relations between consenting adults. Most of these laws carry criminal sanctions. The infamous Bowers vs Hardwick decision held that lesbians and gays have no constitutional privacy right to engage in sexual relations: the Constitution does not "confer a fundamental right upon homosexuals to engage in sodomy." While sodomy statutes are rarely enforced, their existence is used as a justification by bigots for other forms of discrimination and such laws are taken into consideration by judges when making decisions involving lesbians and gays, such as child custody cases. Undoubtedly many in the entertainment industry use such statutes as an excuse for not portraying gays and lesbians in movies or on TV. 3. Enactment of anti-discrimination laws and elimination of those statutes that prohibit these laws from existing. Living in California, which has statewide anti-discrimination statutes such as the Unruh Act, it is easy to forget that in most parts of the country it is perfectly permissible to discriminate against lesbians and gays and people with AIDS in employment and housing. GLAAD/Atlanta has been active in a boycott of a Southern-based chain of restaurants called Cracker Barrel. Cracker Barrel's management terminated all of its openly gay and lesbian employees for being "sinful and against family values." Despite challenges, they have enforced this policy with legal impunity. What's more, the religious right has begun to fight what few anti-discrimination statutes exist. They successfully hoodwinked Coloradans into enacting a bigoted statute that bans anti-discrimination laws designed to protect gays and lesbians. 4. Equal treatment for straight and same sex couples in insurance, health care, housing, taxes, etc. The results can be financially devastating when one partner becomes ill and cannot work. With strong encouragement from GLAAD/LA, several studios and a handful of corporations are now offering the same benefits to same sex couples as exist for straight couples. Further, several municipalities allow same sex couples to register and receive whatever municipal benefits are offered to heterosexual couples. 5. Accurate and balanced portrayals of lesbians and gays in the media. Although great strides have been made in furthering this goal, often with GLAAD's involvement, we are still marginalized in how we are portrayed in the media. Use of stereotypical gay and lesbian images are much more the norm for Hollywood than are the fair and balanced portrayals represented by those who will be honored at the Fourth GLAAD/LA Media Awards on March 20. The media's ability to shape perception is powerful. Mischaracterization has a substantial impact on molding public opinion about who we are, and, despite great strides, we have a lot of work to do. Space does not permit me to articulate other important goals, such as the elimination of the Immigration and Customs ban on people coming into this country who are HIV positive. Before we engage in the luxury of attacking each other for insignificant differences that exist between us, we must be mindful about how much more there is to do. We need to keep our eyes on the prize. FILM AND TV An intriguing movie... "The Crying Game" One of the most interesting and intriguing movies of the year must be "The Crying Game." ("The movie everyone is talking about, but no one is giving away its secrets.") This Neil Jordan written and directed opus presents a sophisticated story, populated by a cast of well-drawn characters, that holds the attention and fires the imagination. Using one of the world's longest unresolved conflicts as its backdrop -- the armed conflict in Northern Ireland -- Mr. Jordan manages to weave a story of romance and intrigue that is both unpredictable and believable. Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson and newcomer Jaye Davidson carry the honors for this inclusive '90s film. That more of the story is not revealed here, should serve as your invitation to see this film and then send your comments to: Neil Jordan, c/o ICM-Duncan Heath, Oxford House, 76 Oxford Street, London W1R 1RB, England. "In Living Color" A highly offensive, homophobic skit about gays in the military aired on "In Living Color" on Dec. 13. Reports to the GLAAD/LA hotline -- (213) 931-9429 -- documented the reaction of some viewing the show. In a letter to Mr. Don Bay, Vice President for Broadcasting Standards at the Fox Broadcasting Company, David M. Smith, Executive Director of GLAAD/LA, clearly summarized, "It was the most offensive depiction of gay men to date by a show that continually broadcasts extreme, stereotypical portrayals of supposedly gay men that are not balanced by anything else on the show or, for that matter, much else on the Fox Network." The skit depicted several soldiers in a military barracks readying themselves for inspection by an unsuspecting drill sergeant. The soldiers were engaged in outrageous behavior, one wearing his shirt tied in a knot above the waist, and another visibly enjoying being verbally berated. The drill sergeant was informed by an aide that President Clinton had just lifted the ban on gays in the military and this was the first gay unit, and was dubbed the "Pink Brigade." In a press release, GLAAD/LA has asked Fox for an apology for the entire gay and lesbian community. "Misconceptions about gay men were greatly reinforced by the military skit, which drew from every false stereotype imaginable." A Fox spokesperson responded, "(The show) is primarily about parody and satire, and part of satire is making stereotypes look silly. We did not intend to offend anyone." To date a formal apology has not been received. According to Smith, Don Bay informed him in a phone conversation that he thought the characters on the skit were positive. "I told him we had a larger problem if this is the case," said Smith. Your comments may be directed to: Mr. Don Bay, Vice President for Broadcast Standards, Fox Broadcasting Company, Trailer #752, Room #112, Los Angeles 90035. Meanwhile, Howard Rosenberg, Pulitizer Prize winning columnist for the Los Angeles Times, wrote in his Dec. 21 column, "After starting fast in 1990, 'In Living Color' has been continually sliding, its most striking component now being crudeness. Crudeness without