Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 08:51:48 -0700
From: glaad@glaad.org (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
Subject: GLAAD CONDEMNS AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION CENSORSHIP CAMPAIGN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact:        Loren R. Javier
                213.658.6775
                javier@glaad.org


GLAAD CONDEMNS AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION
CENSORSHIP CAMPAIGN


LOS ANGELES, CA -- May 10, 1996 -- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation (GLAAD) denounces the apparent censorship campaign being
launched by the American Family Association (AFA).  Targeting online
service provider CompuServe, Inc., the AFA has urged the FBI to expedite
charges of violating the Communication Decency Act (CDA), a provision in
the recently passed Telecommunications Bill that criminalizes the posting
of "indecent" material on the Internet.

The enforcement of the Communications Decency Act has been suspended for
the time being pending the ruling of a three judge panel on the Act's
constitutionality.  If enforced, the vague wording in the CDA can
potentially affect posting information about abortion, AIDS, sex education
and the gay and lesbian community.

"The American Family Association has taken such an active role in trying to
censor the Internet," said Loren R. Javier, Director of Information
Systems, "The Internet contains a variety of information and viewpoints.
The AFA is using bullying tactics to ensure that only their viewpoint
remains."

CompuServe was recently criticized by GLAAD for removing 200 newsgroups
from their service in response to an order by a German official to close
those with "offensive" words, including "gay," "lesbian" and "homosexual."
Since that time, CompuServe has reinstated these newsgroups and opted to
offer CyberPatrol, an Internet filtering software, as its parental
controls.  GLAAD has been working with CyberPatrol to ensure fair
representation of the gay and lesbian community.

"The gay and lesbian community has already felt the effects of online
censorship," continued Javier, "The Internet is such an important
communication device for our community, we must remain ever vigilant in
ensuring our fair representation."

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

##

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GLAAD promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation as a means of
challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
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