From wasmith@eis.calstate.edu Sun Apr 17 17:06:12 1994 GLAAD/LA Reports - May '94 Carl Matthes, Editor (213) 254-2726 - FAX (213) 257-5878 Mel White, Ghostwriter Jerry Falwell. Pat Robertson. Lou Sheldon. Dr. James Kennedy. James Dobson. Frank Price. Fred Phelps. It is as if Elmer Gantry had spawned seven spiritually feral imps and unleashed them to devour the light of our souls. Children of a lesser God. Then, out of the mists of the baying of the hellhounds, comes Mel White. Ghostwriter of books, autobiographies and speeches for Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Jim Bakker and Oliver North; the author of inspirational bestsellers, award winning Christian filmmaker, a pastor and a seminary professor. Mel White had give voice to the Christian Right. But when his old friends began to use "the homosexual threat" as a way of raising money and mobilizing their political forces, White revealed to the fundamentalist leaders that he was gay and asked for private meetings to discuss the suffering and discrimination caused by their false and inflammatory rhetoric. When they refused to respond, Mr. White came out publicly and decided to appeal his case directly to the nation. The result is his powerful and moving autobiography "Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America" (Simon & Schuster). The book is already in its second printing. Exclusive Interview with Mel White by Sylvia Rhue On April 11, GLAAD/LA Monitor/Response Committee member and former GLAAD/LA Board Member Sylvia Rhue, caught up with Mr. White in Los Angeles on the last leg of his 16 city tour. In between appearances on Michael Jackson and Ray Briehm's radio shows and Tom Snyder on CNBC, she conducted this exclusive interview for GLAAD/LA Reports. GLAAD/LA: How is your tour going? Mel White: We've been on the road 17 days, in 16 cities, talking to the media. Simon & Schuster is paying for this to promote my book, but I have also been using it to talk about gay and lesbian issues. I've been doing 6 to 8 interviews a day - "Sonia Live," "Larry King," USA Today, local publications - since my appearance on "60 Minutes," and getting a measure of where the country is on our issues. GLAAD/LA: Where do you think the country is? Mel White: In my limited purview I would say the polls are right. Half of the people feel its okay, the other half don't, invariably because they don't know or think they don't know a gay or lesbian person. People who know one, if they do know one, want us to have our rights. My task in writing "Stranger at the Gate" was to let people know. (On this tour) this gave people a chance to call in and ask "What do two men do in bed? I find it disgusting, but I've never asked." GLAAD/LA: Do you tell them? Mel White: Oh, yes. And in fact, at my age, what I do in bed is sleep mainly. It would be wonderful if there was more action than that. Also, talking about what's natural to a lesbian or gay and what's unnatural to a heterosexual is really interesting, they've never talked about it. Sex is not talked about. GLAAD/LA: What has been the response to your book? Mel White: The first printing was 35,000, which for a gay book is a wonderful printing - it was sold out before the publication date of April 7. I go to the major stores and the little family stores, all have it except the Christian stores. The CBA stores - Christian Booksellers Association has rejected it and that's the company that has given me lifetime achievement awards for the books I've written, the videos and films I've made for them, but now that I'm being honest I've been black-balled, black listed, and so my book isn't carried by them. GLAAD/LA: Would you complete the quote that was edited from your "60 Minutes" appearance? Mel White: Over a six month period I was interviewed in 8 different cities by Morley Safer. Morley said, "The religious right guys say you choose this?" I said, "Who would choose this? I spent 35 years rejecting my sexual orientation. I don't know anybody who would choose this. But, once you realize that sexual orientation is a gift from God, and forever, then you can embrace it, and live it with great joy and I'm happy to report that I love being gay and that I now know that God loves me without reservation - and that I hated myself." They just cut off everything after "choose this." However, they ("60 Minutes") were doing that to help us. Because they know that the major myth about sexual orientation is this is a "lifestyle choice" or "preference," all those things and stuff about choosing, and they wanted to make clear that we don't choose this and millions of us wouldn't have chosen this because it would have been easier to choose to be hetero. However, once you accept that you are lesbian or gay then you can go on. So we encourage young people who are gay or lesbian to celebrate it from the start and not go through what a lot of us did and think it is evil and reject it. GLAAD/LA: We haven't been able to find Jerry Falwell on TV recently. Do you know where he is? Mel White: Both Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, when I came out of the closet and started pointing out the ugliness of their lies against us, they said "cool it." GLAAD/LA: What do you mean? They called you and said "Cool it"? Mel White: No, they said to each other to cool it. At the National Christian Coalition (NCC), where they had all of their leaders, Ralph Reed, the head of NCC, said that even though homosexuals have an agenda and are a threat to American family values - still molest children; still shouldn't be in the military, and all of this - said let's cool it for awhile because it is getting to be too agitating. Even though they are at the heart of our platform, still let's not talk about them for awhile. But, of course, they couldn't resist. Pat Robertson is back doing it again everyday. He blamed the midwest floods on lesbians and gays and other sinners as well as the earthquakes. GLAAD/LA: Who is the most powerful Religious Right figure? Mel White: I don't know if we can rate them. Pat Robertson has the power with his billion dollar media empire and his endless ability to broadcast, send direct mailings and to organize folks. We would just like to say they are "creeps" and are doing it only for the money. But, that's too easy. They are true believers. GLAAD/LA: You mean they really believe this stuff. They just don't want money and power? Mel White: Let me tell you they do believe that gays and lesbians should have no rights and are a threat to the nation. A minister in Seattle just the other day said that gays should be killed. When I asked him by whom, he said the civil authorities, that is why it is important for men of God to get in positions of power. They want us to either convert and get over our sexual "problems" or die. GLAAD/LA: Any last word? Mel White: Out there is a lot of hatred that leads to death; and they're killing us now. I buried a kid just a few weeks ago in Tyler, TX who was laid down in a dump and shot in his extremities 28 times before they shot him in the brain because he was a faggot. And why shouldn't we kill him, because our Pastors and Rabbis say it is okay. And we are killing ourselves, 4 or 5 gay and lesbian teens each day kill themselves. (Mel White is presently Dean of the Cathedral of Hope, MCC in Dallas, TX, the largest lesbian and gay church in the world. He lives in Dallas with Gary, his lover and companion of ten years.) Co-President's Column by Stephanie Farrington-Domingue A few days ago I was looking through some old photographs and came across a picture of me with Rosa Parks. It was taken several years ago when she came to visit a senior citizen program I was directing. As I studied the picture of us standing there, all eyeglasses and smiles, it seemed strange to imagine that this petite, unassuming woman, softened by the years, was actually the individual who had marked a place in time that changed the