Local CBS Affiliate Angry about Hate Crime Bill

[glbt_equality]

Well, it seems I'm in the thick of it once again.. here in East Texas. KYTX, the local CBS Television News affiliate, interviewed me as part of their coverage of Thursday's House passage of the Hate Crimes Bill, but the resulting story made a mockery of this small victory, creating fear among conservatives and, ironically encouraging yet more violence. I'm appending a DRAFT of my proposed email response here - to solicit advice from my dear friends here at Soulforce. I keep asking myself how Gandhi or MLK Jr might have responded, and this is where I am at the moment... after much soul-searching. What do you think?

Here's my proposed response:

I’m submitting this response to KYTX CBS 19 before advising PFLAG members against speaking with our local CBS affiliate… and holding out the hope I won’t need to. Their coverage of the recent passing of the Hate Crimes bill was reckless at best. In “researching” their subject matter, the news team focused exclusively on James Dobson’s (Focus on the Family) false notion that the bill would somehow impose “thought crime” legislation and curtail our own religious leaders from being able to preach bible-based contempt toward gays and lesbians. Ironically, at the time of the broadcast, the legislation had already passed the House by a wide majority, after receiving overwhelming support by law enforcement agencies and the American public.

There are, in fact, no provisions in this bill that curtail free speech, though Mr. Dobson’s rhetoric successfully diverted all eyes away from any substantive issues… and KYTX took the bait. In fairness, East Texas’ own Louie Gohmert, favoring Dobson’s absurd remarks over an actual reading of the bill, has also made the false claim that it contains such a ridiculous provision to arrest pastors for preaching hate. Because of Dobson’s apparent stature, however, the following official rebuttal was prepared:

“It [the Hate Crimes Bill] does not impinge on public speech or writing in any way,'' countered Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., pointing out that the bill explicitly reaffirms First Amendment and free-speech rights. (Jim Abrams, AP)* – Unfortunately, KYTX failed to discuss the actual bill during their report.

The report was submitted by KYTX “Eye at 5” anchor, Annalisa Petralia, who had been referred to me by our regional PFLAG president for an interview. I told Annalisa that the bill contained no such “thought-crime” provision… warning her specifically that James Dobson has a particularly notorious track record on the subject of hate speech against the GLBT community (see supporting material below). I also mentioned that one in every six hate crimes is committed because of the victims’ sexual orientation and gave specific examples of three murderers here in Tyler that had selected their victim because he was gay. But then, I said a lot of things that didn’t address Ms Petralia’s single-minded issue of pastoral liberty. “How could a preacher’s words cause violence against gays,” she asked me (paraphrased from memory).

“Well,” I answered, “let’s imagine you were a preacher talking about how gays aren’t really people, that they don’t deserve any consideration, because they’re evil. Now let’s imagine I was a congregant who was being told that the attack by gays on my family values was exactly like the attack on Pearl Harbor, as one of Dobson’s staff has said… well, I’m learning a type of bigotry that’s going to make it more likely for me to be violent toward that class of people.”

From this quote, and from my entire ten-minute interview, Annalisa played only the following video clip: “…well, I’m learning a type of bigotry that’s going to make it more likely for me to be violent toward that class of people …”

What a tragic misuse of journalistic ethics and trust.

KYTX had an opportunity, during this newscast, to help mend issues that deeply divide our community by simply reporting the facts. This opportunity was used, instead, to follow Dobson’s “red herring” away from any factual material whatsoever. Then to make matters worse, she tried to use my interview to say the exact opposite of what I actually said. Where I was pleading for peace, she chose to make my interview into a call for violence. How utterly irresponsible!

I find KYTX’s use of the airways to reinforce that hatred and violence reprehensible. Shame on them!

As if the damage caused by KYTX to our community was not great enough, Ms Petralia may have actually put lives in danger by turning a call for peace into a studio-manufactured call to violence.

I’m very disappointed in Annalisa, and in KYTX. As it stands now, I’m inclined to believe our community should be forewarned before speaking with this news station in the future. I will wait a few days before distributing this opinion further, however, in the hopes you may be interested in moving forward in a more positive light.

Troy Carlyle
Tyler, Texas

Supporting Material:
I have provided source material and further illuminating data below.

Jim Abrams (AP) article: http://www.gay.com/news/article.html...s/news/&page=1

Violence against the GLBT Community:

On July 1, 1999, Gary Matson and his partner of 16 years, Winfield Mowder, were found shot dead in their bed in their home. Police arrested Matthew Williams and his brother James Tyler Williams. The Williams brothers, rightwing fundamental radicals, believed that God ordered them to commit these murders, based on hate rhetoric from Christian fundamentalists. Source: http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?1999/07/12/2 and www.soulfource.org. You can watch a video of a personal friend of the victims of this crime talk about the role hate speech played in his friends’ deaths (just before being arrested outside James Dobson’s headquarters for “trespassing”) here: http://www.soulforce.org/article/1257

Think about the murders of Gary and Winfield as you read the following quote from “Marriage Under Fire: the State of Our Union,” on Dobson’s “Focus on the Family” website:

“Just as the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 by the Empire of Japan served to energize and mobilize the armed forces of America, it would appear that the vicious assault on marriage and the church in recent months has begun to re-invigorate people of faith. I see indications that the church is mobilizing its forces to meet the challenge. Evil has a way of overreaching, and that appears to have happened regarding the blatant, lawless attack on marriage and biblical morality.”

How many more must die because of what Dr. Dobson teaches before he stops it?

