Re: URGENT: Black Gays Condemn BET, Winans; Press Conference

Geoffrey Jost (jefurii@ucla.edu)
Tue, 28 Oct 1997 14:07:40 -0800


>hey folks,
>
>I thought some of you might be interested in knowing about this given
>recent mentions/discussions of BET and it's programming. Homophobia, in any
>way, shape or form, sucks. Peace out.
>
>-d-

Hmm... since I always thought that tolerance meant being able to get along
with people who hold views you don't agree with, it's interesting to see
how certain groups, having pushed so hard for tolerance themselves refuse
to tolerate dissenting views and lash out (in the name of tolerance) with
the same acidic vibes as any anti-commie blacklister right-wing republic TV
preacher. It's getting kinda hard to tell who the hypocrites are these
days...

For the record, even though I wouldn't say that I agree with her
orientation, as a bassist I can tell you that MeShell NdegeOcello's grooves
are very seriously phunky, and I study them just like I do any other good
musician's. Tolerance.

Jefrii

>>October 28, 1997
>>
>>Contact: Keith Boykin
>>(202) 483-6786
>>nblglf@aol.com
>>
>>BLACK GAYS AND LESBIANS CONDEMN WINANS, BET-TV
>>FOR PROMOTING ANTI-GAY SONG, CENSORING GAY VIEWPOINTS
>>
>>GROUP TO HOLD EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE
>>OUTSIDE BET STUDIO, TUESDAY, OCT. 28 AT 5 P.M.
>>
>>Washington -- The National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum today
>>strongly condemned Angie and Debbie Winans for their new anti-gay song "It's
>>Not Natural" and attacked BET-TV for providing a biased, one-sided forum for
>>the Winans to promote their homophobia.
>>
>>Keith Boykin, Executive Director of the National Black Lesbian and Gay
>>Leadership Forum, was abruptly disinvited on Monday from a scheduled Tuesday
>>appearance on the show "BET Tonight" when Angie and Debbie Winans refused to
>>appear with him.
>>
>>"BET has stooped to a new low of cowardice by caving in to the homophobic
>>demands of two anti-gay performers," said Boykin. "To allow controversial
>>guests to dictate the content of a news show reflects a complete and total
>>lack of journalistic integrity by BET-TV," he added.
>>
>>"When we go to BET headquarters Tuesday afternoon, we're going to show BET
>>and the Winans once and for all that we will not be the whipping boy for the
>>black church," said Boykin. "The black church and the gospel music industry
>>are filled with black gays and lesbians, and it's time to open the closet
>>doors and show the world who's who," he said.
>>
>>Boykin also noted the irony that the BET appearance takes place on the same
>>day when the Winans' older brother Bebe is scheduled to release his newest
>>album.
>>
>>The decision to remove from the show a representative from the nation's only
>>national black lesbian and gay advocacy organization comes just days after
>>BET revealed that Angie and Debbie Winans will also appear on another BET
>>show, "Teen Summit," which is directed at African American young people. In
>>the "Teen Summit" show -- which was pre-recorded and scheduled to air in
>>November -- the Winans actually sing the song "It's Not Natural" in front of
>>black teenagers.
>>
>>"In essence, BET is giving Angie and Debbie Winans not one, but two televised
>>opportunities to spew out their bigotry. At the same time, BET won't even
>>allow other views to be adequately represented," Boykin protested.
>>
>>Earlier this year, BET refused to air a music video by openly bisexual singer
>>MeShell NdegeOcello titled "Leviticus Faggot," which was about the struggle
>>of a black gay teenager to come to grips with his homosexuality. In
>>addition, BET routinely airs the skits of homophobic comedians on its nightly
>>show, "Comic View."
>>
>>In addition to BET, Boykin also criticized the actions of Vincent Young of
>>Capital Entertainment, which is being paid to promote the Winans' new
>>release. "Sadly, Mr. Young is serving as a mercenary in the Winans' battle
>>to denigrate his very own community," Boykin said.
>>
>>"Nobody ever heard of Angie and Debbie Winans until they launched a slick new
>>media campaign to stir up controversy and generate record sales," said
>>Boykin. "Unfortunately, they are making their money off the backs of black
>>gays and lesbians in the church, and we won't stand for it."
>>
>>Quoted in the Washington Times, Angie and Debbie Winans said, "What we're
>>saying is not what we think but what Jesus thinks." Boykin, however, pointed
>>out that Jesus Christ said nothing at all about homosexuality.
>>
>>"Not only is their music mediocore, but so is their knowledge of the Bible,"
>>said Boykin. "For that matter, the Bible says that women should 'adorn
>>themselves with modest apparel' and 'not with gold or costly array' (I
>>Timothy 2:9), but that doesn't stop the Winans sisters from sporting gold
>>necklaces and diamond ear rings in their promotional photos. If they really
>>believe in every word of the Bible, then they can't have it both ways," he
>>added.
>>
>>On Friday, October 24, BET-TV invited Keith Boykin to appear with the Winans
>>on "BET Tonight" on a show for Tuesday, October 28. At that time, BET's
>>producer said that the Winans were being asked to appear but had not yet
>>confirmed. On Monday, October 27, the producer then contacted Boykin to
>>dis-invite him because of the Winans' objection. The Winans then also
>>rejected an offer to appear with the Rev. Rainey Cheeks, whose ministry
>>supports gays and lesbians.
>>
>>"Amazingly, BET went along with the unbelievable demands of its guests,"
>>Boykin said, adding, "It's time to tell BET that black gays and lesbians will
>>not be sacrificed on the alter of media ratings."
>>
>>####
>>
>>The National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum is the only national
>>organization dedicated to empowering black lesbians and gays by advocating
>>for their interests, educating the public, and training leaders for the
>>future. Founded in 1988, the organization has thousands of members
>>nationwide.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

-denise-
"Mental Chatter"; Mondays 11am-2pm, CKLN 88.1FM
"Glide"; Wednesdays at Gypsy Co-op, 817 Queen St. W.