From:      Joanna Denise Friesner <jfriesne@uclink.berkeley.edu>
To:        A16.A16(kidstv)
Date:      9/28/95 10:33pm
Subject:   counteracting homophobia

DOCKET 93-48

Hello,
I recently read about the programming for children's television.  
Television has been an influential medium, through such shows as
Sesame  Street, children learn about racial diversity and
acceptance of others.   It is time to make shows that deal with
people of differing sexual  orientations.  In the same way that
television shows from the past were  racist because they did not
represent non-white people, today almost all  shows are
heterosexist and homophobic because they do not represent Gays, 
lesbians and bisexuals, or if they do, it is in a negative way. 
If a  show came out today that represented, say, a Black family
in a negative  way, it would be pulled off the air and called
racist.  In the same vein,  shows that ignore differing sexual
orientations, or only show them in a  negative way, are
homophobic and heterosexist.  It is important that the  children
of today learn to accept others not only on the basis of their 
skin color, physical ability/disability, religion and culture,
but also  on their sexual orientation.  It is the  responsibility
of media  representatives to bring these justices to light. 
Please support the  children of today, to make a better U.S. of
tomorrow.
Thank you,
Joanna Friesner
UC Berkeley