James Dobson (Focus on the Family) Hate Speech: http://www.family.org/
(emphasis added)

“Solid, irrefutable evidence proves there are lethal consequences to engaging in the defining features of male homosexuality.” – James Dobson

“Lesbian relationships are equally unhealthy and just as life-threatening as gay male relationships.” – James Dobson

“Moms and dads… are you listening? This [homosexual] movement is the greatest threat to your children.” – James Dobson

“They want to destroy marriage and family as we know it.” – James Dobson

“Traditional marriage between one man and one woman cannot coexist with homosexual marriage. It will destroy the family.” – James Dobson

“What do we know about this [homosexual] disorder? Well, first it is a disorder, despite the denials of the American Psychiatric Association.” – James Dobson

The Facts about the Hate Crimes Bill:

For those who are interested, factual information about the Hate Crimes Bill can be found on the Human Rights Campaign website (hrc.org): http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Sect...entDisplay.cfm

Support for this legislation is overwhelming. The bill is endorsed by notable individuals and more than 210 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations, including: President George H.W. Bush’s attorney general, Dick Thornburgh; National Sheriffs’ Association; International Association of Chiefs of Police; U.S. Conference of Mayors; Presbyterian Church; Episcopal Church; and the Parent’s Network on Disabilities. Poll after poll continues to show that the American public supports hate crimes legislation inclusive of sexual orientation, including a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released in November 2001 showing 73 percent of Americans supporting hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation. Source: http://www.hrc.org/Content/Navigatio...ention_Act.htm

* Source: http://www.gay.com/news/article.html...s/news/&page=1

[u-dog]

Troy,

Excellent letter! I would not only send it to ktyx I would send it to CBS in New York and to the FCC. Not that I think anything is likely to happen as a result.

If you don't get an apolog from KTYX in a couple weeks, I would send your letter to Dem party headquarters, PFLAG, and any other advocacygroups you can think of. What would be the harm!

[Alecto]

Isn't it literally full on illegal to misquote someone like that? (Even if the words were correct, I thought parsing the context to 180 the meaning was still misquoting). In an academic setting, I know it falls under plagiarism.

[Dash]

Great letter! You mentioned Gandhi and Marting Luther King Jr., and I too have been directing much of my spiritual effort toward understanding communication in the light of their philosophies. With that in mind (and begging no offense) I wanted to show you how I am personally inclined to edit your letter. I do not necessarily think you should take my edits to heart, since I do think you've done a great job. And, I do really hope that our readers will let me know what they think--even take me to task if they think I am misguided in my direction.

White indicates deleted text...Red text is my addition/replacement.

I’m submitting this response to KYTX CBS 19 before advising PFLAG members against speaking with our local CBS affiliate… and holding out the hope I won’t need to. Their coverage of the recent passing of the Hate Crimes bill displayed an egregious bias against our community. was reckless at best. In “researching” their subject matter, the news team focused exclusively on James Dobson’s (Focus on the Family) demonstrably false notion that the bill would somehow impose “thought crime” legislation and curtail our own religious leaders’ from being ableability to preach bible-based contempt towardcriticism of gays and lesbians citizens. Ironically, at the time of the broadcast, the legislation had already passed the House by a wide majority, after receiving overwhelming support by law enforcement agencies and the American public.

I am trying to remove any words that make a subjective moral judgement of the ones with whom we wish to be reconciled. Therefore...they are not "reckless", but the report is flawed in a serious way. I remove the quotes around the word "research" because I feel it makes a subjective, denigrating and unecessarily sarcastic judgment about their methods which does not serve to reconcile them with us. I remove the implication that that pastors want to preach hate and adopt a tone that they will agree with--they do wish to retain the right to criticize homosexuality. I also like to reinforce the legitimacy of Gay and Lesbian people in America by reminding everyone that we are citizens too.

To be clear, and despite what the newscast seemed to indicatethere are, in fact, no provisions in this bill that curtail free speech., though Mr. Dobson’s has employed this falsehood in his attempt to rhetoric successfully diverted all eyes away from any substantive issues… and KYTX took the bait. In fairness, East Texas’ own Louie Gohmert, favoring Dobson’s absurd remarks untruths over an actual reading of the bill, has also made the false claim that it contains such a ridiculous provision to arrest pastors for preaching hate. Because of Dobson’s apparent stature, however, The following official rebuttal was prepared, which specifically addresses the false claim endorsed by Dobson:

“It [the Hate Crimes Bill] does not impinge on public speech or writing in any way,'' countered Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., pointing out that the bill explicitly reaffirms First Amendment and free-speech rights. (Jim Abrams, AP)* – Unfortunately, KYTX failed to discuss the actual bill during their report.

Trying to make clear how false the claim is as portrayed in the report while removing any unecessary value judgments against Dobson and those to whom our communication is directed.

The report was submitted by KYTX “Eye at 5” anchor, Annalisa Petralia, who had been referred to me by our regional PFLAG president for an interview. I told Annalisa that the bill contained no such “thought-crime” provision… warning her specifically that James Dobson has a particularly notoriousdocumented track record on the subject of hate speech against the GLBT community (see supporting material below). I also mentioned that one in every six hate crimes is committed because of the victims’ sexual orientation and gave specific examples of three murderers here in Tyler that had selected their victim because he was gay. But then, I said a lot of things that didn’t addressYet the records and facts that I shared with her seemed of little value in light of Ms Petralia’s single-minded issue of pastoral liberty. “How could a preacher’s words cause violence against gays,” she asked me (paraphrased from memory).