humor. "It's one thing to exaggerate. Satire always entails exaggeration. It's quite another thing, though, to create comedy, like the gays-in-the-military sketch, that feeds a dangerous distortion about an entire segment of the population. There is enough homophobia out there without some third-rate comedy writers thickening the pollution with the blessing of a major TV network." Contact Mr. Rosenberg by writing, Mr. Howard Rosenberg, Calendar, Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; FAX (213) 237-7679; (800) LA Times. PRINT AND RADIO Gays/Lesbians in the Military 1. Forbes Magazine 2. Les Aspin Nominated 3. Sailor Beaten to Death Sowell Off-Target... The Dec. 21 issue of Forbes magazine carried a column by Thomas Sowell of Stanford's Hoover Institution decrying the possibility of lifting the ban on the service of openly gay and lesbian citizens in the military. Mr. Sowell seems fascinated with an idea, which he has evidently dreamed-up, that same-sex intercourse be allowed in military barracks. Then, in a bizarre twist, he observes that "gays have become another privileged class (because college) men's toilets have become rendezvous centers for homosexual activity." Mr. Sowell, who is connected in some way to Stanford University, continued, "When you can't even go to the toilet without being a witness or a target of homosexual activity...can anyone imagine how soldiers, Marines or paratroopers, are going to react to such situations?" That this kind of drivel can gain a place on the pages of a well-known national publication is unfortunate. While Forbes has the right to clutter its opinion columns in any way it sees fit, where are the articles that would promote a serious discussion of this issue or provide a balance to the blatant prejudice and ignorance of a Mr. Sowell? Your comments to the editor can only be helpful, write: Mr. James W. Michaels, Editor, Forbes, 60 Fifth Avenue, New York 10011; Mr. Thomas Sowell, c/o Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305; (415) 723-1754. Les Aspin Nominated as Secretary of Defense... With the appointment of Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Georgia) as Secretary of Defense derailed (GLAAD/LA Reports, Jan. issue), attention is now turning to Rep. Les Aspin (D-Wis.), Clinton's nominee for this important cabinet position. During his first day of confirmation hearings, Aspin told Senators that Clinton will move quickly to lift the ban. "With Bill Clinton's election and his pledge during the campaign to take this issue head on...we are going to take it head on," Aspin told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I think that there's no way to avoid the issue, or slide around it, or try and patch up the whole issue and let it go away," he said. "We want this issue to be dealt with very, very carefully, but we want it be be dealt with very, very deliberately." Comments to Rep. Aspin may be addressed: Rep. Les Aspin, House of Representatives, Washington D.C. 20510. Homosexual Sailor Beaten to Death... After two months of a suspected cover-up, Navy officials have confirmed that Seaman Allen R. Schindler, 22, may have been a victim of a gay-bashing. "The government needs to take swift action to legitamize the presence of homosexuals in the military..." said the front-page Jan. 9 Los Angeles Times article written by H.G. Reza. In recent weeks, Army Gen. Colin L. Powell, Gen. Carl Mundy of the Marines and Admiral Frank Kelso have publicly opposed Clinton's plan to lift the Pentagon's ban on homosexuals. Many believe that these stated positions "...tacitly encourage gay-bashings within the ranks and in the fleets. Leaderships' opposition to enlisted gays (and lesbians) sets a tone for other service men and women." The Navy Times quoted one unidentified Marine at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station when asked what he would do if he learned a homosexual lived in the barracks. "I'd have to kill him, I guess." Meanwhile, Admiral Kelso continued his musings by saying, "I do not believe that I or the other service chiefs inadvertently condone or encourage harassment against homosexuals simply by answering questions about our opinions on lifting the ban..." (Humm...Admiral Kelso, what does it encourage?) Comments to: Office of Chief of Naval Operations, Attention: P.A.O., Code OP-00P, Washington D.C., 20350. Project 21: "It's a terrific victory." The State Board of Education on Dec. 12 approved textbook guidelines that include a discussion of homosexuality and alternative lifestyles while stressing sexual abstinence for teen-agers. The Board unanimously approved the Comprehensive Health Framework, which serves as a guide to California's 1,000 plus school districts to improve health education, make students and teachers more sensitive to health issues and encourage youngsters to make healthy decisions regarding their lives. The 114-page report, the result of two years of study, is a "leadership document" that advises local districts. "It's a terrific victory," said Jessea Greenman of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD/SFBA). "It's a great step forward. They adopted a framework that includes specific mention of lesbian and gay students and specifies that we are part of the community to be served. It breaks the conspiracy of silence. It means that gays and lesbians will be mentioned in textbooks for the first time in a non-prejudicial, non-judgemental way." Comments to: Joseph Stein, Chairman, State Board of Education, 721 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 94244; (916) 657-5478, fax (916) 657-5101; and Yvonne Johnson, Chair, Curriculum Commission, P.O. Box 944272, Sacramento, CA 94244; fax 916/327-6887; Jessea Greenman, GLAAD/SFBA, 514 Castro Street, Suite B, San Francisco 94114; (415) 861-4588. Colorado Boycott Injunction Issued; Colorado Amendment 2 Put on Hold Denver Judge Jeffrey Bayless issued an injunction Jan. 15 prohibiting Colorado from enforcing the now infamous Amendment 2. The injunction came on the day that the amendment was to take effect. Bayless found that "homosexuals are in danger of immediate and irreparable harm and that the plaintiffs had a reasonable probablilty of winning their case on constitutional grounds." Attorneys for the plaintiffs -- the cities of Aspen, Denver and Boulder plus nine Colorado residents, including tennis star Martina Navratilova and a heterosexual with AIDS -- had received a 17-hour injunction Jan. 14. Supporters of the amendment angrily vowed to regroup and devise a counter strategy. GLAAD/LA Executive Director David Smith said "the injunction is an incredibly positive sign." Comments to: The Honorable Roy Romer, Governor, 136 State Capitol Bldg., Denver, CO 80203. 