Traditional Values Coalition on CBS' 'pro-gay propaganda'

RAW STORY
Published: Thursday May 4, 2006

“I am calling upon TVC supporters to contact their local CBS affiliates to ask that they refuse to air any public service announcements by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) next week during ‘As The World Turns,’” Traditional Values Coalition Executive Director Andrea Lafferty begins in a press release today issued to RAW STORY. “The underlying message of GLAAD’s PSA is that anyone who opposes homosexual conduct is prejudiced or intolerant. This is propaganda, not accurate information.”

Excerpts follow, followed by excerpts from GLAAD's release issued Monday.

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Lafferty is responding to news that CBS has joined with GLAAD to place a PSA in “As The World Turns” to reinforce the message in the show about a boy who tells his parents he’s a homosexual. “GLAAD is using free advertising to push a message about homosexuality that is not true,” said Lafferty. “The homosexual condition is not in-born or unchangeable. Thousands of ex-homosexuals can attest to this fact and their testimonies are well documented by Exodus International.

GLAAD, says Lafferty is seriously misleading the American people about the nature of homosexuality and using its influence to censor what Americans read and see on TV and in movies about homosexuality. “GLAAD brags on its web site about the influence it has over Hollywood screenwriters and has even published a media guide to tell journalists how to report on homosexuality. They also tell journalists how to avoid giving a fair and balanced view of the other side on this issue. Ex-homosexual groups, psychological groups like the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, and organizations like TVC are to be debunked, marginalized or ignored,” said Lafferty.

“GLAAD’s message in its PSA will be to stigmatize any person who thinks that homosexual conduct is immoral or abnormal,” said Lafferty. “The fact is that most people of faith believe that homosexuality is a sinful behavior and that it can be healed. GLAAD is telling Americans that their religious beliefs are wrong—when there is a wealth of scientific evidence that homosexual conduct is dangerous physically and emotionally to the individual.”

“The underlying anti-religious bigotry of GLAAD must be rejected by all Americans and CBS affiliates should refuse to run their inaccurate PSAs next week,” said Lafferty.

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CBS Daytime and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today announced that As The World Turns co-stars Martha Byrne and Van Hansis will appear in a public service announcement (PSA) set to air during the CBS Daytime drama on Tuesday, May 9.

The PSA, part of GLAAD's "Be an Ally and a Friend" public service campaign, will air at the end of an episode in which the teenage Luke (Hansis) comes out to his parents, Lily (Byrne) and Holden (actor Jon Hensley). The spot urges viewers to take a stand against the discrimination and prejudice faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, and directs them to GLAAD.org where they can find resources for parents, youth, families and friends.

The character of Luke is one of only two gay male characters on all of daytime television, the other being Lucas on ABC's General Hospital. In 1988, As the World Turns made television history by introducing daytime's first gay male character, Hank Elliot (actor Brian Starcher).

"Luke's journey to come out is a powerful multi-generational story of love, acceptance and family," said Barbara Bloom, Sr. Vice President of Daytime Programs at CBS. "It is a story of unflinching honesty in which Luke's parents, Lily and Holden, must face their own beliefs when they realize they must choose to love their child because of who he is and not in spite of it. CBS Daytime is proud to support As the World Turns in the telling of this powerfully relevant and engaging story, and we are equally pleased to have GLAAD's support while we do so."

"Luke's storyline has connected As The World Turns viewers emotionally with what gay people experience every day, and we're grateful to the soap and CBS for taking a stand against discrimination and encouraging viewers to be allies to gay people in their lives," said GLAAD Entertainment Media Director Damon Romine. "As Luke is a member of one of the show's core families, we look forward to many more years of watching his story develop."