“Well,” I answered, “let’s imagine you were a preacher talking about how gays aren’t really people, that they don’t deserve any consideration, because they’re evil. Now let’s imagine I was a congregant who was being told that the attack by gays on my family values was exactly like the attack on Pearl Harbor, as one of Dobson’s staff has said… well, I’m learning a type of bigotry that’s going to make it more likely for me to be violent toward that class of people.”

From this quote, and from my entire ten-minute interview, Annalisa played only the following video clip: “…well, I’m learning a type of bigotry that’s going to make it more likely for me to be violent toward that class of people …”

Removed value judgment against Dobson, and replaced it with a readiness to prove the truth of our position. Also tried to clarify how sincerely you are wishing to provide facts and truth.

What aThis is a tragic misuse of journalistic ethics and trust as laid in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, which state “Deliberate distortion is never permissible.” Among other obviously wholesome provisions, this Code of Ethics calls for journalists to…

“Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing them on others”
“Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant”
“Give voice to the voiceless”
and…
“Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting”

Asserting the value of an established code, and essentially inviting them to show that they too will endorse and support what many other professionals do. I think it is stronger with verifiable references to that code, which can be found online here: http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

KYTX hasd an opportunity , during this newscast, to help mend issues that deeply divide our community by simply objectively reporting the facts. This opportunity wasreport has used , instead, to follow supported Dobson’s “red herring” away from while ingoring any factual material whatsoever. Then to make matters worse,Then in what seems a break with the ethical standards supported by professional journalists, she tried to use my interviewmy interview was edited so that I appeared to say mean the exact opposite of what I actually said. Where I was pleading for peace, she chose to make my interview into it gave the appearance that I was making a call for violence. I’m saddened by the lack of truth in this report. It seems more effective as a means to to stir angry passions rather than objectively cover community news.How utterly irresponsible!

First of all, I want to make it clear that the opportunity still exists for them to participate in community discussion and heal rifts between groups. Always seeking reconciliation rather than judgment. I try to let go of any animus toward the reporter herself, by recalling only what was seen in the report. I remove any unsupportable claims about what the reporter may have been trying to do. I don't know what was going on in her thoughts. Always assuming, in Gandhian fashion, the best about those with whom we disagree.

I find KYTX’s use of the airways to reinforce that hatred and violence reprehensible. Shame on them!

As if the damage caused by KYTX to our community was not great enough, Ms Petralia may have actually put lives in danger by turning a call for peace into a studio-manufactured call to violence.

This is a very important deletion, in my opinion. Those who oppose including sexual orientation in hate crime legislation claim that it is an attempt to criminalize thoughts and speech. Therefore, I think it would be counterproductive to suggest that the station's speech was an incitement to violence and should therefore (at least by implication) be silenced. We only wish them to join with us in dialogue and seeking of the truth.

Also removing any words that seem to lay shame or guilt on the ones with whom we wish to be reconciled. Gandhi makes it very clear that the practioner of nonviolence has no wish to shame his or her opponent.

I’m very disappointed in Annalisa, and in KYTX the way this report turned out. As it stands now, I’m inclined to believe our community should be forewarned warn the GLBT community against before speaking with this news station in the future. I will wait a few days before distributing this opinion further, however, in the hopes you may be interested in moving forward in a more positive light.

Expressing disappointment in the report rather than the ones we wish to be reconciled with. Indicating clearly our intention to begin noncompliance and noncooperation with a institution that will not support the truth. This is the heart of Satayagraha as I understand it...we do not comply or cooperate with those who use us in the perpetuation of injustice.
____________

For me this has been an exciting exercise in refining nonviolent communication technique. I hope that you do not mind my "slicing and dicing" of your excellent text. Please know it is absolutely not intended as a judgment against you, but as an attempt to further the ongoing dialogue here regarding Soulforce-inspired dialogue.

Please let me know what you think of my suggestions, but don't take them as my indication of what you should say.


Dash

[Zerbie]

Take this with a grain of salt, but I think the whole thing can be clearer and shorter.

As it is right now, I find it mixes two issues: the matter of the real impact of hate-inciteful speech (as your last several paragraphs detail), versus the actual effects of the hate crimes legislation. I would want to do everything possible to avoid confusing the readers that it actually MAY have something to do with speech, since it doesn't.

Then again, there's the matter of your words quoted in a context to mean the opposite of what you said - so maybe, you DO have to 'go there' after all.

Can you address the issue of the out-of-context quote in a separate letter to the station? Then leave the issue of hate crimes legislation as the main letter that you circulate to the other venues? It would shorten the letter considerably, and keep the local reference local at the same time.

Again, my opinion (salt grain) is that I'd like to see you specify clearly, in brief, that the hate crimes legislation only affects perpetrators of VIOLENT CRIME. Speech, conscience, the local pastor, will not be affected AT ALL (unless the local pastor runs out to gay bars with a baseball bat on Friday nights) and are therefore not a part of the conversation.

The issue of where *speech* leads is a separate one (related, yes, but not part of the legislation) and so it is not a part of the discussion. We should talk about what the legislation WILL DO, not about other issues.

That's my 2c.

There were a few things that either I found unclear, or too strongly worded of an "attacking" language - I'm going to quote your draft next and put in a few suggested changes - take 'em or leave 'em.

