GLBT Spectrum Awards

[helpful information perha]

What is wrong with this picture!?



Why should whedon/ME take W/T fans anger seriously, when the GLBT fan SF and Fantasy Spectrum awards honor him?





Whedons 2000-2001 series had tara a veggie for the second half of the season and the 2001-2 offering was a W/T break up over willow violating tara's mind and then the lesbian cliche for goodness sake!



I could see Amber's comic getting a nomination but it didn't even get a mention!



Yet Spectrum makes whedon a finalist?





Spectrum Awards has a website

someone needs to talk to these folks!









sci fi wire:

Spectrum Finalists Named



Organizers announced finalists for the Spectrum Awards, awarded to SF&F works of special interest to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people. The awards were created and are primarily sponsored by the Gaylactic Network, a national organization of gay SF fans and their friends.



The awards will be presented for works originally released in 2001. The award presentation takes place at the World Science Fiction Convention (ConJose), which occurs in San Jose, Calif., Aug. 29-Sept. 2. A list of finalists follows.



Best Other Work

•Bending the Landscape: Horror, Nicola Griffith and Stephen Pagel, eds. (anthology)



•Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Joss Whedon (television)



•Charm School (comic)

•Codename: Knockout, Nos. 0-6, by Robert Rodi (comic)

•Green Lantern, Nos. 137 and 140, by Judd Winick (comic)

•Sextopia, Cecilia Tan, ed. (anthology)

•Trysts by Steve Berman (collection)

•X-Force, Nos. 117-118 (comic)

Edited by: DrG at: 3/12/03 2:29:22 am

[Epicurus]

Oh man I hope he wins this award.

I'd love to hear what he has to say in acceptance/response.

Sure he would be receiving credit for something he didn't deserve but this might end up giving us more ammunition.

"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance
and conscientious stupidity."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

[hilarita]

heres the page to complain bitterly



www.lambdasf.org/spectrum/contact.htm



and heres the email



info@lambdasf.org



i kinda cant even believe this.



edited to add snail mail.



Spectrum Awards

c/o Lambda Sci-Fi

PO Box 656

Washington, DC 20044

Edited by: hilarita at: 7/13/02 12:44:00 pm

[lauriebear]

Just emailed them this,



Having viewed your nominations for the 2002 Awards, I am very dissapointed that you choose to include "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as a finalist. Yes,in the past, Joss Whedon has portrayed the lesbian Willow and Tara's relationship with dignity and understanding. However, that all changed during May sweeps when Whedon resorted to the lesbian cliche, in order to kill off Tara and subsequently turn Willow evil. Not only did this occur, but one of the villians, also found to be gay, professed his love to another by resorting to evil deeds. Whatever good Mr. Whedon has done with the Willow and Tara storyline, has been nullified by the stereotypical message depicted during the end of the season. I fear that any award, or recongition of this travisty would only further to strengthen this hateful message. Therefore, I am deeply troubled by this nomination and I urge you to view the last four episodes of "Buffy" Season 6 before making any decisions on this award.



Award for Buffy, and you kidding, and I thought ME was smokin' some good crack.

[Scout]

Just a question - it says the awards are for works originally released in 2001. If you take that literally, then it wouldn't include Tara's death arc. I'm not saying we shouldn't write - because we should - but maybe we should point out that they shouldn't be nominated next year for works originally released in 2002. Assuming I'm interpreting their statement correctly.

[helpful information perha]

tara's death arc was part of the 2001-2002 season. so when the DVD's are sold eps 19-22 will be included in the originally released in 2001 stuff



none the less you wouldn't give a guy father of the year awards for 2001 if you found out he had been beating his wife in 2002



whedon had been planning snuffing tara for 2 years before it took place on screen



no LGBT fan grp should be rewarding him for his sick fantasy's

[WebWarlock]

Well I sent off my emails. Here is the canned response I got.

Quote:

---

Thank you for your comments.



The 2002 Spectrum Awards are based *solely* on material originally released during 2001 and any episodes of a TV series which were shown for the first time in 2002 are not included in the judges considerations. In addition, it is quite possible that the judges may have opinions different from your own regarding the handling of GLBT issues by any given creator.



We hope you continue to enjoy thought-provoking and entertaining genre works with significant GLBT content wherever it may be found!



- Rob Gates

Spectrum Awards Administrator

---

Take of that what you will.



I have to admit I am torn.



I would like to see their nomination rescinded, with a statement as to why.

