Date: Tue, 17 Sep 1996 16:15:19 -0700
From: glaad@glaad.org (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
Subject: SPECIAL ONLINE GLAADALERT -- LET "ELLEN" OUT OF THE CLOSET!

SPECIAL ONLINE GLAADALERT -- LET "ELLEN" OUT OF THE CLOSET!

Encourage Touchstone and Buena Vista Television on Out-of-the-Closet Storyline

According to the September 28 TV Guide, Ellen Degeneres' title character on
her hit ABC sitcom "Ellen" will make television history this season by
announcing that she's a lesbian. This would be first time in a network
sitcom that a lead character would be openly lesbian or gay.
Unfortunately, a barrage of negative comments and a threat by radical
religious groups to boycott the show have errupted at www.tvplex.com, the
Web site for Touchstone and Buena Vista Television. Let Touchstone know
that this groundbreaking move has your full support. Additionally, assure
Touchstone that the lesbian and gay community has a long history of loyalty
to advertisers who support the lesbian and gay community.

The producers of the show, including Ellen herself, reportedly plan for the
coming out to be a gradual process over the first nine episodes of the
season. Alan Klein, GLAAD's National Communications Director, said that
this positive
and courageous coming out process "reflects Hollywood's commitment to
diversity. This would be a major cultural milestone." Don't let
small-minded bigots and homophobes decide what you can see on TV. Your
prompt reponse is critical!

Contact:  Dean Valentine, President of Network TV and Television Animation,
Walt Disney and Touchstone Television, 500 South Buena Vista Street,
Burbank, California 91521-0001, phone: 818.560.5000

or go to Touchstone TV's comment page on the World Wide Web at
http://www.tvplex.com/Note.

Finally, copy your comments to ABC Television at abccaudr@ccabc.com.

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Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
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challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
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