[sjbouza]

Nice job on the letter. However, I do like the "edit" that Dash did. I think it flows better for some reason, Nothing against you personally. I dont know if I agree with Z. I do see the points that she made. However, I do think that all that was said is interconnected. I do agree that the letter shouldnt come across as "attacking" Dobson, as much as most all of us would love to. We cant stoop to his level. We MUST stand on the truth. something that Dobson refuses to do. But we must do in a non attacking (that sounds dumb) way.

I would actually sit down and write and editorial to the newspaper also. They may or may not publish it, but I think it would be a good idea. As others have said, I would send copies of the letter to everyone that you can think of. If you can get a "copy" of the segment, I would try to get it up on You Tube and send the links along with the letters. These things must be brought to the publics attention. People need to know and understand that every word out of Dobsons mouth isnt gold. That it is tainted with hatred and bigotry as well as fear. I have been contemplating writing an editorial concerning Dobson and some of the things that he has been saying about the GLBT community. Basically a public letter to him telling him to prove what he is saying is true. I just dont know how to do it right now without filling it with the anger I have for the man. My father has, or did have at one time, all the addresses of the major newspapers in the US. Once I get it done I want to send it to each and every one. What they will do with it is up to them. Unfortunately, I dont see it getting published unless the paper wants to go up against the power hungry giant known as Dr James Dobson.

If I do write it I would appreciate the same critiquing of it to help me refine it.

Anywho, great job and I would use some, if not all, of the edits that Dash put in there. Kudos to you both, first for the time and second for the courage to speak out against the wrongs. Good luck!!!

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by glbt_equality

. I'm appending a DRAFT of my proposed email response here - to solicit advice from my dear friends here at Soulforce. What do you think?

It's a very good draft! As I said, it mixes issues and it's long. So here are my knee-jerk reactions to your first draft. I'll make them bright blue.

Here's my proposed response:

I’m submitting this response to KYTX CBS 19 before advising PFLAG members against speaking with our local CBS affiliate… and holding out the hope I won’t need to. I wouldn't begin the letter with a threat.



Their coverage of the recent passing of the Hate Crimes bill was (reckless at best.) Their coverage of the recent passing of the hate crimes bill was inaccurate.

In “researching” take the quotes offtheir subject matter,
the news team focused exclusively on James Dobson’s (Focus on the Family) false notion that the bill would somehow impose “thought crime” legislation and curtail our own religious leaders from being able to preach (bible-based contempt toward gays and lesbians.) 'curtail religious leaders from being able to express critical views towards gay and lesbian people.' Troy, I would transition from here DIRECTLY into the clarification that the bill does not impose limits on free speech, and perhaps move your next sentence to another position in the letter.

Ironically, at the time of the broadcast, the legislation had already passed the House by a wide majority, after receiving overwhelming support by law enforcement agencies and the American public.

There are, in fact, no provisions in this bill that curtail free speech, though Mr. Dobson’s rhetoric successfully diverted all eyes away from any substantive issues… (and KYTX took the bait.) Maybe leave that part out.
In fairness, East Texas’ own Louie Gohmert, favoring Dobson’s (absurd) inaccurate and misleading remarks over an actual reading of the bill, has also made the false claim that it contains such a ridiculous provision to arrest pastors for (preaching hate.) arrest pastors for expressing their views.

( Because of Dobson’s apparent stature, however,) Because of widely expressed concerns that the legislation would in fact place limits on freedom of speech or expression, the following official rebuttal was prepared:

“It [the Hate Crimes Bill] does not impinge on public speech or writing in any way,'' countered Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., pointing out that the bill explicitly reaffirms First Amendment and free-speech rights. (Jim Abrams, AP)* – Unfortunately, KYTX failed to discuss the actual bill during their report.

I don't have feedback for you on your description of your interview. I'll delete that and skip to the conclusion.



I would try to find a way to express your meaning below in language less immediately accusatory towards the station.

What a tragic misuse of journalistic ethics and trust.

KYTX had an opportunity, during this newscast, to help mend issues that deeply divide our community by simply reporting the facts. This opportunity was used, instead, to follow Dobson’s “red herring” away from any factual material whatsoever. Then to make matters worse, she tried to use my interview to say the exact opposite of what I actually said. Where I was pleading for peace, she chose to make my interview into a call for violence.

(How utterly irresponsible!) You don't need this - a fact by fact description of what happened demonstrates journalistic irresponsibility. Doesn't need an interjection with an exclamation point.

I find KYTX’s use of the airways to reinforce that hatred and violence reprehensible. How about? KYXT's report has reinforced a false representation of the hate crimes bill.

(Shame on them!) Ditto.

(As if the damage caused by KYTX to our community was not great enough, Ms Petralia may have actually put lives in danger by turning a call for peace into a studio-manufactured call to violence.)

I would take out anything that looks like a personal attack, especially on an individual. What about? "KYXT does a disservice to the community by failing to research the accuracy of its sources, and in this case, by giving credence to blatantly false information about the effects of the proposed legislation."

(I’m very disappointed in Annalisa, and in KYTX. As it stands now, I’m inclined to believe our community should be forewarned before speaking with this news station in the future. I will wait a few days before distributing this opinion further, however, in the hopes you may be interested in moving forward in a more positive light.)

Change this final paragraph. Take out the personal attack on the reporter and the station. Take out the threat about warning the community not to speak with the station.

You conclude with a vague reference to moving forward in a positive light. If I'm the station manager reading your letter, I have NO IDEA what you mean by that. Tell the station exactly what you want. What DO you want? If you want them to go on air with a correction, then ask them to, directly. Do you want a response? If so, what kind of response? An apology from the reporter? That last line of your letter, as it is, doesn't tell them what you want from them. Be clear and direct.

