Date: Sat, 26 Nov 1994 06:36:37 -0500 From: GLAADP21@aol.com MEDIA WATCH for November 25, 1994 by AL KIELWASSER, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/San Francisco Bay Area Chapter NEWT'S MADNESS With expected frenzy, the media have been quoting the day-to-day rants of Representative Newt Gingrich, who will soon become Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. On the subject of homosexuality, the Republican congressperson has "graciously" stated that lesbians and gay men are "good citizens" on "most days." What he failed to mention is that the task of good citizenship can be especially burdensome for a people long oppressed by their own government. If fact, it is nothing less than extraordinary. Gingrich has also said that he believes homosexuality is an orientation not unlike alcoholism. This grossly unscientific ditty was dutifully reported -- largely without challenge -- by the mainstream press. Also, Gingrich has claimed that comparing heterosexual marriages to lesbian and gay families is an act of insanity. Gingrich explained that "it is madness to pretend that families are anything other than heterosexual couples." Gingrich -- who has an out lesbian sister -- also said that he opposes "trying to educate kindergartners in understanding gay couples." Apparently, the Speaker-to-be will build his platform around a solid, traditional support for misunderstanding (if not abject ignorance). As for his political agenda, Gingrich declared that homosexuality should neither be condemned nor promoted, but simply tolerated. Given the congressperson's deforming heterosexism, one can only assume that Gingrich means "toleration" in the sense that torture, nuclear waste, and the flu are "tolerated." Grievances may be sent to the dishonorable Newt Gingrich, United States House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. FAMILY VALUES The Nov. 21 episode of Melrose Place featured a holiday storyline that struck a blow for real family values. In that episode, gay character Matt intends to bring boyfriend Jeffrey to Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Matt's parents. The parents -- while pleading their false "understanding" and "acceptance" -- tell Matt that they would like him to keep the gay relationship in the closet for the dinner's duration (we wouldn't want grandpa choking on a turkey leg, would we?). To his credit -- and that of the Melrose writers -- Matt refuses. When his mother asks him what she should say to the family when they wonder where Matt is on Thanksgiving, he replies: "Tell them I'm having dinner with my lover." Though Melrose Place has been faulted for Matt's relatively one-dimensional character, such an effort still outpaces much of what mainstream television has to offer on the subject of homosexuality. Send comments to Aaron Spelling, Darren Star, and E. Duke Vincent, Executive Producers, Melrose Place, Spelling Enterprises, 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036. CHANGING TIMES The Nov. 20th national, Sunday edition of The New York Times includes "Zelda's Unwavering Love Is No Longer Unrequited," a feature article about Sheila Kuehl. Kuehl -- who starred as "Zelda Gilroy" on the popular sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959 - 1963) -- has become the first openly gay/lesbian to win election to the California state legislature. She will represent some 370,000 people in the State Assembly. Written by David Dunlap, the Times feature story begins: "Zelda Gilroy should only have known, as she longed hopelessly more than 30 years ago for the indifferent Dobie Gillis, that the boys who truly fancied her were legion. And so, it turned out, were the girls." The feature traces Kuehl's history, from the time she was expelled from her sorority for being a lesbian to her recent victory in California's political arena. Of particular interest to media watchers is Kuehl's explanation of her own political success, which she attributes -- in part -- to the "Zelda Factor." According to Kuehl, her visibility as a television celebrity allowed some potentially-phobic voters to overcome their "aversion" to her lesbianism. Says Kuehl: "When people know gay people personally, they tend to feel differently about the whole community. And all of a sudden, here's a person that they knew very well that they found out was lesbian." Direct feedback to Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr., Publisher, The New York Times, 229 West 43rd St., New York, NY 10036, tel. 212-556-1234. LIKABLE FILM The Columbia Pictures film "I Like It Like That" explores the micro-culture of a Bronx neighborhood. Included amongst the cast of characters is "Alexis" -- who was born as "Alex." The transgendered character is developed without the typical stains of exploitation or tragedy. Instead, Alexis has been described by movie-goers as funny, sensitive, believable and . . . yes . . . likable. Send your comments to writer-director Darnell Martin, "I Like It Like That," c/o Bobbi Thompson, William Morris Agency 151 El Camino Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. MEDIA BRIEFS * CENSORSHIP NEWS . . . is the newsletter of the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC). The recent issue (Issue 4, No. 55) includes articles on obscenity charges brought against a gay/lesbian bookstore, homophobic classroom censorship, and the Mercer County, NJ Library Commission (which voted to banish Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate -- gay/lesbian-sensitive books for young readers -- from the children's sections of all library branches). For membership/subscription information, contact NCAC, 275 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10001, tel. 212-807-6222. * IT'S ACADEMIC . . . The Journal of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Identity is a new academic publication "dedicated to education, communication, and progress in all areas of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender life." For subscription information, contact Human Sciences Press, Inc., ATTN: Dept. HGL94, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013-1578. * MEDIA DRAG . . . Check out the Nov. 1994 issue of England's Gay Times magazine, which features cover stories on drag in pop music and on video. Available on the newsstand, or by contacting Gay Times, Millivres Ltd., Ground Floor, Worldwide House, 116-134 Bayham St., London NW1 0BA. * FACTS NOT FEARS . . . the SIECUS Comprehensive Sexuality Education Fact Sheet # 4 is a guide to "The Far Right and Fear-Based Abstinence-Only Programs." The guide outlines the sexuality mis- education activities of 15 right wing groups. Contact SIECUS, 130 West 42nd St., Suite 2500, New York, NY 10036, tel. 212-819-9770. * TO TEACH THE TRUTH . . . "Overcoming Homophobia in the Elementary School Classroom" is a useful pamphlet for educational equity activists, available from Lesbian and Gay Parents Association, c/o 6705 California St. # 1, S.F., CA 94121, tel. 415-387-9886. WE MUST CONFRONT THE MEDIA'S HOMOPHOBIA IN ORDER TO CURE IT! TO NOTIFY THE GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION OF ANY DEFAMATORY OR AFFIRMATIVE MEDIA COVERAGE CALL OUR 24- HOUR MEDIA WATCH HOTLINE AT 415-861-4588, OR WRITE TO GLAAD/SFBA, 1360 MISSION STREET, SUITE 200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103; FAX, 415- 861-4893; E-MAIL GLAAD SFBA@AOL.COM. SEND ITEMS FOR THIS WEEKLY REPORT TO THE ATTENTION OF "MEDIA WATCH" AT GLAAD/SFBA OR E- MAIL TO GLAAD SFBA@AOL.COM. WHEN APPROPRIATE, ATTRIBUTIONS FOR ITEMS USED SHOULD BE MADE TO AL KIELWASSER AND/OR GLAAD/SFBA. AS ALWAYS, WE GREATLY APPRECIATE COPIES OF ANY PUBLICATIONS THAT USE ALL OR PART OF THE "MEDIA WATCH." THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUING INTEREST IN GLAAD'S WORK!