>From: crsdept@nature.berkeley.edu Subject: GLAAD/SFBA Media Watch for 5-27-93 GLAAD/SFBA Media Watch by Al Kielwasser INDIGESTIBLE HOMOPHOBIA "Reader's Digest," with a massive circulation of over 28 million in 16 languages, continues to reprint homophobic diatribes. The June issue features "Gays in the Military?," a profoundly ignorant editorial condensed from the Chicago Tribune. Mike Royko, the editorial's author, argues that "gays have skilfully used the media to argue that the military ban is nothing more than discrimination. Those who disagree are called gay-bashers." Royko asks his readers to support the ban, and to listen to the military generals and not to the general public. Military "leaders," Royko says, "know more about what it takes to win wars than Barbra Streisand or the Gay and Lesbian Alliance." Royko's "analysis" includes the usual litany of heterosexist fears and fantasies, as he ponders what it would mean to "shower and sleep near" a gay soldier "for months at a time." "And," Royko goes on to say, "since we're talking about sex--specifically a form of sex that most Americans consider morally wrong--anybody who says it won't affect morale and discipline in the military has never been in a barracks on a crowded troop ship." Even more offensive than Royko's ranting is the fact that Reader's Digest has once again decided to reprint a defamatory article, considerably boosting the circulation of such hateful messages. Meanwhile, there has been a relative flood of affirmative magazine and newspaper articles featuring lesbian, gay and bisexual subjects. Why are these articles never reprinted within the pages of "Reader's Digest"? For that matter, when--if ever--have you seen any lesbian or gay references in the many "short anecdotes, quips and quotations" which are sent in by readers and appear throughout the "Reader's Digest." Send your comments and complaints to Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, Editor-in-Chief, "Reader's Digest," Pleasantville NY 10570. THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW For better and--not infrequently--for worse, lesbians, gays and bisexuals continue to be the object of many talk show hosts' desires. On May 19, the Oprah Winfrey Show examined "change ministries," those pseudo-religious cults that purport to transform homosexuals into heterosexuals. Featured on the show were change ministry spokesmodels John and Anne Paulk, who operate "Love in Action," the San Rafael- based organization that "cures" lesbians and gay men. Also on the same show were Joel Payne, a gay man who had survived "Love in Action" and refuted many of the outrageous claims made by the Paulks, and Keith Johnson, who had begun to live in celibacy rather than live the "sinful" life of a sexually-active gay man. Other guests included homophobic psychologist (and quack) Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D., author of the book "Reparative Therapy for the Male Homosexual." Offering a rebuttal to Nicolosi was Richard Isay, M.D., author of "Being Homosexual." While no doubt attempting to "achieve balance" with these and similar pairs of guests, the producers of Oprah seem to be missing a fundamental point. Pitting a respected doctor against a lying quack is not exactly a "balanced" forum. If no reputable doctors can be found to defend these change ministries, then the show's producers should say as much, and leave it at that. Talk show creators need to be reminded--again and again--to avoid the "Hitler's Opinion Syndrome." Just as a Nazi would not be required for a "balanced" discussion of anti-Semitism, a homophobic lunatic is not needed to "balance" discussions of lesbian, gay and bisexual issues. Oprah Winfrey herself handled the subject, generally, with fairness and sensitivity. When a "former lesbian" claimed that her lesbianism was the result of growing up in a dysfunctional family, Oprah replied: "We all did." When one guest said that because he was gay, God wanted him to bear the burden of living in celibacy, Oprah asked: "Did God want you to be tormented?" While the show presented an array of opinions, it still managed to focus on the "problem" of homosexuality. It's time for all TV talk show producers to refocus their lenses and begin to take a long look at HOMOPHOBIA--what causes it and how it can be cured. Send your observations and suggestions to Debra Dimato, Executive Producer, The Oprah Winfrey Show, 110 N. Carpenter Street, Chicago IL 60607. JERRY SPRINGER The subject of the May 17 Jerry Springer show was "Gay Rodeo," on an episode recorded in San Francisco. Representatives of gay rodeo events argues with homophobic men who claimed that the gays could never be "real cowboys." Unfortunately, more than a few members of the audience agreed. One man in the audience refused to refer to a rodeo drag performer as either "he" or "she," but insisted on directing his questions to "it." Much to his credit, Springer does what few talk show hosts have the will or wisdom to do--he takes sides. Each episode of Jerry Springer concludes with a segment titled "Springer's Final Thought." For the May 17 show, the host concluded with a supportive note: "We can fairly dispense with the discriminatory idea that only straight men have physical strength and courage... We are still so homophobic in our society that an admitted gay finds little or no welcome, particularly in those segments of our culture where being macho and manly seems to be everything." Springer has defended the rights of lesbians and gay men in past shows, as well. Send encouraging comments to Burt Dubrow, Executive Producer, Jerry Springer, POB 4118, Chicago IL 60654-0118. You might also send a copy of your letter to KTVU, the Bay Area television station that carries Jerry Springer. During the May 17 episode, the station thoughtfully chose to broadcast a public service announcement from Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Write to Kevin O'Brien, Vice President and General Manager, KTVU, POB 22222, Oakland CA 94623. tel. 510-834-1212. MEDICAL HOMOPHOBIA The "Journal of the American Medical Association " (JAMA) refused to accept a paid advertisement from the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights (AAPHR). The ad, which is headlined "Warning: Homophobia may be Hazardous to Your Health," draws attention to violence and discrimination against lesbians and gays and encourages AMA passage of a sexual orientation nondiscrimination policy. Robert Kenneth, Vice President, JAMA, 515 North State Street, Chicago IL 60610. LESBIAN/GAY GRANDPARENTING A soon-to-be published book will include stories of lesbian and gay grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Stories for the forthcoming anthology are being gathered by the American Friends Service Committee's Portland office, which hopes to make the book as diverse as possible. If you have a submission to offer, or want further information, call Sherrigan Haggar, AFSC Education Program Director, at 503-230-9429. typed by Jessea Greenman "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Eleanor Roosevelt- activist, humanitarian, bisexual. Jessea NR Greenman crsdept@nature.berkeley.edu