Date: Sun, 13 Nov 94 23:39:24 PST From: wasmith@eis.calstate.edu (Waugh Smith) Articles from the December issue of GLAAD Reports. Carl Matthes, Editor (213) 254-2726; fax (213) 257-5878 1) Donald Wildmon targets McDonalds, Philip Morris, and Ford 2) Halloween with Roseanne 3) Ricki Lake 4) Oprah - Teens and Homosexuality 5) "Real World" - Paul Zamora 6) "Pulp Fiction" - Does This Count 7) "I Like It Like That" 8) "Marilu" 9) "Dateline" - Sharon Bottoms 10) Donahue, Priscilla, and Paul Cameron 11) Donahue - Sexual Harassment of Boys 12) "In the Life" 13) Time - "Sex in America" 14) L.A. Times - Gay Roles in TV 15) WABC Bob Grant 16) Harper's - Transsexuals 17) Details - Gender 18) International Foundation for Gender Education 19) N.Y. Times - "Gay and Black" 20) Chicago Tribune and Sun Times 21) GQ 22) TV Guide - "Tales of the City" 23) US Magazine - "Silverlake Life" 24) Liz Smith - "Melrose Place" 25) L.A. Times - Coverage 26) N.Y. Times - Rush Limbaugh 27) Tracking Ads 28) GLAAD Search for National Executive Director 29) GLAAD Annual Media Awards 30) GLAAD Op Ed Project 31) Sexual Orientation in the Workplace - Seminars 32) BBC Filming "Stonewall" 33) "Just for Fun" Video for students 34) ADL - The Religious Right 1) Right Wing Targets... McDonald's, Philip Morris & Ford The American Family Association (AFA), Donald Wildmon's ultra-right wing well-funded hate group, has issued its November '94 "Action! Page" calling upon its members to "Stop Network TV's Promotion of Homosexuality." The AFA targets McDonalds, Philip Morris and Ford as companies that, "by their support of homosexuality (i.e. advertising on TV programs that 'promote the homosexual agenda') is leading many to unhappiness, sorrow and death." Warns the AFA, "This Fall, network TV executives will continue to try to promote homosexuality as a normal and acceptable lifestyle. Because homosexuals cannot 'reproduce' themselves, they are forced to recruit new members. And the target of their recruitment drives are OUR CHILDREN." Not surprisingly this distorted, hateful and untruthful "Action! Page" also serves as a fundraiser. The AFA absurdities would be almost laughable if it weren't for its high-tech and well organized ability to get its sympathizers to contact TV advertisers. In this case, three postcards are included with their mailing which are to be sent to the companies, calling on them to "Consider the overwhelming rejection of the homosexual agenda by the public. I don't think that a boycott of (your company) because you push homosexuality would be difficult to promote." Take this opportunity to counteract this deceitful and hateful campaign by the AFA. Contact: Michael A. Miles, Philip Morris, 120 Park Ave., New York 10017; phone (800) 343-0975; fax (212) 878-2167. - Michael R. Quinlan, Chairman, McDonald's, 1 Kroc Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60521; fax (708) 575-5512. - Alexander J. Trotman, Ford, P.O. Box 1899, Dearborn, MI 48121; phone (800) 392-3673. 2) Film & Television Halloween with "Roseanne" "Roseanne's" Halloween-themed episodes on ABC are traditionally marked by all the characters on the sitcom trying to upstage each other with elaborate hoaxes and tricks, especially against Roseanne. The 1994 Halloween episode, broadcast on October 26, revealed an almost entirely gay-centered storyline, with the hoax set-ups beginning within the first few seconds. Martin Mull and Sandra Bernhard - primetime TV's dynamic, but only-and-lonely, gay and lesbian duo - were touting the joys of Halloween and how their party that night at the restaurant was going to be fantastic. Everyone would be there: Marilyn Monroe, Hillary Clinton, Diana Ross, Batman & Robin, plus a host of drag characters all decked out in their Halloween finery. The twin set-ups were to convince Roseanne that Fred (Jackie's husband) was actually gay and had hidden this from Jackie, and that Roseanne's mother was bald. Roseanne took the bait. A slew of "gay jokes," visual and verbal, and well-timed one liners, kept the half-hour rushing toward its climax with Roseanne scurrying to Jackie's house to reveal that Fred was gay. Jackie took Roseanne into the bedroom to confront Fred only to find Dan, Roseanne's husband, in bed with Fred. Mull and Bernhard, who were in on it from the beginning, jumped out from a closet. (One less successful sequence had Darlene's boyfriend, David, fumbling and groping to explain to DJ what it meant to be gay.) Another gay cameo was the appearance of the flamboyant hairdresser Kyle, who provided additional evidence that Fred was gay and that the mother was bald. All in all this proved to be one of the most inclusive and provocative gay/lesbian-themed programs done by "Roseanne." "Roseanne" deserves credit for its ability to continually push the envelope on what prime time television delivers into American homes. And to include in that delivery, the viewpoints of two, non-stereotypical, continuing lesbian/gay characters. Send your comments to: "Roseanne," c/o ABC Entertainment, 2040 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles 90067. 3) A Double-Header From Ricki "I'm in Love with Him...but He's Gay" ...was the focus of a "Ricki Lake" program in late October that brought on stage four young women, each of whom was madly in love with a gay man. And Ricki was on target. When one audience member told the panel "Why don't you get yourself a real man?" Ricki quickly interjected, "Hey, gay men are real men, too." A panel member declared, "Richard (her gay friend) is all man." In 1994 TV-talk-show-land, the point seems to have been made, at least with the youthful audiences attracted to Ricki Lake, that gay is gay and there is no sense trying to change that. But then again, the four young women on stage didn't seem to get that point. Even the input from guest panelist Sally Lee, Editor of YM magazine, couldn't shake their denial. (Maytee devoutly denied Tony was gay even as Tony stood in front of her and asked her to read the message on his T-shirt, "I Can't Even Think Straight." Said Ricki, "Yes, Maytee, he is a perfect guy...for some other guy.") In each case there was some evidence that the gay man involved could be "using" the straight woman, i.e. ego, monetary gain, his own denial of being gay. But nothing the gay men were doing could rival the self-generated denial of the women. Ricki deserves tremendous credit for