1. Gloria Allred 2. New York Times 3. Los Angeles City Council 4. Platform Column: Full of Holes Gloria Allred's Dec. 18 Editorial on KABC-TV... This week the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to boycott Colorado in order to protest that State's passage of a constitutional amendment permitting discrimination against gays and lesbians in Colorado. I agree with the boycott. The people of Colorado had a choice at their last election between protection of the civil rights of gays and lesbians and elimination of those rights. 53% of the voters supported the politics of fear over the politics of love and the politics of hate over the politics of enlightenment. By voting to pass Amendment 2, voters chose to change their Constitution to prohibit cities from enforcing ordinances which prohibited discrimination on account of sexual orientation. In plain English, passage of Amendment 2 means that even cities such as Aspen, which previously had voted to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination, are no longer permitted to enforce such laws. The harsh result is that lesbians and gays in Colorado are left without any city or state legal protection against discrimination. In the face of such blatant restrictions of the civil rights of a minority, I believe we all have a duty to protest. One potentially effective method is to boycott Colorado until the law is changed. If we refuse to vacation there, visit the state for meetings or do business with Colorado corporations, we are waging the kind of economic protest that could result in Colorado reevaluating what it has done. Entertainers such as Barbra Streisand, Whoopi Goldberg and Joan Rivers have already decided to wage such a boycott. The City Council of Los Angeles has indicated its support by indicating that it will not pay for city officials or employees travel there. The Council is right. Why should our tax dollars be used to subsidize bigotry? If Colorado passed a law refusing to protect African-Americans or Jewish people from intolerance, would we just turn the other cheek and look away? When we spend our dollars in a state that has affirmatively decided to single out a minority and permit discrimination against members of that group, we are voting with our checkbook to support that state's policy. I am glad that the city of Los Angeles is joining the cities of Philadelphia, New York and Atlanta in protesting Colorado's law by refusing to do business as usual with that state. It's time for equal protection under the law, not victimization of a vulnerable minority. The economic boycott will send a message to those who may be planning to spread their campaign of hatred to other states, that prejudice has a price tag and that not only the victims, but also those who support it, will bear the cost of state sponsored bigotry. Comments to: Ms. Gloria Allred, KABC-TV, Roger Bell, News Director, 4151 Prospect Avenue, Los Angeles 90027. New York Times on Target... The nationwide boycott against Colorado continued to grab the front page of The New York Times. In a Dec. 30 front page article, Michael Specter chronicled how the nationwide boycott -- a protest against the statewide passage of the anti-gay Measure 2 in Nov. -- has divided the wealthy resort community of Aspen, dominating dining room conversation at the resort's Ritz Carlton Hotel and, at times, pitting celebrity against celebrity. Amid the controversy, Colorado itself faces an impending financial disaster. The state could lose $20 million, with cancellations already reaching $500,000 per day. Measure 2 prohibits the passage of city ordinances that protect gays and lesbians from discrimination, and repeals local ordinances that have already been passed. Aspen, Boulder and Denver originally had measures that protected lesbians and gays from discrimination. In addition to its front page coverage, the Times, in a top-of-the-page editorial, voiced its support for the Colorado boycott, saying that "a successful bocyott can help energize the most progressive Coloradans to overturn their new law...andŮ send a potent warning to other states that may soon consider similar measures." Front page coverage is important to lesbians and gays across the United States, because the success or failure of Measure 2 will determine the success or failure of similar initiatives in other states. Proponents of anti-gay legislation have already declared their intention to spread their cause to eight other states, including California, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon and Washington. Send your comments to: Mr. Max Frankel, Editor, New York Times, 229 W. 43rd St., New York 10036. Mr. Michael Specter, same address. Los Angeles Takes Stand Against Colorado... Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Woo introduced a motion before the City Council which represents the toughest sanctions yet against Colorado for that state's passage of Amendment 2, the measure that bans gay and lesbian civil rights. The motion, which passed unanimously on Dec. 16, included a ban on city related travel to Colorado, and instructs the city attorney to draft a proposal to ban the City of Los Angeles from doing business with companies based in that state. This ban would be similar to the one enacted against South Africa for that country's support of aparthied. Groups already committed to the boycott include the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Organization of Women, the National Council for Social Studies, the Association of College Unions International and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. In addition, nine major cities -- Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Seattle and Austin, Tex. -- have either restricted travel to the state by their officials or banned the