Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 14:55:45 PST From: "Bryan J. Blumberg" Subject: GLAAD/LA Newsletter for February 1994 GLAAD/LA Reports - February '94 Issue Carl Matthes, Editor (213) 254-2726 - FAX (213) 257-5878 Celebrity guest list starts to grow... "Show of the Year" at Century Plaza March 19 GLAAD/LA will be doing its part to keep Hollywood the "Entertainment Capital of the World" when it adds the jewel of its Fifth Anniversary Media Awards Show to the Hollywood crown. The Fifth Annual GLAAD/LA Media Awards will take center stage on March 19, 1994 at the Century Plaza Hotel (two days ahead of the Academy Awards). Confirmed Media Award attendees as of this holiday press deadline include Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, Casey Kasem and his wife, Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker and Judith Light and Robert Disaderio. The Media Awards is GLAAD/LA's primary fundraising and consciousness-raising event, which salutes members of the media and entertainment industry whose work has contained balanced and accurate portrayals of lesbians and gay men. Volunteers, the backbone of both GLAAD/LA and the Media Awards Show, are still needed, for much remains to be done. We encourage those interested in volunteering to call our Volunteer Coordinator, Paul Drooks at (310) 659-1505. For more information about the dinner itself or for information about corporate sponsorships and the table sponsor program, contact any member of the Media Awards Committee (aka "the Gang of Five"): Jehan Agrama, Will Halm, Jody Hoenninger, Michael B. Keegan or Carmike Smith-Low through Events Unlimited (310) 996-1188. Geffen Foundation Becomes Underwriter of Media Awards Dinner GLAAD/LA is pleased to announce that the David Geffen Foundation is an Underwriter of the 1994 Media Awards Dinner this March 19 with a $25,000 contribution to the event. Next Article: Box on Page Three Going, Going Gone! GLAAD/LA's Silent Auction Committee is Up and Running Walk-on parts in TV and film, fabulous weekends in exotic resorts, elegant meals in famous restaurants, fine art - the Silent Auction at the Fifth Annual Media Awards will have it all! If you would like to donate an item (or items!) for the Silent Auction, please call Don Korotsky, the chair of the auction, at (310) 289-0586. If you would like to help prospect for treasure, please call our Volunteer Coordinator, Paul Drooks, at (310) 659-1505. Co-President's Column by Dean Hansell The Bisexual Option The GLAAD/LA Board has just voted to expand the scope of our activity to include discrimination against bisexuals. In so doing, discrimination against bisexuals joins the other issues GLAAD/LA is dedicated to combat, such as fighting homophobia, heterosexism, racism, sexism and discrimination against people with AIDS. We began our discussion of this issue during our October retreat and quickly found that many of us needed more information in order to be able to intelligently deal with this issue and so we created a task force consisting of persons on all sides of this issue, to help the Board. Although several of the task force members went into the deliberations opposed to adding discrimination against bisexuals to our goals, the task force and the board ended up voting unanimously to expand our scope. I would like to share with you some of the points that helped frame our decision and prompted the board to unanimously oppose bisexual discrimination. Historical arguments against inclusion of bisexuals center around the question of whether a bisexual is a part of the gay and lesbian community. We realized that for GLAAD/LA the issue is not so much "how do we define our community" but rather "how do we define our mission." GLAAD/LA's primary mission is to fight homophobia. The whole subject of inclusion of bisexuals is an issue because like gays and lesbians, bisexuals are victims of homophobia. To quote from the task force report: "Homophobia...is a particular form of discrimination that has been perpetuated by the dominant society against those who are perceived to be lesbian or gay. In other words, for anyone who is thought to be lesbian or gay (regardless of their orientation) AND has been the victim of some form of defamation...GLAAD has an obligation to come to that person's defense." Although many bisexuals consider themselves to be a part of our community, what is important from GLAAD/LA's perspective is that bisexuals are targets of homophobia. Most bigots do not bother to make such fine distinctions as to whether a person is gay or lesbian on the one hand or bisexual on the other. We are all simply lumped together when we are discriminated against. Indeed, sometimes bisexuals suffer their own unique form of discrimination, such as the belief that bisexuals are the conduit for transmitting HIV from the gay to the straight community. A more difficult issue, but one we should not shy away from, is discrimination against bisexuals within the gay and lesbian community. Such discrimination occurs primarily because some gays and lesbians (as with some heterosexuals) do not believe that there really are bisexuals. This belief is sometimes borne from our experience of knowing people who, in coming out, claim to be bisexual and then ultimately conclude they are in fact gay or lesbian. Just as we at GLAAD are committed to addressing racism and sexism within the lesbian and gay community, so too should we deal with discrimination against bisexuals within our community. Gays and lesbians are not going to be rid of discrimination until homophobia in all its ugly forms is eradicated. We are not safe unless bisexuals too are safe. As GLAAD members we must commit ourselves to speaking out against discrimination against bisexuals and acknowledge the presence of and welcome bisexuals into all levels of GLAAD. Film & Television Oprah: "Camp Sister Spirit" The December 21 "Oprah" (KABC-TV, weekdays, 3:00 pm) showcased Camp Sister Spirit, a new Feminist Education Center in rural Ovett, Mississippi and the resulting hysteria whipped-up by some of the area's multi-phobic preachers and residents. Oprah's invited guests were the founders of Sister Spirit, Wanda and Brenda Henson, and three men - James Hendry, Paul Walley and Reverend John Allen - Ovett's leading activists trying to stop Spirit. Wanda and Brenda, who have been lovers for almost 10 years, purchased a 120 acre farm near Ovett and began refurbishing it to launch their dream: a non-profit center for studying feminism, racism, sexism, homophobia and other social issues. Fliers were circulated in the area announcing the availability of the Camp's services and the plans to eventually expand into a "120 bed facility." Local reaction was negative but not benign, e.g., A female dog, shot to death through its stomach, was hung over the Camp's roadside mailbox and tampons were hung over bullet holes shot into the mailbox. During the broadcast, Oprah, who was born in Mississippi, cut live to Ovett's "sister city," Richton, Mississippi to hear from the angry and misinformed local residents who were fearful over the "invasion of those practicing the lesbian lifestyle." (Her studio audience was swelled by groups from Ovett who had driven 12 to 14 hours to participate in the show.) Capitalizing on the local fear and ignorance were the likes of the Reverend Allen who stated that he is only interested in preserving local family, biblical and spiritual values threatened by these outsiders. He was chastised by many in the audience for having turned his religious training about love into a doctrine of hate, and he finally retreated to homophobe heaven with the cliche that he "loves the sinner, but hates the sin." Oprah was professional and intelligent throughout, guiding the emotionally laden discussion with tact and firmness. Comments to: Ms. Debby di Maio, Executive Producer, "Oprah Winfrey Show," c/o Harpo Inc., 110 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, Il 60607. Donahue: "Gay Teens Come Out to Their Parents" "Donahue" (KNBC-TV, weekdays, 2:00 pm) aired an excellent show featuring gay and lesbian teenagers on December 30. The lesbian and gay teens were articulate and bright and, after telling their individual coming out stories, expressed a great need for their parents to love and support them. "Donahue" is one of the talk shows that seems to be moving away from inviting as guests professional homophobes who espouse only their ignorant hate and personal prejudices concerning gay and lesbian issues. As proven from past experiences, there is enough confusion, ignorance and homophobia within the average studio audience to which intelligent information may be addressed. Your supportive and encouraging remarks can only be helpful. Contact: Phil Donahue, "Donahue," 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 10112; (212) 664-6501. Montel: "Married Women & Lesbians" "Montel Williams" (KCOP-TV, weekdays, noon and 4:00 pm) aired a show on "Married Women Who Have Had Affairs with Lesbians" on December 15. Panel members related their experiences of liaisons with other women and their husbands' reactions. The show was taped in Dallas, TX and the audience reflected a religious fundamentalist bent. Montel chose Dr. Evan Spector, a psychiatrist who has a radio show in Houston, to be the "expert." Dr. Spector proved to be a throwback to the discredited theories of the '50s and '60s when he mouthed theories that the husbands of these women were "repressed homosexuals" and that the mothers of the women were possibly "distant and punitive." These theories have been abandoned decades ago by the legitimate psychiatric community. Montel would have served his audience better by having at least another view by a psychiatrist or "expert" who actually understood the profound dynamics of attraction, emotion and human sexuality. GLAAD/LA challenges Montel to have another show on this topic, preferably taped in Los Angeles, with "experts" who would not embarrass or disgrace the field of psychiatry. GLAAD/LA also challenges Montel and Dr. Spector to read "Homosexuality and American Psychiatry: the Politics of Diagnosis" by Ronald Bayer. Your comments may be directed to: "The Montel Williams Show," 7800 Beverly Blvd., Suite 231, Los Angeles 90036. Geraldo: "Dionne Warwick Fights Back" Following ABC-TV's "Day One" allegations that her fund raising activities on behalf of AIDS groups was being criticized (GLAAD/LA Reports, Jan. '94), Dionne Warwick was featured on "Geraldo" (KCBS-TV, weekdays, 4:00 pm) in a show entitled "Dionne Warwick Fights Back." Ms. Warwick, who was introduced as a "singer/activist," appeared open and forthright in manner, answering questions from Geraldo and the audience sometimes with direct information ("Limousines and hotel suites are standard procedure. They are not unusual."), and other times claiming she had not been informed ("I had no idea that Guy Draper, the man I hired to run the fund raisers, had been so much in debt, or that he had just claimed bankruptcy."). Geraldo, who during the interview interspersed clips featuring Ms. Warwick singing some of her well-known songs and appearing with Elton John and Stevie Wonder, asked specifically about her reaction to the "Day One" program. Ms. Warwick said it was a "shoddy and ridiculous piece" and that she "intends to sue." Her activities in the Virgin Islands involving the SHINE group were questioned and she claimed that the AIDS group created their own financial problems and were responsible for running-up the costs, not her. Also denounced as "unfounded and untrue" was a claim that $800,000. from a Los Angeles fund raiser was never accounted for. Coming in for criticism was Guy Draper, who was hired when he said he could reduce the cost of putting on a benefit program from about $100,000. to "about $5,000. to $7,500." Both Draper and "Day One" refused to appear on the program. Unanswered were questions such as "Why hasn't AmFar come to your defense?" and "Didn't any of your psychic friends warn you that this was coming down?" The Warwick Foundation has ceased operations and Ms. Warwick will only be doing benefit programs if "I am not at the helm of it." Comments to: "Geraldo," Mr. Marty Berman, Executive Producer, 524 W. 57th Street, New York 10019; "Day One," 147 Columbus Avenue, New York 10023; Dionne Warwick, Guy Draper, c/o KMBA, 144 S. Beverly, #503, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. 