Date: Fri, Oct 6, 1995 10:22 AM From: "Charles Zweig" Subject: GLAAD Bulletin-October '95 Subject: GLAAD Dispatch Bulletin October 1995 GLAAD NEWSLETTER October Dispatch 1995 INDEX 1) The Question of Equality, 4 part series, PBS Out Rage '69 Culture Wars Hollow Liberty Generation Q 2) NEA G/L History Month and the attack by The Concerned Women of America GLAAD National Field Office "how-to" Guide 3) WWW and G/L Marriage 4) Jackson Sun Editorial 5) GLAAD Posters: Freedom to Marry 6) Anti-Gay Hearings (now suspended) 7) Entertainment Weekly 8) Upcoming TV Melrose Place Pursuit of Happiness The Crew Courthouse 9) In The Life: Film/Video Festival 10) Statesman-Journal, Salem, Oregon 11) NYT Ad "Mothers' Voices" 12) Medical Hotline 900 Number 1) Question of Equality From Stonewall and Anita Bryant to Oregon Measure 9 and "don't ask, don't tell," the gay liberation movement has fought for equal rights in a climate of hatred, violence, intolerance and discrimination. The pursuit of individual liber ty, the freedom to think and act freely comes with the individual responsibility to not harm the freedom of others. This concept is fundamentally American. But when it comes to freedom and equal rights for gays and lesbians, equal rights become draped in fear-filled rhetoric filled with stereotypes about family values, religion and politics. The QUESTION OF EQUALITY is a four-part series for the gay and lesbian community coming to public television nationwide in October, and it addresses many of those issues head on. It provides a broadcast schedule and information about the four programs, entitled Out Rage '69, Culture Wars, Hollow Liberty and Generation Q, as well as other information about programs from the Independent Television Service. In addition, you'll find a space to publicly discuss the issues pertinent to our community and a survey to test your Queer Quotient. Feedback is highly valued. For more information contact: Independent Television Service (ITVS) e-mail: itvs@maroon.tc.umn.edu World Wide Web: http://www.itvs.org/ITVS/programs/QofE 2) CWA TAKES ON NEA HISTORY MONTH STAND The Legislative Action Committee of Concerned Women of America has printed pre-addressed letters opposing the National Education Association's designation of October as Gay/Lesbian History Month. The letters are addressed to members of the US Senate. The CWA's letter states that the NEA's "...offensive action is one more step they are taking against what the vast majority of parents and voters in our state believe is best for our children." The letter goes on to request an investigation of every dollar of federal tax money the NEA receives and to suspend all federal funds to the NEA until they rescind their resolution declaring October Gay/Lesbian History month. Excerpts of the CWA's brochure regarding the NEA include the following: "The NEA represents 2.2 million teachers throughout the United States and is a leader in educating our society about sexual orientation. "The NEA has along track record of trying to take over every aspect of education in our country and force the values and morals of the home out of schools. I believe every Christian parent in America will view this official observance of homosexuality as a direct assault on innocent, unsuspecting children. "We must act to ensure the innocence and purity of children we love are not destroyed. "We cannot allow the radical homosexual political agenda to infiltrate American's schools through this NEA resolution." To comment on the NEA's designation of October as Lesbian and Gay History Month or the CWA's position on this resolution contact: National Education Association Keith Geiger, President 1201 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 833-4000 Concerned Women of America Beverly LaHaye, President 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20024 (202) 488-7000 LGBHM ON THE SUBJECT The October Primer, a "how-to" gui de for Lesbian & Gay History Month, is now available from the GLAAD National Field Office. The easy pull-apart design of the Primer is excellent for copying needs and can be useful to groups and individuals for history month event planning. Items covered in the Primer include Media Planning/Relations, Community Projects, Personal Projects, Chronology of Lesbian & Gay Movement, References and more. Personal things you can do as part of Lesbian and Gay History Month: * Write a poem about what it means to be G/L/Bi person * Begin a journal * Take a day to celebrate yourself and who you are * Buy a book about being gay, lesbian or bisexual. Make time to read it * Volunteer at a local gay organization * Come out to someone today * Invite a 'straight' friend to a gay event -- share your world * Thank a local official for their past support * Buy a rainbow flag for your porch or window * Have dinner at a gay/lesbian restaurant * Write a thank you to national and local gaypapers/magazines to express your appreciation of their coverage of our issues * Write a letter to a network that has accurate gay and lesbian representation in their programming * Enjoy October -- It is our month For a copy of the October Primer