OR I would like to see Buffy win, so that Joss or someone has to go up and defend what they did.



Either way, we should use this to make them look, well exactly like they really are.



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

The Other Side, home of Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks

Arioch! Arioch! Blood and souls for my Lord Arioch!
Elric of Melniboné

Edited by: WebWarlock at: 7/13/02 7:00:36 am

[xita]

And anyone who thinks Joss will be going to this thing is sadly mistaken. I don't think they have ever attended GLAAD's awards and they have been nominated.



And I am sick of gay media watchers.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Oooh Xita!" - Amber Benson

[BBOvenGuy]

I don't care about canned responses. I say bombs away with the emails. Let's make sure they have all our FAQs and essays, too.



One thing that we can point out is that even if the Tara death arc didn't air until 2002, it was being planned during 2001 and Mutant Enemy was lying and manipulating the gay community during 2001. We've got enough evidence to support that.



And here's another suggestion - since comics are included in this same category, how do you like the idea of suggesting they switch the nomination over to Amber Benson, Chris Golden and Terry Moore for WannaBlessedBe?

------------------------------------------------
"A man who fails well is greater than one who succeeds badly" - Thomas Merton

[xita]

Oh that is a great suggestion Bob.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Oooh Xita!" - Amber Benson

[BBOvenGuy]

Okay, let's see if we can come up with an "official position" on this. I'll start working on my email, which may at least give us a start.



Once we've got something, I suggest we go back to the people we've been talking to at Zap2It, PopMatters, Sci-Fi Wire, etc. Maybe we can convince someone to do a " Buffy nomination causes firestorm of protest" article.



Also, if we're going to recommend WannaBlessedBe as an alternative nominee, would it be possible to send these folks a copy or two of it?

------------------------------------------------
"A man who fails well is greater than one who succeeds badly" - Thomas Merton

Edited by: BBOvenGuy  at: 7/13/02 11:07:37 am

[roamin]

Let those letters rip - last time I looked there are 1700 kittens - if they get 500 letters on this they will have to revoke that award.



HIP I love you father of the year analogy, may I use it?

[tommo]

Well that suggestion that it would be interesting if Joss won this was good. I mean, he'd have to confront those little issues then wouldn't he? Or you know, maybe not. Considering he likes brushing things to one side.



Bob's suggestion is the best. At least Chris and Amber know where the truth of that relationship is.

----------
TARA: ...didn't think she liked my fucking until I realized that that was her yummy face

[BBOvenGuy]

The father of the year analogy is great. I have another one, but it might be too extreme:



"If the International Olympic Committee had known what Adolf Hitler was going to do from 1939 to 1945, would they still have allowed him to host the Summer Games of 1936?"



Too much?

------------------------------------------------
"A man who fails well is greater than one who succeeds badly" - Thomas Merton

[WebWarlock]

I am with Bob now on this.



Email them and ask them to rescind their nomination, instead offer "WBB" instead.



I think it would be great if everyone here did that.



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

The Other Side, home of Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks

Arioch! Arioch! Blood and souls for my Lord Arioch!
Elric of Melniboné

[Lisa of Nine]

I emailed all the judges listed above. I sent a detailed letter explaining the turn of events and the lies told by ME, and...I got the exact same reply from Mr. Gates.



QUOTE:

Thank you for your comments.



The 2002 Spectrum Awards are based *solely* on material

originally released during 2001 and any episodes of a TV series which were shown for the first time in 2002 are not included in the judges considerations.



In addition, it is quite possible that the judges may have opinions different from your own regarding the handling of GLBT issues by any given creator.



We hope you continue to enjoy thought-provoking and entertaining genre works with significant GLBT content wherever it may be found!



- Rob Gates

Spectrum Awards Administrator



END QUOTE.



I suggest that you email the judges and point out that spellcasting was used as the metaphor for lesbian lovemaking and then became an addictive crack replacement. Also, Willow, the lesbian main character basically mind raped her lover twice, and became a magic crack whore. You might mention the repeated use of attempted rape as entertainment. ALL in 2001. Maybe you can get more than a stock reply.



My first letter was heartfelt and respectful and just spelled out the facts. My reply to the stock email he sent me ... falls into the "he won't be sending me flowers" category. Here is my reply. I borrowed the metaphor from this thread and tweaked it, and I referenced Bob’s article. Hopefully, someone else can focus on 2001 crap-o-rama and get a real reply.

