GLAAD/ON THE AIR MAY/1994 COLD OPENING: KCET CELEBRATES GAY PRIDE MONTH... LOCAL STATIONS FACE OFF ON GAY HATE... "TALES OF THE CITY REPEATS ON KCET, BUT PBS SAYS "NO" TO SEQUEL... CONTINENTAL AIRLINES UNDER FIRE FROM RIGHT... ...THESE STORIES...AND MORE PROGRAM OPENING: MUSIC IN: THIS IS GLAAD/LA ON THE AIR. YOUR MEDIA WATCH FOR THE FAIREST POSSIBLE UNDERSTANDING OF GAY AND LESBIAN LIVES. I'M _____________ AND I'M _________ YOUR GLAAD REPORTERS FOR THIS EVENING. PLEASE HAVE A PAPER AND PEN READY SO YOU CAN TAKE DOWN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. AND NOW GLAAD/LA IS ON THE AIR: MUSIC PLAYS OUT: STORY #1: GLAAD/LA's Media Watch reports: Listeners to "oldies" radio station KFRC have been assaulted by a barrage of racist and homophobic broadcasts. The morning jocks have reportedly used the public airwaves to proclaim that lesbians and gays are "sick and pathetic." This has been defended by General Manager David Bramnick, as just one example of how the DJs "routinely poke fun at a wide spectrum of people and communities." Bramnick also claims that KFRC's bigotry is some sort of community service that, in his words, "involves pushing the envelope and challenging today's politically-correct sensibilities," end quote. It seems that KFRC is not interested in engaging a mature and serious discussion on the matter. But maybe the station's advertisers will be interested. Listen in -- if you can stand it -- and jot down the names of the station's advertisers. Let these companies know that if they support hate, you won't support them. STORY #1a: In an on-air editorial, James Gabbert, president of TV station KOFY (channel 20) has challenged the irresponsibility and callousness of KFRC as very insulting to Asians, Latinos...and gays. There's enough violence in the streets today without inciting something like this...and ultimately, you the public have control over KFRC. Not only turn them off, but tell them why. STORY #1b: KGO radio has defended KFRC's recent attacks on lesbians and gays, people of color, persons with HIV, and immigrants. On May 4, KGO talk-show host Jim Eason claimed that the "gay community" is undermining KFRC's right to free speech because we complained. It seems that Eason believes a corporation's right to broadcast hatred is somehow more important than an individual's right to respond to, and challenge, that hatred. Eason told his listeners to call the GLAAD office and clog the lines. The day of his broadcast, GLAAD received over 200 hate calls condemning "faggots." Broadcasters must not be allowed to abuse their privileged access to the PUBLIC airwaves, a privilege which gives them much more "free" speech than any average citizen can ever hope to enjoy. Commenting to the advertisers is one way to hit them were it hurts, but lets also remember that these stations are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. Letters and phone calls to the FCC can also be a great tool in combating this verbal form of rape. STORY 2: KCET premieres "One Nation Under God," "Last Call at Maud's," and "In The Life: Stonewall 25" as highlights of Gay Pride Month Programming. "Gay Pride Month" encores include 'American Playhouse' productions of "Tales of the City" and "Longtime Companion," as well as KCET 'Life & Times' documentaries, "Out in Front" and "Straight Hate". In celebration of the national recognition of June as Gay Pride Month, KCET is premiering two significant documentaries: the 'P.O.V.' special, "One Nation Under God," and Paris Poirier's "Last Call at Maud's," . Also premiering is the monthly magazine "In The Life" segment devoted to the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots, "Stonewall 25: Voices of Pride and Protest," airing Sunday, June 26 at midnight. STORY #3: "Last Call at Maud's" examines the final moments of the longest-surviving lesbian bar in the world. The film takes viewers back to the secret world of '40s lesbian bars; the gay bar raids of the '50s; the freedom of the '60s Haight-Ashbury; the wild days of '70s-era San Francisco; and the triumphs and tragedies of the '80s. STORY #4: The P.O.V. instalment "One Nation Under God" is a documentary that attempts to answer two important gay-related issues: Can homosexuality be "cured;" and who's asking homosexuals to change and why? The film takes a look at such efforts, ranging from exorcisms to shock therapy, from Homosexuals Anonymous to beauty make-overs for lesbians. Check local listings for KCET's complete Gay Pride Month programming list. STORY #5: And on the other side of the PBS coin, Armistead Maupin, author of the international bestseller and TV mini-series "Tales of the City," is claiming that PBS has pulled the plug on its sequel - "More Tales of the City" - due to pressure from the Religious Right. Maupin admits to bewilderment and the personal belief that they have capitulated to pressure from extremists." Jennifer Lawson, PBS' executive vice-president for national programming, denied that content had anything to do with not funding an additional six hours, saying that the first "Tales" came "at a much lower price..." The first "Tales" cost PBS' American Playhouse" less than one million dollars, with four million being asked for the sequel. The A.C. Nielsen ratings for "Tales" were double what PBS usually gets in prime time and it was PBS' highest-rated dramatic series in more than a decade. Maupin said that the new script has a character telling his mother that he is gay after she has become involved in a fundamentalist campaign against homosexuality. When asked if PBS would be willing to run `More Tales of the City' if `American Playhouse' found the means to finance it independently, Miss Lawson refused to give him an answer." Miss Lawson can be reached for your comments at PBS, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314; STORY #6: Continental Airlines reports that "hundreds of hostile letters" have been received over the last few weeks protesting the company's role as Official Airlines of Gay Games IV. Supportive letters may be sent to: Customer Relations, Continental Airlines, 9999 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77042. STORY#7: The Board of Directors of Christopher Street West/Los Angeles has announced that Stephanie Farrington-Domingue, Co-President of GLAAD/LA, and her spouse, Sandra, have been chosen as the recipients of the 1994 Harvey Milk Award. The Award is given each year to "an individual within our Community whose path is an example for all of us to follow." Congratulations, Stephanie and Sandra. And Stephanie, congratulations on your new position as Program Director of Community Outreach and Education for the Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center/Los Angeles. Please continue to help us monitor all forms of media and when something offends give us a call at the GLAAD/LA defamation hotline (213 931-9GAY). CLOSING: THIS HAS BEEN GLAAD/LA ON THE AIR REMINDING YOU THAT AN INFORMED COMMUNITY IS A STRONG COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS WE HAVE IN COMBATING HOMOPHOBIA IS LETTER WRITING. WHEN YOU RESPOND TO A CONCERN PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF YOUR LETTER ALONG WITH ANY REPLY YOU RECEIVE. OUR ADDRESS IS GLAAD/LA, 8455 BEVERLY BLVD., SUITE 305, LOS ANGELES, CA 90048 AND OUR HOT LINE NUMBER IS 213/931-9429. THIS IS ________ AND __________ FOR GLAAD/LA ON THE AIR. UNTIL NEXT TIME, BE SAFE AND GOOD NIGHT. MUSIC PLAYS TO FADE.