[This file can be found in /pub/QRD/GLAAD/SFBA/media.news.briefs-10.15.93 at vector.intercon.com, the Queer Resources Directory] GLAAD Media News Briefs -- October 15,1993 by Al Kielwasser Bad Vibes The October issue of Vibe magazine includes a scurrilous bit of journalistic phlegm. In "No Apologies, No Regrets," author Joan Morgan profiles Jamaican singer Buju Banton and seeks to legitimize the reggae singer's homophobia on cultural grounds. Benton's song "Boom Bye Bye" openly advocates murdering gay men. To be more specific, Baton calls upon listeners to shoot gays through the head. In her unbalanced discussion of Banton and his gay-bashing hit, Morgan manages to dredge up endless stereotypes about Jamaican gay men--that they are child molesters, rapists, classist leaches, and even that their sexual activities lead to incest, decapitation and death. Not one gay Jamaican was quoted in response to such hateful absurdities. The basic premise of Morgan's article is that homophobia is an essential and integral part of Black culture. Of course, her definition of Black culture excludes lesbians, gay men and transgendered persons of African, Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Latin descent. In an open letter to Vibe magazine, numerous lesbian, gay and transgendered activists of African descent roundly denounce the conclusion "that those who shun music or musicians who espouse homophobia do so out of racism or cultural insensitivity" and furthermore, they point out, "the decision of Vibe's Editor-In-Chief Jonathan Van Meter to publish so biased and defamatory a piece clearly illustrates that not all powerful, gay white men value or respect our lives." In defending Buju Banton, Joan Morgan joins in his hate-filled campaign and has allied herself with those who promote hatred rather than understanding. Criticism should be directed to Jonathan Van Meter, Vibe, 205 Lexington Ave., 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10016. The Media Access Project: Playing Fair Legislation to reinstate the "Fairness Doctrine" is now pending in Congress. Before it was disbanded in the midst of deregulation hysteria, the Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters to provide balanced coverage of "controversial" issues of public importance. Conservative radio talk show hosts and other media hate mongers (i.e,; Rush Limbaugh and clones) are spearheading an effort to defeat this legislation. The Media Access Project is encouraging the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities to support the Fairness Doctrine bills in the House of Representatives and Senate (H.R. 1985 and S. 333). The Media Access Project asks you to contact your Senators and Representatives in support of these bills (U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, tel. 202-224-3121; U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515, tel. 202-225-3121). For more information, call Gigi Sohn at the Media Access Project, 202-232-4300. Gay Day One Lesbian and gay comedians will be featured in an up-coming episode of the ABC newsmagazine Day One. The segment, scheduled to air on October 25th, profiles Lea DeLaria, Suzanne Westenhoeffer and Frank Moya. Included is a backstage look at DeLaria's historic appearance on the Arsenic Hall Show, which made her the first out gay or lesbian comedian to appear on the late-night talk show circuit. Comments may be sent to Tom Yellin, Executive Producer, ABC News, Day One, 147 Columbus Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10023. Life at KQED The season premiere of In The Life, the only national lesbian and gay variety show on public television, aired on KQED (Channel 9) on October 13 and October 17. Significantly, the October 17 airing was at 3:00 PM (signaling a welcome change in the KQED tradition of airing lesbian and gay programming in the fringe hours of the broadcast day). In The Life's season opener celebrated "Gay Pride--Great Performances," with a line-up of musical and comedy acts from lesbian and gay pride celebrations held across the countly. High-energy, low-assimilation host Lea DeLaria played the role of in-your-face roving reporter. November's In The Life episode--"School's Out!: Lesbian & Gay Youth"--will examine the challenges faced by young queers. The program provides an overview of emerging educational programs, high school homophobia, lesbian/gay teachers, and more. The November episode also introduces a new "Fact File" feature. Among the statistics that will be revealed: Half of all lesbian and gay youth surveyed report that their parents rejected them because of their sexual orientation. Forty-five percent of gays and 20 percent of lesbians experience verbal harassment in high school, and 28 percent are routinely forced to drop out because of homophobic harassment. Send thanks to KQED for picking up the October episode, and let the management know you look forward to seeing In The Life next month (and every month!). Write to Mary Bitterman, President, KQED, 2601 Mariposa St., San Francisco, CA 94110; you can also call 415-864-2000, ask for the "KQED-TV Comments Line," and record your thoughts. In The Life is not funded by the Public Broadcasting System, but is produced through a national membership network. For further information (and a copy of the In The Life program guide) call 800-627-ONTV. The only way to cure homophobia is to confront it! To notify the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of defamations, or to request GLAAD membership information, call our offlce at 415-861-4588; South Bay Hotline 408-235-0229; East Bay Hotline 510-273-9146; fax 415-861-4893. Our malling address is GLAAD/SFBA, 514 Castro St., Suites A and B, San Francisco, CA 94114. [FAX/OCR by Alan Batie ]