Lisa



Mr. Gates,

I was saddened by your email. I had hoped that your

organization would not want to reward a show for its 2001

plotline that was merely setting up young gays and lesbians for

the ultimate betrayal in 2002.



I respect your right to your own opinion, but I must respectfully

ask, if you were giving out a "father of the year 2001 award,"

and found out that one of the nominees beat his child to death in

2002, would you not take that into consideration?

And if that father had been planning that murder for two years?



In the media, as in life, actions must have consequences. To

reward this 2001 storyline is to validate the homophobic message

Tara's murder sent. To the 10s of 1,000s of outraged former fans it

makes it seem like the message sent by "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the

lies the production staff told are not just condoned but

applauded. I respectfully urge you to read this article.

www.xtreme-gaming.com/the...phobia.php





In addition to these issues, the 2001 season contained several episodes that not only used attempted rape as entertainment, but had the nerd trio murder a woman they were trying to rape. They escaped punishment and stated, "We got away with murder. Cool," (Villains, 2001) This is the mentality of the current writing and production staff.



Joss Whedon also told fans, "That gay thing is so passé. We're over it," Posted by Joss Whedon - May 22, 2002.UPN Bronze. As a lesbian who was lied to by the producers of this show, I hope that your judges find Whedon passé.



Thank you,

Lisa Countryman

----------------



If you haven't voted at jumptheshark.com please do! Make sure you specify the reason the show jumped as "Death-Tara." Fill out all the info or they won't count your vote. They do NOT send spam.

Edited by: Lisa of Nine at: 7/13/02 10:17:03 pm

[kpmuse]

Just sent my letter. Lisa, I referenced the whole Whedon quote about the gay thing is so passe. I thought that packed punch as well. The whole attitude over there really came out of the closet. Didn't it!



It occurred to me that they may be embarrassed to pull the nomination away from Whedon so they may be more reluctant to do so. However, we should point out how much more embarrasing it will be to them & our community should they proceed.



I am going to send another email asking them to have the judges explain why as their email states they have a different opinion. What exactly is the judges opinion? Make them say it.



ok.

Kristine


Tara & Willow Forever

[BBOvenGuy]

Okay, here's my letter:

Quote:

---

Ladies and Gentlemen:



I am writing to voice my deepest concern over the inclusion of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" among the nominees in the "Best Other Work" category of your 2002 Spectrum Awards. I believe that even a nomination - let alone an award - would send entirely the wrong message to both the gay community and the science fiction community.



As you are probably aware, "Buffy" brought its long-running lesbian relationship between characters Willow and Tara to a violent end in its episode, "Seeing Red." In this episode, Tara is killed in a scene full of homophobic imagery, shot to death in the very bedroom where she and Willow have spent most of the episode making love, mere seconds after their last kiss. Following Tara's murder, Willow spends the next three episodes going on a murderous vengeance spree, culminating in an attempt to destroy the world. Although Joss Whedon and the staff at Mutant Enemy deny they had any homophobic intentions when they created these episodes, the images that actually appeared onscreen were unmistakeable. According to anecdotal reports, even young children could discern the message that was being communicated - Willow and Tara were being punished because they were gay.



I realize that your rules limit eligible nominees only to work released during the year 2001, and since "Seeing Red" was aired in 2002 you feel it doesn't apply when considering "Buffy" for a nomination or an award. Nevertheless, I believe that "Seeing Red" and the subsequent episodes should still be factored into any consideration of "Buffy," for the following reasons:





1) Even though Tara's death and Willow's evil turn were broadcast in 2002, they were being planned in 2001. Amber Benson, the actress who played Tara, recently revealed to a Toronto convention audience that Joss Whedon first decided to kill Tara while Buffy's fifth season was still in production. This information would place the date Joss made his decision in the first four months of 2001.



2) Beginning in 2001, Joss Whedon and his writers at Mutant Enemy began a cynical disinformation campaign designed not only to hide the upcoming plot twists of their series, but specifically to mislead the gay community about the fate of Willow and Tara so that the gay community would keep watching. An example of this disinformation campaign was the following quote Joss Whedon gave to E!Online in May 2001:



"I have no plans to send Tara anywhere. Amber (Benson) and Alyson (Hannigan) have such great chemistry; they're so great together, and they're very romantic together. We have terrible, terrible things to do to them because they're on my show, so needless to say, horrible things will happen--but as a couple, I think they work really well. As for Amber, even if she weren't going out with Willow, I think she's become a big part of the heart of the show."