contact: GLAAD/NFO 1130 SW Morrison, Suite 415 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 224-5285 or fax (503) 224-5480 e-mail: GLAADUSA@aol.com 3) LEGAL MARRIAGE SURVEY ON THE WEB Web browsers can participate in the "Partners Survey of Attitudes Toward Legal Marriage for Lesbian & Gay Couples." The survey was installed on the World Wide Web by Partners Task Force for Gay & Lesbian Couples. Everyone can participate in the survey - whether you are in a relationship or not and whatever your sexual orientation. Over 400 visitors read the contents of the Web site each week and to date more than 100 have participated in the survey. The site is dedicated to the needs of same-sex couples and features a variety of information incl uding Couples Gallery, portraits of committed couples. The nine year old Partners Task Force develops publications and videos promoting the rights of same-sex couples. To learn more about the Task Force contact: Partners Task Force PO Box 9685 Seattle, WA 98109-0685 (206) 935-1206 e-mail: demian@eskimo.com World Wide Web: http://www.eskimo.com/~demian/partners.html Partners Task Force 4) BASKING IN THE SUN On Sunday, September 17th Jackson (TN) Sun editorial page editor, Alan Bauer wrote a most surprising editorial. Bauer suggests that there is "a lot of free money out there" for the taking and that "all it would take is an aggressive state legislature and the dough would start rolling in." He adds a list of what a "few hundred million dollars would buy... lower taxes, a good-size new prison, education funding and TennCare [note: Tennessee's replacement for Medicaid]." Bauer continues, "Since the bulk of the money would be in tourism dollars, local economies would receive a giant bonus." How does Bauer see Tennesseans getting all this money? Simply by legalizing same-sex marriages. That's right, by legalizing same- gender marriage. The editorial refers to Gannett columnist Deb Prices's cite of a study by Jennifer Gerarda Brown of Connecticut's Quinnipac College School of Law. Brown estimates that the first state to legalize same-sex marriage will collect a $4.3 billion in tourism. The figures are based on 3 percent of Americans being gay; gay people would marry at one-third the rate of general population; and gay couples would spend an average of $6000 on their wedding and honeymoon. All numbers are considered to be conservative. Bauer spurs "Tennessee to hurry to cash in. Hawaii, Vermont and New Mexico are all considering legalize same-sex marriages." "... next time a politician pleads poverty or wants to raise taxes ... remind the pol that free money is available. Lots of money. Billions in tourist dollars."Bau er states, "All they have to do is legalize same-sex marriages. Then watch them squirm as their prejudices get in the way of our pocketbooks." Comments can be directed to: Alan Bauer, The Sun PO Box 1059 Jackson, TN 38302 (901) 425-9686 (800) 372-3922 JacksonSun/GLAADNet 5) ON THE SUBJECT, AGAIN GLAAD's "Freedom to Marry" project continues. IMAGES posters depicting same-sex couples and lesbian and gay families are available in three versions: standard poster size, post-card size and 8 1/2" x 11" poster. The "Freedom to Marry" project is a public education campaign sponsored by GLAAD and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. It focuses around the events involving the current Hawaii same-sex marriage case, Baehr v. Lewin. "Freedom to Marry" brochures are also available. For information about the "Freedom to Marry" project, the posters, or the brochures, contact: Cathay Che at GLAAD 150 West 26th Street, Suite 503 New York, NY 10001 (212) 807-17 00 6) OUT OF THE CLASSROOM Anti-gay congressional hearings start October 13, in the House committee on reform and are chaired by Peter Hoekstra (R-MI). They place the Los Angeles school district -- 2nd largest in the nation with the greatest wealth of gay-friendly programs, and every other school system with gay-realistic curricula, directly at risk. We are the number one target of the hearings, according to a letter Reverend Lou Sheldon sent to Traditional Values Coalition. Sheldon wants congress to cut federal funding to all school districts that tolerate sexual diversity. The Gay & Lesbian Education Commission (GLEC) of the Los Angeles Unified School District is working to stir up national awareness of these hearings. The gay community needs to understand the seriousness of the situation. Call the investigating committee at: (202) 225-5074 or write: Hon. Peter Hoekstra Rm 1122, Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Let your representatives in Washington know what you think Patricia Nell Warren Author, "The Front Runner" [Local Ed. Note - Hearings are suspended.] 