course of Civil Rights. A place in time that embodied the rage and frustration of an entire race of people. It was Dec. 1, 1955. I was just seven years old living in L.A., Rosa, 42 years old, was living in Montgomery. We had absolutely no connection to each other. Rosa was not in a revolutionary frame of mind that day. She had not planned to do what she did. As she explained it to me, "I was just plain tired, and my feet hurt." So, she sat there, refusing to give up her seat to a white male passenger, as ordered by the bus driver. The rest is history, never to be forgotten. We are eternally connected because of the impact of her actions on me and millions of others. I went into the next room, thumbed through another packet of pictures, and pulled out a recent picture that I took with Morris Kight and Harry Hay. I remembered the night that we took it, and the urgency I felt to take a picture with two men who had so much to do with moving our Gay and Lesbian Movement forward. Men who had each, in their own way, dared to etch out a space and claim it in honor of us all. In 1950, I was but two years old when Harry Hay organized one of our first official gay rights organizations, the Mattachine Society. Through this organization, Harry and his lover launched discussion groups proposing an "ethical homosexual culture," following the Marxist theory that gays were a legitimate minority group. Years later, as I worked and played in the gay/lesbian community, Harry Hay, "Father of Gay Liberation," was a name and persona I became acquainted with as I entered, continued and expanded that conversation regarding our legitimacy. Unlike the Mattachine Society, who were necessarily vague and sworn to anonymity, my generation embraced and found power in our visibility. We further advocated for accurate and balanced representations of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in all forms of the media and entertainment. We can never thank Harry enough for beginning that conversation. In our photo, I was the transistional figure between Harry and Morris Kight, one of the most delightful individuals I have come to know. Morris is a Los Angeles institution within the gay and lesbian movement. He's known as a principle architect of gay liberation and one of our most prolific activists. Dozens of lesbian and gay organizations have been jump-started by his efforts. Back in the early 70's when I was just discovering my own orientation, the Gay Community Services Center was the first place I contacted in an effort to connect with other lesbians. At the time, I had never heard of Morris Kight and had no idea that he was co-founder of this community resource. As my relationship with our community grew, and I began to join other high profile organizations like the Stonewall Democratic Club, of which he was also a co-founding member, it became quite clear that this Morris guy had been everywhere, and most frequently as a front-runner or founder. Harry and Morris and Rosa and me. Damn, I travel in good company! I have walked and talked with the history makers. I have been inspired by their deeds. My hope is that my contributions to Civil Rights and Gay and Lesbian Rights might also have significant impact in furthering our causes. I feel compelled to continue my efforts. There is undoubtedly some two year old, or seven year old, or any other aged individual, who's life path may intersect with mine, the way mine intersected with Harry's and Morris' and Rosa's, and they might be empowered because of my efforts. I am reminded of a quote that I heard recently "Don't take yourself too seriously, but remember that you can change the world." As we approach Stonewall 25, the Silver Anniversary of our movement, I am extremely proud of who I am and the work that I am involved with. I know through our work here at GLAAD/LA we are indeed changing hearts and minds. It is this spirit and pride that I will take with me as my spouse, Sandy, and I ride in our local CSW parade as the recipient of the 1994 Harvey Milk Award. It is this spirit and pride that I will take with me to my new position as Program Director of Community Outreach and Education for the Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center. It is this spirit and pride that I will take with me to New York this June, and on into the future. A Memorable Academy Awards The 66th Annual Academy Awards was held Monday evening, March 21 in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center of Los Angeles County. The billion plus people tuned in around the world were treated to a program that included Oscars for Tom Hanks for his role in the AIDS-themed "Philadelphia," Bruce Springsteen for his composition of the title song from the same movie (openly gay composer Marc Shaiman was also in the running with his song "A Wink and a Smile," as was Neil Young for his song from "Philadelphia"), a spoken political "wish-list" from MC Whoopi Goldberg that mentioned "gay rights, Act-Up, more funding for AIDS," and gay and lesbian stories and characters in the nominated films "The Wedding Banquet," "Farewell My Concubine," "Six Degrees of Separation" and "Chicks in White Satin." Another big plus for those who stayed tuned following the Awards broadcast was the Barbara Walters interview of Elton John where he talked proudly of being a gay man. The most memorable acceptance speech of the evening came from Tom Hanks. Said Mr. Hanks, "Here's what I know. I could not be standing here without that `Undying Love' that was just sung about by not Bruce, but Neil Young, and I have that in a lover, that is so close to fine, we should all be able to experience such heaven right here on earth. I know, also, that I shouldn't be doing this. I should not be here, but I am because of the union of such film makers: Ed Saxon, Ron Nyswaner, Christie Tac Fujimoto - (and) Jonathan Demme, who seems to have these (the Oscar in his hand) attached to his limbs for every actor that has ever worked with him of late. And a cast that includes Antonio Banderas, who, second to my lover, is the only person I would trade for. And a cast that includes many other people, but the actor who really put his film image at risk, and shown because of his integrity, Mr. Denzel Washington, who I really must share this with. I would not be standing here if it weren't for two very important men in my life, two that I hadn't spoken with for a while, but I had the pleasure just the other evening, Mr. Raleigh Farnsworth, who was my high school drama teacher, who taught me, `Act well the part, there all the glory lies.' And one was my classmate, under Mr. Farnsworth, Mr. John Gilkerson. I mention their names because they are two of the finest gay Americans, two wonderful men, that I had the good fortune to be associated with, to fall under their inspiration at such a young age. And I wish my babies could have the same sort of teacher and the same sort of friend. And there lies my dilemma here tonight. I know that my work in this case is magnified by the fact the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels. We know their names. They number a thousand for each of the red ribbons we wear here tonight. They finally rest in the warm embrace of the Creator of us all, a healing embrace that cools their fevers, that clears their skin, and allows their eyes to see the simple self-evident common-sense truth that is made manifest by the benevolent Creator of us all, and was written down on paper by wise men, tolerant men, in the city of Philadelphia two hundred years ago. God bless you all, God have mercy on us all, and God bless America." Backstage, according to the Los Angeles Times, Hanks elaborated on his recognition of the two influential gay men from his high school days, "These are wonderful men whom I met when I was 16 and 17 years old...and if I had not had the education and the friendship of these men who are homosexual, I would not be standing