180 Degrees of Will Smith (or Will Smith Learns Valuable Lesson) Will Smith has made many statements about homosexuality, starting with his appearance on "Arsenio." On those occasions his remarks were virulently anti-gay. Then he starred in "Six Degrees of Separation" and had problems playing the role of a gay character. Smith couldn't go through with an on-screen kiss with co-star Anthony Michael Hall (GLAAD/LA Reports, Dec. '93). (According to Entertainment Weekly, "Just before the scene was to be shot, Smith told (Director) Schepsi he wouldn't go through with it. The director was forced to use a stand-in and show only the backs of the actor's heads.") Premiere Magazine (Jan. '94) reports that Denzel Washington warned him against kissing a man. There have also been reports that Denzel was misquoted. Nevertheless, Smith's latest statement acknowledges that his actions were "cheesy" and "immature." Smith said, "I wasn't emotionally stable enough to artistically commit to that aspect of the film," and called his actions "a valuable lesson for me." (Entertainment Weekly, Dec. 24) Comments: Will Smith, "Fresh Prince of Bel Air," c/o NBC TV, 3000 West Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91505. Muppet Love by Al Kielwasser, GLAAD/SFBA According to the show's well-known theme song, "Everything's A-OK" on "Sesame Street." Not so, according to homophobic parents who are raising a fuss about series regulars Bert and Ernie. Fearful that these two puppets are gay, unfit parents across the country are calling for Bert and Ernie to be evicted from the home they have shared for years on public television's most famous street. Typical of the paranoid plaintiffs is an Arizona grandmother who recently wrote to the editors of TV Guide, "It was reported to me that Bert and Ernie are gay. My grandchildren will not be watching "Sesame Street" anymore, and I hope you will relay that message to executive producer Michael Loman." Responding to such complaints, Children's Television Workshop (CTW), which produces "Sesame Street," issued a press release boasting that "Bert and Ernie do not portray a gay couple and there are no plans for them to do so in the future. They are puppets, not humans." The "Cheers 'N' Jeers" column in the December 25 issue of TV Guide argued, "It's a shame CTW had to (issue that statement). Maybe it's time for "Sesame Street" to tackle the subject. Kids -- and a few parents -- need to learn that a person's sexual orientation really shouldn't matter." In fact, "Sesame Street" could serve as a fantastic vehicle for early intervention, combating the ignorance that breeds homophobia. About half of all children in the United States between the ages of two and five watch an average of three episodes of "Sesame Street" per week. English-language versions of the program are broadcast in more than 40 countries and there are a number of foreign language versions (including "Plaza Sesame" in Mexico, "Bonjour Sesame" in France and "Sesamstraat" in the Netherlands). A gay or lesbian character -- whether puppet or human -- would fit nicely within the multicultural neighborhood that forms the backdrop for the program's various educational snippets. "Sesame Street" aspires to instill an appreciation for diversity. Unfortunately, this admirable goal is crippled by the producers' intention to keep a "heterosexuals only" sign hanging over "Sesame Street." Advise the show's producers to lift that ban. Contact: David V.B. Britt, President, Children's Television Workshop, 1 Lincoln Plaza, New York 10023: (212) 595-3456; FAX (212) 875-6110. And while you're at it, you might drop a note to the editors of TV Guide for once again supporting lesbian and gay issues in the magazine's "Cheers 'N' Jeers" column. Write: Letters Department, TV Guide, Radnor, PA 19088. Mickey Outpaces "Sesame" While the producers of "Sesame Street" find themselves in a quandry over showing reality to its viewers, the Walt Disney Company has taken space in the February/March issue of Out magazine, a national queer publication, to advertise a boxed CD collection of Annette Funicello songs. No doubt the Disney Company will be in for the same right-wing onslaught of hate as others. You can do your part to thank Disney by writing: Michael D. Eisner, CEO, The Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521. CNN Finds a Lesbian The media must be so proud of itself. It finally discovered a real lesbian it can point to and ask, "What's it like?" k.d. lang in her Vanity Fair interview earlier this year insisted that she was an entertainer and that she wasn't a spokesperson for lesbian issues. That not withstanding, she continues to capture the fascination of enquiring minds. This isn't a complaint exactly. k.d. seems like a nice person. And when she sings, well, she can create images so luscious that even a staunch homophobe would have to work extra hard to be disgusted. After New York Magazine, Vanity Fair, "Barbara Walters," MTV and so many others, CNN jumped in December 13 to end one of their newscasts with a few minutes to "see what k.d. lang has been up to." Without sensationalism the interviewer got right to the point to ask what coming out had done for her. It was the best thing she'd ever done for herself, k.d. offered. CNN reinforced the point by cutting to lang crooning "Free-eee-dommmm." Contact CNN and encourage them to do more about lesbians and gay men in the future with a more inclusive base, too. Write: Mr. Ed Turner (no, not Ted!), 1 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30348-5466. "Nightline" on "Philadelphia" On December 24, "Nightline" (ABC-TV, weeknights, 11:30 pm) ran a report on the film "Philadelphia," heralded as the first major studio release dealing with AIDS. Asking the question "Does Hollywood have the responsibility to educate and enlighten in regards to AIDS?," "Nightline" correctly observed that as a fundraiser for AIDS, nobody beats Hollywood. But, as for making films about AIDS, its record is abysmal. Guests included Jack Valenti of the Motion Picture Association of America who remarked, " I don't think that Hollywood has an absolute total social responsibility to be the educator or surrogate parent or whatever of this country. What Hollywood has a responsibility to do is to tell stories." QVC Chairman Barry Diller contended that Hollywood has always had to step away from controversial