Date: Tue, 16 Aug 94 23:38:22 PDT From: wasmith@eis.calstate.edu (Waugh Smith) Index Rush Limbaugh and Disney Rush and the Florida Citrus Commission Rush and Snapple and National Organization for Women Rush and FAIR Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting Rush and PTTV Paper Tiger Television "Flush Rush" Hate Becomes Legitimate Merger of the GLAAD Chapters - Dean Hansell Out of Cobb Randal Terry - Operation Rescue PBS - Irvin Duggan - Is This Guy Serious? Century Cable and Pat Robertson - Down Your Throat "Desperate Remedies" "La Scorta" "Straight from the Heart" "Judge For Yourself" KCAL-TV Cervantes - La Opinion Bashes Gay Games In Part two: El Paso Times - Wedding Announcements L.A. Times - "The Right to Have a Job" Melissa Etheridge Benetton Pacific Bell Solicits Same Sex Couples American Airlines cuts "Four Weddings" VISA Under Attack by Pat Robertson James Dobson and Mel White Pete Wilson goes to Paul Cameron for Advice! Helms Postal: Say "Bisexual," not "confused!" GLAAD/LA Exec Director Lee Werbel GLAAD/LA General Meeting - Tammy Bruce - The Talk Shows Peter Nardi's book: "Growing Up Before Stonewall" Lambda Legal and Jehan Agrama "Celluloid Closet" the documentary "For Better or For Worse" in Lynn Johnston's book: "There Goes My Baby" NGLJA National Gay & Lesbian Journalists Association "We Ain't Got No Homosexuals" Racefile Frameline Right Wing Initiatives in Communities of Color American Family Association - Porn Addiction The Porno Section GLAAD welcomes Hot Tips GLAAD/LA Reports - September 1994 Issue Carl Matthes, Editor (213) 254-2726 - FAX (213) 257-5878 Film & Television The Lyin' King Moving Multimedia Entertainment, a prominent television syndicator, announced that its "Rush Limbaugh Show" is jumping from KCOP-TV to Disney-owned KCAL-TV on Sept. 12. According to a report in the July 15, 1994 Daily Variety, KCAL program director Michael Binkow said the series "should be attractive to sponsors because it is an `appointment show' that has done respectable numbers at 3 p.m. against KABC-TV powerhouse `Oprah Winfrey.'" GLAAD/LA Board Member Garrett Hicks, who is also co-chair of Lesbian and Gay United Employees (LEAGUE), a group of more than 115 Disney employees in the Los Angeles area, has written Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, protesting any Disney connection to the hate-mongering Limbaugh. Said Hicks, "Limbaugh has failed to prove himself a conscientious, informed commentator; his diatribes laced with hate and ridicule - aimed at targets like gay people, feminists and environmentalists - serve only to spur greater intolerance and prejudice." Hicks also reminded Katzenberg that KCAL-TV aired the virulently anti-gay "The Gay Agenda" (GLAAD/LA Reports May '94) in March suggesting that "...this decision marks a disturbing trend of disregard at a Disney business site, a disregard out of character with The Company's valued record of diversity and tolerance." Apprise KCAL-TV and the Walt Disney Company of your feelings regarding this decision, contact: Mr. Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-1070; Multimedia Entertainment, 11755 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; David Woodcock, General Manager, KCAL-TV, 5515 Melrose Blvd., Los Angeles 90038, cc Michael Binkow, KCAL-TV Program Director, same address; cc Garrett Hicks & Tina Shafer, Co-Chairs, LEAGUE, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-5209. Rush Joins Anita Rush Limbaugh won't be representing The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) after mid-August. Instead, he will be joining Anita Bryant in the dust bin of celebrity citrus promoters. The FCC is moving to "another advertising phase," one that does not utilize the services of celebrities, according to Daniel Santangelo, executive director of the Citrus Department in Lakeland, FL. Incredibly, Citrus commissioners said the decision had nothing to do with protests from the lesbian/gay community or groups like the National Organization for Women (NOW). Kim Gandy, a NOW spokesperson in Washington, D.C. said, "It means our campaign has been successul. We're glad that they're not going to use tax money to support bigotry." Ron Calfee, founder of the "Unofficial Rush Limbaugh Appreciation Society" in Orlando, FL, bravely postured, "They've fulfilled the contract. It doesn't appear that they've yielded to the pressure of the leftist groups." Your comments may be sent to: Florida Citrus Commission, P.O. Box 148, Lakeland, FL 330802-0148; FAX (813) 499-2374. Snapple Receives Ultimatum In Feb. '94, Snapple Beverage Corp. received a letter from Tammy Bruce, President of National Organization of Women (NOW), Los Angeles regarding its sponsorship of "The Rush Limbaugh Show." Ms. Bruce declared, "Our organization is opposed to Mr. Limbaugh not because he is `conservative' but (because of) his misogyny and homophobia." Ms. Lisa M. Ballas, Snapple Marketing Director, responded Mar. 31 writing, "First, (the advertising) purchase is made based on recommendations of our advertising agency...Second, Snapple does not support or even agree with the views of Mr. Limbaugh...Third, Snapple does not contribute money to Mr. Limbaugh..." Ms. Ballas then listed 12 organizations which receive financial support from Snapple, ending her letter with, "If there is a particular group you think Snapple should consider assisting, please let us know." On Aug. 4 Ms. Bruce responded "The sponsorship of `The Rush Limbaugh Show,' regardless of your statement...that you do not agree with Limbaugh's views, sends quite the opposite message...your advertising dollars do contribute directly to the spreading of misogynistic, homophobic and hate-based messages...We are also not impressed with your attempt to justify Snapple's support of a hate-monger by sending us a list of the progressive groups you support...