purchase of Colorado products and services. Comments to: Michael Woo, City Councilperson 13th District, 200 North Spring, Los Angeles 90012. Los Angeles Times Platform Full of Holes... The idea is probably a good one. Make space available daily on the Opinion page, call it Platform, and feature articles by "average" citizens on topical subjects. And Dorothy Mann certainly took advantage of that opportunity on Jan 7. Ms. Mann is said to be "...of Lake Forest (formerly El Toro) in Orange County (and) believes that many Americans support the stand that Colorado voters have taken on homosexual rights..." She then identifies the source for her bigotry -- amazingly, the U.S. Constitution -- and, in her rampant confusion, almost portrays it as a book from the Bible. She then takes no time at all to link homosexuality with sin, as well as with "incest, bestiality, etc." (One can only wonder what "etc." covers.) "Let's seek healing for homosexuality, not dignify it by calling it a 'civil right,'" she pleads. Pat Robertson, Pat Buchanan, et al, could not have written anything more inflammatory, ignorant or bigoted. Trying to add some measure of sanity to this situation is David M. Smith, Executive Director of GLAAD/LA. In a letter to Bob Berger, platform editor, David states, "I was stunned to read today's platform...It panders to the myopic view of the religious right that homosexuality is a sickness, that gays can be healed simply by changing behavior, and that we are trying to achieve civil rights protection based on sex acts, as opposed to civil rights based on an unchangeable aspect of who we are as people." To make your own comments about Ms. Mann, write: Mr. Bob Berger, c/o Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; FAX (213) 237-7679; (800) LA Times. MUSIC Let GLAAD/LA know... Reggae Singer's Killer Song Gaining air time on at least two New York radio stations has been reggae star Buju Banton's dance hit "Boom Bye Bye" which encourages listeners to murder gay men. A sampling of the lyrics reveals, "Faggots have to run / Or get a bullet in the head / Bang-bang (shots) in a faggot's head / Homeboys don't condone nasty men / They must die. / Two men necking / Lying in a bed / Hugging each other / And caressing one another's legs / Get an automatic or an Uzi instead / Shoot them now, let us shoot them (gunshot)." If you hear this number being played over the radio in Southern California call to the GLAAD/LA hotline, (213) 931-9429, and make a report. In your report include the date, which station, time of day and any remarks made by the DJ. In a press conference, Buju denies inciting anyone to violence but insists that "...I must state unequivocally that I do not condone homosexuality as this runs contrary to my religious beliefs." Too bad murder doesn't. Since recording the song, Buju has signed with Mercury Records, which, in response to protests from GLAAD/NY and Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD), strongly disavowed any association with the earlier song. Mercury has committed to working with GLAAD and GMAD to sponsor a series of anti-homophobia public service announcements. You may write to: Edward Eckstine, President, Mercury Records, Worldwide Plaza, 825 8th Avenue, New York 10019. lang & Hawkins Receive Grammy Nominations k.d. lang has been nominated for four Grammy awards including Record of the Year. lang's album, "Ingenue," is a Billboard Top Ten Album and the video for "Constant Craving" is a VH-1 Top 50 for 1992. Sophie B. Hawkins, the self-described "omnisexual," was also nominated for a Grammy as Best New Artist. The video for Hawkins' Top Ten hit, "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover," is a VH-1 Top 50 Video for 1992. Other nominations relative to the community went to Elton John for his performance of the hit "The One," and the late Howard Ashman for the soundtrack to Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." Ashman's life partner accepted an Oscar for him at last year's Academy Awards ceremony. Pop artist Morrissey has also been nominated in the Alternative Music Album category. GLAAD NEWS Ehrenstein/Lee Article Triggers Reaction Dear GLAAD, I am disappointed to find the David Ehrenstein/Spike Lee incident featured prominently on the cover of GLAAD's January 1993 Report. While I join in the call for Spike to put forth positive images of lesbians and gay men, I am nonetheless disturbed by the speed with which the white lesbian and gay community once more rails against homophobia in the Black community while doing next to nothing to address the everpresent reality of racism within its own "family." As the media watchdog for lesbians and gay men, doesn't it seem appropriate that GLAAD should more often report on inequities from within the lesbian and gay community? Consider, for example, the popular Men on Men anthology of gay literature. With his introductory remarks to the most recent edition in this series, one author reasons the long overdue inclusion of gay men of color in these books with the belief that men of color, having admired the talents of gay white authors for quite some time, have at last begun to submit works "good enough" to be published. Is this not defamation against gay men? Is literature not media? Shouldn't, then, GLAAD hold lesbians and gay men accountable for the racist overtones directed towards lesbians and gay men? The David Ehrenstein/Spike Lee piece reminds me once again that we, the white lesbian and gay community, selectively choose our targets of attack. While I support GLAAD and the urgency of its work, I think it is important for us to remember that as long as we prefer to look past the color privilege within our own "family," the so-called "opposition" of the lesbian and gay community will continue to be as easily distinguished by color as by party politics. Sincerely, Don Weise (Letters to the Editor may be addressed to: GLAAD/LA Reports, Carl Matthes, Editor, P.O. Box 931763, Hollywood 90093-1763.) Reaction to Executive Director's Column and Letter Dear Editor, I am writing to you regarding GLAAD/LA Executive Director David Smith's letter to Dr. Richard Moore and also the Executive Director's column (GLAAD/LA Reports, Dec.). It seems that one of the concerns of GLAAD/LA is why