the forthright and professional demeanor she brought to this program. "I Object to this Gay Marriage"... Ricki presented several gay/lesbian couples about to take their vows in "marriage" ceremonies, and brought on stage the mothers of two of the people involved. The mothers were objecting to the "marriages" during this November 8 show. One mother, after voicing her misgivings and fears, did, by the end of the program, agree to attending her son's union with his gay lover and to love him unconditionally. The other mother, a particularly vindictive and homophobic woman, was hateful and unrelenting to the end. In between, Ricki had a parade of other guests speaking for and against gay/lesbian marriages. And again Ricki was alert and accurate in her response to the ignorant homophobes as well as to the sincere questions for information regarding these types of unions. For example, when one panel member began his well rehearsed diatribe about the "homosexual lifestyle," Ricki just plain cut him off. A refreshing change from some earlier programs where she was too polite. We agree with her audience's chant, "Go Ricki, Go Ricki!" Your comments to: Ricki Lake, 401 Fifth Avenue, New York 10016. 4) "Teens and Homosexuality" Dear Ms. Winfrey: I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for putting on "Teens and Homosexuality," (October 24) and for its gay-positive image. As usual, your reactions and professional demeanor all added to this program. It was, I am sure, especially meaningful to gay teens all over the country. For we gays who are often-times the subjects of ridicule and verbal, if not physical, bashing, it is very refreshing to view a program such as this one (and the many other gay-positive "Oprah" programs) which was informative, entertaining, educational and positive. Such programming is one of the major ways that we gays will eventually be accepted into straight society as valuable, loving, compassionate, normal people. Wonderful! Please keep us the good work. My very best wishes, Richard Atascadero, CA Send your own comments to: Oprah Winfrey, Harpo, Inc., 110 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, IL 60607. 5) White House Enters "Real World" "The Real World III," MTV's program featuring seven young men and women who agree to live as roommates while being videotaped for "Real," broke new and intense ground these last few months. From the expelling of one roommate (the confused, demanding and manipulative Puck) to the growing awareness and acceptance of Pedro Zamora, the young man who is HIV positive, "Real" has lived up to its premise: capturing the reality and immediacy of life's challenges in these young people's lives. And it has achieved more than just casual notice - the White House has called. "I'm just calling to tell you I'm thinking about you and praying for you," said President Bill Clinton in a call to Pedro. Zamora is currently hospitalized for an AIDS-related neurological disease, for which there is "no proven treatment," and he is "now gravely ill." Significantly, the President's call is mentioned as part of a front-page tribute to Zamora in the October 21 issue of The Wall Street Journal (Western Edition). Staff reporter Eric Morgenthaler first wrote about Zamora in another front-page Journal article in 1991 and, he says, they have since become close friends. The article reflects that friendship, and also includes comments from the many lives -- famous and obscure -- that have been touched by Zamora's public battle with AIDS. For example, Morgenthaler quotes a young South Carolina woman who wrote to Zamora: "I never thought anyone could change my opinion on homosexuals and AIDS. Because of you, I've seen the human side of something that once seemed so unreal to me." Also quoted is a 22-year-old gay man from North Carolina, who never met Zamora but wrote him to say: "Please know this, if you never helped one other person, if you never made a difference in anyone's life, you made all the difference in mine." Your appreciative comments can only be helpful. Send to: Judy McGrath, President, MTV, "The Real World III," 1515 Broadway, New York 10036; Paul E. Steiger, Managing Editor, The Wall Street Journal, 200 Liberty Street, New York 10281; Eric Morgenthaler, same address. Pedro Zamora died Friday November 11, 1994, from the complications of AIDS. 6) Does This Count? "Pulp Fiction" Over two hours of assorted robberies, drug deals, murders, and maimings. The business-like removal of "brain and skull fragments" from the interior of a car after a head is blown-off at point blank range. The injection of a stimulant directly into the heart to revive an overdosed gang-drug-lord's mistress. Too many brutal and graphic beatings and shootings to count. (Perhaps more "blood per frame" than his infamous "Reservior Dogs.") But now, let's really get down to some violence. Let's introduce a couple of sadistic white red-necks. Let them tie-up and gag the profusely bleeding gang-drug-lord and his present adversary, an almost punchy, but proudly bleeding prize-fighter. Relegate them to a seamy basement while you de-trunk a person completely tied and bound in leather clothing and hood. Chain-up this leather male slave to watch the bleeding prize-fighter as you "Eenie-meanie-mienie-mo" the black gang-lord into an adjoining room for some "real punishment." Cut-away to the prize-fighter getting loose and arming himself with a samurai sword and gun. Watch him as he creeps up to the closed door, behind which the "unspeakable" is being administered to the gang-lord. Throw open the door and reveal the red-neck sodomizing the bent-over-the-barrel gang lord. Watch as the red neck gets shot in the groin and the sword slices through his voyeuristic friend. Listen as the released raped gang-lord recites a litany of punishments that will now rain down on the groveling bleeding rapist. Does this count as one view of gay men and their sexual practices? Best to ask Quentin Tarantino. Write: Quentin Tarantino, "Pulp Fiction," Miramax Films, 7920 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90069. 