(the groups) would have a much easier time if it were not for the likes of Rush Limbaugh...In your request for us to suggest to you another `group you think Snapple should consider assisting, please let us know,' seems to be nothing short of a suggestion that you can buy Los Angeles NOW's silence. "We will expect to hear from you no later than Aug. 22 with a reply. Preferably, you will be letting us know that Snapple does care about the messages it helps support...If we don't hear from you...we will proceed accordingly." Snapple has become one of the most popular beverages in the burgeoning, non-carbonated soft drink market. Help educate them to the realities of the damages done by a slick, amoral opportunist whose mouth knows no boundaries. Your comments to: Ms. Lisa M. Ballas, Marketing Coordinator, Snapple Beverage Corp., P.O. Box 9400, East Meadow, New York 11554-9400; FAX (516) 872-4874; Tammy Bruce, NOW, 8909 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 112, Beverly Hills, CA 90211; (310) 657-8576. "Reign of Error" The July/August '94 issue of EXTRA, the magazine of the media watch dog group FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting), carries a nine-page study of the inaccuracies mouthed by TV and radio personality Rush Limbaugh. Entitled "Reign of Error," the report "clearly demonstrates Limbaugh's ignorance and/or dishonesty on a variety of issues. From AIDS to ozone, from Whitewater to the Bible, Limbaugh seems to be able to dissemble and disinform on virtually any subject." EXTRA presented Limbaugh's error-filled monologues as "Limbaugh vs Reality," including such Limbaughesque statements as praising United States Senator Strom Thurmond for calling a gay soldier "not normal": "He's not encumbered by being politically correct...If you want to know what America used to be - and a lot of people wish it still were - then you listen to Strom Thurmond." The reality is, "In the America that `used to be,' Strom Thurmond was one of the country's strongest voices for racism, running for President in 1948 on the slogan, `Segregation Forever.'" Says Limbaugh, "Women were doing quite well in this country before feminism came along." The reality: "Before feminism, women couldn't even vote." Limbaugh on President Clinton, "Never trust a draft dodger." Reality comes from the Minneapolis Star Tribune showing that "Although a supporter of the Vietnam War, Limbaugh used a minor physical impairment to avoid the draft." Also included in the report were statements such as "When a gay person turns his back on you, it is anything but an insult; it's an invitation." (Quoted in Flush Rush Quarterly, Summer/94). And, in the same publication, "Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream." (It should come as no surprise that even Limbaugh's mother refers to her son as "the mouth.") FAIR has challenged Rush to a debate on "his credibility in a forum of his choice." However, anyone familiar with Limbaugh's style and agenda would be surprised if such a challenge was accepted. Your own comments may be sent to: FAIR, 130 W. 25 Street, New York 10001; FAX (212) 72-7668; Flush Rush Quarterly, P.O. Box 270525, San Diego, CA 92198; Rush Limbaugh, c/o Multimedia Entertainment, 11755 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles More Tracking of Rush Paper Tiger Television (PTTV) has announced the release of a new video, "PTTV Flushes Rush: A Look at the Right Wing's Court Jester.' Using historical analysis of past media demagogues and an economic analysis of the role played by media owners, PTTV "puts the Rush phenomenon in proper perspective." For more information, contact PPTV-West, P.O. Box 411271, S.F., CA 94141-1271. "Flush Rush" Brian Keliher, editor of the Flush Rush Quarterly, has produced a 67 page book, with illustrations, chronicling the hate mongering and "idiotsyncrasies" of Rush Limbaugh. The book is called "Flush Rush." For information: Ten Speed Press, P.O. Box 7123, Berkeley, CA 94707; (800) 841-2665. Hate Becomes Legitimate Limbaugh's skewed facts take on an aura of legitimacy when the media includes him as an "expert" or commentator within the framework of a legitimate news format. (Gay men and lesbians are no strangers to this type of illogical and unfair presentation. For years our issues have been attacked by professional homophobic "experts," twisting Christian teachings into hate and stifling scientific studies and information with ignorance and fear. With our issues, as