People of Color don't participate in its Organization. After reading your newsletter, it is very evident. In the reply letter to Dr. Moore, Mr. Smith says that "had the flier said 'Latino Rights Never' or 'African-American Rights Never' we think you would have acted quickly." As a person of Color, I can guarantee you that this is quite wrong. It's absurd to think that we are a step ahead of Lesbian and Gay Rights. Many times, People of Color are harassed on college campuses and treated inferior, because White's assume that the only reason People of Color are there is because of Affirmative Action laws. Hate and defamatory language is still very much a part of today's college experience against People of Color. Fraternities are a good example of where discrimination is blatantly practiced against People of Color. Does Mr. Smith not know that there is a Lesbian and Gay Community of Color? It isn't necessarily centered in West Hollywood, but could this be due to People of Color not feeling safe in White progressive West Hollywood? In the poll taken by Mr. Edeleman, he was quoted as saying that the gay vote to be around 5% or 6% "which places it in league with the African-American vote." Again, are there no Lesbian and Gay African-Americans who vote? Or can they not be considered gay voters, since they happen to be African-American. It seems as if White Gay America still holds the perception that Lesbian and Gay People of Color don't exist. Just as I equally share the frustration of the media portraying Lesbian and Gays unfairly, I also feel frustrated that White Gay America does not recognize that there are People of Color who are Lesbian and Gay. I think that one way you can think of the size of People of Color Community in Los Angeles is if you were to take 10% of the population, and see that we would make 60% of the Community. Since you do not represent this, maybe you should change your name to GLAAD/West Hollywood. Sincerely, Ruben Ovando Response from David Smith: Dear Mr. Ovando, Thank you for your letter of Dec. 15. First of all, I appreciate your feed back. Your passionate letter outlines your observations clearly. However, I disagree with your conclusions. First, regarding the situation at Santa Monica City College. The series of homophobic events there were underscored by the attitude and inaction of the administration. This reinforces my belief, and the belief of others, that the gay and lesbian civil rights movement has not yet achieved the legal status or public acceptance of the people of color civil rights movements. (One aching example is Amendment 2 in Colorado.) When applied to the college campus, administrators do condemn racially motivated bias with much more frequency than they condemn bias based on sexual orientation. This is not to say that racially motivated bias does not exist -- one only has to look in the newspaper -- and I certainly gave no hint of that in my letter to Dr. Moore. As to my column regarding election polling data. When I spoke of African-Americans, I was including gay and straight, male and female, young and old. African-Americans represented 8-10% of the national vote according to the poll referred to in my column. When I spoke of the gay and lesbian vote, I was including the racial, ethnic and gender diversity present in this community. The director of the poll was quoted as saying he believed the vote to be 5-6%. The African-American vote and the gay and lesbian vote are not mutually exclusive of one another. I want to invite you to attend some of the functions of GLAAD/LA. You may find that we are working diligently to further the aspirations of all people who are fighting defamation, and that we are doing this by building our foundation on the diversity of our community and the inclusiveness that demands. Sincerely, David M. Smith Executive Director GLAAD/LA Fourth Annual Media Awards Show 1. Roseanne and Tom Arnold 2. Silent Auction 3. Program Book Advertising 4. Volunteers Needed Roseanne and Tom Arnold to be Honored... Roseanne and Tom Arnold will be honored at the Fourth Annual Media Awards Show on Mar. 20 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. "Roseanne and Tom have been at the forefront of promoting honest and balanced representations of gay and lesbian people on prime time television," said Veronica Davis, Co-Chair of GLAAD/LA's Nominations Committee. "They have been responsible for three recurring lesbian and gay characters on 'Roseanne,' overcoming network resistance in an effort to depict gays and lesbians realistically." GLAAD/LA decided to honor Roseanne and Tom Arnold with a special award for their outspoken support for the gay and lesbian community before the controversy erupted over Roseanne's use of a derogatory word (faggot) in a private communication with a television critic. While her choice of words caused concerns, they were alleviated after communicating with her office and by the explanation which appeared in Liz Smith's Los Angeles Times column on Dec. 21. Among other things, Roseanne stated that "I am more than aware that using the word 'faggot' is unacceptable." "Roseanne is family. She is right on target when she links homophobia with sexism," said David M. Smith, Executive Director of GLAAD/LA. Roseanne explained to Liz Smith that she was admonishing the critic for a series of sexist attacks. "Using derogatory and sexually diminishing words against women has got to stop," she said. GLAAD/LA agrees and supports Roseanne in her efforts to see that such language is never used against women or gays. Media Awards Show Features Silent Auction... The GLAAD/LA Media Awards Show on Mar. 20 will feature its second Silent Auction. The Silent Auction was an exciting addition to last year's show and this year there is already the promise that many exciting items will be available. Already pledged is a script from "Murder, She Wrote" signed by Angela Lansbury and a "Glengarry Glen Ross" screenplay signed by Jack Lemmon. Last year, other celebrity items such as clothing worn on shows, meals with stars, etc. were donated, as well as meals at fine restaurants and lodging at well known hotels. Many other wonderful gifts were also generously donated. We anticipate that this year will be even better! Further, you don't