CDA Ruling Raises New Internet Questions
As the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation
(GLAAD) joins civil liberties and free speech organizations in applauding the Supreme Court's decision that found the vaguely-worded Communications Decency Act (CDA) unconstitutional, Internet filtering software and rating systems are now posing a greater challenge for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
In an effort to regulate the Internet, filtering software has become a standard feature on technology platforms. As new companies form to meet the need of regulation, anti-gay filtering is starting to crop up. Recently, GLAAD found that the new Sega Saturn game console uses an anti-gay content filter through its PlanetWeb browser. At the same time, Internet rating systems are also being created in an effort for consistent regulation. "GLAAD is here to work with companies to educate on the importance of keeping gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender educational and support resources open and available," said Loren Javier, Interactive Media Director for GLAAD.
For more information contact Loren Javier at 213.658.6775 ext. 18 or via e-mail at javier@glaad.org.
Ann On-Line Nets Gay & Lesbian Issues
Now on a Web browser near
you is Ann On-Line
(www.annonline.com), one of the gay-friendliest talk shows on the Net. Hosted by talk show star and journalist Ann Devlin, Ann On-Line offers fresh, informative pespectives on a variety of contemporary topics, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. Almost every week, Devlin interviews pesonalities and activists from the community, including Day of Compassion founder Neil Tadken, author Brian McNaught, Out Magazine editor Sarah Pettit, theologian Daniel Helminiak and GLAAD Entertainment Media Director Chastity Bono and Associate Communications Director Liz Tracey.
Immunocompromised Women's Web Site Announced
The International Association
of Physicians in AIDS Care
(IAPAC) has developed a web page for immunocompromised women. The association's new Internet resource will feature medical and sexual information of interest to some women whose immune systems have been affected by HIV/AIDS, autoimmune disease such as lupus, environmental pathogens, or as a consequence of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and steroid therapy.
According to Gordon Nary, Executive Director of IAPAC, the web site is "the first phase of a plan developed to empower women to participate as partners with their physicians to develop treatment strategies that could significantly improve their survival and allow them to lead a more meaningful and rewarding life."
The Women's Health Issues section of the IAPAC web site (http//www.iapac.org) is just one part of a multi-faceted HIV/AIDS information resource for physicians and consumers.
