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To the E ditor :
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O bstetrics and Gynecol
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B o y s & G i r l s A id
S o c i e t y o f O r e g o n
T he
A
Si nce I M S
oo often after a long race, we don’t take a
breath and realize what we’ve done. The
cancellation of Dr. Laura is a perfect opportuni­
ty to recognize the small steps and the huge
efforts that have brought us to this pivotal
achievement for the LG BT community.
For us at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation, this was never just a cam­
paign about Dr. Laura. This was about holding
up a clear, indisputable example of defamation
and using it to tell corporations, advertisers,
media outlets and the American public that our
community refuses to be an easy target for soci­
ety’s “last acceptable prejudice.”
Make no mistake: This is a huge and visible
victory. Advertisers and media outlets now have
an increased awareness not only of LG BT issues
but also of the power of our community; anti-gay
religious political extremists now know their
attacks on our lives will be opposed vigorously;
media corporations like Paramount have
learned firsthand that profiting from anti-gay
prejudice is bad business; and we have held
Laura Schlessinger accountable for her attacks
on our community.
Our victory would not have been possible
without the generous efforts of many dedicated
organizations and individuals, among them the
local and regional organizers who extended this
campaign into cities and towns across the coun­
try. Thanks and gratitude also go out to our
other allies in this campaign— many of whom
are straight.
From the start, G LA A D focused on national
Dr. Laura sponsors (those that bought ads
directly through Paramount), a strategy calcu­
lated to cripple the studio’s revenue directly, sig­
nificantly and early in the process. This suc­
ceeded because of the responsiveness of the
more than 30 national sponsors whose ads ran
on and were quickly withdrawn from Dr. Laura
after being contacted by G LA A D as well as the
almost 300 national advertisers and media buy­
ers with whom we worked who never gave their
support to the show.
Thanks also to the LG BT employee groups
that worked with us from within these compa­
nies to discourage corporate support of Schles-
singer’s attacks. We also extend our gratitude to
the local affiliate promotion managers we met
with who made their decisions not to budget
promotions of Dr. Laura and the journalists we
met with at the Television Critics Association
who ensured that her television audience knew
exactly what she was saying about our commu­
nity when the show debuted.
And to everybody who picked up the phone,
penned a letter or sent an e-mail to advertisers,
local affiliates and Paramount: Thank you! Your
voice has been heard loud and clear, and togeth­
er we’ve shown the power of a community that
is willing to take a stand for what’s right.
T
,
J oan M. G arry
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
Executive Director
Open your mind
To the E ditor :
I
’m writing in response to Wendy Judith Cut­
ler’s March 2 letter on U.S. Sen. Gordon
Smith’s movement from intolerance to leader­
ship on the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. His
change of heart on the issue reminds me of
straight friends who might have told me a “fag”
joke before I came out and now have made
light-year leaps in attitudinal change about my
sexuality.
What causes these changes? Knowledge,
understanding, compassion and an open mind.
Smith has been on an incredible journey,
and it takes time and energy to make this trip. I
believe he should be rewarded and encouraged
to continue his growth.
O n the question of Sm ith’s other views, I
only hope he can evolve on women’s rights, the
environment and other areas important to me.
W hat he has established is that he is willing to
communicate and converse on these issues and
that we need to reach out to him and not expect
him to comprehend their importance.
To that end 1 would recommend that leaders
in all of these movements make it a point to
communicate with him on things that are
important to them. I know from experience that
no one will change his or her point of view
through angry rhetoric and confrontation.
Real stories, such as personal coming-out
experiences, move people to a greater under­
standing and change of views. My hope is that
the traditional G L B T allies realize we must work
with and try to provide the opportunity for
growth to all people and not hold unbending
attitudes to anyone.
R on G lanville
Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors
Don’t cop out
To the E ditor :
I
t is great to see such spirited discussion about
Portland Police Chief Mark Kroeker. Howev­
er, I was disappointed in Kim Roth’s lack of crit­
ical analysis of the man [“Moment of Truth,"
March 2].
The long hours Kroeker spends talking to
carefully selected gay “leaders” and his appear­
ances at gay sports events are just public rela­
tions posturing. I want to see concrete plans to
make the police department a safe, nonhostile
working environment for gay male officers; steps
to ensure all Portlanders are able to organize and
speak out freely; an end to racial profiling; and a
community-controlled oversight board.
A guest commentary from other lesbian, gay,
bi and trans activists or a view from the African
American or Hispanic communities would be
welcome. Please broaden the range of views you
air about Kroeker’s competence.
Thanks for being an open forum for discus­
sion of this important issue.
E llen G reenlaw
Sandy
M usic to my e ars
To the E ditor :
T
hanks for Andy Simon’s article about Paul
Scardina and the Portland Gay Men’s C ho­
rus (“Stepping Out,” March 16].
It prompted me to attend the March 24 con­
cert. If it has not been reviewed, it should have
been !
As a newcomer to Portland, it was a treat to
discover this incredibly fun and funny ensemble.
Their music-making is at a very high level.
The passion and joy with which they sing is
inspiring. Scardina’s choreography was delight­
ful, Timm McBride’s cameos were hysterical,
and the quality and variety of soloists were
remarkable. A special nod to Ann Tedards, asso­
ciate dean of the University of Oregon Sch(x4
of Music, for sharing her lovely voice.
It is to artistic director Bob Mensel and
accompanist Michael Barnes that I offer the
largest public bouquets. Their talents clearly
were evidenced in each of the selections per­
formed. From the silly “Garota de Ipanema” and
“Beaufort Scale” to the sublime sentiments of
Lauridsen’s “Dirait-On” (a personal favorite)
and Mulholland’s “Heart We Will Forget Him,”