even need to attend the Media Awards Show to come and bid in the Silent Auction. If you have any suitable items to donate to the GLAAD/LA Media Awards Silent Auction, such as business services, celebrity items, meals at restaurants, airline tickets, etc., or know of a business that would be willing to donate, please contact Events Unlimited at (310) 996-1188 or Dean Hansell at (213) 931-4883 or Stephanie Farrington-Domingue at (213) 751-3030. All donors will receive publicity before and during the show. Program Book Advertising... The program book for the GLAAD/LA Media Awards Show reaches hundreds of individuals and businesses who support GLAAD, including most of our major donors and many entertainment industry figures. Our advertising rates and other information may be obtained by contacting: Tracy Griggs, (213) 935-7086.. Countdown for Media Awards Show... The planning process for GLAAD/LA's 1993 Media Awards Show & Dinner (Sat., Mar. 20, 1993, International Ballroom, Beverly Hills Hotel), our 4th Annual, is beginning its final countdown. This is the last call to get involved in GLAAD's most important project of the year. By volunteering you can help in the following ways: The Corporate/Industry Sponsorship & Sales Committee is responsible for procuring corporate/industry sponsorships, ticket sales and program book ad sales. The Production Committee works with the producer of the show, makes sure that the requisite permits, insurance coverage, etc., are obtained, produces the show video, makes sure that the awards themselves are ordered and delivered on time and is responsible for certain physical aspects of the dinner, such as the table centerpieces. The Public Relations Committee prepares and sends out press releases, coordinates the advertising, generates publicity and coordinates the press desk the night of the Awards Show & Dinner. The Program Book Production Committee is responsible for all aspects of the program book except for ad sales. It does the copy for the book, works with the graphic designer on layout and printing, and gathers information re credits, acknowledgements, etc. The Silent Auction Committee puts together the Silent Auction, including collecting and displaying the auction merchandise, and will work closely with Events Unlimited, Inc. the night of the dinner, coordinating payment for and disbursement of the auction goods. The Celebrities Committee shamelessly pursues and procures celebrity presenters and guests for the show itself, and for the kick-off event, coordinates the VIP cocktail reception and celebrities' desk the night of the Awards Show & Dinner. Our Media Awards Show last April was an exciting and moving "Brava/Bravo" to those people in the media who portrayed our community and lives in a realistic, non-stereotypical manner. It was a resounding success financially and, for those of us working on it, a source of a great deal of fun and deep satisfaction. With your help, we can work together (in pride) to ensure that the 1993 edition will be even more of a triumph. If you would like to volunteer for a committee, please contact either co-chair: Will at (310) 273-9222 or Carmichael at (213) 874-1139. Members Host Fundraiser for GLAAD/LA A big GLAAD/LA "thank you" goes to members Bob Nitkin and David Schneiderman for their great effort in hosting a holiday fundraiser in their home on Dec. 20. In addition, Mani's Bakery, Breadworks and Who's on Third contributed the food and desserts, making the evening even more a financial success. This type of generosity and involvement continues to propel GLAAD towards its purpose and goals. If you want to host an informal fundraiser for GLAAD/LA, please call Lee Werbel or Rich Jennings at (213) 463-3632. Executive Director's Column by David M. Smith An activist in Idaho called me in early January and told me an incredible story about the religious right's activities in his state. Evidently Lon Mabon and Kelly Walton, architects of Oregon's failed Measure 9, had associated themselves with a group called the Idaho Family Forum, which, he said, was funded by Morrison-Knudsen, the company that is bidding on the contract to build subway cars for L.A.'s Metrorail. Oh really, I said to myself, smelling a story. I immediately set my fingers a-dialing to check into this. I called the main switchboard at Morrison-Knudsen and asked for Idaho Family Forum. Sure enough they put me right through where I got a voice mail message that said, "Hello, you have reached the Idaho Family Forum, I can't take your call right now, but if you're calling to reserve space at the Promise Keepers meeting, call this other number." What the heck is Promise Keepers? So I called the other number (another in-house M-K number), and got another recording which said "Hi, you have reached Promise Keepers Idaho leave your name and number to reserve tickets to our Jan. 8 meeting here at Morrison-Knudsen featuring Randy Phillips, executive director of Promise Keepers, Boulder, Colorado" Aha! Something called Promise Keepers from anywhere in Colorado has got to mean trouble. So I called Equality Colorado (a gay group in Denver) and asked if they had ever heard of this Promise Keepers. They told me, "You mean Promise Creepers, heck yeah, it was founded by Bill McCartney, a coach at the University of Colorado, who is a raving homophobe (and) very connected to Colorado for Family Values and Amendment 2." Well, to say the least, I was stunned. What had I stumbled upon? Time to do some more checking. So, I called Morrison-Knudsen and spoke to Stanley Crowe, a vice president in charge of corporate communications. He was none too pleased to be speaking with me. He said that the Idaho Family Forum was a tenant who paid rent to M-K and that the M-K Foundation, not the corporation, had made a grant to the IFF, but didn't know how much; and that I would have to ask the IFF if I wanted to know what their purpose for existence was. I smelled a right wing rat. I called every news reporter who would listen to me about this story and continued digging deeper. The problem was that I couldn't find a paper or video trail linking Mabon or Walton to the IFF, which would substantiate IFF's anti-gay activities. I found quotes from Mabon and Walton in the South Idaho Press promising