Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 22:11:04 -0700 From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Subject: GLAADAlert February 11, 1999 GLAADALERT February 11, 1999 The GLAADAlert is the biweekly activation tool of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation 1. Teletubbies Hubabaloo 2. Gay Teen Angst Hits Capside High 3. Winner Takes All 4. Matthew Shepard: His Parents Speak 5. FOX FILES: UPDATE 6. Alert to GLAADAlert Readers Teletubbies Hubabaloo: The Children's Television "Conspiracy" One might have thought that the impeachment trial had ended with all the media scrambling that took place after the Associated Press reported that Jerry Falwell's National Liberty Journal had published ``Parents Alert: Tinky Winky Comes Out of the Closet," alleging that the Teletubby Tinky Winky is intentionally being presented as a gay role model. Outlets local and national scrambled to cover the story and get reaction from LGBT organizations. The "Alert" included such brazenly obvious "gay clues" as: o "He is purple - the gay-pride color" o "his antenna is shaped like a triangle - the gay-pride symbol" o Tinky Winky, who is played by a male with a male voice, carries a red bag described by Falwell as a "purse" o In a Washington Post "editorial" (see below), Ellen DeGeneres is pictured alongside Tinky Winky on a list of "who's in, who's out." (Note: Tinky's "In" not "Out.") Falwell referring to a pop culture "hot list" as an editorial is questionable, if not downright wrong, but then other sources repeat the mistake, not checking the article in question. Among the coverage of Tinky Winky's outing, some highlights were: o ABCNews.com's Interactive Tinky Winky, that let you click on an area of the Teletubby's picture to find out what Falwell objected to about it. o The Washington Post's Hanna Rosin opening her column about the controversy with "Maybe it was the time Tinky Winky gave that 'big hug' to Dipsy. Or maybe it was the time he `fell on his back' if you catch the drift." She also gets a great quote from author Andrew Sullivan involving Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Pinocchio, Boys' Town and Batman and Robin. o MSNBC.com had an unfortunately titled story, "Falwell endorses gay Teletubby story" (as if the story didn't originate with him), and a poll asking "Do you think Tinky Winky was created to promote the homosexual lifestyle?" After an e-mail from GLAAD, the poll changed "homosexual lifestyle to "homosexuality." o Fox News, who's not winning any points with the LGBT community with their Fox Files story on the "gay underworld" (see below for update), titled their coverage "Falwell: The Antichrist May Not Be Jewish, But The Purple Teletubby is Definitely Gay," referring to Falwell's apology last week for a speech in which he stated that the Antichrist was alive, disabled, in his 30s and Jewish. We invite readers to respond in any way they see fit to Rev. Falwell's "outing," remembering of course that it should entirely be Tinky Winky's choice as to if and when he will come out. Look for more breaking news about the controversy on most major news outlets, and minute-by-minute updates on The Cartoon Channel (just kidding.) READ THE STORIES: National Liberty Journal Piece (Falwell's "Parents Alert"): http://www.liberty.edu/chancellor/nlj/feb99/politics2.htm Falwell's comments on the coverage: http://www.falwell.com/jf2/state2.html ABCNews.com Story with Interactive Tinky Winky: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/falwell990210.html Washington Post article by Hanna Rosin http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-02/11/274l-021199-idx.html MSNBC.com story with poll: http://www.msnbc.com:80/news/239986.asp#BODY FOX News story http://www.foxnews.com:80/etcetera/021099/tinkywinky.sml Contact: oNational Liberty Journal, c/o Liberty University, 1971 University Boulevard, Lynchburg VA 24502, lmsipple@liberty.edu, or jerry@falwell.com oABCNews.com: via Internet, http://www.abcnews.go.com/service/abccontact.html, click on "U.S." Under "Content" oRobert G. Kaiser, Managing Editor, Washington Post, 1150 15th Street NW, Washington DC, 20071-002, e-mail via WWW: http://www.washingtonpost.com oColin Hurlock, News Editor, MSNBC.com. One Microsoft Way Building 25, Redmond WA, 98050-8300, fax: 206.703.0415, e-mail: world@MSNBC.com. oJanet Alshouse, News Director, FOX News Channel, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036-8701, fax: 212.301.4229; email: letters@foxnews.com Gay Teen Angst Hits Capside High Teenage questioning sexual orientation is explored at Dawson's Creek's Capside High after series regular Jack McPhee (Kerr Smith) reads a poem that brings his sexual identity into question. After getting advice from title character Dawson (James Van Der Beek), who told him that "writing is about opening up...as chance to offer the world a peek at that very private part of yourself that you otherwise just stifle," Jack is forced to read his poem in front of his entire class after a teacher with a vendetta with Pacey (Joshua Jordan) decided to redirect his anger toward him. As he nervously reads his poem, he reveals that the subject of the poem is masculine, writing, "I see him...The Angel of Perfection...His strong frame...his lips smooth...and I keep thinking what am I scared of...and I wish I could escape the pain...but, these thoughts, they keep invading my head...unto my memory, they're like shackles of guilt." Halfway through it, Jack runs out of