[This file can be found in /pub/QRD/qrd/glaad/SFBA/media.news.briefs-9.10.93 at vector.intercon.com, the Queer Resources Directory] San Francisco Bay Area Chapter GLAAD Media News Briefs -- September 10, 1993 by Al Kielwasser Custody Coverage In denying Sharon Bottoms custody of her son on the sole grounds that she is a lesbian, Judge Buford Parsons of Henrico County Circuit Court in Virginia egregiously defamed all lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Compounding this bias crime against our community was the abject failure of the mainstream media to investigate the judge's profound ignorance and glaring homophobia. To date, most of the coverage of the Richmond custody case has contained inaccurate assertions by homopbobes (including the judge). Despite the fact that no credible evidence exists to link sexual orientation to parental fitness, statements to that effect were reported as matters of legitimate opinion. Almost without exception, reporters failed to ask homophobic bigots to defend their indefensible positions. The current situation calls to mind a pivotel moment in the history of American journalism. In the mid 1950's, heroic reporters like Edward R. Murrow decided that the duty of the press involved much more than simply repeating the hateful accusations made by the likes of Senator Joe McCarthy. Murrow confronted McCarthy's bigotry head on, and helped put a vicious bigot out of business. The recent ruling by Judge Parsons only confirms the obvious; there are still Joe McCarthys amongst us, infecting government with bigotry and hatred. But where are the Edward R. Morrows? An article on the lesbian custody case, written by Associated Press (AP) reporter Larry O'Dell, appears in the San Francisco Examiner (Sept. 7). To his credit, O'Dell quotes University of Virginia psychology professor Charlotte Patterson, who has studied the children of lesbian parents. "The basic finding was that children of lesbian parents are developing much like children of heterosexual parents," Patterson said. Unfortunately, O'Dell placed this quote at the end of his story, increasing the likelihood that this vital information would be cut in many newspapers around the country. Is it too much to ask that reporters put facts first? Meanwhile, the San Francisco Chronicle also ran an AP wire story on the custody case (Sept. 8). Missing from that version was any mention of the Patterson research, or any of the growing literature that demonstrates the undoubted fitness of lesbians and gays to raise children. Remind reporters and editors that the historic mission of the press in our democracy has been to investigate and challenge the institutions and processes of government, and to separate fact from fiction. The mainstream press still labors under the gross assumption that everything involving lesbians and gays is a matter of opinion; the rantings of insane bigots are routinely quoted for the sake of "balance," without disclaimers or appropriate context. Provide feedback on the custody coverage to every reporter that irks or pleases you. Also, send your comments to Bill Schiffman, New Editor, Associated Press, P. 0. Box 7247, S,F., CA 94120, tel 415-621-7432; Matt Wilson, Managing Editor, S.F. Chronicle, 901 Mission St., S.F., CA 94103, tel. 415-777-1111; Phil Bronstein, Exec. Editor, S.F. Examiner, 110 5th St., S.F., CA 94103, tel. 415-777-2424. Real World II MTV's hip documentary series Real World II tracks the lives of several young adults living together in Los Angeles. The format is a combination of cinema verite intercut with talking head commentary. In the September 10 episode, a new roommate, Beth, arrives on the scene. Wearing an "I'm not gay but my girlfriend is" t-shirt, Beth is definitely an out lesbian. Future episodes promise to deal with such issues as roomate homophobia. Last year, MTV's The Real World selected twentysomethings from around the country to live in a Manhattan loft and have their lives filmed. Among the roommates was Norm, a bisexual man; he came out in the third episode and on almost every subsequent episode he spoke openly about his sexual orientation. The cameras followed him to well known gay clubs like Limelight and Roxy. Write to Office of the President, MTV Networks Inc., 1515 Broadway, New York NY 10036. Prop. 174: Untold Bigotry Increasingly, the local press has begun to feature stories about Proposition 174, California's controversial "voucher initiative." Basically, the "Parental Choice in Education Initiative" would amend the California Constitution in order to provide yearly, tax-funded payments to the state's private schools. So far, however, the anti-gay/lesbian aspects of the initiative have been omitted from most of the media coverage. The story of Prop. 174's homophobic bigotry is not being told. For example, a recent article on the "voucher fight" by San Francisco Independent reporter Susan Herbert (Sept. 7) makes no reference to the fact that Prop. 174 would provide tax-payer dollars to private schools that teach hatred of lesbians and gays. Also missing from that article is any mention of the fact that Prop. 174 expressly intends to subsidize schools that will not admit lesbian, gay or bisexual children. In fact, if it is passed, Prop. 174 would give tax dollars to schools that actively and openly discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender, mental or physical ability, and religious beliefs. Send comments to Susan Herbert, S.F. Independent, 1201 Evans Avenue, S.F., CA 94124, tel. 415-826-1100. Also, as the election nears, be sure to remind all reporters to tell the untold story of Prop. 174's bigotry. A Boyfriend for Matt? The television magazine show Entertainment Tonight has reported rumors that FOX's Melrose Place might soon feature another gay character. The series current gay character, "Matt Fielding," has become little more than a non-sexual token. In the second season of Melrose Place, however, Matt may yet get a companion. Thank FOX for trying, and let the network know that Matt deserves more airtime and a boyfriend (or at least a few dates!). Write to Peter Chernin, President, FOX Broadcasting, 10201 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035, tel 310-277-2211. Send a copy of your letter to Darren Star, Executive Producer, Melrose Place, Spelling Enterprises, 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. 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 office at 415-861-4588; South Bay Hotline 408-235-0229; East Bay Hotline 510-273-9146; fax 415-861-4893. Our mailing address is GLAAD/SFBA, 514 Castro St., Suite B, San Francisco, CA 94114. [FAX/OCR by Alan Batie ]