here today." In an Op-Ed piece in the Los Angeles Times on Thurs., March 24, writer Robert Dawidoff observed, "Most powerfully, he (Hanks) referred to his 'lover' and how much his lover meant to him, as one billion people saw his lover - a woman to whom he is married, because heterosexual lovers are allowed to be married...When he said `lover' and could have said wife, lots of people must have said `I didn't know he was gay' or `I thought he was married.' By daring to put himself in our shoes, Hanks showed what citizenship in a democracy means." Your comments to: Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; Tom Hanks, c/o Richard Lovett, Creative Artists Agency, 9830 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212-1825. FAX (310) 288-4795; Robert Dawidoff, c/o Mr. Shelby Coffey III, Editor-in-Chief, Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; FAX (213) 237-7679. The GLAAD/LA 5th Annual Awards Show; Fueled by Star Power by Peter M. Nardi When Robin Williams walked on stage and did his shtick with Harvey Fierstein, I realized how far GLAAD has come in its five short years of activism. When Warren Littlefield, President of NBC Entertainment, accepted the award for "Seinfeld," I knew things had changed. When Aaron Spelling, Lily Tomlin, Stockard Channing, and others were comfortable enough to appear at a lesbian and gay function, I realized how influential we had become. (It wasn't that long ago that many of us were lobbying the same people to present or receive awards. We educated, cajoled, and persuaded them to be more inclusive, accurate, and balanced about lesbian and gay images.) This year's celebration was testimony to the effectiveness GLAAD and its many supporters have. Seeing these stars in our territory for a change is very exciting for me. OK, I will admit that I do get a bit star-struck when I see a celebrity in some restaurant or theater. Movies, in particular, have always been larger than life for me and were an important part of my childhood; to run into stars and see them in real life still fascinates me. But it's rarely within our gay borders that we see them, rarely on our terms. This to me is the magic of the GLAAD awards dinner and what makes it feel different from the numerous other dinner benefits. There's something magical about the movies, and I love magic. And there's something special about the politics and fervor of our lesbian and gay communities. When the two combine this one night a year, it all comes together for me. Gay politics and celebrities! And this year's event -- with close to 1,200 supporters -- felt like the best one yet. Perhaps it was the big names, the big room, the big silent auction, and the big crowd. Perhaps it was just the pride I feel having been an active part of GLAAD for these past five years. When I was co-president, we had our first major dinner. It was a success, but we were all new at it. This last one, however, symbolized our arrival in the big time. It felt more professional, more powerful, and more influential. We are a part of the media's consciousness and we are effective. And we do it with style and dignity. In some ways, the 5th Media Awards felt for the first time to me like a gay Oscar ceremony. But here the feelings were political as well as artistic. Or, as the other gay Oscar stated it: "Emotion for the sake of emotion is the aim of art, and emotion for the sake of action is the aim of life." Media Awards... And Here's The Scoop The luxurious Century Plaza Hotel on the Avenue of the Stars in Century City was sizzling on March 19, when the star-fueled GLAAD/LA Media Awards took to the stage. The pre-ceremonies VIP Cocktail Party was hot as Hollywood Celebs and guests met the Board of Directors, browsed and bid at the Silent Auction and gobbled some fantastic hors d'oeurves. Incredible auction items included: a poster from "Torch Song Trilogy" (signed by cast members - including author Harvey Fierstein) and the script from the recent "Lesbian Kiss" episode of "Roseanne." Among the first to arrive was Margaret Cho, wafting down the runway in a cream colored flapper like dress. She looked fabulous! Lea DeLaria arrived shortly after, as raucous and funny as ever. This was going to be a fun evening. Seen comparing notes with Executive Director Lee Werbel were all the former EDs of GLAAD/LA, Richard Jennings, Chris Fowler and David Smith At 7:30, everyone made their way into the Los Angeles Room where Media Awards Co-Chairs, or "The Gang of Five" (Jehan Agrama, Will Halm, Jody Hoenninger, Michael Keegan and Carmichael Smith-Low), Executive Director Lee Werbel, and Co-Presidents Dean Hansell and Stephanie Farrington-Domingue welcomed the huge crowd of over 1,100. Much to the surprise of the Board of Directors, who thought she had gone insane, Ms. Werbel again made her way on stage to introduce her "cousin" who came all the way from Calumet City - Mrs. Judith Beasley - who received a standing ovation. Confused? Don't be...Mrs. Beasley was none other than the multi-talented Lily Tomlin in "drag!" Keeping in character, Ms. Tomlin gave a hilarious speech admitting she was befuddled by why we would be giving awards to trash bags. With that the ceremonies began. The evening was hosted by the ever popular Stockard Channing and Bruce Davison. Immediately honored was Roberta Achtenberg, who received the Lesbian Visibility Award. Harvey Fierstein received his Gay Visibility Award from Obie Award winning actor David Drake, and, in a great surprise moment that had Mr. Fierstein literally jumping in the air, the Award trophy was handed to him by a very special surprise guest - Robin Williams! (Mr. Fierstein portrayed the gay make-up artist that created the over $200 million box-office persona of Williams' "Mrs. Doubtfire.") To present the award for "Forbidden Love" were Mariel Hemingway and Lea DeLaria who, in the spirit of the moment, re-enacted the "controversial" kiss that appeared on the recent "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" episode of "Roseanne." The stunning Ms. Hemingway said she felt no guilt because Roseanne "cheated" on her with Carol Burnett at the People's Choice Awards. Amanda Bearse giggled with glee when she found out that "Melrose Place" heart throb Heather Locklear was at the event. When Ms. Locklear got up to present an award, she quipped she was single - for Ms. Bearse's information. Handsome Mitchell Lichtenstein ("The Wedding Banquet"), Nora Dunn and Swoozie Kurtz, glamorous stars of "Sisters," Kasey Casem and his stunning wife, Jean, and comics Kate Clinton and Lynda Montgomery all added to the evening's glitter. Also in attendance were Ella Joyce, Garry Marshall, Lisa Pelikan and Doris Roberts. The most political speech of the evening was given by Aaron Spelling, recipient of GLAAD/LA's first Vanguard Award, presented for leadership in the entertainment community. Spelling told the crowd that he hasn't lost a sponsor yet because of his gay inclusive themes and that he was accepting the award not for just what he has done but for what he will be doing. "Band" star Matthew Modine ended the evening with quiet, touching words as he accepted the award for "And The Band Played On." "Threesome" With all of the exploitive, voyeuristic, sodden, or queer-for-a-laugh movies that have been fed to the public for so long, it is almost amazing that "Threesome," a sexual-romantic comedy, hits the target. Okay, so maybe it would be more likely that the sun and moon would rise and set at the same time than for this particular mix of college students to be thrown together in a dorm room. But, remember, it's the movies, and a compelling case for both hetero and homo sex, attraction and feelings (he likes her, her likes him and him likes he) has been made by the imaginative minds behind "Threesome." (Written and directed by Andrew Fleming.) While the opening sequences revolve around in-your-face bathroom humor, the likeable young