issues until it can examine them without bias, using the plethora of Vietnam films made ten to twenty years after the war as an example. Tony Kushner, author of the award winning "Angels in America," cited the myth that "America wants to see movies about middle-class, straight, white people with no problems" as a reason for Hollywood's neglect. GLAAD/LA Executive Director Lee Werbel and GLAAD/LA Board Member and Hollywood Supports Executive Director Rich Jennings were also invited guests on the program and said that while we're not where we want to be, "Philadelphia" takes "a major step;" however, we're at the same point African-Americans were in the '50s when studios didn't want to offend Southern audiences. The second half of the program was devoted to an interview with "Philadelphia's" co-producer/director Jonathan Demme and its openly gay screenwriter Ron Nyswaner. Comments to: "Nightline," 1717 De Sales Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. Kramer on "Philadelphia" The January 9 Los Angeles Sunday Times Calendar Section carried an extensive commentary by Larry Kramer on the new film "Philadelphia." Kramer, a former Columbia Pictures executive, author, AIDS activist and founder of the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York City, begins his commentary by writing, "'Philadelphia' is a heartbreakingly mediocre film. It's dishonest, it's often legally, medically and politically inaccurate, and it breaks my heart that I must say that its simply not good enough and I'd rather people not see it at all." Touching on the background of the lack of films about AIDS, the motivations of the studios, Director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Ron Nyswaner, Kramer saves his most vehement criticism for our country's leadership when he writes, "My unabated and unabating fury rages against the third silent useless president in a row who refuses to take a leadership position in ending this plague. Thus allowing everyone else's complicities in a monstrous coverup that not only allows one crappy AIDS movie to be made in twelve years by a bunch of lunkheads for whom it is more important to make 'a movie that will play in the malls' than a movie that will tell the truth, but by the same token allows an entire world to look the other way." The January 9 Times also featured, in full-color on its TV Times magazine cover, Olympia Dukakis, who is playing one of the characters in Armistead Maupin's "Tales of the City" (GLAAD/LA Reports, Jan. '94). The well-written accompanying article entitled "Back to the '70s - Raw and Uncut," swirled around the opening question posed by Los Angeles-based freelance writer Bart Mills, "Is America ready for a six-hour miniseries depicting uncloseted gays leading ordinary and largely happy lives?" Profiles of Ms. Dukakis and Armistead Maupin were included. A third article in the January 9 Times entitled "For AIDS Patients - With Love, Aunt Bee's," was written by The Los Angeles Times feature writer Robin Abcarian, and covered the laundry and thrift-store efforts of the AIDS charity, Aunt Bee's. Your comments may be directed to: Mr. Shelby Coffey III, Editor-in-Chief, Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; FAX (213) 237-7679. Fem 2 Fem on CNBC On January 2, Bob Berkowitz interviewed the two lesbian members of the band Fem 2 Fem, Christina Minna and Lyn Pompey, on the show "Real Personal" on CNBC. The show, which featured a call-in portion, was very positive and didn't even contain the usual plethora of bigots and Bible thumpers. Both Minna and Pompey tried to break down stereotypes and serve as positive role models. When Berkowitz commented on there not being as much homophobia out there as it seems, citing the band's popularity and success, the two were quick to point out that despite their success, homophobia is very much alive, if not overtly. Berkowitz also asked about "lesbian chic" to which Pompey replied, "We should have always been popular, because we're great!" Write and express the importance of having diverse members of the community on forums like this. Comments to: "Real Personal," 2200 Fletcher Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. A call to the GLAAD/LA Hotline on December 19: "Regarding GLAAD newsletter item re Fem 2 Fem. How do you know that MTV rejected the video because it was lesbian? It probably was (rejected) because they are just no good. As a lesbian musician myself I know of many other groups that should be seen on MTV, but not those girls. MTV has had many gay positive programs and has one on now, "Real World." Check out the John Cougar Melancamp video it is very lesbian positive. These women (Fem 2 Fem) cannot sing, they are just tits and ass. You get a D minus on this one." Gay Entertainment Network New York's Gay Entertainment Network (GEN) can now be seen in Los Angeles on Century Cable's channel 10. Programs on the network, which are now available in five cities (New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and San Francisco), will be "Party Talk," "Inside/Out" and "Makostyle" and may be seen in Los Angeles from 9:30 pm to midnight each Saturday until, as Mary, a spokesperson for Century Cable channel 10 put it, " the money runs out." Air-time is being purchased by GEN and sponsors include Miller Beer, Dewar's, Out magazine, optical designer Christian Roth and the cabaret show "La Cage Aux Folles." Contact: Bill Rosendahl, Senior Vice President of Programming, Century Cable, 2939 Nebraska Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404, (310) 828-2111; channel 10 production studio, (310) 315-4444; Gay Entertainment Network, 1123 Broadway, #206, New York 10010; (212) 627-8098. Print & Radio Lesbians: Front Page Visibility Lesbian visibility was given a boost by the Los Angeles Times on December 27 in an excellent front page article by Bettina Boxall entitled "Lesbians Work to Shed Label as 'Invisible Gays.'" The article covered a wide-ranging look at how lesbians are defining their own political and cultural identity and issues within the gay movement, but also emphasized that separate agendas don't mean a return to the separatism of the '70s. Boxall reported that among lesbians nationwide "A spirit of activism is taking hold. But reaching consensus on a