7) GLAAD Likes it Like That In Columbia Picture's "I Like It Like That," writer-director Darnell Martin takes us to the run-down streets of the Bronx for a first-hand view of some very colorful residents. There we find Lisette (Lauren Velez) and Chino Linares (Jon Seda), a young, attractive squabbling black and Latino couple with three young children, whose lives are in continual disarray. When the going gets rough, Lisette often finds solace, comfort and support from her sister (Alexis) who lives in an apartment downstairs. Alexis (Jesse Borrego), however, was born Alex. She is Lisette's funny, believable, pre-operative transgendered "sister" who is neither exploited, depicted as a tragic figure or treated as a side show attraction. In fact, she is simply added to the mix of eccentric, colorful characters who make the film unique and endearing. In one comedic scene, for instance, we see Alexis demanding from her sister the foam "breasts" loaned to her. Yet, in another, we see Alexis with a busted lip and a black eye resulting from her family's intolerance. Throughout the film, Alexis proves to be an extremely sensitive, caring and driven individual determined to overcome all life's challenges. The bond between Alexis and her sister is wonderful and, except for a few wise cracks by Lisette, Alexis' transgenderism is never made an issue to the other characters. Your comments may be directed to: Ms. Darnell Martin, "I Like It Like That," c/o Ms. Bobbi Thompson, William Morris Agency, 151 El Camino Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. 8) Celebrities Come Out on "Marilu" Amanda Bearse, Dan Butler, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Garrett Glaser Syndicated talk show host Marilu Henner helped the nation celebrate National Coming Out Day (NCOD) on October 11 by featuring Amanda Bearse (from "Married with Children"), Dan Butler (from "Frasier"), comedienne Suzanne Westenhoefer and entertainment reporter Garrett Glaser. All four celebrities have come out in their professional lives and Marilu provided a welcoming environment that allowed each to speak about such personal matters as growing up gay and how and when each came out. Marilu even spoke with Glaser's mother, who added her own belief that her son's sexual orientation is a non-issue. (Glaser's most recent success was his interview with Tom Cruise about his starring role in "An Interview with a Vampire" which aired November 4 over KNBC-TV.) Marilu did a great service to our community and her viewers by presenting these bright, articulate and personable guests, who happen to be lesbian or gay, and then showing that sexual orientation is just one aspect of their life. Contact the decision-makers at "Marilu" and let them know you enjoyed their NCOD acknowledgment. And, while you're at it, encourage them to present more programs which will provide understanding of our community. Write: Mathew McCarthy, Executive Producer, "The Marilu Show," 5555 Melrose Avenue, Swanson Bldg., 3rd Floor, Hollywood, CA 90038. 9) Not Your Usual "Family Feud" "Dateline" - Joe DeCola NBC's news-magazine show, "Dateline," included a segment titled "Family Feud," produced by Joe DeCola, on its October 21 broadcast. The segment covered the custody case being fought by Sharon Bottoms, a lesbian mother whose son, Tyler, was taken away from her by the Virginia courts. Sharon was accused of engaging in "oral sex" (a felony in Virginia) and "open displays of affection." "Dateline" allowed ample time for Sharon and her lover, April, to make the case for their fitness as parents. Sharon's mother -- who filed for custody of Tyler on the grounds that her daughter is a lesbian -- appeared and exhibited the ignorance fostered by homophobia. For example, when pressed to explain just how, exactly, Tyler would suffer from living with his lesbian household, all Sharon's mother could say was: "Tyler will be messed up." Significantly, "Dateline" avoided the spectacle of bringing on someone from "the other side," generally a hysterical, Bible-thumping homophobe, to add "balance." Instead, University of Virginia psychology professor Charlotte Patterson was a guest and explained that, after an exhaustive review of the research literature, she could not find a single shred of evidence to support the notion that lesbian parents are harmful to a child's development and welfare. Encourage Dateline to continue reporting fairly and accurately on lesbian and gay subjects. Send your comments to: Joe Decola, Dateline, NBC News, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 10021. 10) "Donahue"... Drag, Gay Rights & Cameron Recently, Esther Newton -- the lesbian author of "Mother Camp," a book about drag -- was asked to be a guest on an episode of "Donahue." Other guests included a well-known drag queen and the stars of the movie "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." Hours before the taping, Newton was informed that Paul Cameron -- a quack psychologist and arch-homophobe -- would also be a guest. Cameron's appearance would provide "balance," Donahue's producer's said. Originally scheduled to be aired on National Coming Out Day, October 11, the program was shifted to October 12. Before the show was taped, the producers were provided with ample documentation that Cameron conducted fraudulent "research" on homosexuality and had no credibility as an expert on human sexuality. Nonetheless, Cameron was kept in the line-up. Adrienne Wheeler -- the Donahue producer who booked Cameron -- assured Newton that "Phil would handle Cameron" and expose the pseudo-psychologist's disreputable career. According to Newton, Phil did not "handle" Cameron, but left his guests to fend for themselves. Viewers were treated to the usual routine from "expert" Cameron: the mouthing of the most banal pseudo-facts punctuated by a martyred psychotic grin. Would the producers of the Donahue show require Spike Lee to sit on stage with a member of the KKK, in order to "balance" a discussion of the director's film work? Could they insist that an interview with the cast of "Schindler's List" would be "unfair" unless a neo-Nazi was invited to participate? As Larry Gross of the University of Pennsylvania points out, this insidious media bias promotes "a dueling experts circus routine that legitimates homophobes as morally equal to gays." Certainly, Paul Cameron's homophobic "research" agenda should be discussed on national television. But that discussion should take place in a forum dedicated to examining Cameron's claims. Cameron has published a slew of "research" pamphlets asserting -- among other things - that most murderers and child molesters are gay, that lesbians are bad drivers, and