Colorado-style anti-gay initiatives in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, but no link to IFF, and subsequently Morrison-Knudsen. At this point, my only hope was that this Randy Phillips person, was actually going up to Idaho to talk to the IFF about Amendment 2, and how Colorado passed the measure. It was the evidence that I, and the growing list of interested reporters, needed to go with the story. The next day I got a call from Mr. Crowe, the M-K vice president. In a very business like tone, he proceeded to say that "Morrison-Knudsen has never, and never knowingly will, fund an organization with an anti-gay agenda. To their knowledge, the IFF has not adopted an anti-gay position, and if it should, funding from M-K would cease." I asked about the Promise Keepers meeting? He said, "I didn't know about it until reporters started calling. Once I found out about it, I made sure the meeting would not take place on Morrison-Knudsen premises." He went on to tell me that this all got started by "loose talk" from people (presumably Walton or Mabon) that inappropriately represented themselves as spokespersons for the IFF. I thanked him for calling. The next morning I got a call from another Idaho activist who told me that IFF had been given 30-days notice to move out of Morrison-Knudsen, and that Promise Keepers had definitely been banned from meeting at M-K. It turns out, that while I couldn't prove the anti-gay agenda of IFF, M-K obviously knew there was the potential for unfavorable media attention. Unfortunately, the story dead-ended there. The only thing accomplished was getting the IFF and Promise Keepers kicked out of Morrison-Knudsen. But you can be assured that M-K, the company that in addition to L.A.'s Metrorail is building the new airport in Denver, will be very careful about overt, right wing affiliations. The numerous inquiries from reporters definitely created a stir. The real moral of this story, however, is that GLAAD/LA is watching. The covert network that links these groups is beginning to materialize and when it does, you can be rest assured, we will let you know. SIDE BARS General Meeting: Feb. 23 The Feb. General Meeting of GLAAD/LA will take place at 7:00 pm Tues. evening, Feb. 23. The meeting will be held at Temple Beth Chayim Chadashim, 6000 W. Pico Blvd. (just east of Cresent Heights.) Refreshments are available and guests are welcomed. A donation of $5.00 is requested. Volunteers Honored GLAAD/LA celebrated a year of hard work and accomplishments at our annual all volunteer, Volunteer Thank You Party. Once again David Bohnett and Rand Schrader's beautiful home and hospitality provided the setting. Ray Biller, newly appointed volunteer co-ordinator, was introduced and spoke briefly about his goals. GLAAD/LA co-presidents Stephanie Farrington-Domingue and Dean Hansell spoke and presented the annual volunteer awards. This year's Wally Award, for outstanding volunteer of the year, was presented to Carl Matthes, the Editor of our newsletter, GLAAD/LA Reports. Also receiving awards were Ray Bigelow, office volunteer, and Steve Moore, letter-writer. Certificates of appreciation were given to former Board Members. Bob LaFont announced a new program honoring Wally Smith which has the purpose of funding a broad range of volunteer needs. A delicious potluck dinner was prepared by Board Members. Lois and Arnold Newdorf deserve special recognition for their efforts in coordinating this event. Many thanks to all. Tomlin & Agrama to be Honored Lily Tomlin, multi-talented entertainer, and Jehan Agrama, community activist and immediate past co-president of GLAAD/LA, will be the honored guests at Women's Night X on Feb. 6, 1993. This annual dining and dancing fundraiser is sponsored by the Women's Campaign of the Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center. All proceeds from this event will go to support women's services at The Center. More information may be obtained by calling: (213) 993-7625. Sorry, Lee! In our story last month reviewing GLAAD/LA Comedy Night II, we gave the name of Michael Keegan as the co-chair for that fundraising event. The co-chair was actually Lee Werbel. Sorry, Lee, and thank you for your great help! Some Shuffling at the BBS With the start of the new year, Stonewall West! BBS has been cancelled and fidonet has been moved to "Stonewall Annex," (818) 786-5600. For those GLAAD/LA members who have been picking-up GLAAD/LA Reports on Stonewall West! we would like to suggest you can now read the newsletter on the GLAAD Bulletin Board, (213) 463-9257, with no charge. Stonewall Annex will be charging for the use of its board. Lesbians in Film and TV A new group has formed for lesbians in film and TV to strengthen the "ol' girl network" in the "biz." The group has had two meeting attended by over 200 women. The mailing and contact list is strictly confidential and interested women may learn more by calling (213) 960-7672. Letter to Ms Ruth Bower, Publisher Ms 230 Park Avenue New York, N.Y. 10169 Dear Ms. Bower: I was dismayed to notice in your recent renewal letter that Ms. subscriptions are processed in the state of Colorado! As I'm sure you know, Colorado has just passed a constitutional amendment that denies basic civil rights to lesbians (and gay men). The heading on your renewal notice ends with "Your support gives us life..." As a lesbian (and part of the 10-plus % of your readership) I urge you to return the favor by avoiding doing business in Colorado. Your support will give us life! Sincerely, Margo Strik Your comments to: Ruth Bower as above; or Ms. Magazine Subscription Dept., P.O. Box 57121, Boulder, CO 80321-7121. Copies of your letters for consideration to be reprinted in GLAAD/LA Reports may be sent to: GLAAD/LA Reports, Carl Matthes, Editor, P.O. Box 931763, Hollywood 90093-1763. Also of interest would be copies of any letters received in response to your letter. Newsletter Deadline: The First of Each Month The deadline for submitting material for possible publication in GLAAD/LA Reports will be the first of each month for the following month's newsletter. For the Mar. newsletter all material needs to be submitted on or before Feb. 1. There are five distinct steps in producing each month's GLAAD/LA Reports. First is