I would skip the threats about telling PFLAG not to talk to the station. First, just ask the station for whatever it is you want: a retraction, correction? Were it me, I'd want them to present an accurate description of what the hate crimes legislation really does.








Troy Carlyle
Tyler, Texas

Supporting Material:
I have provided source material and further illuminating data below.

Jim Abrams (AP) article: http://www.gay.com/news/article.html...s/news/&page=1

Violence against the GLBT Community:

On July 1, 1999, Gary Matson and his partner of 16 years, Winfield Mowder, were found shot dead in their bed in their home. Police arrested Matthew Williams and his brother James Tyler Williams. The Williams brothers, rightwing fundamental radicals, believed that God ordered them to commit these murders, based on hate rhetoric from Christian fundamentalists. Source: http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?1999/07/12/2 and www.soulfource.org. You can watch a video of a personal friend of the victims of this crime talk about the role hate speech played in his friends’ deaths (just before being arrested outside James Dobson’s headquarters for “trespassing”) here: http://www.soulforce.org/article/1257

Think about the murders of Gary and Winfield as you read the following quote from “Marriage Under Fire: the State of Our Union,” on Dobson’s “Focus on the Family” website:

“Just as the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 by the Empire of Japan served to energize and mobilize the armed forces of America, it would appear that the vicious assault on marriage and the church in recent months has begun to re-invigorate people of faith. I see indications that the church is mobilizing its forces to meet the challenge. Evil has a way of overreaching, and that appears to have happened regarding the blatant, lawless attack on marriage and biblical morality.”

How many more must die because of what Dr. Dobson teaches before he stops it?

James Dobson (Focus on the Family) Hate Speech: http://www.family.org/
(emphasis added)

“Solid, irrefutable evidence proves there are lethal consequences to engaging in the defining features of male homosexuality.” – James Dobson

“Lesbian relationships are equally unhealthy and just as life-threatening as gay male relationships.” – James Dobson

“Moms and dads… are you listening? This [homosexual] movement is the greatest threat to your children.” – James Dobson

“They want to destroy marriage and family as we know it.” – James Dobson

“Traditional marriage between one man and one woman cannot coexist with homosexual marriage. It will destroy the family.” – James Dobson

“What do we know about this [homosexual] disorder? Well, first it is a disorder, despite the denials of the American Psychiatric Association.” – James Dobson

The Facts about the Hate Crimes Bill:

For those who are interested, factual information about the Hate Crimes Bill can be found on the Human Rights Campaign website (hrc.org): http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Sect...entDisplay.cfm

Support for this legislation is overwhelming. The bill is endorsed by notable individuals and more than 210 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations, including: President George H.W. Bush’s attorney general, Dick Thornburgh; National Sheriffs’ Association; International Association of Chiefs of Police; U.S. Conference of Mayors; Presbyterian Church; Episcopal Church; and the Parent’s Network on Disabilities. Poll after poll continues to show that the American public supports hate crimes legislation inclusive of sexual orientation, including a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released in November 2001 showing 73 percent of Americans supporting hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation. Source: http://www.hrc.org/Content/Navigatio...ention_Act.htm

* Source: http://www.gay.com/news/article.html...s/news/&page=1

As I said above, i would take out the separate issue of speech that incites to violence, to focus entirely on what the legislation is for. No where in your letter do you clarify precisely what the hate crimes legislation will DO. Please state what the legislation does - I think that will go much further towards persuading and informing people than the supplementary materials about motivation for violence (those materials work better with US Troy, and you have to speak to those who aren't already with us. Just give them a simple description of what the legislation DOES and does NOT do.)

Thanks for taking up this cause.

[sjbouza]

I take what I said before about not agreeing with Z. I can now see your points clearly from reading your edit.

[Dash]

In line with Zerbie's thoughts, perhaps we could make some practical suggestions about the response that one might hope to receive from KYTX.

a) Perhaps a follow-up news report as a response to the passing of the legislation--not necessarily a retraction, but one that displayed a reformed and objective tone. This would go a long way in creating mutual trust between the communty news source and the GLBT community.

b) A direct (private) response to the PFLAG president and the interviewee, that affirms or reaffirms the stations committment to the Code of Ethics endorsed by the Society of Professional Journalists.

c) Perhaps a physical meeting to discuss some positive, or at least objective, ways in which the GLBT community could expect to be treated in future.

Others?

Zerbie has a valid point about the "threat" of action against the station. An actual, public, nonviolent campaign is "the last resort." It should only be taken up if all other attempts at dialogue and reconciliation have failed or been ignored. Which raises the issue...a history of misinformation, and resistance to reconciliation, might very well lead to collective nonviolent action toward KYTX. I don't know what shape that might take, but it could be considered.

This is perhaps merely a letter of complaint, which does not rise to level of national Satyagraha...

That said, and regardless of what you write to the station, we must never participate in our own oppression. I believe you should speak to your PFLAG group, if you have a voice there, and urge them to be very careful about how, when, or if they speak with reporters from this station. In your region, it may be reasonable to assume that extra care should be taken with any news interview, because of the danger of becoming tools of misinformation.

[glbt_equality]

This is wondrous feedback, and you need not worry that my feelings have been hurt. To my credit, I wasn't even angry with the news station... though I was certainly disappointed.

You've provided me with very useful and specific feedback, which was exactly what I had hoped for. Thanks for all the moral support, which is invaluable, and thanks especially to Dash and Zerbie, whose thoughful input and research the final version of this letter will hinge upon.