that lesbians and gays are not victims of hate violence but, instead, provoke physical assaults for political purposes. Rather than providing a privileged forum for homophobes to attack lesbians and gays, talk shows should require Cameron and his ilk to defend their hateful lies. Phil should feature a program on the "defrocked" Cameron. Send your comments to: Patricia McMillan, Executive Producer, "Donahue," NBC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 10112; fax (212) 757-5386. From Steven on the GLAAD Hotline - (213) U R GLAAD - on the "Donahue" show: "I felt sorry for the cast who suffered through it all. Guy Pierce (one of the stars of 'Priscilla') laughed at much of what Cameron said...The lesbian author (Newton) in the audience just sat there with a sad face. I think it was one of the worst shows he has ever had." 11) Sexual Harassment Okay, so you're twelve-years old and the boys keep calling you names. Some of them even grab you, touch you in private places, and push you to the ground. You're even pantsed. "You're a dickhead, butthole," they shout. So you are a little chubby, but the boys tease you that you've got boobs. "You and your mom screw" they taunt, as they pull your hair. Surely the teacher will help. As you tell her, she just gives you that "boys-will-be-boys" look and tells you to go get in line for the bus. At home you can't tell your mom and dad how shamed you feel. School grades drop; you're reprimanded for being uncooperative. You develop a facial tick. Sound familiar? The scenario described above was painfully retold on a late October "Donahue" broadcast by young Jonathon Harms and his father, Sam, of Rice, Minnesota. (Left out of the litany of taunts repeated on the air was any reference to homosexuality.) "Donahue" was examining the problem of sexual harassment in schools, especially the grades encompassing ages 11 through 14. The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), is now empowered to deal with this type of harassment under Title 9. And they are, half-way. Boys who bother girls - at any school grade level - can be made to answer for any harassment under Title 9. (School districts across the nation are being made aware of their obligations and responsiblities thanks to civil suits brought by several young girls and their families.) However, boys who bother boys is another story. The Harms family went to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights - the first male to do so - and filed a complaint. (The first step to force the rural school district to deal with the problem.) In turn, the OCR was brought in and, in a shocking finding, determined - by their interpretation of Title 9 - that 12-year old Jonathon had no case. Title 9 was to protect girls from harassment by boys, they said; not boys from boys. Legal experts say that the language of Title 9 is inclusive of both sexes - sexual harassment is sexual harassment. The Harms are suing. A great show from Phil. Direct your comments to: Phil Donahue, "Donahue," NBC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 10112; fax (212) 757-5386. 12) "In The Life" This November's season premiere of "In The Life" -- "public television's guide to gay culture, entertainment and events" -- will feature an interview with actress Amanda Bearse ("Married With Children") and a look into the "two-spirit" (cross-gendered) people of Native American cultures. Make sure your local PBS station is carrying the series. For broadcast schedules call or write: "In The Life" 30 West 26th St., 7th Floor, New York 10010; (212) 255-6012; fax (212) 255-6097. 13) Print & Radio Sex in America The cover story of the October 17 issue of Time magazine is "Sex in America: Surprising News from the Most Important Survey Since the Kinsey Report," covering a new University of Chicago study of the sexual behaviors of 3,500 randomly-selected Americans. Time correspondent Philip Elmer-Dewitt writes: "Most Americans don't go in for the kinky stuff." Asked to rank their favorite sex acts, "...almost everybody (96%) found vaginal sex very or somewhat appealing." Among the new survey's "key findings," Elmer-Dewitt reports, is: "There are a lot fewer active homosexuals in America than the oft-repeated 1 in 10. Only 2.7% of men and 1.3% of women report that they had homosexual sex in the past years." There are a number of key problems with this "key finding." First, this is not a key finding of the Chicago study. Elsewhere in his own article, Elmer-Dewitt quotes one of the Chicago researchers, who cautions: "There is probably a lot more homosexual activity going on than we could get people to talk about." Interestingly, Elmer-Dewitt only uses the adjective "active" to refer to homosexuals; no "active heterosexuals" are mentioned as such. The bias here is slightly more subtle, but no less insidious. Heterosexuality is something you are. Homosexuality is just something you do. To its credit, the Time article includes a boxed insert "But Should We Believe It?," which identifies some of the methodological problems associated with a survey of this nature. Lost was a substantive consideration of the factors that diminish the study's authority on the issue of homosexuality. The Chicago researchers are quoted as saying: "Our feeling was that you could get people to talk about anything if you approach them right." In some cases, in fact, reluctant participants were visited 15 times by a pollster trying to "win them over." All of the surveys were conducted face-to-face, without anonymity. What the Time reporter failed to do was provide a meaningful context for understanding why lesbian, gay and bisexual respondents might not "talk about anything." The author makes only a passing reference to the group as "stigmatized." Instead, he could have specifically noted that: 1) According to the U.S. Justice Department, lesbians and gays are probably the most frequent victims of hate crimes. 2) Numerous surveys have demonstrated pervasive patterns of discrimination against lesbians and gay men in employment, public accommodations, health care, credit, parenting, police protection, insurance, and education. 3) In one national survey of young men (15 to 19 years old), 89 percent said that sex between two men is "disgusting" and only 12 percent "felt confident that they could befriend a gay person." 