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Hard Copy Addresses
Pat Robertson's Anti-Gay RhetoricOn June 10, Hard Copy's lead story focused on comments made by religious political extremist Pat Robertson on the June 8 episode of his evangelical television show, The 700 Club. Responding to Pride-related activities in Orlando, FL, including the unofficial Gay Days at Disney World, Robertson said: "I would warn Orlando that you're right in the way of some serious hurricanes and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you." He continued, "This is not a message of hate; this is a message of redemption. But a condition like this will bring about the destruction of your nation. It'll bring about terrorist bombs; it'll bring earthquakes, tornadoes and possibly a meteor."
In their daily "Top Copy" segment, Hard Copy criticized the "Almighty, self-proclaimed spokesperson Pat Robertson," beginning the piece by saying that "Pat Robertson is issuing some outrageous warnings about God's wrath against Gays tonight. Some say the TV evangelist is taking homophobia to new heights," and ending by noting that: "The Christian Crusader has made a fortune spreading the word of God. Let's see now, how does it go? On the eighth day, Preacher Pat created intolerance." Included in Hard Copy's piece was a snippet of an interview conducted with GLAAD Director of Communications Jennifer Einhorn, in which she urged Robertson to reevaluate the tone and direction of his remarks, which demonstrate precisely how to build a climate of intolerance.
In September of last year, GLAAD met with the producers of Hard Copy to voice its concerns with the tone of the show's reporting on Lesbian- and Gay-themed issues Since then, Hard Copy ran two much-improved pieces in addition to this recent and prominently featured segment which clearly illustrates the nature of Robertson's destructive rhetoric. GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry said, "GLAAD is proud of the work we've done with Hard Copy, and we thank them for their increasing sensitivity to the issues which face our community." [GLAAD]
Robertson Could Face Legal Trouble
For Terrorist ThreatsAccording to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Chief Counsel Tony Varona, remarks made recently by religious political extremist and Christian broadcasting media mogul Pat Robertson could expose him to civil and criminal charges, should the city of Orlando face a terrorist attack. On the June 8 700 Club, Robertson predicted that Orlando could suffer "terrorist bombs...earthquakes, tornadoes and possibly a meteor" because the city flew Gay pride flags along city streets to honor June as Pride Month. In the past, Robertson has issued similar warnings, predicting that natural disasters will befall perceived sinners who have somehow invoked the wrath of God, but the inclusion of the man-made "terrorist bombs" was a significant departure from his prior predictions.
"Robertson has exposed himself and his Christian Broadcasting Network to significant legal action should a terrorist attack take place," said Varona. "These remarks clearly indicate a reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of the people of Orlando." Varona noted that, particularly in the wake of last year's bombings of Olympic Park, an Atlanta Lesbian bar and several women's reproductive health care clinics, Robertson's remarks have the potential to incite more violence. For more information contact Communications Director David Smith (HRC) at 202.628.4160.
Philly Cartoon Tackles Protests
By Religious Political ExtremistsThe June 6 Philadelphia Daily News(PDN) featured a refreshing editorial cartoon illustrating the hypocrisy of religious political extremists who attempt to use Jesus Christ as justification for opposing equal rights. In the cartoon by Pulitzer Prize-winning PDN Editorial Cartoonist Signe Witkinson, four people stand behind a banner reading "Christians Against Domestic Partners." A man stands to one side, holding a sign that is blank. "This?" the man asks. "It's every criticism Jesus ever made about homosexuality."
Historic NJ Couple Wed On Father's Day
Jon and Michael Galluccio, the New Jersey couple who, in December 1997, became the first in the state to successfully jointly adopt their children, were joined in Holy Union on Father's Day, June 21 at the Episcopal Church of Atonement in Fair Lawn. "This Diocese has pledged to support our clergy when they act as priest and pastor to the Gay and Lesbian members of our Church," said the Right Reverend John Shelby Spong, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. "I am proud to honor the Galluccio family by supporting this blessing as part of the full ministry of this diocese." GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry, the first person in New Jersey to legally adopt her partner's biological child, said, "Jon and Michael's commitment to one another demonstrates what `family values' are really about: love and determination. Clearly, it is time for our community to receive the legal respect and dignity which our heterosexual friends and families enjoy." [GLAAD]
Does The Media Have GID -
Genital Insensitivity Disorder?
by Katrina C. Rose from Texas TriangleTwo decades ago, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of recognized mental disorders-much to the consternation of Charles Socaraides and the radical "reparative therapy" wing of the profession. Remaining in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the current version being known as DSM-IV), though, are "Gender Identity Disorders."