political agenda is difficult." Included in the article were interviews with Lorri Jean, Director of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center, Liz Hendrickson, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lillian Faderman, Ann Bradley, Sarah Shulman, Barbara Muirhead (Lesbian & Gay Leadership Forum of Orange County), Karla Jay (editor), Rita Boyadjian (Little Frida's), K. Robinson of Lesbians in Film & TV, Robin Podolsky, former GLAAD/LA Board Member, Carol Anderson, GLAAD/LA co-founder, and Stephanie Farrington-Domingue, Co-President of GLAAD/LA. Consensus is that "lesbians are staking out territory of their own." Write and thank Bettina Boxall and the Times for this timely year-end piece. Write: Mr. Shelby Coffey III, Editor-in-Chief, Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; FAX (213) 237-7679; Ms. Boxall same address. Lesbian Love on the Air Usually conservative radio station KJLH presented "Lesbian Love" on December 28. DJ Levi Booker featured the owner of Little Frida's discussing everything from coming out to relationships. Lesbians were invited to call-in and make "love requests" to other females. A few homophobic calls were also received and Booker dealt with them diplomatically. For the most part the show was done in a matter-of-fact, non-sensationalized manner. As of now the station has no plans for future airings of "Lesbian Love" but calls and letters could help. Contact: KJLH, 3847 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles 90008; (213) 299-5960; Levi Booker, same address; request line: (800) 286-5554. Congratulations to The Hollywood Reporter The 63rd Anniversary Issue of The Hollywood Reporter spotlighted those who have had a major influence within the entertainment industry this past year and identified the gay and lesbian community as having made great strides in Hollywood. The article's author, Karen Ocamb, cited the facts that more lesbians and gays within the industry are coming out, the inclusion of more gay and lesbian characters on television and the broadcasting of programs such as the CBS Schoolbreak Special, "Other Mothers," to show that we have become a considerable force within the industry and are continuing to making gains. The article also spotlighted the work that GLAAD/LA and Hollywood Supports have done in the entertainment industry, not only in assuring that gays and lesbians are fairly treated on celluloid, but behind the cameras as well. Having fought for the studios to extend health benefits to same-sex partners, the two organizations have created a seminar entitled "Sexual Orientation in the Workplace" which is "intended to eliminate homophobia and help the creative community better understand lesbians and gay men. This helps in the creation of fuller and truer lesbian and gay characters." We congratulate The Hollywood Reporter on its 63rd Anniversary and commend its staff and Karen Ocamb for the inclusive nature of its Anniversary Issue. Your comments may be sent to: Robert J. Dowling, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, The Hollywood Reporter, 5055 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90036. Advertising A Miller Light Miller Brewing Co. has agreed to become a sponsor of the '94 Gay Games which will be held in New York City in June. Organizers of the Games, who have been working for more than a year to find sponsors, hope that with Miller lighting the way, it will be easier for other sponsors to come forward. (Miller has been one of the first large corporations to identify the gay and lesbian consumer as an important market segment, even becoming a key sponsor of Gay Entertainment Television which can be seen in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago and New York.) However, it is extremely important to tell Miller how much we appreciate their commitment, as they must now start dealing with the well-organized backlash of the religious right. To encourage Miller to continue their support of gay and lesbian events, television and publications, write: Mr. John Bowlin, President, Miller Brewing Company, 3939 W. Highland Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53201-0420; (800) 645-5376. Condom Ads Available New AIDS awareness ads, produced by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), are now being shown on some television outlets. The ads urge the use of condoms to help prevent the spread of AIDS. This marks the first time condoms have been used in a federal campaign. Contact your local television stations and urge them to air these Public Service Announcements. (See the Handy Media Guide for numbers.) For additional information, contact the CDC at 1-800-342-AIDS [2437]. Tracking the Ads The Media Outreach Comittee wants to inform the gay and lesbian community of advertisers who either support programs about our community or contribute to censorship of those programs, and you can help. The next time you watch television, keep a pencil and paper handy. If there is such content, jot down the name of the show and its sponsors. Then, call the information into the GLAAD/LA Hotlines: English (213) 931-9429; Spanish (213) 658-6074; FAX (213) 658-6776. If you are an advertising industry "insider" who might have access to information about advertisers who have been under boycott or hate-campaign pressure to cease advertising on programs that are lesbian and gay positive, call us. Any information will be treated in confidence. GLAAD News Can't CAN Can It? The Christian Action Network (CAN) is accusing the United Way of "putting homosexual textbooks into the hands of little children" because of the agency's support of school boards that have voted to use textbooks which include fair, accurate and unbiased information about lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Said CAN President Martin Mawyer, "We tell our children that homosexual sex is a sin, a perversion, even a deadly act. Homosexuals don't have children of their own, so they're going after our kids." (The success of GLAAD/SFBA's Project 21 for educational equity is the focus of this latest CAN hate campaign.) You can help to counteract CAN's onslaught against the United Way by sending them your encouraging comments. Contact: The United Way, National Headquarters, 701 