The Freethought Alternative
P.O. Box 34635
Washington, DC 20043-4635
writegalah@bellatlantic.net
www.galah.org
July 29, 1999
Gay and Lesbian Atheists and Humanists (GALAH) urges people to counter an upswing in letter-writing campaigns by Religious Right hate-groups in the last few months. Despite recent setbacks such as the Christian Coalition's troubles with the IRS and the Tinky-Winky fiasco, fundamentalist organizations are not relenting in their efforts to impose their religious beliefs on people who do not share them.
"While supporters of lesbian/gay/trans/bi rights and freedom of conscience regarding religion are entitled to celebrate recent victories for reason and common sense, it is important to carry forth that momentum to counter the latest surge in Christian Right activism," noted GALAH Treasurer Tom Klem. "The fundamentalists are not going to allow a few setbacks to deter them from pursuing their agenda."
Some opportunities to counter the Religious Right's campaigns follow:
1. Don't let the fundies get drunk with power:
Anheuser-Busch has created a new ad depicting two men holding hands with the slogan, "Be yourself and make it a Bud Light." Hundreds of protest calls have been received by the makers of Bud Light; Christian Right organizations such as the "American Family Association" have been busy organizing to flood Bud with calls objecting to the ad. Anheuser-Busch appears to be responding to Christian Right pressure by putting the ads under review before national distribution. But you can let Anheuser-Busch know that you support same-sex depictions in advertising by calling 1-877-233-7725 (it's a free call - 877 is the newest toll-free area code) to automatically register your approval of this campaign. The AFA is asking people to write and call the company's regular comment line as well. Here is the contact information:
Anheuser-Busch Companies
Chairman. August Busch III
One Busch Place
St. Louis, Mo 63118-1852
1-800-DIAL-BUD ( 1-800-342-5283)
2. Stop Falwell from killing Kenny:
Jerry Falwell, along with other fundamentalist leaders, has been on a crusade to get J.C. Penney to stop selling South Park merchandise. Falwell and like-minded folks object to the show's ribald and sacrilegious humor and queer themes. According to the 4/29/99 edition of Falwell Confidential, Tinky-Winky's worst nightmare has succeeded in his latest jihad. Let Penney's know that you do not appreciate them pandering to the Religious Right. You can call Penney's at 800-222-6161.
3. Oppose Misleading Medical Claims:
WDCA, the Washington, DC area UPN affiliate, ran a series of advertisements promoting "ex-gay" ministries during Mother's Day week.
The ministries make at least two misleading medical claims:
To make things worse, WDCA did not even run disclaimers acknowledging the misleading nature of the medical claims made in the advertisements. At the very least, the station had a responsibility to let their viewing audience know that the commercials have no basis in fact. You can contact UPN one of the following ways:
UPN 20/WDCA
5202 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20816
fax #: 301-654-3517
Main Switch Board: (301) 986-WDCA/9322
upn20wdca@paramount.com
4. Support Domestic Partnership Policies of Long-Distance Phone Companies:
AT&T and Sprint are targets of a boycott by "Concerned Women for America." Common to the CWA's complaints against both corporations is that they provide same-sex domestic partnership benefits for their employees. The CWA also is angry that both companies have policies forbidding discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. You can let both Sprint and AT&T know that you support domestic partnership benefits by writing to:
Sprint World Headquarters
2330 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Westwood, KS 66205
Corporate Investor Relations
AT&T
295 North Maple Avenue
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
(The address above is especially useful if you own AT&T stock.)
www.att.com/write/
5. Support birth control options:
According to Planned Parenthood of New York City ( www.ppnyc.org ), "In the fall of 1998, Wal-Mart issued a memo to its pharmacists stating that they are not to stock, order or dispense PREVEN emergency contraception as a matter of company policy." Prevan is more commonly known as the "morning after" pill. Even stranger, Wal-Mart is trying to claim that the decision not to stock Prevan, a popular medication, was based on fiscal grounds. Jerry Falwell is asking his flock to thank the company for this action as well as Wal-Mart's censorship of music, magazines, and videos sold in their stores. This issue is especially significant because, in many smaller towns, competing pharmacies have been driven out of business by Wal-Mart, leaving patients with little alternative. You can contact Wal-Mart and ask them to stop pandering to the Religious Right's desire to force their religious beliefs on others.
(800) WAL-MART
letters@wal-mart.com or Corporate Affairs -
alwyatt@wal-mart.com
6. Counter Falwell on It's Elementary
Jerry Falwell has joined other homophobic fundamentalists in trying to stop PBS and PBS stations from broadcasting It's Elementary, which is described by its producers as "a groundbreaking film that offers viewers a window into what happens when teachers address lesbian and gay issues with their students in age-appropriate ways."
The "Family Research Council" is joining the homophobic fundamentalist bandwagon as well. "The so-called documentary 'It's Elementary' is nothing more than homosexual propaganda that robs children of their innocence and usurps parental authority. So, why is taxpayer money being used to promote it?" FRC Chief Spokesperson Janet Parshall seethed.
It is important for people to keep contacting PBS in order to get that network to broadcast It's Elementary, instead of leaving it up to the affiliates. You can contact PBS at:
Ervin S. Duggan,
President & CEO
PBS
1320 Braddock Place
Alexandria, VA 22314
Jerry Falwell also has a listing of PBS Station contact information up on his web site. He is trying to stop PBS stations from broadcasting the show. You can find the list at http://www.falwell.com/pages/elementary2.html.
7. The "American Family Association" Is Getting McAngry:
The AFA is angry that McDonald's has added sexual orientation to its non-discrimination policy which now states:
"McDonald's strongly believes that employees and applicants for employment should be treated fairly and without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other prohibited basis."
McDonald's expanded the policy to include sexual orientation in response to a shareholder resolution. In the June edition of their magazine, the AFA started a letter-writing campaign to press the fast food chain to reverse the policy change. You can send somewhat different feedback to:
Chairman Michael R. Quinlan
McDonald's Corporation
1 Kroc Dr.
Oak Brook, IL 60521
Phone: 630-623-3000.
www.mcdonalds.com/corporate/info/contacts/comments/
Gay and Lesbian Atheists and Humanists GALAH is an organization with four main goals:
In the fourteenth year of its existence, GALAH has a membership from over 20 states and the District of Columbia. GALAH has a monthly newsletter which, among other things, includes information on atheism and humanism, updates on the Religious Right, information about letter-writing campaigns to counter the fundamentalists, and other features. To find out more about GALAH, write to P.O. Box 34635, Washington, DC 20043-4635, email writegalah@bellatlantic.net or take a look at the GALAH web page at www.galah.org.
Go back to the issues page.
Go back to the main page.