the collecting and editing of the stories brought forward by the Monitor and Response Committee. Second is the formatting, or set-up, of the pages of the newsletter. Third comes the printing, collating and folding of the 9,500 copies, followed by the fourth step of an additional fold and adhering of address labels. The fifth and final step is the delivery by the US Postal Service by the target date of the first of each month. GLAAD/LA Reports welcomes your participation and invites you to attend the Monitor and Response Committee meetings in Feb., the 4 and 18. Letters or other submissions may be sent to: GLAAD/LA Reports, c/o GLAAD/LA, P.O. Box 931763, Hollywood 90093; FAX (213) 463-4923; or directly to the Editor, Carl Matthes, at FAX (213) 257-5878. Media Outreach Committee The Media half of the Outreach Committee will be meeting the third Tues. of each month (for Feb. that will be the 16th) at 7:30 pm at the GLAAD/LA office, 7033 Sunset Blvd., one block east of La Brea in Hollywood. Media Outreach works in a variety of ways to educate people in the media about homophobia and about GLAAD. Our activities are targeted at the film, television, radio, music and print industries. If you have experience in any of these areas or if you are interested in learning more about the media, please join us. Call: Michael Keegan or Jehan Agrama, Outreach Committee, Media Co-Chairs, (213) 463-3632. Women of GLAAD to Meet Tues., Feb. 2 The Women of GLAAD Caucus meeting will be on Feb. 2 at 7:00 pm at the GLAAD office (7033 Sunset Blvd.). If you would like to be a part of the lesbian voice in GLAAD's affairs, come and join us for our monthly informal gathering to discuss ways in which we can become more visible in our community. Our purpose is to encourage the participation of lesbians on the GLAAD/LA board and on GLAAD's committees, and to ensure that GLAAD continues to fight for lesbian visibility in all areas of the media. We will aggrandize, politicize, scandalize, hypothesize, socialize and we need your creative input. Call: GLAAD Office, (213) 463-3632. Monitor/Response Committee Dateline Los Angeles: GLAAD/LA Reports questions invisibility of gay character, Matt (Doug Savant), on "Melrose Place." Fox Broadcasting contacts GLAAD/LA and arranges an interview with Doug to coincide with gay episodes.....Dateline Fresno: KRZR 103.7FM allows anti-gay slurs and tone to permeate Schlock-Jock Chris Daniels radio show: Queer Nation/Fresno contacts GLAAD/LA who sends representatives to meet with station management....Dateline Hollywood: GLAAD/LA makes the list of the "100 most influential groups in Hollywood." Behind these actual events, and many others, was the involvement of the GLAAD/LA Monitor/Response committee. Described as the heart and soul of GLAAD, the committee watches what's happening in the media and either congratulates accurate portrayals of our community or says, "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore." But there's a lot of media out there to monitor and respond to and we need your help. Co-chairs are Anne Dutton and GLAAD/LA Board Members Robin Podolsky and Ruthe Canter. Please join us, we need your help. Meetings for Feb. are on the 4th and 18th at 7:30pm at the GLAAD/LA office, 7033 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood; (213) 463-3632. Hotline Stickers You've just seen a lesbian positive episode on TV or you've just read an article on family values that doesn't include us. You want to call the hotline but you cannot find your newsletter and you can't remember that the number is 931-9GAY. You panic. Then it comes back to you. You had sent a self-addressed stamped envelope to GLAAD/LA and had gotten back several hotline stickers to attach to your phone. You reach for the phone, content in knowing you are actively participating in helping the organization monitor the media. The feeling is great! YOUR CALLS ARE VITAL! USE THE HOTLINE. IT IS A VEHICLE FOR CHANGE. Please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Send Me Some Stickers, GLAAD/LA, P.O. Box 931763, Hollywood 90093. Anti-Homophobia Curriculum Homophobia: Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation is a 40-page, 5-part lesson plan for junior and high school students. This prejudice reduction curriculum contains lesson plans, supplementary readings and a bibliography. The lessons are entitled: Homophobia and Violence, A Lesson In History, Dispelling Myths and Falsehoods, Troubled Teens, and Preparing Your Class for Speakers on Homosexuality. Each lesson plan has a teacher's guide which includes objectives, vocabulary, teaching strategy, discussion questions and activities. The lesson on history includes a chronology of important events in the lesbian/gay rights movement and a list of famous historical figures who are known to have had lesbian/gay relationships. The curriculum has been approved for use in the Los Angeles Unified School District. It has been styled to be used in conjunction with the Anti-Defamation League's "World of Difference Campaign." To order please send $12.50 (includes shipping and handling) to GLAAD/LA, P.O. Box 931763, Hollywood 90093. You can also purchase copies at A Different Light Bookstore. Calendar dates: Feb 1 Monday Deadline for March issue GLAAD/LA Reports Feb 2 Tuesday Women of GLAAD 7:00pm 7033 Sunset Feb 3 Wednesday Community Outreach (Speakers) 7:30pm 7033 Sunset Feb 4 Thurdsay Monitor/Response Committee 7:30pm 7033 Sunset Feb 9 Tuesday GLAAD/LA Board Meeting 7:30pm 7033 Sunset Feb 16 Tuesday Media Outreach 7:30pm 7033 Sunset Feb 18 Thursday Monitor/Response Committee 7:30pm 7033 Sunset Feb 23 Tuesday General Meeting 7:00pm 6000 W.Pico March Mar 1 Deadline for April GLAAD/LA Reports Mar 2 Women of GLAAD, 7:00pm Mar 3 Community Outreach, 7:30pm Mar 4 Monitor/Response Committee, 7:30pm Handy media guide: Update Sony Entertainment area code to (310) GLAAD/LA Reports Staff: Editor Carl Matthes FAX (213) 257-5878 Assistant Editor David Zahnizer Art Direction and Design John Cook Research Assistance Garrett Glaser Advertising Editor Margo Strik (213) 259-9208 Contributors: Jehan Agrama, Ruthe Canter, GLAAD/SFBA, Will Halm, Dean Hansell, Carl Matthes, Lois Newdorf, David Smith, Wally Smith, Carmichael Smith-Low, Stephanie Thomas, David Zahnizer