N. Fairfax, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 836-7100. Hold the Pepperoni, Add the Homophobia Tom Monaghan, CEO of Domino's Pizza, has announced that James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family, is the recipient of the not-always-annual Domino's Pizza Humanitarian Award. (Focus is one of the most homophobic and hate mongering groups in America and occupies a $27,000,000. complex in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It regularly supports everything from censoring gay/lesbian art to hate legislation.) A call to Domino's Public Relations Department elicited the remark that "we want to sell pizza to everyone," and that Mr. Monaghan "personally chooses" the recipient of the Humanitarian Award. GLAAD is currently encouraging individuals to call their local Domino's Pizza outlets to voice their dismay. Your comments may also be directed to: Domino's Pizza, P.O. Box 997, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106; (313) 930-4500; CEO Tom Monaghan FAX (313) 663-7922; Marketing FAX (313) 668-1946; Public Relations FAX (313) 668-4614. Women of GLAAD The Women of GLAAD-sponsored "dialogue and critique of representations of lesbians in the media," entitled "When Who We Are Under The Covers Is On The Cover, Who's Usin' Whom?," was held on December 9 in the auditorium of the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles building. Panelists included Sarah Pettit, Executive Director, Out Magazine, Bettina Boxall, Metro Reporter: Gay and Lesbian Beat, Los Angeles Times, Jehan Agrama, Co-Chair, Media-Outreach Committee, GLAAD/LA, Alycee Lane, Writer, BLK and Former Editor, Black Lace, and moderator Jane Engel, News Editor: World Report weekly section, Los Angeles Times. Tracey Stern, Co-Chair of Women of GLAAD, was extremely pleased by the discourse and by the response. Said Tracey, "Once again we have been able to present a professional and well-informed panel speaking directly to the community on our important issues. It was very exciting and great fun. We are appreciative of all who participated and helped to showcase this high-level discussion." Women of GLAAD encourages the participation of lesbians on the GLAAD/LA board and on GLAAD's committee, and to ensure that GLAAD continues to fight for lesbian visibility in all areas of the media. The committee meets the first Tuesday of each month at the GLAAD/LA office. For more information call: Tracey Stern or Angela West, Co-Chairs, Women of GLAAD (213) 658-6775. GLAAD/LA Reports Dear Editor: At the recent lesbian forum held December 9, panelist Sarah Petitt suggested that "Outing" closeted lesbians and gays is a "retarded strategy," because individuals clumsy about their sexual identities make "poor role models." Ms. Pettit misses the point. Revealing that someone is gay has nothing to do with seeking spokespeople, and everything to with with exposing hypocrisy. Our issue is not sanitization of our community to defuse homophobia, but to enlighten the world about the ubiquity of gayness. We are everywhere, everywhere. Good, nice, neat, cool, ultimately sanitized role models have nothing to do with it. Since when do white, male, Protestant, heterosexual men worry about role models? Polly Klaas's murderer appears to fall in this group. Are other male heteros quaking with fear of backlash? As lesbians and gay men seeking full civil and human rights, our efforts should NOT be directed solely in shaping the message or the messenger. Style, in this case, does not outweigh substance. We need many, many messengers, with many, many different styles. And we need them everywhere. At the same forum, Los Angeles Times reporter Bettina Boxall suggested the need to "create a safe environment to aid others in coming out." Sorry Bettina. Living as an open lesbian is taking most of my effort. Worrying about how I can aid those who are gaining freedom on the backs of those of us willing to tell the truth is more codependence that I can handle. Besides, there's safety in numbers. The safe environment follows individual honesty and integrity - it doesn't introduce it. Ann Bradley Religious Right Targets Washington State Two anti-gay initiatives were filed January 10, 1994 with the Secretary of State in Olympia, WA. Both call for keeping homosexuals from being given minority status, for preventing homosexuality from being advocated in the schools, and would prevent homosexuals from adopting children or gaining custody in divorce. One was filed by Lon Mabon of the Oregon Citizens' Alliance, who is also treasurer of the Citizens' Alliance of Washington (CAW). The new head of the CAW, Samuel Woodard, accompanied Mabon. The other was filed by Washington Public Affairs Committee. Each initiative requires 180,000 signatures by July 7, 1994 to be placed on the ballot. Executive Director's Column by Lee Werbel With the recent media coverage surrounding the release of two new films -- "Philadelphia" and "Six Degrees of Separation" -- it was essential for GLAAD/LA to respond with the following article that ran (under a different title) in the "Counterpunch" column of the Los Angeles Times Calendar section on Monday, January 3, 1994: A Great Leap? I Think Not! The theme of two recent articles, regarding Tom Hanks starring in "Philadelphia" (the cover story for the Sunday Calendar, December 19) and Will Smith's role in "Six Degrees of Separation" (December 4), was that these two actors were making `great leaps' by playing gay characters in current releases. