Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 11:46:02 +0100
From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD)
Subject: GLAAD COMMENDS "SISTERS" STORY WITH TG CHARACTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact:  Tamra King
          (213) 658-6775

GLAAD COMMENDS "SISTERS" FOR
STORYLINE FEATURING TRANSGENDER CHARACTER

LOS ANGELES -- January 26, 1995 -- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance
AgainstDefamation (GLAAD) would like to commend the producers of "Sisters"
for a storyline that involves a transgender character by the name of
Chardonnay LeBlanc (K. Todd Freeman).  The storyline, which began last
Saturday, begins with Reed Halsey Philby (Noelle Parker) having to do
community service in an AIDS hospice.  While volunteering, she befriends
LeBlanc, an African American drag queen.

In the episode that airs this Saturday on NBC at 10:00 p.m. in most major
markets, LeBlanc and Reed realize that, while very different, they have
many things in common.  Reed introduces LeBlanc to her Aunt Teddy (Sela
Ward) who is LeBlanc's favorite designer.  LeBlanc tells her that he wants
to be burried in one of her dresses.  Reed then learns an important lesson
about mortality.

"'Sisters' has a great track record with gay themes," says Tamra King,
GLAAD's Entertainment Media Director, "The character of Norma Lear, played
by Nora Dunn, is one of the most well rounded lesbian characters on network
television.  We are happy to see they are continuing in their spirit of
inclusion with the transgender character Chardonnay LeBlanc."  "Sisters"
garnered a GLAAD Media Award in 1994 for Outstanding Dramatic Series.

"They treat the character very respectfully," continues King, "and the
episode illustrates that even though two people are very different, they
can reach a common understanding and care for each other."

GLAAD is a national organization that promotes fair, accurate and inclusive
representation of individuals and events as a means of challenging
discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.

GLAAD encourages viewers to watch Saturday's episode entitled "Imposters"
and write letters of support to:

                        Ron Cowen
                        Daniel Lipman
                        300 Television Plaza
                        Building 136
                        Room 105
                        Burbank, California 91505

and also write:

                        Warren Littlefield
                        President
                        NBC
                        3000 West Alameda Avenue
                        Burbank, California 91523
                        e-mail: entertainment@nbc.com or nbcshows@msn.com

##

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Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
glaad@glaad.org
http://www.glaad.org

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD, is a national
organization that promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation of
individuals and events in the media as a means of combatting homophobia and
all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
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