4) Lesbian and gay love is actually a criminal offense is half of the United States, and homosexuality is still cause for official government discrimination. Notably, the Time article is followed by a "response" piece, written by heterosexual author and radio personality Garrison Keillor. Given the problematic nature of surveying homosexuals in America, did it not occur to Time's editors that they might include a response written by a homosexual in America? Lesbians and gay men have a right to be heard, as well as counted. And the mainstream press has a responsibility to listen. Send your feedback to: "Letters," Time, Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York 10020; fax (212) 522-0601. 14) Los Angeles Times on "Gay Resurgence" The November 3 issue of the Los Angeles Times presented an article, "Special to the Times," by Joseph Hanania entitled "Resurgence of Gay Roles on Television." Hanania starts by saying, "Outcasts only a few years ago because of network fears that they would alienate advertisers, gay television characters have made a resurgence in prime time." He lists shows that "feature gays on a weekly basis": "Melrose Place," "My So-Called Life," "Roseanne," "The Real World" and the recently furloughed "Daddy's Girls." Followed by shows that "intermittently feature gay characters: "The Simpsons," "The Commish," "Frasier," "Friends," "Northern Exposure," "Murphy Brown," "Dream On" and "The John Larroquette Show." Hanania also quotes former GLAAD/LA Executive Director, and present ED of Hollywood Supports Rich Jennings, as well as network officials, only one of whom agreed to speak "on the record." (MTV's executive vice president Doug Herzog.) You may offer your comments to: Joseph Hanania, c/o Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. 15) Hey, Bob: Stop the Hate Bob Grant, WABC talk show host in New York City, has been spreading hatred over the airwaves for years. Boycotts have been called against advertisers, and demands have been made that he apologize to the Haitians and African Americans he continually berates. Grant openly calls gay men and lesbians perverts, misfits and freaks. Yet no leader has condemned him for this extreme bias and hate. It's time for us to "come out" against this hate-monger, loud and clear. While he is currently backpedaling on the issue of racism, saying his statements have been taken out of context, he makes no excuses for his bigoted, ignorant and offensive remarks about us. Grant's anti-gay politics are offensive and unacceptable. He needs to stop. WABC needs to understand that they are contributing to violence and creating diviseness by giving him air time. Contact: Don Bouloukos, General Manager, WABC, 2 Penn Station, New York 10121. 16) Harper's Features Transsexual The October '94 issue of Harper's contained "I Am Mauve, Hear Me Roar," an excerpt from The Apartheid of Sex: A Manifesto on the Freedom of Gender. Transsexual author Martine Aliana Rothblatt debunks "the division of humanity into two sexes" and argues that "to identify the meaningful elements of sexual identity it is necessary to abandon entirely the male/female, masculine/feminine lexicon." Rothblatt posits a "chromatic" lexicon instead: "Anatomically, we may have penises or vaginas, testicles or ovaries. Sexually, we are a rainbow of color, a spectrum of gender." Your comments to: Harper's Magazine, 666 Broadway, New York 10012. 17) "Meaning of Gender" in Details In the November '94 issue of Details, Emily Yoffee "explores the meaning of gender in the world of female-to-male transsexuals." The six page feature effectively uses individual biography to anchor a wide-ranging examination of female-to-male transsexuals. This feature continues Details' admirable record of covering queer subjects. Encouragement may be directed to: Details, 632 Broadway, New York 10012. 18) From the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE): For your information... "Transsexual" is sometimes used to describe a person in transition - working towards sexual reassignment surgery. It is also sometimes used to describe a person who has completed their surgery. The most practical use of the term is to describe someone whose gender identity (their identity of themselves as a person) is fundamentally and irrevocably incompatible with their sex (biological make-up), regardless of whether or not they have taken any steps toward reassignment (reconstructive) surgery. "Transgender" was intended to mean the ability to express two genders, the masculine and feminine. However, the term has come more and more to mean a person of one sex living entirely in the gender role generally considered appropriate for the other (opposite) sex (cross-living). Most people who consider themselves to be transgenderists do not want or need sexual reassignment surgery, and do not identify with the terms "transvestite, "crossdresser" or "transsexual." For more information: IFGE, P.O. Box 367, Wayland, MA 01778. 19) New York Times... "Gay and Black: A High-Wire Act" The Sunday November 6 issue of the New York Times presented "Gay and Black: A High-Wire Act," written by Bruce Morrow. The story briefly yet brilliantly described one gay black man's personal experience: "It feels like I'm balancing on a thin wire strung across the city. Sometime's I can glide effortlessly...other times the wire trembles." "What a waste," he overhears a black woman whispering as he walks through a SoHo shop, followed by the suspicious eyes of an over-attentive salesperson. "We're a waste," he muses sadly, "of no use to black women, of no use to the Negro race. If we want to continue directing choirs, designing clothes and writing, we better conceal our sexual orientation and hide our loved ones in porn shops on 42nd Street." Through it all, however, Morrow, maintains his pride and dignity. "Gay and Black" is an honest and fascinating look at life in New York City and gives readers the chance to see black gay men as complex human beings with a full range of feelings. Contact the Times and let them know your feelings regarding this excellent piece and encourage them to present more honest and thorough articles on gay men and lesbians - not only as a community, but as individuals. Contact: Joseph Lelyveld, Executive Editor, The New York Times, 229 W. 43rd St., New York 10036. 