Boycotts of the Month

It’s getting so you just have to start
making a list.

First it was Marlboro cigarettes and
now it's Miller beer as the battle against
Senator Jesse Helms continues. (Helms, for
those of you who haven't been following
the gay weeklies, monthlies, and quarter-
lies, is the man responsible for the recent
censorship rampage in the arts world, and
his notorious homophobia is we1l-docu-
mented in his anti-gay tirades in the Sen-
ate.) Both Marlboro and Miller are prod-
ucts of the Philip Morris company, which
not only funds Helms’ campaign, but has
donated large sums of money toward build-
ing a museum for the man.

Gay bars around the country have
stopped serving Miller beer, and in a few
protests, patrons have taken to the streets to
dump the stuff into the gutter.

Gay activists are also trying to rouse
some protest over some recent television
network decisions concerning the presen-
tation (or lack thereof) of gay themes on the
tube. NBC showed their slant on sensitivity
toward lesbians when they had one kill her
lover with her high heels on “Quanttun
Leap,” and then this fall they premiered
“The Fanelli Boys.” who seem partial to
using the word “queers” as an insult.

ABC, on the other hand, has decided to
avoid controversy by avoiding gays alto-
gether, at least in the popular show “thirty-
something.” The classic episode which
featured two gay men talking together in
bed has now been banned due to pressure
from the American Family Association and
several advertisers.

So what about CBS? They come out
the good guys this time around and will
continue to air “Doctor. Doctor,” whose
main character maintains a strong contact
with his gay brother. Rumor has it thatCBS

' has also been in touch with Harvey Fier-

stein (best known for his play and film
“Torch Song Trilogy”) concerning a pos-
sible pilot for a new show.

Gays issues have been getting a lot of
Pf_°SS in magazines recently as well. You
might consider cancelling your subscrip-
tlon to Esquire after the recent tirade
against gays by Peter Hamill (“Confessions
of a Heterosexual,” it was called.) For more
meaningful reading, try instead the new
issue of Harper’ s, which contains an article
entitled “Late Victorians: San Francisco,
AIDS. and the Homosexual Stereotype.”

Those interested in keeping up with

the media presentation (and mispresenta—
tion) of gays and lesbian issues should
contact GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation, at 80 Varick
Street, Suite 3E, New York NY 10013.

Much of the above information was
culled from GLAAD's informative news-
letter, which also tells you where to write
andwhotowritetoinordertomakeknown
your thoughts and feelings on these mat-
ters.

  (fiompage 1)

Russell finished in first place in four
towns in the district (Hinesburg, Hunting-
ton, St. George, and Westford), the only
non-incumbent to do so well. In addition,
he had second place finishes in Charlotte,
Burlington’s Ward 2, and Bolton.

Anderson noted that victory in No-
vember is within reach, citing in particular
the number of progressive voters who will
come out to vote for Bernie Sanders for
Congress and traditional Democratic
strength in Chittenden County. “We’ll cer-
tainly have to work hard against a field of
tough candidates,” said Anderson.

The November election will pit the six
Democratic nominees against six Republi-
cans and one independent candidate. With
Crowley’s defeat, there are now two open
Senate seats, and many political observers
consider incumbent Republican Senator
Hilton Wick to be vulnerable. “Three po-
tential openings provide a great opportu-
nity for us," said Anderson, adding “I am
absolutely convinced that Howdy can win
on November 6th.”

Phili
Men

October 1990

Join The Fight!

Suppon

The Vermont
Coalition of Lesbians
and Gay Men

in their work to pass legislation
guaranteeing equal rights to Les-
bians and Gay men in Vermont
and insuring protection for
People With AIDS and HIV+
persons. Contribute to our cause
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Name
Address

Phone

THANKYYOUI

Roberts. M.S.
Health Counselor

Gay/ Lesbian Affirmative Counseling

864-36 1 7
By appointment

Sliding fee

 

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