the classroom crying. While Capside High continues to speculate, Joey (Katie Holmes) grapples with the thought that her boyfriend might be gay and Andie (Meredith Holmes) avoids her brother in a complete sense of denial. Finally, Joey confronts Jack directly, asking "Are you gay?" But, Jack's response is, "no." At the same time, as the episode closes, they draw in on Jack's face whose expression suggests that he is still hiding something. The previews for next week and www.dawsons-creek.com offer the following for the February 17 follow-up episode, " On Dawson's (James Van Der Beek) advice, Joey (Katie Holmes) attempts to heal the wounds of her new romance with Jack (Kerr Smith) left shattered by rumor and innuendo, but when Jack confronts his innermost secrets, their lives and everyone's close to them will never be the same again." So, tune in next week to find out what happens. At the same time, please thank show creator Kevin Williamson for introducing the subject of questioning sexual orientation on the show. Contact: Kevin Williamson, Creator and Executive Producer, Dawson's Creek, c/o The Warner Brothers Television Network, 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California 91522. Winner Takes All If you're a tennis fan, then you probably already know about French women's tennis star Amelie Mauresmo. After her Australian Open victory over Lindsay Davenport, it's a lot more likely you know her, tennis fan or no. Mauresmo, 19, attended the Open with her girlfriend, and came out in France before stunning both spectators and commentators alike not only with her amazing play, but her openness about her sexual orientation. Sadly, Both Hingis and Davenport chose to comment about Mauresmo during the Open, Hingis stating "She's here with her girlfriend. She's half a man," and Davenport saying "I thought I was playing a guy." Davenport quickly and genuinely apologized. Hingis also said "sorry" to Mauresmo after their final match, but then backpedaled, telling Sports Illustrated "[I] wasn't regretting" what she had said. "Everyone makes her own choices," she continued, "butŠthey are hugging and kissing all the time, and I'm just `OK, there's a limit.'" With this said, the coverage of Mauresmo's victory and previous coming out (according to French LGBT groups, she has been active in her home country) has been quite good, considering the coverage seen during Martina Navratilova's coming out, and Billie Jean King's "galimony" suit. Among the outstanding pieces: o The New York Times wrote a long piece in the Sunday Sports section, exploring Mauresmo's coming out, and the controversy generated by Hingis' and Davenport's comments. The piece, by Christopher Clarey was an excellent illustration of how talking about sexual orientation doesn't have to become a referendum on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. In addition, after Hingis' comments to Sports Illustrated, NYT ran an interview with Billie Jean King, women's tennis legend, who discussed Mauresmo's coming out, and said that Hingis needs to learn from her older counterparts, including her mentor Chris Evert, about these issues. Coming from an experienced source who has, in her own words, "lived this", the article was a perfect counterpart to previous sensationalist surrounding the topic of lesbians in sports. o New York Daily News writer Luke Cyphers, in his article "Tennis Warrior", talks about how Mauresmo, "the hottest tennis star [in France] since Yannick Noah," may well show that being out isn't a death sentence for the lucrative endorsements that many sports stars sign. He examines the growing numbers of fans flocking to Web sites, and conjectures that the U.S. Open may become a mini Dinah Shore weekend, a popular lesbian destination which occurs during a golf tournament. o The aforementioned Sports Illustrated article, which talked about Mauresmo's orientation, but as any good sports magazine should, spent a lot of space on her game. READ THE STORIES: New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/ Search for "Amelie Mauresmo" ("Runner-Up's Revelations Tests The Tennis Waters," "King Says Hingis Needs A Talking To") New York Daily News: http://www.mostnewyork.com:80/1999-02-07/Metro_Spotrs/Other_Sports/a-18866.a sp ("Tennis Warrior") Sports Illustrated: (article not available online.) Contact: oNeil Amdur, Editor, Sports Section, New York Times, 229 West 43rd Street. New York NY 10036-3959; fax: 212.556.5848, letters@nytimes.com oArthur Browne, Managing Editor, New York Daily News, 450 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001-2681, fax: 212.643.7832, e-mail: editors@nydailynews.com oBill Cohen, Managing Editor, Sports Illustrated, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020-1300: fax: 212 522 4543 letters*si@cis.compuserve.com Matthew Shepard: His Parents Speak Judy and Dennis Shepard, parents of Matthew Shepard, recently spoke for the first time in the press about their son, his murder, and the aftermath. They appeared on Dateline NBC on Friday, January 29, in an interview with Katie Couric. The Shepards, dignified and soft-spoken, talked about their son with love and sorrow in a deeply moving and respectful way. Unfortunately, the story itself was marred by poor writing, talking about how Laramie was no place "to live a gay lifestyle," and how Matthew, while at the University of Wyoming, was not one "to flaunt his sexuality." But this did not detract from the honest, straightforward way in which the Shepards