with racism and religious intolerance, there is no "other side.") But Limbaugh is being taken seriously by "serious" media according to FAIR; hate is becoming legitimate. On "ABC Viewpoint" April 19 '94, Ted Koppel's special on rumors surrounding the Whitewater investigation, Limbaugh appeared as an "expert." (That's bringing in the fox to watch the chicken coop.) Limbaugh, in fact, was the person responsible for repeating rumors that Vince Foster was murdered. On "Viewpoint" he denied he did this. And worse, both Ted Koppel and Jeff Greenfield let Limbaugh off the hook about spreading this baseless rumor - gleaned from an "insiders' newsletter" - and broadcast to "his radio audience of millions," while adding his own new inaccuracies. Great interviewing techniques, Ted and Jeff. Rush has appeared as an "expert" on "Charlie Rose" and "Meet the Press." The New York Times and Newsweek have published his writing. Steven Roberts of U.S. News & World Report declared, "The information Limbaugh provides is generally accurate." National Review declared him "Leader of the Opposition." Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas says he tapes Limbaugh's radio show and listens to it as he works out! Our work hasn't even started! President's Column by Dean Hansell The process of successfully creating a strong national lesbian and gay cultural advocacy organization from the merger of GLAAD/LA and GLAAD/NY will require quite a bit of work, imagination and selflessness from all of us. This process is compounded by the lack of role models. Although there are plenty of mergers within the for-profit world (none of which have been easy to accomplish), the GLAAD/LA-GLAAD/NY merger is unique at least in the lesbian and gay world and perhaps in the not-for-profit world. What the two chapters are attempting to do is to strike a balance between an organization that is national in scope and perspective yet sufficiently locally based to keep Angelenos and New Yorkers involved. We are attempting to strike this balance in the following ways: A national board of directors will meet quarterly consisting of eight representatives from Los Angeles, eight from New York, two from San Francisco Bay Area, one from each of the other GLAAD chapters and several at-large positions. This group, plus an exciting committee which will meet more often, will act on policy, personnel, handle fund raising and coordinate the GLAAD Media Awards. There will be two headquarters, one in Los Angeles and one in New York with an Executive Director who will split time between the two offices. Los Angeles and New York-based councils will take on much of the programmatic work. GLAAD/LA's current program activities such as the Monitor/Response Committee, Community Out Reach, newsletter, Speaker's Bureau, monthly membership forum and hot line, for example, will be committees that will report through the local council. In a sense this will enable us to recapture one of the strengths we had as a younger organization of being able to identify and react very quickly to an event. In order to build something stronger it is often necessary to destroy what exists. The leaders and boards of GLAAD/LA and GLAAD/NY, if motivated by creating local fiefdoms and jealousies, could have decided not to go forward with the merger process. Instead, motivated by the desire to create a powerful organization that is truly national in scope, both groups have given up their own interests for the sake of the goals that drew us all to work with GLAAD in the first place. As we proceed with the merger there will inevitably be some missteps. We will all have to patiently and painstakingly remember the prize that lies ahead as we recover from each stumble. We will then emerge a stonger, more united, organization. They're Out of Cobb After months of public debate over an anti-gay/lesbian resolution passed last August by the Cobb County Commission, the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) has pulled the 1996 volleyball competition out of Cobb. "It's a victory for everyone who believes in human rights, not just gay men and lesbians," said Jon-Ivan Weaver, the organizer of Olympics Out of Cobb (OOC), a coalition of activists. Former Olympic diving gold-medalist Greg Louganis, had urged ACOG to switch to another venue while OOC had threatened to demonstrate during the Games if volleyball stayed in Cobb. GLAAD has alerted its members to halt their demands that Coca-Cola Co., a longtime Olympic sponsor, publicly oppose the Cobb County site. Quotable Twisted Quote... From demagogue Randal Terry, head of the reactionary Operation Rescue, on his group's agenda, "I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over you...I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over you. Yes, hate is good...Our goal is a Christian nation. We have a biblical duty, we are called by God, to conquer this country. We don't want equal time. We don't want pluralism." (The News-Sentinal, Fort Wayne Ind., August 16, 1993) Film & Television And This Guy is Serious? In his first news conference since becoming president of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), Ervin