20) Tracing Trends in Chicago GLAAD/Chicago is studying the coverage of lesbigay issues by that city's two largest mainstream newspapers - the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. On October 15, a Tribune editorial, entitled "Colorado Grapples with Gay Rights," stated that the radical right was wrong in claiming that gays and lesbians were seeking "special rights" and a "privileged status." In reality, said the editorial, the lesbian and gay civil rights movement was about striving "to be treated like everyone else." This editorial is viewed as a mile post for the paper. In addition, Terry Wilson has joined the Tribune as a staff writer concentrating on gay and lesbian issues along with general reporting responsibilities. Meanwhile, the Sun-Times, despite running the syndicated column written by openly lesbian, Deb Price, seems to be shrinking its regular reporting of lesbigay items. For example, aware that October 11 was National Coming Out Day, the Tribune published three lesbigay-positive stories during the week. The Sun-Times only ran an Associated Press article called "For Gays at Work, It's Still a Struggle." This mirrors the editorial stance taken by the Sun-Times this past June 26 when the editorial "Rights, not Privileges, for Gays" appeared. In part, that editorial said, "the heterosexual majority is justifiably concerned that its values not be marginalized by politics and that a new set of rights not be extended to a privileged class." GLAAD/Chicago is continuing the study. Your comments to: Mr. Howard Tyner, Editor, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; Mr. Dennis A. Britton, Editor, Chicago Sun-Times, 401 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; Randy Snyder, GLAAD/Chicago, P.O. Box 146343, Chicago, IL 60614. 21) Gay Makes it to GQ The October '94 issue of Gentlemen's Quarterly includes "A Gay Man's Risks for Love," by Dudley Clendinen. In just over three pages, the essay provides an intentionally personal look at HIV/AIDS, from the perspective of an HIV-negative gay man. The quality or worth of this essay must be left to the determination of individual readers, but it is significant that the work finds itself nestled between the covers of GQ. And it's more significant still to find the word "gay" on the magazine's cover. For too long, men's fashion magazines -- ludicrous, hypocritical to the extreme -- have posed as if their readerships were exclusively heterosexual. Send comments to: Martin Beiser, Managing Editor, GQ, 350 Madison Avenue, New York 10017; e-mail gqmag@aol.com. 22) Cheers for "Jeers" The November 5 "Cheers 'n' Jeers" column in TV Guide has called for lesbian and gay visibility, while giving a jeer "to the whole darn U.S. TV industry for failing to give us more "Tales of the City." TV Guide's editors further explained: "Even though the Emmy-nominated PBS miniseries was both a critical and a popular fave, and Britain's Channel 4 promised $4 million for a co-production, public TV decided against a sequel. Undaunted, the producers sought funding elsewhere, but the worth-while project eventually died. Could it be that no one was willing to take the political heat surrounding Armistead Maupin's 'Tales,' which feature prominent gay characters?" TV Guide should be commended for giving yet another thumbs-down to homophobia in the television industry. Send your comments to: Althea Disney, Editor-in-Chief, TV Guide, Radnor, PA 19088; e-mail tvgeditor@delphi.com 23) Life in Silver Lake Continues Juliann Garey writes US magazine's 'Essentials' column ("what you need to know this month"), and in the November '94 issue she encourages readers to rent the video version of "Silverlake Life: The View From Here." Says Garey: "All the devotion and commitment that are supposed to be implicit in the phrase 'to love and honor, in sickness and in health, till death do us part' are contained in 'Silverlake Life: The View From Here.' Most marriages do not last as long as the 22-year relationship shared by filmmaker Tom Joslin and his lover, Mark Massi, before both died of AIDS." Garey further described the documentary as "graceful," "intensely moving," "frequently witty" and "sometimes harrowing." Direct comments to: Juliann Garey, "Essentials," and/or "US Letters," US, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10104-0298; fax (212) 767-8214. 24) Couldn't have said it better ourselves... From Liz Smith Syndicated columnist Liz Smith, writing in the November 9 edition of the Los Angeles Times, really came out blazing with her "reality check" about the popular Fox TV program, "Melrose Place." Said Smith, "After three seasons of virtual unemployment as the token homosexual on 'Melrose Place,' actor Doug Savant has been given a story line - he's fallen in love with a guy who has AIDS. "How original! Maybe it hasn't occurred to "Melrose" producer Darren Star that there are millions of homosexuals who don't have AIDS and who might like to see themselves represented as fully functioning human beings beings rather than doomed symbols." Smith then draws an interesting plot-line parallel: "Breast cancer kills more than 50,000 women a year. But I've yet to see one of the crazy ladies of Fox TV's fictional apartment house get a mammogram." You can confirm Smith's "reality check" by contacting her through: Liz Smith, c/o Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; fax (213) 237-7386. 25) TimesWatch by Loren R. Javier On October 1, The Los Angeles Times reported on OUT magazine's comprehensive article on gays and lesbians in Hollywood. While 'outing' has always been controversial, the article does not 'out' anyone. In fact, the article includes several openly gay and lesbian entertainment industry people who wanted to be part of the report. The article cites this is a milestone as even four years ago, the report could never be published. The next day in Calendar there were two articles on openly gay and lesbian musicians. The first dealt with openly lesbian Indigo Girl, Amy Ray, playing the part of Jesus Christ in a new recording of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, "Jesus Christ Superstar." The second article dealt with Holly Johnson, the openly gay former singer of the music group "Frankie Goes To Hollywood," and his new release "Legendary Children (All Of Them Queer)," which lists gays and lesbians past and present. Also covered on the 2nd was the suicide of Harry Lytle, a friend and roommate of Los Angeles Police Commissioner Art Mattox who