You may be interested to know my feelings, that the resources that you constitute -- in my opinion -- make most Presidential speech-writing teams pale by comparison! I'm thankful to have you. I'm thankful to know that Soulforce is here, and that I remembered to run this by you before hitting the "send" button!

Is the general concensus to keep this in the CBS family for now, or to go ahead and publish to various other news sources and human rights organizations as well? While I am a fairly recent resident of East Texas, my friends and associates all agree this is one of the most hostile regions in the country with regards to LGBT liberties. They're in agreement that the local news stations have demonstrated a longstanding bias, so my feeling is that a positive response is unlikely.

Finally, I'm wondering whether anyone knows where I can find the actual bill (H.R. 1592), since I may soon find myself in a position where I'll need to be intimately familiar with it. I've searched congress.org to no avail, but then I might be doing something wrong.

I'm in the process now of synthesizing your various and excellent ideas, and will keep you posted.

[BrianB]

Originally Posted by glbt_equality

Finally, I'm wondering whether anyone knows where I can find the actual bill (H.R. 1592), since I may soon find myself in a position where I'll need to be intimately familiar with it. I've searched congress.org to no avail, but then I might be doing something wrong.

I'm in the process now of synthesizing your various and excellent ideas, and will keep you posted.

Please forgive me for butting in however I know where you can find any bill you want to see. The Library of Congress. I just happened to be looking for a particular author at the LOC and found this search engine for bills in congress.

BrianB

[glbt_equality]

Originally Posted by BrianB

Please forgive me for butting in however I know where you can find any bill you want to see. The Library of Congress. I just happened to be looking for a particular author at the LOC and found this search engine for bills in congress.

BrianB

Thanks, Brian! I've just printed a copy for myself, and incorporated the link into my response.

I plan to post the current version of that response for Soulforce commentary later today, and am hoping to get it out into the ether sometime tomorrow (Monday, May 7).

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by glbt_equality

thanks especially to Dash and Zerbie, whose thoughful input and research the final version of this letter will hinge upon.

You may be interested to know my feelings, that the resources that you constitute -- in my opinion -- make most Presidential speech-writing teams pale by comparison!

Bwah! Ya tellin' me I could get PAID for this stuff? Hmmmm. :D

Is the general concensus to keep this in the CBS family for now, or to go ahead and publish to various other news sources and human rights organizations as well?

Troy, I would write two separate letters for that purpose. One is a specific matter with KYTX, the complaint about the innaccuracy of their portrayal of the issue as you observed and were involved with. The letter to other venues can take the form of a letter to the editor or an op-ed submission, in which you describe clearly the purpose and effect of the legislation, and dispel the unfortunate falsehoods that have been disseminated about it.


While I am a fairly recent resident of East Texas, my friends and associates all agree this is one of the most hostile regions in the country with regards to LGBT liberties. They're in agreement that the local news stations have demonstrated a longstanding bias, so my feeling is that a positive response is unlikely.

Sure. I lived in TX, and my sense is that's an accurate assessment. But give it the old college try first, and give them a chance to respond. I think you need to discover if the misrepresentation was deliberate, or an unfortunate result of widespread ignorance. If it turns out to be deliberate, then I can certainly see why the LGBT community needs to exercise particular caution in their dealings with this station (which isn't to say you should keep quiet about how the present scenario played out either. Just. Give things a chance to resolve for the better before pulling out all the stops.)


I'm in the process now of synthesizing your various and excellent ideas, and will keep you posted.

Please do! Eager to see the next version! (This site is an excellent resource: a few weeks ago I emailed Daniel a draft of a letter I was working on regarding hate crimes legislation, and he made it MUCH better. I was so glad I waited for feedback before sending it. )

[glbt_equality]

Here is the (our) new version. I have, I believe, at least attempted to incorporate the best of everyone's advice (which is most of it), and made a few additional minor changes myself):

I’m submitting this response to KYTX CBS 19 regarding their coverage of the “Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act” (Six O’clock News, May 3, 2007), which was inaccurate. At the time of the broadcast, the legislation had already passed the House by a wide majority, after receiving overwhelming support by law enforcement agencies and the American public.

In researching their subject matter, the news team focused exclusively on James Dobson’s (Focus on the Family) demonstrably false notion that the bill would impose “thought crime” legislation and curtail religious leaders from being able to express critical views towards gay and lesbian citizens.

To be clear, and despite what the newscast seemed to indicate, there are no provisions in this bill that curtail free speech, though it does include measures to protect free speech. Mr. Dobson has employed this falsehood in his attempt to divert all eyes away from substantive issues. East Texas’ own Louie Gohmert, favoring Dobson’s untruths over an actual reading of the bill, has also made the false claim that it contains a provision to arrest pastors for expressing their views. Because of widely expressed concerns that the legislation would in fact place limits on freedom of speech or expression, the following official rebuttal was prepared, which specifically addresses the false claim endorsed by Dobson and Gohmert:

“It [the Hate Crimes Bill] does not impinge on public speech or writing in any way,'' countered Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., pointing out that the bill explicitly reaffirms First Amendment and free-speech rights. (Jim Abrams, AP)* – Unfortunately, KYTX failed to discuss the actual bill during their report.

Perhaps it would have been preferable for KYTX to reference the short, 14-page Act itself. Considering Dobson’s misinformation, it seems ironic to note that “religion” is a specifically-protected group under the Act (page 7, lines 10-12, Library of Congress link provided below**), and that; “Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise of the First Amendment to the Constitution (reference begins page 12, line 21, ibid.).

