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This article was published by GLAAD/New York in their January/Febuary
BULLETIN.  The only way to defeat homophobia is to confront it.
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                          EXEMPLARY 20/20

On Nov. 30th, the ABC news show 20/20 covered the fight against anti-gay
discrimination at Cracker Barrel restaurants.  Last year, the chain located
in the South and Midwest ordered all its restaurants to identify and fire
lesbian and gay employees.
     The segment, produced by Sharon Young and reported by Tom Jarriel,
interviewed several fired employees now active in protests against Cracker
Barrel.  In an extended interview, former employee Cheryl Sommerville wept
as she described being called into the office and asked if she were a lesbian,
knowing that a lie would be to deny her life partner while telling the truth
would (and did) mean loss of her livelihood.
     After the segment, Jarriel spoke with Barbara Walters, who expressed
shock that such blatant discrimination isn't illegal and went on to say,
"I however think I might be able to find another restaurant to go to if I were
in that area."  When Jarriel assured Walters that would be her right, she said
emphatically, "I will."
     Last March, ABC's 20/20 aired an excellent report on gays and the military
(produced by David Sloan).  And we hear a story is being researched on gay
teen suicide.
     We need to support producers who often have to fight to get gay issues
reported, so encourage 20/20 to continue covering lesbian and gay stories
(including the proposed teen suicide piece).

Write to:  Victor Neufeld
           Executive Producer, 20/20
           ABC News
           47 W. 66th Street
           New York, NY  10023

WRITE BARBARA WALTERS AT THE SAME ADDRESS
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     PRIMETIME LIVE on target:  ABC's other newsmagazine, PRIMETIME LIVE, has
rarely touched gay issues.  However a Dec. 19th report,"Born or Bred" was a
well-presented look at Dr. Simon LeVay and his research suggestion that there
could be a gentic/physiological basis for sexual orientation, related to the
structure of the brain's hypothalamus.
     The segment, produced by Rudy Bednar and reported by Jay Schadler, offered
an intelligent range of scientific perspectives, as well as testimony from
lesbians and gays about out life-long difference from heterosexuals.
     Dr. LeVay, who is openly gay, poignantly discussed the death of his lover,
Richard, as a notivation for his research.  LeVay's father, also a doctor,
captured the confusion of many parents of gya children when he said he finds
homosexuality "abhorrent" but declared his son's relationship with Richard
showed "love and devotion on a scal I've never seen before, and of which i
would be incapable."
     Encourage the show to devote more air time to lesbian and gay social
issues.

Write to:  Rick Kaplan
           Executive Producer, PRIMETIME LIVE
           ABC News
           47 W. 66th Street
           New York, NY  10023
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To receive and support the BULLETIN, tax-deductible contribution(s) can be
sent to the address below.  For a $35 annual contribution you can become a
GLAAD/New York member.
Write to:  GLAAD                         or phone:  (212) 966-1700
           80 Varick Street
           Suite 3E
           New York, New York  10013
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