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/Los Angeles (GLAAD/LA) strongly supports the release of these two movies, especially "Philadelphia." We are very concerned, however, about the slant of the coverage surrounding the actors playing gay characters. It is especially ironic that in covering the first major studio release dealing with AIDS-phobia and homophobia ("Philadelphia"), the interviewer's primary focus was on the presumed damage that starring in such a film might do to the actor's career. Acting is a profession that usually involves playing someone with a personality and characteristics different than the actorUs own. We are not aware of articles dealing with the `courage' of actors playing most other types of characters. So why, when an actor plays someone lesbian or gay, are we treated to a cover story heralding his/her `bravery' as an actor? Inevitably these stories involve a full analysis of the risks involved in taking the role, why the actor or others had concerns about the role, and an explanation that he/she is not gay. The subtitles for the Times story are problematic enough -- `How did Tom Hanks come to play a gay lawyer with AIDS?' `What made him take the leap?' But the article practices a subtle form of, apparently unconscious, defamation when it states that Hanks'likability quotient will probably never again be put to [this] kind of test.' It is really not a big deal for a heterosexual actor to be playing a gay or lesbian role -- lesbian and gay actors play heterosexual roles all the time. We therefore find it offensive to see Will Smith's homophobic reactions to the role -- `scariest choice I've ever had to make in my career,' `I was concerned about how my credibility would be affected,' -- painted as `courageous.' Why was the chief focus of questioning of Will Smith about the gay aspect of his character, rather than, say that he was playing a con artist or a liar? Through stories and interviewers of this kind, the Times and papers like it are creating and reinforcing the myth that playing a gay or lesbian character could have a negative impact on an actor's career. To the contrary, a long line of highly successful actors have played gay and lesbian characters at some point in their career. Why is the Times making this the essential issue? Luckily there are an increasing number of movies and television shows that reflect the diverse make up of American society. Lesbians and gays are in every walk of life in every society. GLAAD/LA is working to insure greater inclusion of lesbian and gay characters in film and on television. The Times does a disservice to its readership when it reinforces the homophobic notions about the effect of playing gay and lesbian roles that we are working so hard to fight. I want to thank all of you who have helped GLAAD/LA within the last year with donations of items we have listed on our wish list: Garrett Glasser, Jackie Black, Caroline Bernard and Carl Matthes for our new fax machine; Chris Svoboda for an entire case of blank video cassettes; Laura Lara a case of computer disks; David Reid and Jasper Voni Meerheimb, office supplies. The donations of items on the wish list, along with your financial contributions, are what keeps GLAAD/LA working steadfastly towards our goal of eradicating homophobia. Thank you all. It's hard to believe that it's time for the Media Awards again, only six weeks to go! SATURDAY, MARCH 19! CENTURY PLAZA HOTEL! CELEBRITIES AND STARS! This year's program looks to be very exciting with the number of nominations increasing due to the increase of positive portrayals of lesbians and gay men. Don't miss out, get your tickets early! General Meeting: Media Awards Preview February 22 - 7:00 pm GLAAD's Fifth Anniversary Media Awards will be presented during our gala dinner and show on March 19, 1994 at the Century Plaza Hotel. The February 22 general meeting will preview this year's winners and clips from the winning films and television programs will be shown. Moderators will be Veronica Davis and Myra Ridell of the Nominations Committee who will discuss the process by which the winners were selected. 7:00 pm refreshments; 7:30 pm program. Temple Beth Chayim Chadashim, 6000 W. Pico Blvd. (one block east of Crescent Heights). Admission is free; donations accepted. No one turned away for lack of funds. GLAAD/LA How to Find Us GLAAD/LA is located at 8455 Beverly Blvd, #305, Los Angeles, CA 90048. (This is just east of La Cienega on the north side of Beverly; parking is on the street.) To gain entrance to the office, dial "40" on the phone access system at the main door of the building. Upon identifying youself you will be "buzzed" in; enter the elevators on the left and proceed to the third floor. GLAAD/LA shares the suite of offices with Hollywood Supports. L.A. Film Festival Seeks Submissions The Gay & Lesbian Media Coalition (GLMC) is now accepting submissions for the 12th Annual Los Angeles International Gay & Lesbian Film and Video Festival which will be held July 7 - 17, 1994. Films and videos should be by and/or about lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons. Being sought are features, shorts, documentaries, experimental and animated works in 35 or 16mm film and 1/2" or 3/4" video formats. For full information about meeting the April 1, 1994 deadline contact: GLMC, 8228 Sunset Blvd., #308, West Hollywood, CA 90046; (213) 650-5133; FAX (213) 650-2226. GLAAD/LA Wish List Donations of any of the following items would be greatly appreciated: A podium (for the new conference room in which we will be able to hold press conferences) A round (4 - 5 foot in diameter) kitchen table (for the new large kitchen) A multi-line phone system and phones A laser printer A new copying machine A telephone answering machine A conference table with chairs for ten or more Blank video and audiocassettes General office supplies, i.e. copy paper, scissors, staplers, file folders, etc. Office desks Donors, please call the GLAAD/LA office at (213) 658-6775. Keep the Letters Going; Send GLAAD/LA a Copy The need for continual gay and lesbian reaction to the events that are shaping our lives and our future is very important; this is one of our most effective tools. When you send a letter, send a copy to us for our files. We would also like to have a copy of any response you might receive. Send to: GLAAD/LA, 8455 Beverly Blvd, #305, Los Angeles 90048; FAX (213) 658-6776. To: Sally Jesse Raphael (copy to GLAAD/LA): Ms. Raphael, As a licensed gay foster parent you did children of America a disservice by bringing "Dr." Reisman on your show to attack gay parents. There are 25,000 foster children in California with insufficient foster homes. Gays and lesbians make great parents, we make good money and your support would be appreciated. Please: no more bigots for "balance." Jerome Murphy, M.D. Address correction: Comments to "Sally Jesse Raphael" should be addressed to: 515 W. 57th Street, 3rd Floor, New York 10019; (212) 582-1722. Up and coming: "Northern Exposure" is preparing an episode with a gay marriage which is scheduled to air on May 2. Comments to: "Northern Exposure," 3000 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 1540, Santa Monica, CA 90404; Writer Ted Seidel, same address. In passing: "PrimeTime Live" on ABC presented a holiday program featuring well-known people singing parts of "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," including Al and Tipper Gore, Sally Jessy Raphael, Lauren Hutton, Marla Maples, etc. Among the "etc." were Barney Frank and his partner, Herb Moses, who gazed admiringly towards Barney as they sang, "...they'll say `are you married?' We'll say 'no, man'..."