The report was submitted by KYTX “Eye at 5” anchor, Annalisa Petralia, who had been referred to me by our regional PFLAG president for an interview. I told Annalisa that the bill contained no such “thought-crime” provision… warning her specifically that James Dobson has a documented track record on the subject of hate speech against the GLBT community (see supporting material below). I also mentioned that one in every six hate crimes is committed because of the victims’ sexual orientation and gave specific examples of three murderers here in Tyler that had selected their victim because he was gay. Yet the records and facts that I shared with her seemed of little value in light of Ms Petralia’s single-minded issue of pastoral liberty. “How could a preacher’s words cause violence against gays,” she asked me (paraphrased from memory).

“Well,” I answered, “let’s imagine you were a preacher talking about how gays aren’t really people, that they don’t deserve any consideration, because they’re evil. Now let’s imagine I was a congregant who was being told that the attack by gays on my family values was exactly like the attack on Pearl Harbor, as one of Dobson’s staff has said… well, I’m learning a type of bigotry that’s going to make it more likely for me to be violent toward that class of people.”

From this quote, and from my entire ten-minute interview, Annalisa played only the following video clip: “…well, I’m learning a type of bigotry that’s going to make it more likely for me to be violent toward that class of people …”

This segment, separated from the journalist’s hypothetical question and qualifiers that preceded it, appeared to be a threat of violence, and is a tragic misuse of journalistic ethics and trust. The Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics states that, “Deliberate distortion is never permissible.”

Among other obviously wholesome provisions, this Code of Ethics calls for journalists to…

“Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing them on others”
“Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant”
“Give voice to the voiceless”
and…
“Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting”

KYTX has an opportunity to help mend issues that deeply divide our community by objectively reporting the facts. This report has instead supported Dobson’s “red herring” while ignoring any factual material whatsoever. Then, in what seems a break with the ethical standards supported by professional journalists, my interview was edited so that I appeared to mean the exact opposite of what I actually said. Where I was pleading for peace, it gave the appearance that I was making a call for violence. I’m saddened by the lack of truth in this report. It seems more effective as a means to stir angry passions rather than objectively cover community news.

I’m very disappointed in the way this report turned out, though I and the members of our community hold out the hope that KYTX CBS 19 may be interested in moving forward in a more positive light.

With this in mind, we’re asking KYTX to consider the following actionable steps.

a) A follow-up news report as a response to the passing of the legislation. Please note that we’re not necessarily asking for a retraction, but rather a report that displays a reformed and objective tone. This would go a long way in creating mutual trust between KYTX, the GLBT community and all those (including most Christians) who support the human right to exist without fear of hate-motivated violence.

b) A direct (private) response to the regional PFLAG president and to myself that affirms or reaffirms the station’s commitment to the Code of Ethics endorsed by the Society of Professional Journalists.

c) I would like to suggest a physical meeting to discuss some positive, or at least objective, ways the GLBT community may expect to be treated in the future. This might involve two or three members of our regional PFLAG chapter meeting with two or three KYTX representatives over lunch or coffee.

With kindest regards,

Troy Carlyle

Troy Carlyle holds a BS from the Air Force Academy and is the recipient of two Air Medals. He is an active member of Mensa, PFLAG, the Human Rights Campaign, and the American Civil Liberties Union -- and holds a position on the Board of Directors for the Community Health Clinics of Northeast Texas and press credentials through Cassell Network of Writers. He is the author of the book, “The Remainder of My Life: an autobiography written in real time” (Lulu Press, lulu.com).

[Photo] Annalisa Petralia/Eye @ 5 Anchor

[Photo] Troy Carlyle (Photo by Herb Nygren, courtesy of Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph, Tyler, TX, Dec 2006)

Troy Carlyle
Tyler, Texas

Supporting Material:
I have provided source material and further illuminating data below.

Jim Abrams (AP) article: http://www.gay.com/news/article.html...s/news/&page=1

Violence against the GLBT Community:

On July 1, 1999, Gary Matson and his partner of 16 years, Winfield Mowder, were found shot dead in their bed in their home. Police arrested Matthew Williams and his brother James Tyler Williams. The Williams brothers, rightwing fundamental radicals, believed that God ordered them to commit these murders, based on hate rhetoric from Christian fundamentalists. Source: http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?1999/07/12/2 and www.soulfource.org. You can watch a video of a personal friend of the victims of this crime talk about the role hate speech played in his friends’ deaths (just before being arrested outside James Dobson’s headquarters for “trespassing”) here: http://www.soulforce.org/article/1257

Think about the murders of Gary and Winfield as you read the following quote from “Marriage Under Fire: the State of Our Union,” on Dobson’s “Focus on the Family” website:

“Just as the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 by the Empire of Japan served to energize and mobilize the armed forces of America, it would appear that the vicious assault on marriage and the church in recent months has begun to re-invigorate people of faith. I see indications that the church is mobilizing its forces to meet the challenge. Evil has a way of overreaching, and that appears to have happened regarding the blatant, lawless attack on marriage and biblical morality.”

How many more must die because of what Dr. Dobson teaches before he stops it?