is "the Commission's first openly gay member." Although suicide is suspected, the case has been handed over to the department's Homicide Special Section. The Life & Style section on the 4th covered GLAAD's own "A Celebration of Paul Monette," citing the participants, Tom Hulce, Tony Kushner, Armistead Maupin, Terry Wolverton and others. The Calendar section featured a "Q & A" with openly gay actor Dan Butler who plays "straight" sportscaster "Bulldog" Briscoe on NBC's "Frasier" and who has a critically acclaimed one man play, "The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me." The October 5 issue reported on the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute's fourth annual Hollywood benefit. The article stated that the benefit raised more than $200,000 for the organization. On October 6 the murder of Chicago gay activist Jon Simmons was covered. Simmons served as a liaison to the gay and lesbian community for Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and had come to Los Angeles on vacation. The October 13 issue followed up with West Hollywood's offer of a reward to anyone on information on the Simmons slaying. The October 9 issue of the Los Angeles Times Magazine focused on GLAAD Los Angeles Board Member Emeritus and Hollywood Supports Executive Director Richard Jennings. The Times also spotlighted openly gay author Dennis Cooper on the 9th. Although known for his darker themes, the writer is given a human side as the article talks about his loss of both friends and lovers and his life growing up in a family with divorced parents. The October 10 issue spotlighted openly gay comedian Jason Stuart, who came out on the "Geraldo" show. The article chronicles his life and how much lying about his sexuality affected it. The October 11 issue presented an article that sticks to the spirit of National Coming Out Day. The 1,500 member American Association of Physicians for Human Rights has voted to change their name to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. The name change, designed to help fight homophobia by using the "g" and "l" words, may have adverse affect on the organization, but was voted in by a vote with only three against. The October 13 issue offered a "Rights Watch" that reported on the continuing battle over Colorado's anti gay Amendment 2. The issue also reported on the campus rally for National Coming Out Week at UCLA. The Times reported on October 14 on the slaying of two gay men in Laurel, Mississippi. The article stated that local authorities have given little attention to the case and so, the Justice Department is determining whether the FBI needs to intervene. The October 17 issue offered an article asking, "Should A Political Spouse's Beliefs Be Considered When Voting?" The article interviews a few local political personalities, including Larry Pickens, partner to the Los Angeles Unified School District's openly gay School Board member Jeff Horton. The October 18 issue reported on the ruling to reinstate openly gay navy man Keith Meinhold. On October 22 the protest by African-American and Latino comics against "The Tonight Show," for their lack of exposure on the show was covered. An NBC spokesperson stated that they have had several minority comics on the show, including openly gay comedians. The October 23 issue reported on Camp Sister Spirit, the feminist retreat opened in Ovet, Mississippi by Brenda and Wanda Henson. The insightful article written by Bettina Boxall focuses on the Camp's need to raise funds and the fundraiser held by Robin Tyler in San Fernando. Finally, to wrap up the month, the October 25 issue highlighted openly lesbian Democratic candidate in the 41st Assembly District Shiela James Kuehl. The article reported on how she will be California's first openly gay legislator if she wins on November 8 (which she did). 26) Advertising Nation's Best Teams Up with Nation's Worst Talk about values. It couldn't be that The New York Times has hired Rush Limbaugh as an advertising spokesperson? But, it's reality. Those television spots showing a smugly smiling Limbaugh reading The Times and endorsing it is not a bad joke. Evidently the execs at The Times are ignoring conventional wisdom concerning Limbaugh's cadres of "ditto heads" and their ability to read. At any rate, by choosing this avowed bigot to hawk their wares, The Times brings its own credibility into question. Limbaugh's overt prejudices - pompously broadcast over radio and TV - runs headlong into the progressive, thorough and intelligent presentations of The Times. In addition, by choosing Limbaugh, The Times is showing a great insensitivity to its long-time supporters in the gay and lesbian community as well as all those who understand the direct relationship between Limbaugh's rhetoric and the hate, misunderstanding and divisiveness it fosters. Who can we expect to see next touting the worth of The Times? President of the Space Aliens? Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon? Tonya Harding? Perhaps your comments will help The Times "get a grip." Encourage them to put an end to the commercials and severe their relationship with Limbaugh. Contact: Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr., Publisher, The New York Times, 229 W. 43rd Street, New York 10036; fax (212) 499-3300. 28) 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 Hotlines: English (213) 874 5223; 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, please call us. Any information will be treated in confidence. 28) GLAAD National Executive Director Search GLAAD has retained two firms to begin the search for its national Executive Director. By working with both firms GLAAD will benefit from the international expertise of Korn/Ferry International (KFI), and the smaller, gay and women owned, Alexander Group (AG), a company with experience in g/l, AIDS and government searches. KFI has U.S. offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York while AG has offices in San Francisco and Houston. Information regarding the position may be obtained by contacting: Eunice Azzani, Korn/Ferry International, 600 Montgomery St., 31st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111; fax (415) 956-1988; or Steve Fogel, Alexander Group, 465 California St., #514, San Francisco, CA 94104; fax (415) 677-8674; GLAAD Search Committee Co-Chairs: Loretha Jones, (213) 658-6775; Mary Nealon, (212) 807-1700. 