PAGEl8Q-Notes T July 1992 BOURBON STREET MR. EAST COAST, USA 1992 Contest featuring Special Guests: Tony DiAngelo Mr. Gay USA 1992 Phillip McAdoo Mr. East Coast, USA 1991 Call Steve West at the club for more Information. “A direct preliminary to Mr. Gay USA.” Bourbon Street 916 Burke St. Winston-Salem (919) 724-4644 GLAAD Notes Compiled by Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation No support for nontraditional TV Texaco, the long-time corporate underwriter for PBS’s Great Performances arts series, ended its support as of June 10th. The Lost Language of Cranes, a BBCAVNET adapta tion of David Leavitt’ s novel about the paral lel coming out of a gay father and son, was screened by company officials prior to their announcement. Cranes aired June 24th on Great Performances. Texaco denies charges by Out in Film, an association of lesbian and gay film profes sionals, that it acted to avoid supporting an explicitly gay-themed drama. The oil giant says its move was based on “a review of both the current and future direction of the series,” that found it moving away from “traditional and classical works.” Earlier this season Great Performances broadcast “Bill T. Jones/Amie Zane and Com pany,” which included homoerotic dance scenes and a moving interview with choreog rapher Jones about the AlDS-related death of his lover and “one true companion,” Amie Zane. The suddenness of Texaco’s announce ment and the fact that Great Performances has aired contemporary dramas in the past lends credence to Out in Film’s charges. Express your displeasure to Texaco and en courage the company to support program ming that deals with gay themes and issues on PBS and on the commercial networks. Gays buy gas, too! Write James W. Kinnear, President & CEO, Texaco, Inc., 2000 Westchester Ave., White Plains, NY 10650. Also, praise Great Performances for its inclusion of gay-themed works. Write Jac Venza, Executive Producer, Great Perfor mances, WNET, 356 W. 58th St. New York, NY 10019. Murphy Brown: Progress & Backlash An openly-gay character named Rick joined the staff at “FYI” (the series’ fictional news program). The show sensitively provided in sight into heterosexual angst (Murphy’s straight boss. Miles, became worried after he dreamt about Rick) while slamming false stereotypes about gay men. In real life, gay staff on shows such as “FYI” are increasingly open about who they are. Unfortunately, Rick only appeared once this season. Ask that Rick and other gay and lesbian characters be included as regulars by writing Diane English and Joel Shukovsky, Executive Producers, Murphy Brown, 4000 Warner B1 vd., Burbank, CA 91522. Copies to Jeff Sagansky,President, CBS Entertainment, 7800 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Flash: In April the American Family As sociation targeted Murphy Brown’s biggest advertisers for “promoting homosexuality” on TV (and both received hundreds of com plaints). To counter anti-gay censorship, ask for further sponsorship of shows with gay and lesbian characters and story lines. Write to Chrm. Charles M. Harper, ConAgra, Inc., One ConAgra Dr., Omaha, NE 68102. (Healthy Choice foods, Morton frozen foods) and to Chrm. Henry Wendt, SmithKline Beecham, PO Box 7929, Philadelphia, PA 19101. (Aqua Velva, Calgon bath products, Massengill douches. Contact decongestant). Maple Drive: Gay Family Drama Doing Time on Maple Drive, a TV movie broadcast last March on Fox, was a realistic and moving look at a closeted gay son driven to attempt suicide because of his family ’ s rigid expecta tions. “Matt” (William McNamara) later comes out and mends fences with his lover and with his family. The final reconciliation scene with his conservative father (James Sikking) was particularly affecting. (The film was directed by thirtysomething’s Ken Olin). It’s important to give Fox positive feed back (and ask for more gay inclusion in future projects) by writing Peter Chemin, P*resident, Fox Broadcasting, 10201 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035. CHETSKNS SATTLSMSN’S CLUB Friday, July 3rd Saturday, July 4th Sunday, July 5th Saturday, July 11th Saturday, July 18th Underwear Party Wear underwear and get in free Fireworks Bar-B-Que Spartans L/L Club Night Christmas In July w/Santa Claus Special Guest Neely O'Hara Ashley Wells with Guest Roxanne Ashley and Jennifer Leigh 995 Asheville Highway, Spartanburg, SC Take Exit 72-C Off 1-85 Towards Spartanburg 1-800-428-9808 or (803) 573-7304 Guests Call Ahead For Arrangements. Super Sunday with Ty OPEN 3 PM. Tues. Pool Tournament Winner $20.00 Bar Tab