Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 15:38:13 -0500 From: PFLAG Communications Subject: PFLAG Action Alert **** PFLAG ACTION ALERT: NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE **** The Aug. 17 issue of Newsweek, on stands now, includes a cover story and accompanying articles on "sexual conversion." The cover features the headline "Gay for Life?" with a photograph of John and Anne Paulk, "ex-gays" who have played a central role in an ongoing advertising campaign by a coalition of extremist, anti-gay groups which claim that gay, lesbian and bisexual people can become straight. Newsweek's coverage is unbalanced and biased. It is alarming that Newsweek, with its broad national circulation, has lent its credibility and influence to the politicized "ex-gay" movement. PFLAG is mounting a letter-writing campaign to Newsweek, and we urge individuals and chapters to write to the magazine to (1) present our unique perspective on this issue, as loved ones of gay, lesbian and bisexual people; (2) encourage Newsweek to provide more balanced and accurate information; and (3) offer PFLAG as a source of accurate information for people struggling with these issues. Because Newsweek chose to present primarily the views of "sexual conversion" proponents, it is vitally important that we speak out. Letters need to be sent as soon as possible this week. This alert includes: 1. Facts about the coverage 2. Talking points for letters 3. Contact information 4. PFLAG National President Nancy McDonald's letter to Newsweek ******************************************************* 1. Facts about the coverage * The articles are one-sided. -- Eight proponents of sexual "conversion" are quoted in the main article, while only four people are quoted who do not believe such therapy works. -- Six organizations advocating "conversion" therapy are named in the article, compared to three organizations which do not support such therapy. -- The cover headline ("Gay for Life?") is blatantly biased. Homosexuality is not a disease or a punishment, as this headline suggests. Would Newsweek similarly run a headline, "Straight for Life?" -- The photos with the main cover story include only one of a gay person who accepts himself, and it is smaller than those of "ex-gays," which were posed for the magazine in better lighting and to appear more mainstream (e.g.: the cover photo of the Paulks in their kitchen with eggs, bacon and orange juice vs. a bad photo of a "happily gay man," standing in a hallway looking solemn). * The survey commissioned by Newsweek is out of context and improperly cited. -- The exact wording of the questions is not revealed. (Especially when dealing with such a sensitive issue, the wording of questions can be crucial in determining the results.) -- The criteria for participant selection is not revealed (e.g.: registered voters, or adults over age 18). -- The context of the poll -- taken during a period of anti-gay hostility, when possible participants in major media markets nationwide saw inflammatory anti-gay advertisements -- is not revealed. * The coverage includes alarmingly inflammatory and inappropriate wording and images. -- The caption under a photo of John Paulk dressed in drag several years ago reads, "You go, girl!" -- This, coupled with a reference in the article to another "ex-gay" man who used to dress in drag, incorrectly suggests that there are two options for gay people: to become "ex-gays," or to live as stereotypical drag queens. -- The main article repeatedly quotes "ex-gays" as saying their lives were miserable before "conversion." Then, with the article's final sentences, Newsweek's bias is blatant: "Few identities in America are more marginal than ex-gay. In here, there is community," the reporters conclude, without attribution. "They head off into the night, perhaps less lonely than when they came in." 2. Talking Points * PFLAG families love and accept their gay and lesbian loved ones unconditionally. -- There is nothing wrong with our loved ones. Thus, no "conversion" is needed. -- We don't care why our loved ones are gay, lesbian or bisexual. What's important is that they can live in a society where they are safe, equal and free to live their lives. -- The only "conversion" that is needed is from homophobia to love; fear to acceptance. -- While many "ex-gay" groups attempt to cloak their work in religion, many gays, lesbians and their families are deeply religious people. In fact, many of us are able to accept, love and support our g/l/b/t loved ones because of our religious beliefs. -- PFLAG families have learned how rich their lives become when they embrace cultural diversity. -- Our g/l/b/t loved ones lead happy, full and productive lives. They are neither miserable nor "lonely," as the article asserts. * This unbalanced coverage is reckless and potentially harmful to g/l/b/t youth and their families. -- The biased cover, with its implicit message that gays are "bad" or "wrong," will sit in magazine racks all week, for youth who may be questioning their own sexuality to see and interpret. -- Suicide is a leading cause of death for all young people, and g/l/b/t youth are disproportionately at risk. In fact, gay youth are seven times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. -- Such messages in mainstream media adversely affect youth. For example, the Arkansas state hotline for g/l/b/t youth saw a dramatic increase in calls from young people when anti-gay groups launched their advertising and rhetoric campaign last month. -- By legitimizing fears and stereotypes, these negative messages also make it more difficult for families to accept gay, lesbian and bisexual people. * "Sexual conversion" therapy is unproven and medically suspect. -- Newsweek has lent its credibility to a practice which every reputable medical organization and mental health researcher says has not been proven effective, and may even be harmful. -- Even the small, extremist fringe groups mentioned in the article admit that they often lose leaders (who choose to lead their lives honestly, as gays and lesbians) and that they don't have objective, long-term data on their own effectiveness. -- When gay and lesbian people try "conversion" therapy and find out it doesn't work, PFLAG often deals with the results. We have seen the psychological damage "ex-gay" ministries can cause, and it motivates us even more in our support, education and advocacy work. 3. Contact information * Letters to Newsweek -- Mail letters to: Letters Editor Newsweek Magazine 251 West 57th St. New York, NY 10019-1894 -- Fax letters to: (212) 445-4120 -- E-mail letters to: letters@newsweek.com * Assistance writing letters -- As a service to chapters, members and supporters, PFLAG is willing and able to help people write letters to Newsweek. Contact your Field Associate or PFLAG's Communications Department for assistance. (202-638-4200; info@pflag.org.) 4. PFLAG National President Nancy McDonald's Letter * Nancy McDonald has written a Letter to the Editor, along with a cover letter urging Newsweek to publish PFLAG's address, e-mail and telephone number so readers can request information. Both letters follow. * Cover letter Editor: I have attached a letter to the editor in response to this week's cover story, "Gay for Life?" You will notice that my letter includes the address for the national office of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). I am asking - as a mother, a regular Newsweek reader and an ordinary citizen-turned-advocate who every year speaks with thousands of families with gay, lesbian and bisexual loved ones - that you run PFLAG's address along with my letter. It is so important for gay, lesbian and bisexual people, as well as their loved ones, to have access to the support, education and advocacy PFLAG has provided since 1981. It is unfortunate that you lent Newsweek's impressive credibility to Exodus Ministries, the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality and other fringe groups offering the unproven promise of "change," and that you did not provide equal time or space to organizations which foster love and acceptance, like PFLAG. We at PFLAG clean up the wreckage caused by Exodus, NARTH and other extremist organizations. We speak with thousands of parents and children, some of whom have tried sexual "conversion" and found their lives devastated by it. We also see parents whose children have committed suicide because they were told - through hateful language or more subtly, like through your magazine cover - that something was "wrong" with them. I don't contend that your magazine article, in and of itself, will lead gay, lesbian and bisexual youth to kill themselves. But in a climate that remains hostile for gay, lesbian and bisexual young people, this cover story is irresponsible at best. I ask simply for the opportunity to provide those readers who are interested with information that may help them keep their families intact - and may save young people's lives. Respectfully, Nancy McDonald PFLAG National President * Letter to the Editor Editor: I was appalled by your cover story on sexual "conversion." In presenting the Paulks as an exemplary American family, your article fails to reflect hundreds of thousands of us who accept, support and love our gay children - just as they are. As a parent, I don't care why my child is gay. I do care whether she is able to live in a society where she is safe, equal and free to live her life. Members and supporters of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), involved in chapters in more than 425 communities nationwide, know that the real "conversion" takes place in the hearts and minds of Americans who choose to accept and support their loved ones, rather than try to change them. Respectfully, Nancy McDonald PFLAG National President PFLAG 1101 14th St., NW, Suite 1030 Washington, DC 20005 202-638-4200 info@pflag.org