[This file can be found in /pub/QRD/glaad/SFBA/media.news.briefs-9.17.93 at vector.intercon.com, the Queer Resources Directory] San Francisco Bay Area Chapter GLAAD Media News -- September 17,1993 Al Kielwasser GLAAD/SFBA Reviewing the Review American Journalism Review (AJR) magazine covers a range of media-related issues, and is widely-read by journalists and academics, as well as the general public. The July/August issue of AJR includes two noteworthy articles. In "Taking It to the Streets," Kim I. Mills explores the contested boundaries between journalism and activism. She examines the potential conflicts of interests -- personal and professional -- that can arise for journalists who are also involved in various civil rights and social justice causes. As a case in point, Mills gives ample attention to the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) and "gay reporters on the gay beat." All in all, the article's approach is informed and thought-provoking, In the same issue, an article by Alicia C. Shepard asks "Did the Networks Sanitize the Gay Rights March?" Shepard attempts to present a wide range of answers to that question, but she can hardly mask her own sex-negative bias. She refers to lesbian and gay diversity as "eccentricities," and describes the speakers at the post-march rally as providing a "stream of obscenities." Shepard begins her article with a labored account of "a Delaware couple who brought their four young children to Washington, D.C." and "ran into drag queens blowing kisses, gay men with nipple rings parading in studded leather, 'Dykes on Bikes' cruising down the avenues, and bare-breasted lesbians showering each other with lingering kisses." Perhaps Shepard should work at developing her own, genuine respect for difference and diversity before she attempts to write about such themes for a national magazine. Send comments to Rem Rieder, Editor and Senior Vice President, American Journalism Review, 4716 Pontiac St., Suite 310, College Park, MD 20740-2493, tel. 301-513-0001. Bay Area Black Journalists Association Linda Villarosa, Senior Editor of Essence magazine, will be the keynote speaker at the 1993 Bay Area Black Journalist's Association's annual Autumn Mixer and scholarship fund-raiser on October 15. Essence is the nation's largest black women's magazine. In the May 1991 issue of Essence, Villarosa co-authored an article with her mother titled "Coming Out." Each wrote about Villarosa's coming out as a lesbian, and the article sparked the most letters ever received in the 23-year history of Essence magazine. The Bay Area Black Journalists Association (BABJA) is an organization of African America media professionals and students representing radio, television, print, public relations and advertising. BABJA is dedicated to grooming media professionals and enhancing media coverage of African American issues. The BABJA Autumn Mixer is open to the general public. For more information, contact BABJA, 1347 Divisadero St., Suite 325, San Francisco, CA 94115, tel. 415-931-6996. Men In Tights Mel Brooks' latest film relies on some rather state stereotypes. "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" is littered with jokes about "faggolas," "fruits," and "sissies." Such humor can be hateful, especially for children and young adults. A nationwide survey recently conducted by the American Association of University Women finds that the single form of harassment children fear and loathe the most is being called "faggot," "sissy" and similar anti-gay epithets. If such theatrical humor offends you, write to Mel Brooks, Brooks-films, c/o 20th Century Fox, P.O. Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213. Sexism and Homophobia Illustrated Recently, Sports Illustrated (SI) rejected an advertisement from the Adidas company that featured a photo of the all-male Canadian soccer team, wearing nothing but Adidas shoes. The players were not fully nude, though. Their hands, soccer balls and trophies were strategically placed. Since when has Sl had any qualms about running photos of semi-nude individuals? After all, this is the same magazine that earns its keep through annual sales of the "swimsuit issue," which features semi-nude women in various "sporty" poses. Obviously, SIs decision to reject the Adidas ad was based on nothing but sexism, homophobia's constant companion. SI has sent a message that it's okay to sprawl semi-nude photos in their magazine as long as the photos are of women only. For illustrating sexism, homophobia and hypocrisy, direct criticism to Mark Mulvoy, Editor, Sports Illustrated, and Roger Jackson, Public Relations Director, Time, Inc., Time and Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020. Spin Examines Hate Music In the August issue of the music magazine Spin, Farad Chideya examines the use of homophobic lyrics in hip-hop, rap and dance hall reggae music. Chideya concludes that the blatantly homophobic lyrics of such performers as Ice Cube, Big Daddy Kane, and Chubb Rock are an attempt to deny the existence of homosexuality within the African American community. The author also takes note of pro-gay/lesbian rappers, including female rapper Yo Yo and the rap duo Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, whose single "Language of Violence" railed against gay bashing. To effectively counteract musical hate speech, Chideya argues that more performers need to come back with their own response, using rap as the format. Send compliments to Bob Guccione, Jr., Editor, Spin, 6 West ]8th Street, New York, NY 10011. 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 ]