ensemble in "Three" - Josh Charles (a blank-slate gay man about to come to grips with his sexuality), Stephen Baldwin (an overtly sexual hedonist and in real life one of the Baldwin brothers) and Lara Flynn Boyle (sexually awakened, attractive and talented; and don't miss her in the "cowboy noir," "Red Rock West") - soon rise above this, captures the audience and bring the movie to life. The on-target dialogue rarely misses a beat and the on-screen chemistry between the "Three" was provocative. Box office receipts first week out topped four million. Comments to: "Threesome," TriStar Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. "Four Weddings and a Funeral" Here is a British romantic comedy (from writer Richard Curtis) that really has the issue of gay inclusion down pat. Hugh Grant portrays Charles, a guy who is always attending other people's weddings. He makes the observation that he never has one himself. The reason: he hasn't found that "special someone." This, of course, sets the ground rules for his falling in love with a thoroughly likeable Andie MacDowell. Introduced early in this scenario are Matthew and Gareth (Simon Callow and John Hannah) who turn out to be a gay couple who have formed a very loving and lasting relationship. In fact, the "Funeral "in the title, refers to the sudden death of Simon, at which the most warm, caring and human moments of the film are found. Another plus is Scott, the brother of Charles, who happens to be deaf. It is commendable that the producers were able to include gay men and a deaf character without making an issue of them. Comments to: "Four Weddings and a Funeral," Gramercy Pictures, 9247 Alden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. "Love and War" CBS' "Love and War" had a very funny, well-written and conceived show on Monday, March 14. The waitress, Nadine (Joanna Gleason), had become enthralled with her literature teacher, Neil (Corbin Bernson), who showed interest in her by asking her to dinner. The show seemed to be focused on her conflict over her attraction to him and whether she should tell him that she is married, but Neil was actually interested in Jack (Jay Thomas). The plot twist became hilarious as Jack and Dana (Annie Potts) became more and more flustered. Write: "Love and War," CBS-TV, 7800 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles 90036. Two Lingering Kisses "Roseanne": In the March 5 edition of TV Guide, columnist Harry Stein proclaims that "tolerant traditionalists" are offended by "lesbian love." His uninspired contribution, "Do We Really Need to See Roseanne's Latest Kiss?," was triggered by the Mar. 1 broadcast of "Roseanne" in which Mariel Hemingway smooches Roseanne. Evidently counting himself among the tolerant traditionalists, Stein observes "(Roseanne) seems poised to take her (character) in directions that, as far as many of us are concerned, ought to have been left between her and her therapist." Gee whiz, Mr. Stein, what does tolerant mean? Your comments to: Letters Department, TV Guide, Box 500, Radnor, PA 19088; copy Harry Stein, same address. "Ace Ventura": "When it came time to do my reaction to kissing a man, I wanted it to be the biggest, most obnoxious homophobic reaction ever recorded...it guarantees that somebody's going to be offended,' said Jim Carrey, the silly-putty faced star of "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective." And Jim, you're right. After all you're just portraying a likeable but daffy "pet detective" with bird seed for brains. We should all understand that you served your apprenticeship in parody and satire on "In Living Color," and this makes it acceptable for your taking a shower, vomiting, using a toilet plunger on your mouth, to try and obliterate the fact that you kissed a man in drag. Reaction to the rampant homophobia in the film was intense, forcing Mr. Carrey to say, "(My reaction to the kiss in the film is) so ridiculous it can't be taken serious." Mr. Carrey refuses to acknowledge the homophobia, and maybe he's right; it's more like homo-hatred. The denial that something is amiss here goes with the anything-for-laughs mentality obscuring whatever talent Carrey might have. The box office success of "Ace" has sent Morgan Creek and Jim Carrey scurrying back to the drawing board for "Ace Ventura, Part Deux." Maybe next time we can see Carrey's reaction to shaking hands with an African American or sharing a meal with a Jew. Your comments to: Mr. Terry Semel, Warner Bros. Pictures, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522; (818) 954-6000. "Beverly Hills, 90210" Now that the "Beverly Hills, 90210" kids have moved from the halls of West Beverly Hills High School to the halls of California University, they find themselves face to face with a host of new issues. Although Kelly (Jeannie Garth) had been confronted a few seasons ago by a guy who was "sexually confused," on April 6, gay and lesbian issues were finally dealt with directly. Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering) learns that the president of his fraternity, Mike Ryan (Jack Armstrong), is gay. Due to a car breakdown, Brandon (Jason Priestley) and Steve find themselves using a phone in a coffeehouse. After a few moments, Steve discovers that they are not in just any old coffeehouse - but (gasp!) a gay coffeehouse, he then sees Mike. Faced with the conflict of betraying the trust of his brothers at the Kappa Epsilon Gamma house or his friendship with Mike, Steve, in a moment of pressure, "outs" his friend. Homophobic frat boy Artie Devers (Todd Bryant) tries to get Mike kicked out, but justice prevails and Mike is kept not only as a member, but as the president. The episode deals well with coming out in a hostile environment. It's about time that one of the most popular shows for Generation X deals with gay issues in such a clear and sensitive manner. Comments to: "Beverly Hills, 90210", Spelling Television, 5700 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles 90036. In an effort to pro-actively address youth and isolation issues, GLAAD/LA, on April 4 and 5, arranged screenings for Youth Services at the Gay and Lesbian Community Services, the Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (GLASS) and the EAGLES Center. Audience members asked questions of "Beverly Hills, 90210" Co-Producer Richard Gollance, and the youth at GLASS met Todd Bryant, who played the homophobic Artie Devers. GLAAD/LA also held a viewing party at the Six Gallery Cafe in West Hollywood. Attending were Executive Producer Chuck Rosin, Co-Producer Richard Gollance, Director Michael Lange and Todd Bryant. KNBC-TV news reporter Garrett Glaser, who came to the GLASS screening, filed a report that aired on KNBC-TV Wed., April 6. It included an interview with Mr. Gollance and the youth at GLASS. Salvos from the Religious Right Someone has been busy... American Family Association: Donald Wildmon's American Family Association (AFA) has launched and all out attack on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) with the mailing of a slanted, composite, 12-minute video from the recent six-hour broadcast of "Tales of the City." Every U.S. Congressperson received the video and a cover letter from AFA asking for a stop to funding for projects like "Tales." The letter charged that "Tales" included profanity, nudity, illicit drug use and homosexuals kissing in bed, and asked that "you use your influence to stop the CPB and the NEA from funding such productions." AFA included a "sampling of the profane and vulgar language" used in "Tales" as evidence that the production was unsuitable for broadcasting. The words considered profane and vulgar, along with the number of times used and defining phrases in the event the Congressperson didn't understand the terminology, are: God (16), God damn it (33), damn (9), Christ (6), for Christ's sake (2), Jesus (8), ass (2), horse's ass (2), hell (17), bitchy (7), bastard (3), shit (8), bull shit (4), queer (2), faggot (3), queen (2), screw (3), screw 'em (2), horny (3), tits (2), whore (2), dyke (2), and used only once during the 6 hour production were: Jesus Christ, give me eight inches, son-of-a-bitch, half-assed, hard-ass, kick his ass, a bunch of fairies, fag hag, screw that, screw yourself, fat ass, get laid, get off (refers to orgasm), knock you up, wham bam thank you mam, a little nookie, pissed, up yours, prick, big stick (refers to male genitalia), titty, angel tits, whorehouse, suck my weenie, water sports (refers to urinating on partner during sex), and put it around your equipment (refers to a sex device popular among homosexuals). Contact your Congressperson with your opinion. Also: Patrick A Trueman, Director of Governmental Affairs, American Family Association, 227 Massachusetts Ave., N.E., Suite 100-A, Washington, D.C. 20002; FAX (202) 544-0504. Maupin Says PBS has Yielded: 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. Said Maupin, "All I have to offer is my bewilderment and the personal belief that they have capitualated 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. A.C. Nielsen ratings for "Tales" was double what PBS usually gets in prime time. 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 why he didn't think money was the issue, Maupin replied, "Lindsay Law (`American Playhouse' executive producer) spoke directly to Lawson and asked her if PBS would be willing to run `More Tales of the City' if `American Playhouse' found the means to finance it (independently); she refused to give him an answer." Your comments in support of diversity in public broadcasting need to be directed to members of Congress and to PBS: Jennifer Lawson, Executive Vice President, National Programming and Promotions, PBS, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 739-5000; PBS toll-free viewer response line: (800) 356-2626. Quotable Quote... From Arthur J. Kroop, president of the 300,000 member People for the American Way, upon hearing of the PBS decision not to fund a "Tales" sequel, "It's a bad omen for free speech when a few angry activists are allowed to control what the rest of us can watch on TV. We call on PBS to reconsider this decision." Hate Oozes from Cable; KCAL-TV Sells Out: On Sunday, March 13 at 7:00 AM, the Family Channel and KCAL-TV (channel 9 in Los Angeles) simulcast a special hour-long version of the infamous, right-wing produced video, "The Gay Agenda." Hosted by Dr. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries, this diatribe was a blend of innocuous truths laced with outright lies and vague generalities disguised as the truth. That the Family Channel chose to air this crap is of course no surprise to anyone who knows the "agenda" of that channel and its bigoted founder, Pat Robertson. But KCAL-TV needs to be reminded that since they broadcast over the public airwaves, they are held culpable for their actions by the community they serve. Several times during the broadcast, Dr. Kennedy reminded viewers that for $25.00 you can get your own copy of this ground breaking video. The first $25,000. will go directly to Cincinnati, OH to defend that city's right to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Any remaining money will go toward making more programs like his. KCAL-TV ran a disclaimer which said, "The preceding was a fully sponsored program. KCAL-TV is not responsible for claims or representations made by the sponsor." Please take a moment to write your own disclaimer: KCAL-TV, David Woodcock, General Manager, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90038; FAX (213) 464-2526; Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Mass Media Bureau Complaint Branch, Washington, D.C. 20054; Dr. James Kennedy, Box 40, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33302. Grassroot Queers: A Philadlephia-based activist group, Grassroot Queers, is urging everyone to call their local cable TV company and have the Family Channel blocked or taken off. By decreasing the audience for Robertson's Christian Coalition Family Channel, advertisers will find his broadcasts less attractive. For information: Grassroot Queers, P.O. Box 1294, Philadelphia, PA 19105; (215) 545-7453, ext. 2. Where's Jerry?: From January to June of 1993, Jerry Falwell ran an intense anti-gay campaign on his TV show, "Old Time Gospel Hour." He sent correspondences declaring "war" on homosexuals. Then Mel White, Falwell's close friend and ghostwriter, came out of the closet condemning Falwell, Robertson, et al as "soul murderers." Soon after that, the GLAAD/LA Monitor/Response Committee could find no trace of Falwell on TV. If you have seen him on TV, please call the GLAAD/LA hotlines - (213) 931-9429 (English) and Spanish, (213) 658-6074. Pat Easy to Find: On the other hand, Pat Robertson of the "700 Club" is on the air about six times a day. Pat and his Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) funds many of the anti-gay legislation across the nation and is sending out a "fact sheet" (see reprint). The religious right has a war chest estimated to be one billion (that's with a "b") dollars. And they have no shame about breaking the 9th Commandment "Thou Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor" (Ex. 20:16), when it comes to gay men and lesbians. The religious right has found that homophobia is pure gold, the most lucrative fund raising device since apple pie, motherhood and the American flag. Comments to: 700 Club, 700 CBN Center, Virginia Beach, VA 23463. STRAIGHT: The Religious Right publishers of STRAIGHT magazine (Society To Remove All Immoral Gross Homosexual Trash) will have a new display ad in several publications by the end of the year. Featuring a banner headline reading, "WANTED: All criminals protecting, promoting or practicing homosexual perversion." The ad declares that the "death penalty for homosexuals is prescribed in the Bible," while asking readers to help "bring these criminals to justice." Comments to: STRAIGHT, P.O. Box 5251, Denver, CO 80217. No "Rush" to Buy Orange Juice The all white male, heterosexual, white Florida Orange Juice Commission thought it would be a good idea to hire Rush Limbaugh as their spokesperson. The same people who gave us Anita Bryant have now found that sales have gone down 6%. (The National Organization of Women, which Rush refers to as the National Organization of Witches, is spearheading a national boycott.) Now is the perfect time to buy California orange juice (i.e. Knudsen, Sunkist). Your comments to: Florida Citrus Commission, P.O. Box 148, Lakeland, FL 33802-0148. Print & Radio Chicago Sun-Times Donna Red Wing, GLAAD/USA National Chapter Coordinator, has issued a national activation to show support for the decision by the Chicago Sun-Times to begin publishing a syndicated column by out and open lesbian journalist Deb Price. Ms. Price has been reporting on queer issues for two years. Contact: Dennis Britton, Editor-in-Chief, Chicago Sun-Times, 401 N. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60611; FAX (312) 321-3084. Times and Times Again In March, the Los Angeles Times ran numerous articles on the lesbian and gay community that showed mainstream stereotypical notions of our lives are irrelevant and wrong. Included was a major story on lesbian and gay weddings, another on one man's crusade to end the ban on gays in the military (complete with full color front page View section picture), an article on a gay matchmaker, a marvelous op-ed piece by Robert Dawidoff on Tom Hanks' Academy Award acceptance speech, and, in the Westside edition, an excellent human interest article on the gay and lesbian community in general. Your comments to: Mr. Shelby Coffey III, Editor-in-Chief, Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; FAX (213) 237-7679. A 27 Year "Phase" The April 6 "Ann Landers" column carried a letter from "Different in Ohio," a woman who was writing in response to a request by Ms. Landers that people who had written for advice previously would please write her again and let her know how the advice had worked out. "Different" had written for advice 27 years earlier regarding the fact that "...I was attracted to my girlfriends. You said that I shouldn't be too concerned, that my feelings were part of a phase...and that those feeling would pass." "Different" continued, other 13-year-old girl writes to you and asks you about her sexual feelings toward other girls, you explain it may be a phase, and then again, it may not be." Replied Ann, "True, I missed the diagnosis in your case, but I'm not about to tell a 13-year-old that he or she may be homosexual. Thirteen is too early to tell for certain." Ann seems to do an abrupt turn when she ended with, "I appreciate your writing, and am pleased that you view your life as a positive adventure...The `itinerary,' you know, was established when you were born." Your comments to: Ann Landers, P.O. Box 11562, Chicago, IL 60611-0562. And There was Golf, Too A straight journalist with a Jaqueline-Bisset- in-the-Caribbean fantasy, Sandra Tsing Loh, spends the weekend with "five thousand Dinah Shore lesbians" for BUZZ magazine's March issue. This hilarious feature article is right on target in a way that only a hip but benevolent "outsider" could supply. She gets it: "Today, anyone who thinks lesbians can't be sexy, glamorous - not to mention politically incorrect - has obviously not been to Palm Spring's Dinah Shore Golf Weekend." Stunned by the spectacle, Ms. Loh's descriptions scan like a whacked-out poem. "Old girls, young girls, fat girls, tan girls, biker girls, jean girls, girls with dual Conway Twitty haircuts, groping girls, drinking girls, laughing girls, girls standing together in fierce alliance." "Women of color, women of thighs, women of wrinkled lumberjack shirts and no panties." "...Discreet doctors and lawyers who wouldn't be caught dead watching whipped cream wrestling night at Daddy Warbucks. Think Lesbian Spring Break at Fort Lauderdale...think Girls' Summer Camp gone hog wild..." "Planet of the women..." Ms. Loh "passes" and has a rich experience for her efforts. She has her butt squeezed and squeezes back, attends the Desert Palms Bra Party, drops a few bucks, loses sleep, sees a lesbian rock band with signing for the deaf. Reading this story was fun. BUZZ published a slice of our life so amusing in its presentation (including a front cover blurb) that it can only help to enliven our image with their mostly heterosexual readers. Your comments to: Susan Gates, Publisher, 11835 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles 90064. Advertising IKEA On March 28, IKEA, the Swedish international furniture chain, announced the release of four new commercials in its "Lifestages" advertising campaign. The ads portray an adoptive family, a gay couple discussing their purchase of a dining room table, a husband supporting his wife's artistic ambitions and a 50-plus couple attaining their dream vacation home. "We're profiling the diverse lifestyles and lifestages to reflect what's common to all of us: commitment to a relationship, the importance of family and making a house a home," explains Peter Connolly, IKEA's marketing director. Three of the ads began broadcasting in New York, Houston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. on March 21, with the "dining room" spot premiering on March 30. To encourage IKEA to expand the exposure of these ads and to include lesbians, people of color and others in future campaigns, write: Pat Diaconis, IKEA Inc., Plymouth Commons, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462; (215) 834-0180. Continental Airlines 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. "Guys. Not Gays." GLAAD/Chicago has received a complaint from a Chicago ad agency regarding a promotional piece distributed by North Hollywood-based Jae Shim. The piece, with the words "Guys. Not Gays." superimposed on a group of soldiers, is evidently a product of Mr. Shim, who proclaims himself as "A guy illustrator/designer." A letter to Mr. Shim from Michael Duffield, GLAAD/Chicago, has received no response. Phone calls from GLAAD/LA have not been returned. Comments: Michael Duffield, GLAAD/Chicago, P.O. Box 146343, Chicago, IL 60614; FAX (312) 338-5482. Tracking the Ads The Media Outreach Committee 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 Olympic Event Scheduled in Hate County, USA GLAAD/USA Issues National Activation Billy Payne, President of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG), has publicly responded to protests concerning the 1996 Olympic Women's Volleyball event scheduled for Cobb County, a county that has enacted hate legislation against lesbians and gay men. Even with an increase in hate crimes and Neo-Nazi/KKK activities in Cobb, the ACOG has refused to move the event and join in a boycott of Hate County, USA. In a meeting with the editorial boards of the morning Atlanta Journal and the afternoon Constitution, Payne was asked, "If you learned, for example, that Cobb County did not welcome black people, would that make a difference in your decision?" Payne responded, "First of all, I don't believe there is an analogy between African Americans, who are minorities legally and given protection, and gays and lesbians who have not yet attained that legal status." The Atlanta Journal and Constitution have both editorialized in favor of not scheduling any events in Cobb County and, according to GLAAD/Atlanta Executive Director Carl Lange, "We understand that the contract for the sports facility with Cobb County has not yet been signed." Contact: Billy Payne, President, ACOG, P.O. Box 1996, Atlanta, GA 30301-1996, (404) 224-1901; FAX (404) 224-1969; Juan Antonio Samaranch, President, International Olympic Committee, Chateau de Vidy, CH-1007, Lausanne, Switzerland; Olympics Out of Cobb Coalition, P.O. Box 77341, Atlanta, GA 30357-1341; (404) 798-7822; Carl Lange, ED, GLAAD/Atlanta, P.O. Box 55111, Atlanta, GA 30308; FAX (404) 876-4051. Volunteers Needed! GLAAD/LA will again participate in the Christopher Street West Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival on June 11 and 12. This year, we also plan on being at the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride (May 21-22), Orange County Pride Parade and Festival (August 13-14) and the Sunset Junction Street Fair (August 20-21). To be effective at these important events, we need volunteers to help staff the booths. A booth shift lasts only a few hours and, in addition to dispensing information about GLAAD, you will meet interesting people and have fun, too. Call the GLAAD/LA office (213) 658-6775. March General Meeting - Some Afterthoughts The GLAAD/LA General Meeting on March 26, "Bisexuality: `The love that dare not speaks its name,'" was moderated by journalist Michael Szymanski (The Advocate, Frontiers, L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles Times) and proved to be informative and provocative. Building on the recent GLAAD/LA Board vote to expand the scope of GLAAD/LA to include discrimination against bisexuals, the meeting helped to spotlight the attitudes of gays and lesbians towards bisexuals. GLAAD/LA Co-President Dean Hansell recently wrote, "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 at all levels of GLAAD." The evening's moderator, Michael Szymanksi, sent the following observations: It was both enlightening and disconcerting to bring a panel of bisexuals to the GLAAD/LA March meeting to debunk some of the typical stereotypes that the gay and lesbian community has about the alleged "sexual fence-sitters" who are now part of GLAAD's agenda. I was very proud of the well-rounded panel who gave freely of their time to appear and speak. The panel members consisted of a mother of two children, a therapist who started bi rap groups, a cable talk show host