spoke about their son. The March issue of Vanity Fair magazine features a long piece on Matthew Shepard and the events and people surrounding his murder. Entitled "The Crucifixion of Matthew Shepard," writer Melanie Thernstrom talks to Shepard's parents, people who were Matthew's friends, those who were friends with his alleged assailants, and the residents of Laramie. Thernstrom has done an enormous amount of personal research, and it is obvious she spent a significant amount of time in the place where Matthew lived and died. There are choices that many may argue with: Thernstrom's discussion of Matthew's depression, his health and HIV status; and there are those who would say that these are as relevant as the facts of his murder, making him human and whole instead of a one-dimensional martyr. GLAAD learned through a spokesperson that the Shepards have been upset at the response to their appearance on Dateline NBC, when they learned that some members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community felt that they weren't "supportive" enough of their son. How can anyone know what they have gone through, and how can anyone question their love? The Shepards are starting a foundation to do work in the area of human rights: one of these areas will indeed be for lesbian and gay rights. Their willingness to speak about Matthew, and to begin to try and further the work he had sought to do in the future is nothing but supportive. We can only hope that the community can continue to do that work as well, in the many ways and venues there are to do it in. Please contact Dateline NBC and Vanity Fair, and tell them what you thought of their pieces on Matthew Shepard's life and family. Contact: oSharon Scott, Supervising Producer, Dateline NBC, 20 Rockefeller Center #408, New York NY 10112-0002, fax: 545.664.7864, dateline@news.nbc.com oChris Garret, Managing Editor, Vanity Fair, 350 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10014-3704, fax: 212-880-6707 FOX FILES: UPDATE While Fox has still refused to meet with GLAAD regarding the Fox Files segment "Undercover in the Night" (see GLAADAlert 1/27/99), they have issued a statement of sorts online. To read it, go to: http://www.foxnews.com/foxfiles/notice.sml Unfortunately, the statement does nothing but obfuscate, and continue to deny GLAAD to opportunity to discuss the problematic, sensationalistic and ultimately defamatory nature of the story. Please write to Roger Ailes and urge him to hear the community's concerns about their story. Contact: Roger Ailes, Chief Executive Officer, FNC/Fox News Channel, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York NY 10036, VOICE phone (212) 301-8224; fax phone (212) 301-4229; e-mail: comments @foxnews.com; http://www.foxnews.com/foxfiles/ Alert to GLAADAlert Readers February is sweeps month, which means television stations all over the country run programming to garner higher ratings (as their advertising rates will be determined by these November numbers.) A frequent means of getting viewers is to run sensational stories on local news shows, and as evidenced in previous ratings periods, one favorite topic is "public sex." Stations may send undercover reporters with hidden cameras into bathrooms or parks in an attempt to boost their ratings. GLAAD asks that you watch your local area news for segments like this. If you know of one in advance, please attempt to tape it, so that we at GLAAD can review it. You can always report stories to us via our toll-free Alert Line, 1-800-GAY-MEDIA, or via e-mail at glaad@glaad.org. You can also use our web site's Online Alertline by pointing your browser to http://www.glaad.org. Thank you for doing your part to help fight defamation in the media.-The Editor. The GLAADAlert is the biweekly activation tool of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. GLAAD promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation in the media as a means of challenging homophobia and all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. Contact GLAAD by e-mail at glaad@glaad.org or by phone at 213.658.6775 (LA), 212.807.1700 (NY), 415.861.2244 (SF), 202.986.1360 (DC), 404.876.1398 (Atlanta) and 816.756.5991 (Kansas City) Feel free to pass GLAADAlert on to friends, family and associates! Report defamation in the media by calling GLAAD's Toll-Free AlertLine! 1-800-GAY-MEDIA (1-800-429-6334) Visit GLAAD Online at http://www.glaad.org "GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are registered trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc. GLAADAlert may be freely distributed and reprinted in all forms of media under the condition that any text used carry the full attribution of "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) glaad@glaad.org TO REPORT DEFAMATION IN THE MEDIA - Call GLAAD's Alertline at 1.800.GAY.MEDIA or go to the GLAAD Web Site at www.glaad.org and report through our Alertline Online. TO JOIN GLAAD AND RECEIVE GLAAD's QUARTERLY IMAGES MAGAZINE, call 1.800.GAY.MEDIA or join on the Web today at www.glaad.org/glaad/join/join-about.html TO SUBSCRIBE TO GLAAD-Net, GLAAD's electronic mailing list, send e-mail to majordomo@vector.casti.com with the message "Subscribe GLAAD-Net" TO UNSUBSCRIBE, send e-mail to majordomo@vector.casti.com with the message "Unsubscribe GLAAD-Net" 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 challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are registered trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc.