DC Groups to Protest WDCA Plans to Air Schlessinger Show
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Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2000

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cathy Renna, Joel Lawson

(202)986-1360 (202)223-0554
cell: (202)251-1467
renna@glaad.org, lawson@windowcom.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. COMMUNITY GROUPS TO PROTEST WDCA-TV'S PLANS TO AIR LAURA SCHLESSINGER FALL TV SHOW

WHAT: A demonstration and rally to protest WDCA-20's plans to air the Paramount-syndicated "Schlessinger" television show this fall. Speakers for the rally, organized by local and national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied civil rights community organizations will include: Cathy Renna, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; Joel Lawson, StopDrLaura.com; Bob Summersgill, Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance; Steve Baines Equal Partners in faith; Barbara Warner, Metro-DC chapter of PFLAG; Frank Kaminey, Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance. On the day following the rally, activists will deliver letters signed by members of the community that are concerned about WDCA's decision to carry Schlesinger's show, to the doorstep of WDCA-20 at ---- River Road in Bethesda, in a display of public concern about Schlessinger.

WHEN: SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000, speakers and rally to begin at 2 PM- 4PM

WHERE: Dupont Circle

WHO: Sponsors of the rally include the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), StopDrLaura.com, Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, Bisexual Insurgence, Whitman Walker Clinic, Metro-DC chapter of PFLAG, Equal Partners in Faith, Capital Area Log Cabin Republicans, Bet Mishpachah, National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization (LLEGO). [list in formation]

MORE: Following an unsuccessful meeting on May 30 with WDCA General Manager John Long, leaders in the Washington, D.C. LGBT community organized a rally to protest WDCA's decision to air Schlessinger's fall TV program. Community representatives issued the following comments regarding WDCA and Schlessinger:

Cathy Renna, Director of Regional Media and Community Relations, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD): "Laura Schlessinger advocates a political agenda which would deny us basic civil rights. She does so by cloaking moral and religious views in a misleading pseudo-clinical context, thus positioning herself as an "authority" on sexual orientation issues. In the market place of ideas, Schlessinger's rhetoric has been exposed as abusive, scientifically bankrupt and discriminatory. This is not about her right to her opinions-it's about the responsibility of media outlets to the community they serve. We will hold WDCA-20 accountable if and when they bring Schlessinger into our living rooms this fall."

Bob Summersgill, President of GLAA: "Dr. Laura's comments would be considered intolerable and unacceptable if made about any other group. It is telling that only WDCA is willing to air her show when they were the only DC area station willing to run the anti-gay ads last year. While Dr. Laura has the right to free speech she does not have the right to a contract with Paramount."

Joel Lawson, StopDrLaura.com: "Just last year, WDCA canceled an advertising deal with deejay Doug 'Greaseman' Tracht after he made an on-air racist slur. WDCA should similarly dump their deal with Schlessinger. Over 2 million unique visitors to StopDrLaura.com want to know why some TV stations think some forms of intolerance is still good business."

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

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