7) A SPECIAL REPORT The Gay 90's Entertainment Comes Out of the Closet Kudos to Entertainment Weekly for their extraordinary coverage of gay, lesbian and bisexual representations in America's entertainment industry (September 8 issue). The cover collage of 26 gay and lesbian and allied images ranged from David Geffen to The Lion King, from Melissa to k.d.. Twenty plus pages of gay-identified coverage as well as a review of Bruce Cohen's blockbuster, "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" was an unparalleled treat. Storylines dealt with the celluloid closet, internalized homophobia and the lavender revolution. We were reminded of Sal Mineo's performance in Rebel Without a Cause, the1968 opening, off-Broadway, of The Boys in The Band and Lance Lord's 'coming out' on national television in The American Family. Their are profi les of David Geffen, Melissa Ethridge, Clive Barker, Wilson Cruz, and the writing team of David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. Glimpses of Boy George, RuPaul, Dan Butler, Janis Ian, Amanda Bearse, Elton John, Lea DeLaria and ANT. And Quotes from GLAAD's very own Director of Community Outreach, Donald Suggs and Los Angeles Program Coordinator, Robert Nowland. To let Entertainment Weekly know how you feel about this landmark issue, contact: Norman Pearlstine Editor-In-Chief Entertainment Weekly 1675 Broadway New York, NY 10019 e-mail: EW@aol.com World Wide Web: http:/pathfinder.com/ew/ 8) GAYSTREAM ON TV Melrose Place (FOX): much juicier storyline for Matt Fielding The Pursuit of Happiness (NBC): Brad Garret as a lawyer who is gay The Crew (FOX): A gay flight attendant, played by David Burke, is in search of the right man Courthouse (CBS): Its lesbian judge and her lover will kiss GLAAD/NFO (National field Office) 9) IN THE LIFE ANNOUNCES FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL In the Life, lesbian and gay newsmagazine on PBS, announces its first annual In the Life Lesbian and Gay Short Film and Video Festival. Film and video directors are encouraged to submit works on lesbian and gay issues and culture. The Festival will air on In the Life's June 1996 Gay Pride episode. One entry will receive a special jury award which will presented in New York City on May 2, 1996. Criteria will include running time of 30 seconds to 10 minutes, format (16mm, 35mm, beta, 3/4, SVHS or Hi-8), documentary or narrative and not previously broadcast on national television. Material submit must be accompanied with entry form, VHS screening tape and $15 processing fee. For entry form and information send self addressed stamped envelope to: In the Life Short Film Committee 30 West 26th Street, 7th Floor New York, NY 10010 10) GAYSTREAMING IN SALEM PRESS In the September 19th Statesman-Journal (Salem, OR) an article commemorating National Singles Week headline d "For Salem singles going solo is a love/hate way of life", reporter Kay Kusumoto included remarks by a gay man in remarkably unremarkable fashion. Cary Renfro was not identified as a gay man by the reporter. That happened through his own quoted words: "'It was hard finding single men,' he said. "Virtually all the gay men I know in Salem are with somebody...' " This kind of normalized reporting of gays and lesbians as ordinary community members in stories that are not otherwise about lesbians and gay men is a milestone event in most communities. To show support in this reporting contact: Kay Kusumoto Grant Butler, Editor Mike Whitehead, Executive Editor Statesman-Journal PO Box 13009 Salem, OR 97309 (503) 399-6611 fax (503) 399-6706 e-mail: dhughes@salem.gannett.com 11) GLAAD/Salem-Independence (OR) "...WHERE HAVE ALL THE DOLLARS GONE, (Long-Time Lasting, Where Have All The Dollars Gone, Long-Time, Ago...?)" from an advertisement in The New York Times by MOTHERS' VOICES, a non-profit organization working to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic Winning the War on AIDS: How Many Lives Must We Lose? * Korean War - $250 billion spent - 54,000 lives lost * Vietnam War - $350 billion spent - 58,000 lives lost * Gulf War - $28 billion spent - 213 lives lost * AIDS Research - $6 billion spent - 250,000 lives lost 12) KUDOS TO HOTLINE The Medical Information Hotline is a 900 number (900-535-2000) telephone access service offering pre-recorded information and advice on a broad variety of health subjects at $1.95 per minute. The service is provided by Strategic Systems Inc. On the subject of Homosexuality, the 5-minute recording is characterized by this quote: "...homosexuality is a difference, not a disease or a defect." Recent research on biological origins, such as LeVay's brain work and various twin studies are cited. Many of the more offensive stereotypes, such as the homosexual-pedophilia link, are addressed and debunked. Troubled callers are advised, among other options, to call their local gay and lesbian hotline. To express appreciation, call or write: Strategic Systems, Inc. 460 Totten Pond Rd. Waltham, MA 02154 (617) 487-0005 THE GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION FIELD OFFICE 1130 SW MORRISON, #415 (503) 224-5285, FAX (503) 224-5480 GLAADUSA@aol.com Entertainment Media 8455 Beverly Blvd., #305 Los Angeles, CA 90048 (213) 658-6775, FAX (213) 658-6776 GLAADNATL@aol.com News Media 150 West 26th, #503 New York, NY 10001 (212) 807-1700, FAX (212) 807-1806 GLAADNY@aol.com Administrative 1875 Connecticut Ave., #640 Washington, DC 20009 (202) 986-1360, FAX (202) 667-0902 GLAADNATL@aol.com 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000