James Dobson (Focus on the Family) Hate Speech: http://www.family.org/
(emphasis added)

“Solid, irrefutable evidence proves there are lethal consequences to engaging in the defining features of male homosexuality.” – James Dobson

“Lesbian relationships are equally unhealthy and just as life-threatening as gay male relationships.” – James Dobson

“Moms and dads… are you listening? This [homosexual] movement is the greatest threat to your children.” – James Dobson

“They want to destroy marriage and family as we know it.” – James Dobson

“Traditional marriage between one man and one woman cannot coexist with homosexual marriage. It will destroy the family.” – James Dobson

“What do we know about this [homosexual] disorder? Well, first it is a disorder, despite the denials of the American Psychiatric Association.” – James Dobson

The Facts about the Hate Crimes Bill:

The actual bill, known as the “Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007,” may be viewed and printed through the Library of Congress website: http://thomas.loc.gov/ … and searching using the bill number, “H.R. 1592.” It is only 14 pages long, and 2 of those are title pages.

For those who are interested, further factual information about the Hate Crimes Bill can be found on the Human Rights Campaign website (hrc.org): http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Sect...entDisplay.cfm

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence by providing the department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Support for this legislation is overwhelming. The bill is endorsed by notable individuals and more than 210 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations, including: President George H.W. Bush’s attorney general, Dick Thornburgh; National Sheriffs’ Association; International Association of Chiefs of Police; U.S. Conference of Mayors; Presbyterian Church; Episcopal Church; and the Parent’s Network on Disabilities. Poll after poll continues to show that the American public supports hate crimes legislation inclusive of sexual orientation, including a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released in November 2001 showing 73 percent of Americans supporting hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation. Source: http://www.hrc.org/Content/Navigatio...ention_Act.htm

*Source:
http://www.gay.com/news/article.html...s/news/&page=1

**Source :
Library of Congress, H.R. 1592: http://thomas.loc.gov/

[Dash]

Troy, I'm delighted that you have found our comments useful. I--like all of us, I'm sure--would be eager to hear from you regarding any future developments.

Godspeed, sir!

Dash

[glbt_equality]

For those of us who have been following this thread, I wanted to provide an update, which has been a thunderous and deafening silence... at least to this date.

... not that I particularly expected or required a response -- though I am still hopeful. From the beginning, I saw this as an opportunity to speak to hateful rhetoric in a loving way that did not require a compromise in our mutual underlying request to be respected as human beings.

I originally sent out an email to the station manager, the reporter and the station's public relations official. After not receiving a response in a few days, I followed up with a hard copy letter to the station manager and CC’d CBS corporate, in NY. After another week, I sent out a short article to a "friend-of-a-friend" who works at the local newspaper (who felt the topic was too hot to handle), as well as letters explaining the situation to the HRC, GLAAD and to EqualityTexas. A few days after that, our local PFLAG president copied the story to an email list of several hundred local GLBT rights supporters. Finally, I posted the story to our new "tridd" website (www.tridd.com) -- which is a community-building project for the disenfranchised GLBT and HIV population in East Texas....

By all accounts, response from our own community has been overwhelmingly supportive, even if there has been no response otherwise.

While I'm still hopeful that KYTX might someday "come around" in their thinking, I'm feeling that we've taken this phase of our efforts to reconcile with the station as far as we can.

I have mixed feelings about pushing any harder for a response. I'm inclined to believe that the point has been made -- that the station will already be more inclined to treat us fairly in the future. After all, much change in attitude happens without the satisfaction of our being able to watch it. Then again, some might say that I should now consider a more public demonstration of our dissatisfaction....

What are your thoughts?

Peace and love, Troy

[Progo35]

It is FASCINATING to me that not a single person in the government or focus on the family has considered the violence against disabled people in passing this legislation, even though it involves expanding the legislation to include such individuals. Like I said, this demonstrates a total bias in the media and screwed up priorities in terms of what Bush thinks is important-he would rather veto a bill that protects the rights of people he doesn't agree with than support the same bill that protects the disabled community a little more. In respect to this, Bush was the Texas governor that signed the Futile Care Law into legislation. I would not have known that disabilities were covered under the new law unless I had seen the Human Rights campaign website. And, this is what I talked about in my response to the Gordon College thread: it angers me that we talk about sexuality issues day in and day out but pay next to no attention to how disabled people are treated. They should be given equal press, and Focus on Family should consider how this bill impacts other minorities besides homosexuals instead of making that one issue into the be all and end all of that bill.

[tdogg]

But Progo, that's FOF's MO - if they didn't have gays to be against, there wouldn't be a need for the organization to exist.

Frustrating isn't it??? That's how we feel too.

We have a guy in California, not sure where exactly, but he is constantly filing ADA lawsuits, and many needed changes have been made pursuant to his suits. He doesn't seek money, just changes. He is a headache for businesses, but I think it's great. Very few businesses that I know of in Sac are not in compliance with ADA regulations. It's a fairly progressive city in that way.

[Progo35]

Is this guy a member of soulforce? That's neat, thanks for informing me.

[seifer_boy]

That was a really good letter by the original poster and the two who gave feedback and suggestions. I for one really like watching the CBS news here (Houston). These reporters are not only professional, but really nice (of course Greg Hurst is total eye candy because he is so hot! lol). Too bad not all journalists don't follow the ethical code of conduct.

On another note, the news here said yesterday that some guy who killed a gay man (don't know the details) was denied parole, so he will be staying in jail. Someone in my household said something like, "What? That guy shouldn't be in jail just for beating up a gay guy.

Another household member said, "He didn't beat the guy up, he killed him."

The first person said, "So what? All gay people should be killed because it's in the Bible." This person went on ranting on and on about it afterwards. Saying how it wasn't fair that the guy was in jail "just for killing a gay guy."