Within the Transgender community there is a considerable difference of opinion as to whether the continued existence of GID in the DSM-IV is a blessing or a curse. Many believe that it has the same deleterious effect on the rights of Transgenders as did the now-extinct homosexuality classification. However a "diagnosis" of GID is, typically, what pre-operative transsexuals need before a doctor will perform genital surgery. Some transsexuals believe that, without a "label" to put on their condition, most, if not all, legitimate surgeons who perform genital reconstruction will stop doing so.
Of course, transsexuals seeking surgery typically seek out the GID diagnosis. Such a diagnosis can just as easily be forced on someone who doesn't adhere to accepted gender norms. Daphne Scholinski didn't dress female enough for her parents' liking and ended up spending part of her adolescence in a mental institution saddled with a GID diagnosis. Her excellent book, The Last Time I Wore a Dress, chronicles her nightmare.
An even more extreme down side of the necessity for therapist approval prior to surgery was seen recently in San Diego as a pre-op MTF killed her therapist and then killed herself-possibly because the therapist would not recommend the Transsexual (initially identified only as 'Julia') for surgery.
Letters from two therapists are generally required to be considered for surgery and Julia was apparently seeking such a letter from the therapist. "We believe that the shooting was motivated by the fact that the therapist would not agree to write the letter," said San Diego police homicide Sgt. Bob Lopez.
West Coast Transgender activist Gwen Smith fears that the media coverage could obscure other possible reasons for the violence. Says Smith "It is quite possible that 'Julia' was being held back due to reasons unrelated to her gender dysphoria, and that those reasons-not the gender issues-made her willing and able to pull that trigger."
Dr. Kurt Buis, coordinator of Transgender counseling services at The Center, which serves Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals in San Diego County said "This is completely unheard of within the Transgender community." Unfortunately, though, the media coverage of the incident, which has been almost Springer-esque in its willingness to dwell on whether the patient was male or female, almost to the point of overshadowing the murdered therapist (her name: Rita Powers, 41), is not unknown.
Initial reports varied wildly-some describing the Transsexual as being 58, others in her 20s (apparently she was 26.) There was also a major variance regarding her gender. A San Diego newspaper referred to the dead as "two women" while the Los Angeles Times used the phrase "Man Dressed as Woman" in the headline of an article on the incident to describe the Transsexual. The AP wire story preferred "man dressed in women's clothing."
Deep down, there is a fear in Smith that, should she die prior to her surgery-and under circumstances that might warrant media attention-she would be listed as simply a "man dressed in women's clothing." She emphasizes, "In California, where this crime took place, and where I reside, someone in transition can get their legal name and gender changed on most documents, even pre-operatively. Why should that need to be changed back by the press?"
Such genital-fixation is not limited to the California press, though. In 1996 a pre-op Transsexual was killed in a grisly head-on collision on a Houston freeway. Although the driver of the other vehicle was unquestionably at fault (traveling the wrong way on the freeway at a high rate of speed), the media was more concerned about the gender, and, of course, genitals of the victim, derisively referring to her as having been in drag.
Of the California incident Smith adds "Initial reports simply told of two women being killed in an apparent murder-suicide. Was anything more really necessary than this? Is it important that the public hear that one of those women happened to have 'breasts and a penis'? I can see a need for the crime to have a reason, but does the reason have to be made sensational?"
Cathryn Curtis and Susie Longsworth, members of the San Diego gender community who knew both of the deceased issued a statement that will probably not find its way into the mainstream media reporting of the shooting. The apparent shooter's name was Julia Kate Morgan. She was a 27 year-old pre-operative male-to-female Transsexual.
"What happened? We may never know the full story, but to those of us who knew Julia, it was apparent that she had simpy reached the end of her rope and had lost all hope of ever being able to complete her transition."
Morgan had been seeing therapist Rita Powers for about six months in an effort to get the second of two therapist's letters recommending genital surgery. "[I]ncreasingly Julia was reporting tension between them and her own frustration with the 'system' (the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care) and the way she, an intelligent, capable and accomplished adult, was subjugated to a 2nd class position and that her life was wrested from her control and placed into the hands of another who may not have had her own interests at heart. She, over time, became more and more confrontational with Rita, more demanding of an answer...'when can I get my surgery letter?', an answer that apparently was not forthcoming."
Our source was about to enter the hall when Rita's voice called out in a frightened tone. There were several shots fired." Curtis and Longsworth add that the media is "for the most part very uninformed when it comes to Gender Identity issues." Still, they feel obligated to try, as a wholly inaccurate account of what happened will not serve the memories of either Julia Morgan or Rita Powers.
"We want to continue to try and educate professionals, and the public at large, but it is becoming very frustrating."
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