Watch!!!Watch!!!This Is The Opposing View:
I thought some of you might be interested in knowing about this given
-d-
>>October 28, 1997
-denise-
URGENT: Black Gays Condemn BET, Winans; Press Conference Scheduled
Denise Benson (tommygrl@interlog.com)
Tue, 28 Oct 1997 15:18:47 -0400
hey folks,
recent mentions/discussions of BET and it's programming. Homophobia, in any
way, shape or form, sucks. Peace out.
>>
>>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.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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