Duggan insisted that gay novelist Armistead Maupin "should be sending us letters of thanks" for broadcasting "Tales of the City" instead of criticizing Duggan's refusal to produce a sequel to the popular and critically-acclaimed series. Shortly after Duggan took over, PBS reneged on a promise to produce the sequel to "Tales." That broken promise has been widely attributed to pressure from homophobic, censorious organizations. "We are the people who have written the word `courage' across the (television) screen," Duggan said in response to a series of questions about PBS' swerve towards conservative programming. At the press conference, Duggan admitted that he has received at least 2,000 letters encouraging PBS to go forward with a sequel to "Tales." However, Duggan dismissed those letters as a "coercion" effort orchestrated by Armistead Maupin. Broadcast your outrage to: Ervin Duggan, President, PBS, 1320 Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22314-1698, tel. 703-739-5000 or 800-356-2626. Down Your Throat Century Cable now offers "Century Select Plus," a grouping of cable shows offered as a package at one set price. And guess what will be rammed down viewer's throats as they opt for this package which includes "The Cartoon Network," the "Sci-Fi Channel," "Galavision," "The Nashville Network" and "Turner Classic Movies." Well, it's "The Family Channel," home of the homophobic Pat Robertson's "The 700 Club" (weeknights at 10:00pm). That the buyers and programmers at Century Cable would want "family fare" on "The Family Channel" is reasonable. However, they need to be made aware that the Robertson propaganda machine is working overtime to produce a slick, twisted view of today's events - "The 700 Club" - inclusive of his theocratic view of America and his rabid fear of homosexuals. Contact Century Cable and suggest to them that "The Family Channel" not be offered along with legitimate cable channels as part of "Century Select Plus," but rather it be offered - if at all - as a separate purchase where it must stand or fall on its own merits. Contact: Maggie Belville, Regional Vice President, (310) 828-2111; Manuel Martinez, General Manager, Century Cable, 4344 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles 90041; Century Cable: Pacific Palisades, West Los Angeles (310) 453-2233; Santa Monica (310) 828-2111; Eagle Rock, Mt. Washington, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz: (213) 258-8500; San Fernando Valley (818) 374-1230, (213) 873-2522. "Desperate Remedies" Miramax has found a New Zealand gem, "Desperate Remedies." The film, which is about a woman that will do just about anything to free her naive sister from the clutches of her opportunistic lover, features a high camp Victorian style and a storyline that on the surface seems to be about the attraction between the male and female characters. The movie should definitely win prizes for most passionate female to female love scene, and best line. When the two women must end their kissing session because someone approaches, one asks "Why can't the world just leave us alone?" Her lover's reply, as their embrace lessens, "Then the world would be turned upside down and we would be walking on stars." Your comments to: Cynthia Schwartz or Marsha Grenada, Miramax Publicity Department, 375 Greenwich St., New York 10013. "La Scorta (The Escort)" Sidney Lumet's Italian import "La Scorta" presents a story of a group of police officers who risk their lives to safely escort a prosecutor to and from work. Featured is the small role of an informant who happens to be gay. Unfortunately, this gay character is portrayed as sneaky, devious, lacking in morals and one who is easily intimidated. Your comments to: Sidney Lumet, ICM, c/o Jeff Berg, 8942 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211. "Straight from the Heart" Lesbian activist Dee Mosbacher, in conjunction with Frances Reid, is the producer of "Straight from the Heart," the latest entry in the video wars fostered by the right wing's propaganda piece, "The Gay Agenda." "Straight" profiles parents who have come to a new understanding of their gay and lesbian children and now "courageously wish to share their stories." Mosbacher was thrust into the national limelight during the 1992 Presidential campaign of George Bush. Her father, Robert Mosbacher, former Secretary of Commerce, was the campaign's chief fund rasier. For additional information on obtaining the video, contact: Woman Vision, 3145 Geary Blvd., Box 421, San Francisco, CA 94118. "Judge for Yourself" Veronica Davis, former GLAAD/LA Board Member, has taken the position of Researcher on the new TV talk show "Judge for Yourself." The show, produced by Disney, is hosted by KFI radio attorney, Bill Handel. The show employs court elements and will air this fall on KCAL-TV. Congratulations, Veronica. Radio and Print Cervantez, No Laughing Matter Rigoberto Cervantez is not a household name. But he's evidently trying. Writing in La Opinion on June 23, Mr. Cervantez was supposed to be on assignment in New York covering the soccer World Cup. But he couldn't keep his mind on business. Seems Mr. Cervantez was distracted