29) GLAAD National Media Awards The 6th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will be held on Sunday, March 12, 1995 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and Thursday, March 16, 1995 in New York at the Waldorf Astoria. There are many exciting opportunities to serve as a volunteer member of one of the committees needed to coordinate an event of this magnitude. We invite you to consider volunteering for our "Show of the Year." Committees include: Celebrity, Nominations, Public Relations, Production and Silent Auction. If you would like to volunteer for a committee, please contact: Los Angeles co-chairs: Jehan Agrama, (310) 652-3963 or Michael Keegan, (213) 876-5678. - New York: Cathay Che, (212) 807-1700. GLAAD Seeks 1995 Media Awards Nominations As 1994 winds to a close, GLAAD is gearing up for 1995 Media Awards Show. The Nominations Committee for the 1995 Media Awards is asking for your help in naming possible nominees for the awards which occurred during calendar year 1994. As in the past, we are looking to honor and recognize media that promote fair, accurate and inclusive images of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the mass media. The seven general areas included this year are: Advertising, Film, Music, Print, Radio, Television and Theatre. To determine nominees and award recipients, the Nominations Committee will be evaluating each film, TV program, song, etc. against the following criteria: 1) The representation of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals are honest and fair; 2) Diversity of the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities are represented/reflected; 3) The characters and/or storyline must be lesbian, gay or bisexual identified or deal with the issues/conflicts of coming out; 4) The issues facing lesbian, gay and bisexual communities are examined fairly and accurately; 6) The production/performance maintains a commendable level of quality and integrity. If you know of any media that merits consideration, please contact the Nominations Committee. To submit a nominee, send us a note with the name/title of the media, artists/talent associated, date of release/airing and other pertinent information. Please include your name and phone number in case there are any questions and send to: GLAAD Media Awards Nomination Committee: 8455 Beverly Blvd., Suite 305, Los Angeles 90048; or 150 W. 26th St., Suite 503, New York 10001. For more information, or if you have questions, call GLAAD at (213) 658-6775; (212) 807-1700; or the Nominations Committee Chairs. In Los Angeles: co-chairs Garrett Hicks at (818) 364-8935 or Bobbi Becker at (310) 498-2116; in New York: Cathay Che at (212) 807-1700. 30) Op Ed Page Project Do you like to write about gay and lesbian issues? Do you want to make an impact on people's thinking all over the country? Then you may want to join GLAAD's Op Ed Page Project. This committee writes opinion pieces about gay and lesbian topics in the news. The pieces go to about 70 newspapers throughout the country for use on Op Ed pages ("Op Ed" means "opposite the editorial page" - it's an opinion page). There is no guarantee the pieces will be printed. But last year, the Miami Herald, the Providence Journal-Bulletin and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock picked-up our submissions. If we can send out pieces regularly, the chance of their getting into the newspapers will increase. We can put a dent in homophobic thinking and help pro-gay voices on national issues. Your commitment is one or two essays of 500 to 1,000 words each in the course of a year - and an occasional meeting to talk over ideas for op ed pieces. If you're interested, call John Kroll, director of the project, at (818) 990-7759. 31) Educate Your Co-Workers GLAAD and Hollywood Supports want to deliver a "Sexual Orientation in the Workplace" seminar at your workplace. Over two dozen highly trained volunteer facilitators are now available to present the 90-minute seminar, which has been very well received at over thirty southland companies to date, including the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, NBC, CBS, MCA/Universal and Warner Bros. For more information, to make suggestions on whom to contact at your workplace regarding the seminar, or to schedule a seminar, contact: GLAAD at (213) 658-6775 or Hollywood Supports Assistant Director Tamra King at (213) 655-7705. 32) The British are Coming, The British are Coming And it's about time. The BBC began filming "Stonewall," covering the incident at the Greenwich Village bar in New York City which helped ignite the modern day lesbigay civil rights movement. Scenes, complete with crowds, cops and drag queens, have been shot near the real bar - in a recreated Sheridan Square and Stonewall bar (the present owner of the Stonewall refused permission to shoot in front of the bar) - and, according to director Nigel Finch, the film tells the story of six gay men in the days leading up to the riots. The mid-1995 theatrical release stars Guillermo Diaz. 33) "Just for Fun" A new video, "Just for Fun," is aimed at high school students and addresses gay-bashing, homophobia, sexual identity and peer-pressure. According to Direct Cinema Ltd., the 24-minute video is "an excellent educational tool for use with high school students to enlighten and raise awareness of an ever increasing problem." Contact: Direct Cinema Ltd., P.O. Box 10003, Santa Monica, CA 90410; fax (310) 396-3233. 34) ADL Publishes Book on Religious Right "The Religious Right: The Assault on Tolerance & Pluralism in America," is now available from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). From the thoughtful forward by Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the ADL, to the chapters on the Christian Coalition, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, et al, the book's analysis and focus is convincing and alarming. Of special interest is the chapter entitled "The Gaybashers." However, the discussion of the demonization of lesbians and gay men by the Right, is not consigned to this one chapter; rather it is intrinsically and emphatically woven into the very fabric of the book. Excellent and prescribed reading for everyone. Contact: Anti-Defamation League, 823 United Nations Plaza, New York 10017; or contact a local ADL Chapter in your city. wasmith@eis.calstate.edu