who has never talked in public about his sexuality, a midwestern Methodist minister's son who comes from a non-gay perspective, and I, who was out in the gay community for five years before coming out as bisexual. Hoping to illustrate that in both mainstream and gay film there are misconceptions about bisexuals, I showed clips from films as diverse as "Dog Day Afternoon" to "The Living End." Yet, a small segment of those at the meeting still maintained bisexuals didn't belong (within the g/l movement) because we were diluting the overall cause. That attitude surprised the panelists. It is amazing - like the mulatto or the half-breed - we are still not considered part of "the community." The accusation was: If there is a choice about which "world" to be a part of, then why not choose the "safe" world? The answer is obvious: We're not half-bashed, half-discriminated against or half-harassed, and we're not half-homosexual. We are as queer as anyone else; even while in a hetero-relationship. So, how can we possibly be diluting the community when we add to it in numbers? A question was also asked about diluting resources, such as at The Center. As a facilitator for both bi rap meetings and gay men's meetings, I know the donations are always greater at the bi meetings. After the GLAAD meeting, which had a large bi audience, Bruce Tucker told me he collected more than usual after passing the hat, and people asked for information to join. I scratch my head over why a small segment of gay men and lesbians are so threatened by the concept of bisexuality. To me, it's the same as seeing how heteros are so frightened by same-sex couples getting married. There is no threat. The debate is not yet over, and I know this won't be the last panel of bisexuals I'm putting together for a community of which I feel very much a part. Apology On behalf of the Board of Directors of GLAAD/LA and Dinner Committee for the Fifth Annual GLAAD/LA Media Awards, we would like to formally apologize to Mr. Ron Nyswaner, writer of the highly acclaimed film "Philadelphia." Mr. Nyswaner was not allowed to finish his acceptance speech during the March 19, 1994 Awards as he was cut off by the band. It was a production mistake and we are deeply sorry it occured. We regret this unfortunate incident and hope that it has not caused any misinterpretation of our support and admiration for both the production and its creator. We thank Mr. Nyswaner and TriStar for their understanding. Major Donor Corrections We are very sorry that omitted from the ranks of our major donors, as printed in the Fifth Annual Media Awards Book, were Anchor level Wesley Hough and Marlow Fischer and Ayse and Robert Kenmore. At Angel level,the names of Michael Erickson and Tom Stewart, Jeffrey Hitchcock, Karyn Parsons and Letitia Quinn were missing. We thank these donors and appreciate their understanding. Letters To: Carl Matthes, Editor, GLAAD/LA Reports "Savage Nights" is a work of art ripped from the soul of the late Cyril Collard. It's distressing to see it dismissed by an anonymous reviewer (GLAAD/LA Reports April '94) fatuously applying litmus tests for political correctness. When a gay artist creates a work critical of his own society, this is not automatically defamation. Have the thought police begun infiltrating our ranks? Bruce Vilanch To: Kasey's Top 40 P.O. Box 4300 Hollywood, CA 90076 (copy to GLAAD/LA) Dear Kasey and Staff, Listening to the countdown yesterday I heard a request and dedication from "Julie" to her grandmother. Julie stated that her family had separated themselves from her because she had come out as a Lesbian. Everyone, that is, except her grandmother whom she was thanking for loving her for who she is, rather than for whom she loves. Now I want to express my appreciation to you for reading her request and dedication on the countdown. Sincerely, Ryan Kennedy Residential Counselor Mental Health Corporation of Denver Executive Director Column by Lee Werbel Who could have imagined that five years ago when GLAAD/LA began that we could have grown to this level of success and be in this hotel, in this ballroom tonight with over 1,000 supporters. And tonight we are here to say thank you. Thank you to those who have listened, to those who portrayed us honestly. The media, in all its forms, reflects who we are, and what we are about. Millions around the world formulate opinions about people, places and things based on what is created by a few select individuals in the media. When we determined that the media was defining the lesbian and gay community rather than the lesbian and gay community defining who we are, we said enough is enough, and that is why GLAAD/LA started. It has always been up to us, as media activists to counter the stereotypes, the lies and all the propaganda. It has always been up to us to work to create a representation of our community that is the truth. In the past, it has been easy for some to ignore gay men and lesbians, to condone homophobic images, and to present a representation of humanity that did not even include us. As we are head into the 21st century, the distorted views of the mainstream culture must not continue to be accepted as our truth. We know that homophobia and heterosexism continues to exists in the media. Take the blatantly homophobic movie "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective" as evidence. And then, when there are honest portrayals, there are few who are unwilling to allow America to see... witness -- the ugly campaign launched by Donald Wildmon and his American Family Association in response to the broadcast of "Tales of the City," six pages of homophobic propaganda. witness -- all the uproar over a lesbian kiss on the highest rated, critically acclaimed television comedy "Roseanne." Consider, also, that the political climate in this country reflects that same homophobia and intolerance. There are already 11 states with anti-lesbian and gay legislation at the state and local level. Now there are about a dozen states with pending legislation echoing the campaigns we saw in Colorado, Cincinnati and Tampa denying lesbians and gay citizens their rights. Recently, we had a glimmer of victory as the Florida Supreme Court struck down the discriminatory proposal that would have limited Florida's civil rights laws. While the picture looks gloomy, we have had an impact and we have made some progress, but we have a long journey ahead of us. We at GLAAD/LA believe that we have the ability, that we have the skills and that we have the courage to change minds and to change hearts. We can only do that with your help. We believe that... ...when we are in partnership with Hollywood. Supports conducting our seminar of Sexual Orientation in the Workplace, at least one less negative image is created. We believe that... ...when the comic strip "For Better or For Worse" introduced a storyline about a gay teen, at least one more parent accepted and loved their gay child. We also believe that... ...when the CBS Afterschool Special "Other Mothers" aired, at least one more person decided not to vote to limit our rights. We believe that... ...when Mariel Hemingway's character kissed Roseanne Arnold and America watched Roseanne deal with her own homophobia, at least one less person chose not to go out gay-bashing. We believe this is possible because we challenge. We confront. We cajole. And, sometimes, we say thank you. And tonight we are here to say thank you to those people who have portrayed us as we are. Tonight we say thank you, not only to all of you who have earned our honors, but also to those of you in the audience, the members of the board of directors, and to a community that has supported us in the last 5 years, so that we can measure our accomplishments together. Because everytime an award is given, it is one more step on the journey towards the recognition of who we really are as a people. Tonight, we celebrate. Thank you. General