by some or all of the 11,000 athletes from 43 countries who were also in New York participating in Gay Games IV. So fearful of the World Cup being upstaged by Gay Games IV, Mr. Cervantez mocked both the Games and the participating athletes, "...little homosexuals - not to call them something worse..." And, in an attempt at humor, as regarding gays and lesbians playing soccer, "...the only thing we need..." Lee Werbel, GLAAD/LA's Executive Director, issued a press release stating, "Daily newspapers are one of America's most pervasive and influential modes of expression and communication. It is critical that they reflect non-biased, concise and accurate information pertaining to all people of America: black, latino, white, old, young, lesbian, gay and heterosexual." Your own attempts at humor as regarding "the only thing we need" is another bigoted homophobe, may be directed to: Monica Lozano, Editor, La Opinion, 411 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013; FAX (213) 896-2177. Leading the Way in El Paso What some have called "a huge victory for queer equality and inclusion in the mainstream media," the El Paso Times, a member of the Gannett Group, has begun including same-sex couples alongside heterosexuals in their wedding announcements. The Times is believed to be one of only a handful of daily papers in the nation to do so. Supportive calls and letters are urgently needed to help offset negative reactions to their new non-discriminatory policy. Contact: Dionicio "Don" Flores, Publisher & Editor. Outside of El Paso County, Texas: (800) 351-6007, ext. 6420; El Paso Times, P.O. Box 20, El Paso, TX 79999; FAX (915) 546-6415. "The Right to Have a Job" The July 7th edition of the L.A. Times included a superb editorial on the need for employment protection based on sexual orientation. The article notes the lack of legal recourse for gay men and lesbians in 42 of the 50 states. The author then brings us to the current Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which comes before Congress this Sept. The bill, which provides gay men and lesbians employment protection (no spousal benefits for same-sex couples) has 32 sponsors in the Senate and 107 in the House of Representatives. Realizing that people should be judged according to their job performance, the Times endorses the swift approval of this "modest and reasonable" measure. Let the Times know how you feel by contacting: Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Shelby Coffey III, Times-Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053; (213) 237-7679. Update on "Live and Let Live" Los Angeles area radio stations were invited to take part in a weekend program called "Live and Let Live...Celebrating the Silver Anniversary of the Gay & Lesbian Civil Rights Movement," on June 24 - 26, 1994. A GLAAD/LA radio-play package was delivered to each of the stations, offering them a PSA by Grammy Award winning lesbian singer Melissa Etheridge, a block of songs and a playlist of gay and lesbian musicians/bands and g/l positive songs and a suggestion to invite discussion about g/l issues. Response was positive from KIIS, KFWB, KROQ, KNX and KPFK. PSAs were played, or PSA text was read) on KFWB, KRLA and KIIS. Our thanks to Melissa Etheridge, her publicists and record company for their cooperation and for the recording the PSAs under a tight deadline. Project coordinator Lynn Harris Ballen also thanks members of the Monitor/Response Committee and GLAAD/LA volunteers Richard Rachlin (who had the germ of the idea!), Bob LaFont, Jeff Kurtti, Jim Talbot, Paul Drooks and David Zakon. Advertising Benetton Charges Ahead United Colors of Benetton, an international clothier, continues its public HIV/AIDS awareness campaign with the release of two new ads and "Colors," a magazine providing HIV prevention information in a format specifically designed for youth. One of the ads, done in World Cup fashion - featuring two soccer balls inside a condom (see picture) - was mounted on a billboard in Los Angeles on Sunset Blvd. near Olive. The other ad depicts former President Ronald Reagan with facial lesions as a result of KS (Karposi's Sarcoma), a skin cancer, and was distributed as "fly" posters in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. "Colors" may be obtained at any Benetton outlet, while your comments may be sent to: Peter Fressola, Director of Communications, Benetton Services Corp., 55 E. 59th St., 24th Floor, New York 10022. Please copy GLAAD/LA, 8455 Beverly Blvd., Suite 305, Los Angeles 90048, on any comments, ATTN.: Advertising. An Inclusive "A second is all it takes..." Pacific Bell (PB) has launched an "additional phone campaign" entitled "A second is all it takes to solve your phone call overload." According to the mailed printed announcement, which features two pictures of same-sex couples, second lines for the home are being offered with special savings. And adding even more weight to the inclusion of gay men and lesbians is a line in the text where PB states, "If you want to be well connected to friends, customers or your partner, a second line is the answer." Your comments may be telephoned to PB at (800) 