Date: Tue, 17 Oct 1995 14:09:57 -0400 From: GLAADNATL@aol.com Subject: Press Release - Response to CWA Ad EXPLOITATION, NOT EDUCATION, IS REAL GOAL OF CWA AD AGAINST LESBIANS & GAYS For Immediate Release Contact: William Waybourn GLAAD (202) 986-1360 Washington, D.C. -- Tuesday, October 17, 1995 -- Concerned Women of America, a women's organization of the Radical Right, has taken out significant newspaper advertising throughout the country, crammed with enlarged and grotesque stereotypes of gay men and lesbians. "The campaign is designed to exploit and fuel the fears and prejudices of the American public," according to William Waybourn, Managing Director of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). "The CWA ads are filled with misrepresentations not only against our community, but against individuals who believe in education as a tool to eradicate ignorance and prejudice. They target Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual History Month, a project endorsed by GLAAD and hundreds of organizations, municipalities and individuals such as the National Education Association, the Governor of Oregon, the mayor of St. Louis, librarians, educators and historians throughout the country, " according to Waybourn. A secondary intent of the ads is evident when you are asked for contributions when you call a toll-free number. The ads create an urgent appeal to act before the end of October, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual History Month. "This is nothing more than a well-timed campaign of dialing for dollars," Waybourn declared, "and a well-placed and well-financed crusade of prejudice and propaganda." It has been reported to GLAAD that the following papers ran the ad from Concerned Women of America: Cleveland Plain Dealer, Des Moines Register, Indianapolis Star, Omaha World Herald, Sacramento CA Bee, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times, St. Louis Post/ Dispatch, "The University Star" (Daily newspaper of South West Texas State University). Join GLAAD in its observance of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Month. E-mail glaadnatl@aol.com for an on-line copy of The October Primer, our LGB History Celebration kit, or call 503-224-5285 to order a hard copy. HISTORY MONTH PROJECT RESPONSE TO CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA ADVERTISEMENTS FACT SHEET In advertisements placed in newspapers October 13, 1995, the Concerned Women of America made a number of claims which are best viewed as fiction designed to exploit stereotypes and hatred against gay and lesbian people. The facts speak for themselves: CLAIM: The National Education Association created Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual (LGB) History Month and recommends that LGB History be celebrated "for an entire month in all public schools throughout the nation." FACT: This is merely an extension of an ongoing series of attacks by the CWA against the NEA that go back years. LGB History Month was created by teachers, librarians, and community organizations. The NEA's endorsement was courageous. But, the NEA has offered no plans for any introduction of any LGB History curriculum in any school. FACT #2: Learning about LGB History is not just for students. There are close to 1000 events on the 1995 LGB History Month calendar and most have nothing to do with schools. Again, the CWA creates a smokescreen for its own extreme purposes. CLAIM: Gay and lesbian people "prey on the innocence of minors." FACT: This statement is repugnant. Fear that gay and lesbian people abuse children is a loathsome repetition of old stereotypes. x A child is 100 times more likely to be molested by family member than by some gay or lesbian (Jenny, Roesler & Poyer, Pediatrics, July 1994). x No evidence has ever demonstrated that children are at greater risk to be molested by identifiable homosexuals than by other adults (Jenny, et al, 1994). CLAIM: Children will be asked to study whether Jesus Christ was gay, school posters will "celebrate the gay and lesbian lifestyle," and watch films about gays and lesbians. FACT: This is a complete fabrication by the CWA. The entire genesis for the LGB History Month idea was the complete lack of curriculum materials on the subject. CWA NEVER ASKED FOR NOR REVIEWED ANY CURRICULUM MATERIALS PRODUCED BY THE LGB HISTORY MONTH PROJECT. There exist almost none of the materials that the CWA fears will be discussed. CLAIM: This is an attack on children and students. FACT: The purpose of the study of history is to teach people how to understand the life around them. Gay and lesbian people and issues are a part of our world. Without an accurate historical portrayal of gays and lesbians, how can we be prepared to deal the world around us? Indeed, the only way to protect young people is to equip them with information. What does the CWA not want you to know? FACT: History that does not include gay and lesbian people is not accurate. How can the CWA justify excluding gay and lesbian people as a matter of education policy? Open any high school history text and look for references to homosexuality. You will find few or any references to people who have made great political, artistic, literary, economic, and athletic contributions to our world. FACT: Those who call for the CWA packet have their names sold to other far right groups and are solicited continuously for donations. This issue is simply another opportunity for the CWA to exploit to obtain funds. FACT: Our gay and lesbian young are in crisis. x 80% of gay and lesbian youth are victims of verbal insults (Pilkington & D'Augelli, 1995) x 44% report being threatened by physical attack (Pilkington & D'Augelli, 1995) x 22% of boys and 29% of girls report being physically attacked by other students (Pilkington & D'Augelli, 1995). x 7% report being physically hurt by a teacher (Pilkington & D'Augelli, 1995). x 42% of the youths reported a past suicide attempt (D'Augelli & Hershberger, 1993). x Gay youth are 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people (US Dept of Health & Human Services, 1989) x Suicides by gay/lesbian youth may comprise up to 30% of completed youth suicides annually (US HHS, 1989). x Suicide is the leading cause of death among gay male, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual youth (US HHS, 1989). FACT: Distorted, hateful advertisements like the ones placed by the CWA are the direct cause of increases in hate crimes. According to studies during the anti-gay initiatives in Colorado and Oregon in 1992, violence against lesbians and gay men escalated. x In the month after approval of Amendment 2 in Colorado, reports of anti-gay violence increased by 800% over reports received in the same month in the previous year. Anti-gay violence in 1992 in Colorado increased 129% over 1991 (Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Colorado, 1993). x Those opposed to the initiate in Oregon were routinely attacked. The office of Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon was ransacked, and its campaign donor lists were stolen. People whose names were on those lists received phone and mail death threats. Two people were murdered after skinheads firebombed their house (NGLTF Policy Institute, 1994) x Indeed, the day the CWA placed its advertisements, the national LGB History Month office received several telephone calls saying "all gay people should be dead," and "AIDS would finally rid the world of gay people." The facts are clear. The time has come to put away fear and hatred. "If we do not learn from the mistakes of the past, we are doomed to repeat them." We make the greatest sacrifice if we neglect to equip our young people with the information and tools necessary to understand the world around them. And we make a huge mistake by not offering information and ideas to our adults in an effort to undue centuries of prejudice and hate. For more information contact GLAAD at GLAADNATL@aol.com, Lesbian Gay & Bisexual History month at LGBHM@aol.com and The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) at GLSTN@aol.com.