! The American Library Association reported on National Public Radio that the Most Banned Books of 1993 were: "The New Joy of Gay Sex," "More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark," "Heather has Two Mommies," "Sex" (by Madonna) and "Daddy's Roommate." Chelsea House Publishers has issued their new catalog which includes two new series for and about lesbian, gay and bisexual youths. "Issues of Gay and Lesbian Life" includes 25 books on topics from AIDS, African-American l/g culture and coming out. The second series, "The Lives of Notable Gay Men and Lesbians," includes 30 biographical books. Contact: Chelsea House, 300 Park Avenue South, New York 10010; (800) 848-BOOK. YOUTH Magazine is a new bimonthly publication for, by and about lesbigay youth. Contact: YOUTH Magazine, P.O. Box 34215, Washington, D.C. 20043-4215; (202) 234-3562. A True GLAADiator We are happy to congratulate a true Gladiator -- Storm -- of "American Gladiators" (KCAL-TV) who came out of the closet by way of the Lesbian News. She is to be commended. This follows an inaccurate report last month bouncing around the electronic airwaves and some g/l publications which announced that Turbo, a fellow gladiator on the same program, had come out during a TV interview. Lesbian/Gay Book Awards Nominations for the 1994 Lesbian/Gay Book Awards are now being recieved by the Gay/Lesbian Task Force of the American Library Association. Contact: Ellen Greenblatt, Book Awards Committee Chair, Central Technical Services, Lockwood Library, SUNY Buffalo, New York, 14260-2200; FAX (716) 645-5955. Quotable Quotes... From Petty Officer Richard Simmons commenting on gays and lesbians in the military, "The Bible says it's wrong to be homosexual. Everyone says that, except our Commander in Chief. I had one guy look at me and ask what I thought about the policy and I said I thought they should all be lined up and shot. He hasn't spoken to me since, and that's good." From 23-year-old mess specialist Krystal Groce, "I think the men are having a lot more trouble with it than the women. It doesn't bother me if a woman comes up to me and says, `You're very attractive.' I know I'm straight, and I know how to handle it." GLAAD/LA: We Need Volunteers Archives Volunteers are needed to enter dates on our computers for our video archives. Please contact the GLAAD/LA office at (213) 658-6775 and leave a message for Sylvia. GLAAD/LA Reference File GLAAD/LA is continually updating its reference file of clippings and articles so that the actual statements of anyone who is practicing defamation, or voicing support for our human rights, can be easily documented. Can you, or someone you know, start watching and clipping the Orange County Register, L.A. Weekly, L.A. Reader, La Opinion, or the Daily News? In addition, if you read something in a magazine, periodical, newsletter, etc., that relates to gay and lesbian issues, clip and send it to: GLAAD/LA, 8455 Beverly Blvd, #305, Los Angeles, CA 90048; FAX (213) 658-6776; or call the hotlines, English (213) 931-9429; Spanish (213) 658-6074 and report it. Office Help GLAAD/LA is seeking sharp, reliable, enthusiastic and motivated individuals to volunteer in our friendly, relaxed and very busy office. There is a vast array of general office duties which provide information relevant to monitoring the media. The work done by GLAAD/LA is only possible because of the volunteer spirit within the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. We encourage you to contact the GLAAD office at (213) 658-6775 if you have time to volunteer. You will receive genuine satisfaction as a result of your experiences, and will give a significant contribution to the community. Calendar Dates: Feb 1 Tues Deadline for March GLAAD/LA Reports Feb 1 Tue Women of GLAAD 7:00pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Feb 2 Wed Community Outreach/Membership 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Feb 3 Thur Monitor/Response Committee 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Feb 8 Tues GLAAD/LA Board Meeting 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Feb 15 Tues Media Outreach 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Feb 17 Thurs Monitor/Response Committee 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Feb 22 Tues February General Meeting 7:00pm 6000 Pico Bl March Dates: Mar 1 Tues Deadline for April GLAAD/LA Reports Mar 1 Tue Women of GLAAD 7:00pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Mar 2 Wed Community Outreach/Membership 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Mar 3 Thurs Monitor/Response Committee 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Addition: In side column listing of phone numbers, under "GLAAD Office," change this designation to read "GLAAD Office & Volunteer Information" Handy Media Guide: Local news is breaking - KABC-TV change phone number for Roger Bell to (310) 557-5801 The Editorial Staff of GLAAD/LA Reports reserves the right to edit all material for brevity, clarity and consistency with the goals and purposes of GLAAD/LA. Editor Carl Matthes FAX (213) 257-5878 Assistant Editor David Zahniser Graphics Carl Daugenti Advertising Rep Margo Strik (213) 259-9208 Contributors: Lynn H. Ballen, Ann Dutton, GLAAD/BBS, Shawn Griffin, Dean Hansell, Loren R. Javier, Al Kielwasser, GLAAD/SFAB, Bob La Font, Carl Matthes, Sylvia Rhue, Carmichael Smith-Low, Susan Vogelfang, Lee Werbel, David Zahniser. ======================================== Bryan J. Blumberg, The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation 815 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90041-1777 (213) 259-4914, bjb@macsch.com