521-2700, or write: John Garza, Advertising Manager of Marketing and Communications, Pacific Bell, 2400 Camino Ramon, Room 4-S-750-R, San Ramon, CA 94583. An unkind cut... American Airlines, What Happened? The highly successful British film, "Four Weddings and a Funeral," was remarkable for its inclusion of a highly visible gay couple and use of the word "lesbian" in a spontaneous witty moment. However, travelers on American Airlines (AA) from New York to San Francisco, where "Four" was offered as the in-flight movie, found that censors had edited out the scene where one wedding guest nonchalantly asks Kristin Scott Thomas, one of the stars of the picture, "Are you a lesbian?," when learning she was not yet married. A letter to Jan Ferguson, Manager, Consumer Relations at AA, brought this reply from Ms. R.A. Bishop, Staff Assistant, Executive Office: "It has always been our goal to make traveling on American pleasant and enjoyable for all our customers. I regret you object to the way the movie was edited. We take care to select films that are appropriate for our customers. Nevertheless, there may be an occasional scene that is distasteful to some of our viewers. It was never our intention to offend you but simply provide entertainment. I regret your disappointment and assure you I have shared your objections with the proper manager. "Please do not let this situation tarnish your image of American." Please send your own untarnished observations about this edit to: Jan Ferguson, Manager, Consumer Relations, American Airlines, P.O. Box 619612, Mail Drop 2400, DFW Airport, TX 75261-9612. Visa Under Attack Hate monger and media mogul Pat Robertson recently issued a nation-wide call to the 1 million members of his "Christian Coalition" cult, demanding they protest Visa's support for Gay Games IV. Visa made a corporate donation of $10,000 to the Games and the credit card service is now getting hundreds of negative calls from Robertson's troops. To counter this pressure, call (800) 336-3386. (To make sure your message gets recorded properly, ask to speak to a supervisor.) Trying to Reach Dobson One of the most organized right wing hate groups is Focus on the Family run by Dr. James Dobson. Headquartered in Colorado Spings, CO, Focus runs seminars across the country to involve fundamentalists in the political process. A group called "Ground Zero" raised funds during the Colorado Springs Gay and Lesbian Pridefest in mid-July to pay for a full page ad in the Colorado Springs Post Gazette appealing to Dr. Dobson to stop his campaign of hate and bigotry. The ad took the form of an open letter written by the Reverend Mel White of the Cathederal of Hope MCC in Dallas, TX. The following is the final paragraph of that open letter: "Come to the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas. Meet thousands of lesbian and gay Christians who live together in loving, long-term monogamous relationships, who parent children with skill and understanding, who are doctors, lawyers, university presidents, secretaries, nurses, pastors, priests, and hairdressers, who serve their nation in all branches of the military with honor, who are living with HIV/AIDS with courage and Christian grace. Ask your friends and employees who are gay, to come out of their closets and tell you the suffering your rhetoric causes them. Jim, whether you agree with homosexuality or not, we lesbian and gay Christians exist. In the name of Jesus, we ask you to stop your anti-gay rhetoric. Your words and political actions are killing us." Sincerely, Mel White Your comments to: James Dobson, Focus on the Family, 8605 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920; Reverend Mel White, Cathederal of Hope MCC, P.O. Box 35466, Dallas, TX 75235; Ground Zero, P.O. Box 1982, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901. More Dobson... Focus on the Family president James Dobson has recorded a 90-second radio spot espousing the challenges of the modern family. It now airs on KNX 1070 AM radio three times per day, Monday through Friday. Contact KNX news director Bob Sims and let him know that hate is not a family value. Bob Sims, (213) 460-3341; George Nicholaw, Vice President, 6121 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028. Quotable Quote... From ultra-homophobe Paul Cameron's latest Family Research Institute (FRI) newsletter, "We've been busy since last you heard from us. Gov. Wilson's office called for help on the gay marriage issue. The California Governor's office asked FRI for research and theory against homosexual marriage." GLAAD News Helms on the Attack During late July and early August, U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) unleashed a gay bashing agenda on Capitol Hill by filling the Congressional record with anti-gay/lesbian speeches and by attaching amendments and making anti-g/l motions to several bills. So far, he has attacked Agriculture Appropriations, the National Endowment for the Arts, Interior Appropriations and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. His objective is to stall and split the effort towards the advancement of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the effort to preserve the anti-discrimination provisions within health care reform bills. You can advocate for health care reform, support ENDA and hold your representatives accountable for any anti-gay votes in just a few minutes of your time. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard - (202) 224-3121 - for the phone numbers of your representatives. (The operator can tell you their names based on your zip code.) Write to your representative stating, succinctly, your views. For: House of Representatives use Washington, DC 20515, for Senators use Washington, DC 20510. Postal... Dear GLAAD/LA Reports, Though I appreciate "watchdog journalism," I feel compelled to comment on somthing I read in your last issue. (Under) the headline "Missing Kisses," (I) read about the Bravo censorship of Gus Van Sant's fine film "My Own Private Idaho." Though I totally agree with your comments regarding the slashing of the kissing scene between River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves, I was digusted with your character description of the role Reeves played. You said he was "sexually confused." I believe the word you are looking for is "Bi-sexual." Don't you see that by negating a sexual orientation that you may dislike or do not believe truly exists you are no better than any straight person that says, "S/he is just confused, not really gay." Your work is important. But hear this: You are people just like us, with a positive side and too often, negative attributes as well. Don't be afraid to show all of your sides. We are not straight, we are not confused, we are not queer. We are Bi-sexual. And we are here. Get used to that. Very Sincerely, Robin Erikson Executive Director Column by Lee Werbel It is amazing with GLAAD/LA in existence for just over 5 years, the strides we have made. We are definitely visible. But are we understood and respected? With films like "Lassie" and "The Lion King" taking oblique shots at lesbians and gay men, it makes one realize that our work is a long way from complete. In an inconsequential scene of "Lassie," a young boy is called faggot because he wears an earring. In "The Lion King," Scar, the sinister lion, seems to be stereotyped as gay. These two incidents are problematic by themselves but it is important that we don't get distracted by single occurrences of defamation. We have to keep our eye(s) on the larger picture -- the radical religious right. They will start small fires to keep our attention scattered. Still, with all the headway we've orchestrated, GLAAD finds itself in possession of two scripts of films with blatant expressions of homophobia. One of the films is in production and stars a major celebrity already known not to be a friend of the lesbian and gay community. The other will not go into production until early next year. We must focus our attention on these major budget features and not allow the continued creation of homophobic products, especially "action" films. And, be aware when you attend your local movie house, or are looking for a liquid refreshment, that the Snapple Beverage corporation continues to sponsor "The Rush Limbaugh Show" with all his homophobic rhetoric. Due to the decreased sales of Florida orange juice, Mr. Limbaugh's contract with the Florida Citrus Commission has not been renewed. Let's make sure Snapple snaps to it and get the message by contacting: Ms. Lisa M. Ballas, Marketing Coordinator, Snapple Beverage Corporation, P.O. Box 9400, East Meadow, NY 11554-9400. Lastly, as an example of how far-reaching the GLAAD efforts need to be, here is another case in which our rights and concerns are not protected. The U.S. Senate recently voted to cut off federal funds to any school district offering programs "that have either the purpose or effect of encouraging or supporting homosexuality as a positive lifestyle alternative." This amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was sponsored by the one and only Senator Jesse Helms. The Helms amendment would also ban "counseling or other services on school grounds, or referral of a pupil to an organization that affirms a homosexual lifestyle." It is very likely that this amendment will be killed in conference but it is important that we urge our elected officials to speak out against the Helms amendment and in support of the educational rights of all students regardless of their sexual orientation. General Meeting Tuesday, September 27, 1994 "From Oprah to Phil - The Queer In Review" Join us for an entertaining and informative evening as we examine the portrayals of queer lives on television talk shows. From lesbian and gay parents to drag, runway models, the talk shows have given us the stage. Let's take another look at those queer moments. We'll kick-off the evening with a screening of a portion of the video "Seen Anything Good Lately?" Produced by GLAAD/SFBA, this specially edited compilation will provide a speedy recap of the best (?) moments on the talk show circuit. Following the screening, Tammy Bruce, President of L.A. NOW and host of her own radio talk show, will host a talk-show-formatted discussion regarding the video. Schedule: 7:00 p.m. refreshments, 7:30 p.m. program. Come to: Temple Beth Chayim Chadishim, 6000 West Pico Blvd., one block east of Crescent Heights. Agrama to be Honored Jehan Agrama, GLAAD/LA's first Board Emerita and former Co-President, will be honored during the 1994 West Coast Liberty Awards. Hosted by the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the nation's largest and oldest legal organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of lesbians, gay men and people with HIV/AIDS, Jehan is being honored for her "tireless efforts to secure fair and reasonable portrayals of lesbians and gay men in the media and thoughout the entertainment industry." The Awards will be held on October 19 at the Beverly Prescott Hotel. For further information contact Lambda at (213) 937-2728, ext. 24. "Growing Up Before Stonewall" Peter Nardi, former Co-President of GLAAD/LA and a Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College, has joined with David Sanders and Judd Marmor as authors of "Growing Up Before Stonewall: Lifestories of Some Gay Men" (Routledge, 1994). The book tells the stories of 11 American gay men from a variety of regions and social classes in the 1920s through the 1960s. Congratulations, Peter. Hollywood Supports/Celluloid Closet Production has started on the documentary version of "The Celluloid Closet," Vito Russo's history of homosexuality in the movie industry. Home Box Office (HBO) is producing the effort for a late 1995 broadcast. Proceeds from the project will benefit Hollywood Supports, the film industry's HIV/AIDS awareness organization. Contact: HBO, 1100 Avenue of the Americas, New York; Hollywood Supports, 8455 Beverly Blvd, Suite 305, Los Angeles 90048. "For Better or For Worse" Lynn Johnston's comic strip, "For Better or For Worse," which caused a sensation last year by including the coming out of a gay teen, has been collected in a new book entitled "There Goes My Baby." The gay storyline is included. Contact your local bookstore or write: Andrews and McMeel, 4900 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64112. NLGJA to Meet The Third Annual National Conference of the National Lesbian and Gay Jounalists Association (NLGJA) will take place Sept. 22-25 in Minneapolis. For details contact: NLGJA, 1994 Convention, 8528 Bradford Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20901; or George Woolley at (301) 584-5545. Bad Taste "Taste of Chicago," a city-sponsored arts festival in Illinois, recently featured the New Joy Community Singers. A member of the gospel group seized the opportunity to preach: "We ain't got no homosexuals, hallelujah . . . 'cause we saved." The group was paid $400 in city funds for their appearance. In response to complaints, the mayor's office announced that future performance contracts will prohibit the denigration of people on the basis of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or disability. Send comments to: James E. Sheahan, Mayor, City Hall, 121 N. La Salle, Chicago, IL 60602. RaceFile The May/June issue of RaceFile features a special section on "New Rainbow Warriors: Right Wing Initiatives in Communities of Color." Copies of this useful resource are available from: Applied Research Center, 440 Grand Ave., Suite 401, Oakland, CA 94610. Frameline Lesbian and gay film and videomakers are encouraged to apply to Frameline for its 1994 Film/Video Completion Fund, which provides grants up to $2000. Contact: Frameline Film/Video Completion Fund, 346 Ninth St., S.F., CA 94103; FAX (415) 861-1404. Deadline is October 15. Fighting "Porn Addiction" The American Family Association (AFA), Donald Wildmon's right wing hate group, is offering a number of free "resources," including an "Intervention brochure -- how to help a porn addict who won't help himself" and a "Resource list -- books and articles about porn addiction." For your free copies contact: AFA, P.O. Drawer 2440, Tupelo, MS 38803. In the Porno Section? Do you find that your favorite gay and lesbian magazines have been placed in the pornographic section at your local newsstand? Have you seen national and local mainstream gay publications located in areas normally reserved for "dirty" books--away from the casual shopper? Complain to your local newsdealer, of course, but also drop GLAAD/LA a line, letting us know the address and possibly the name of the establishment or merchant. Our hotline numbers are (213) 931-9429 (English) and (213) 658-6074 (Spanish). Put our community's press out front--where it belongs. "Hot Tips" Welcomed GLAAD/LA needs advance information on films, TV programs and commercials with lesbian/gay themes or characters. The Media Outreach Committee would like to know of any projects in any stages of production or release. (Development stage may be premature.) Call, FAX or write. GLAAD/LA Reports Electronically Permission is granted to copy any or all of these reports. "GLAAD/LA Reports" goes to: GayNet Queer Resources Directory: qrd@vector.casti.com Soc.Motss: soc-motss@cs.utexas.edu Gay Lesbian & Bisexual News: glb-news@brownvm.brown.edu Or you can set your modem for (213) 658-6516 and get GLAAD/LA's bbs, which has the total issue. ~c gaynet@queernet.org