Meeting: May 24 "Do Gay Rights Matter to Anyone but Lesbians and Gays?" Join novelist and lawyer Michael Nava and historian and writer Robert Dawidoff as they present ideas from their newly published work: "Created Equal: Why Gay Rights Matter to America" (St. Martins, April 1994). Said Larry Kramer, "Every lesbian and gay man should read it and then give a copy to every straight person they know." The evening's schedule: 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. June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month The Gay and Lesbian Education Commission of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is encouraging the LAUSD to recognize June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, and you can help. It is important that schools recognize the history of all of the diverse communities of Los Angeles, including lesbians and gay men. Unfortunately, the LAUSD Board of Supervisors has been receiving negative calls about this recognition. Please call the LAUSD Board of Education and let them know you support Gay and Lesbian Pride Month: (213) 625-6389. Lesbian and Gay Prom Do you remember your Junior or Senior Prom? Did you take who you wanted? Well, the EAGLES (Emphasizing Adolescent Gay and Lesbian Educational Services) Center is presenting "Live To Tell," which is being heralded as "The First City-Wide Gay/Lesbian Prom for High School Juniors and Seniors." The event, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Unified School District Gay and Lesbian Education Commission, is being held on May 20, from 7pm until midnight. Although reservations for youth must be made by May 9 and are $50 per person, the prom could really use donations. Chaperones are also needed (chaperones must pay for their ticket). For more information contact: Kathy Gill, Director of the Gay and Lesbian Education Commission, (213) 625-6392. Agrama to Address ACLU Jehan Agrama, GLAAD/LA Media Outreach Co-Chair, will be a speaker at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) convention in Salt Lake City on May 14 on the campus of the University of Utah. The convention will include meetings to plan affirmative strategy for dealing with the assault of the religious right on civil rights. Conference workshops will explore a number of compelling issues facing gay men and lesbians including: The Regulation of Lesbian and Gay Sexuality and Identity, The Religious Right and the Gay Rights Movement, Gays and Lesbians in the Workplace, Housing, Health Care, and the Military, Changing the Way the Media Portrays Lesbians and Gay Men, Anti-Gay Initiatives, Computer Networking and Activism, and Future Coalition Building, Communication and Change. CSW Honors Farrington-Domingues 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 Commuity 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. "Out About Age" "Out About Age," the first lesbigay festival for films and videos that have been produced by or about young and/or old sexual minorities, will be held on Sept. 17. Deadline for submissions is July 16. Info: Out About Age, c/o Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia St., San Francisco 94110; (415) 864-5855. Family Next Door The latest issue of The Family Next Door, a national newsletter for lesbian and gay parents is available by contacting: Next Door Publishing, P.O. Box 21580, Oakland, CA 94620; (510) 482-5778. Clarification on "SNL" Chuck Donaldson, acting Co-President of GLAAD/Dallas, has clarified that in our report last month on "Saturday Night Live's" obnoxious skit involving Alec Baldwin and Adam Sandler, Sandler was recreating his character known as "Canteen Boy." 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. Development Volunteers Needed Volunteers are needed to assist in data entry under the direction of GLAAD/LA's Development Assistant, Loren Javier. Those interested need to be competent on Mac. Knowledge of MacTRAC fundraising software a plus. Please call Loren at the GLAAD/LA office, (213) 658-6775. Experienced in Grant Writing? GLAAD/LA is looking for a volunteer with experience in grant writing and knowledge of those organizations who make grants. If you have such experience or information, please contact Dean Hansell, co-president of GLAAD/LA, through the GLAAD/LA office at (213) 658-6775. Attention: Media Activists GLAAD/LA is creating a part-time position to provide media assistance; responsibilities include: monitoring media, investigating stories/issues, writing press releases and working with the media. If you are interested and have experience with the media and public speaking, telephone the GLAAD/LA office for information. (213) 658-6775. (Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.) 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 responses you receive. Send to: GLAAD/LA, 8455 Beverly Blvd, #305, Los Angeles 90048; FAX (213) 658-6776. GLAAD/LA Wish List We have a special request for May. Could you donate a 3/4 inch tape player to GLAAD/LA? We need one very badly. Call Leslie at (213) 933-6523 for donation information. 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 laser printer A new copying machine A telephone answering machine A conference table with chairs for ten or more Blank videocasettes (which are needed desperately) 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. 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. People of Color Committee The newly formed People of Color Committee is dedicated to assisting GLAAD/LA in advocating accurate and balanced visibility of lesbian and gay People of Color, in all areas of the media; and to providing culturally competent representation to our communities. The committee is designed to address lesbian and gay People of Color issues and concerns. It was also developed to combat homophobia, racism and sexism by bringing together a group of activists separated by culture, geography and media invisibility. The committee will be actively outreaching to various communities of color, and interfacing with the other GLAAD/LA committees, in order to increase GLAAD's ability to monitor English and non-English media. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month. We encourage everyone's participation. For location and more information contact committee co-founder Nancy Perez at (213) 658-6775. Calendar Dates: May 1 Sun Deadline for June GLAAD/LA Reports May 3 Tue Women of GLAAD 7:00pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 May 4 Wed Community Outreach/Membership 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 May 10 Tue GLAAD/LA Board Meeting 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 May 12 Thu Monitor/Response Committee 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 May 17 Tue Media Outreach 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 May 19 Thu People of Color 7:00pm Onyx Coffeehouse 1802 N Vermont May 24 Tue March General Meeting BCC 6000 Pico May 26 Thu Monitor/Response Committee 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 June Dates: June 1 Wed Deadline for June GLAAD/LA Reports June 1 Wed Community Outreach/Membership 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 June 7 Tue Women of GLAAD 7:00pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 June 9 Thu Monitor/Response Committee 7:30pm 8455 Beverly Bl 305 Under GLAAD/USA for GLAAD/Chicago remove phrase "Chapter in formation" and change phone numbers as follows: (312) 871-7633, FAX (312) 338-5482 Editor Carl Matthes FAX (213) 257-5878 Assistant Editor David Zahniser Graphics Carl Daugenti Advertising Rep Margo Strik (213) 259-9208 Contributors: Jehan Agrama, Lynn H. Ballen, Ann Dutton, Stephanie Farrington-Domingue, GLAAD/Atlanta, GLAAD/Chicago, GLAAD/Dallas, GLAAD/SFBA, Al Kielwasser, GLAAD/USA, Donna Red Wing, Loren R. Javier, Michael Keegan, Bob LaFont, Peter Nardi, Carl Matthes, Nancy Perez, Sylvia Rhue, Susan Vogelfang, Lee Werbel, David Zahniser.