3) The egregious nature of the homophobic imagery presented in "Seeing Red" and subsequent episodes runs so counter to the stated goals of the Spectrum Awards that rewarding "Buffy" with a nomination - let alone an award - will send the wrong message. Most individuals who review the lists of nominees and winners will not be aware that the awards were limited to the year 2001. They will associate the name "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" with the most recent images that exist from the series - Tara lying dead on the bedroom floor while evil Willow tries to destroy the world - and they will believe that your organization condones or even applauds those images.



Consider a lesson from history - if the International Olympic Committee had known what Adolf Hitler was going to do from 1939 to 1945, would they have allowed him to host the Summer Olympics of 1936? They had no knowledge of what was to come later, but you do have knowledge of what has happened on "Buffy" since the year 2001 ended. They couldn't have avoided their mistake then, but you can avoid one now.





If you still wish to reward the positive portrayal of the Willow/Tara relationship in the year 2001, I recommend that you replace the TV show's nomination with a nomination for the Willow/Tara comic, "WannaBlessedBe," which was published April 18, 2001 by Dark Horse Comics. This special edition was written by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden, with art work by Terry Moore and Eric Powell. Not only does "WannaBlessedBe" present the Willow/Tara relationship in the same positive light that the TV series once did, but Ms. Benson and Mr. Golden have continued their positive portrayal of the relationship in a new comic, "Wilderness," that was just released this past week.



Further information on "WannaBlessedBe" can be found at this address:



darkhorse.com/products/pg...index.html



I'm sure copies could be provided to you if necessary.



Thank you for your time and attention. I sincerely hope you will consider the information presented here and take appropriate action.



Regards,



Robert A. Black

Pasadena CA

---

How many email addresses for the specific judges do we have now?

------------------------------------------------
"A man who fails well is greater than one who succeeds badly" - Thomas Merton

[June Leigh]

I emailed them a short and respectful letter explaining the reasons why "Buffy" shouldn't be nominated for this award. I got the same response as you all did. The folks at Spectrum must be doing a lot of cut-and-pasting.

[roamin]

Could everyone who sends in a letter post here. doesn't have to be long just a "I sent in a letter" in the subject heading will do.

I'd like us to try and track how many letters get sent, the info might be useful to reference at a later date ...

[emma peel]

I just e-mailed them from the "complain" (contact) link hilarita provided. Sorry I didn't copy my post, but here is the reply I got:



From: spectrum@lambdasf.org



Subject: RE: Nominations



Thank your for your concern about Nominations!

We will directy your inquiry to the proper person and get back to you as soon as we can.



Please visit us again at: www.lambdasf.org/spectrum/ for updatesabout the awards!



If you have further concerns, do not hesitate to e-mail

us at the above address, or at spectrum@lambdasf.org.



Best regards,



The Spectrum Awards Committee



-----------------------Janice



Edited to add,



I just got the same repy from Rob Gates ya' ll have posted above.

Janice

Edited by: emma peel at: 7/14/02 9:46:44 am

[kpmuse]

Quote:

---

"The awards were created and are primarily sponsored by the Gaylactic Network"

---

So perhaps we need to email the source too.



Here is the address Kittens:

www.gaylactic-network.org/

Kristine


Tara & Willow Forever

[Sheridan]

Ok so would I be out of line here if I suggested some of these organisations seem to be so desperate for any scraps the mainstream media throws them that they are unwilling to make waves?

Willow: ...I have to tell you....

Tara: No, I understand you have to be with the
person you l-love

Willow: I am

[BBOvenGuy]

Which "mainstream media?" The TV/movie studios, or the news media?



Buffy won two Spectrum Awards last year, and the news media hardly noticed it at all. I'd think if they were to take a stand and send a message by revoking Buffy's nomination this year, that would be more likely to get the news media's attention.



Especially since we'll be pointing out what's going on to the news media.

------------------------------------------------
"A man who fails well is greater than one who succeeds badly" - Thomas Merton

[Lisa of Nine]

These people make me... unhappy. (That's the best word I could find that wouldn't make this board R rated.)



I just resent my letter to everyone except Mr. Gates. None of them replied. Here is what I added to the letter. WHo knows, maybe emotion will sway them to read my email. Maybe they'll delete it. At least they know I am not happy.

Lisa



------

I am forwarding you the letter I initially sent you in the hopes

that you will read it.



I have heard back from Mr. Gates, and that was only to issue me a stock reply that has been sent to no less that six people I know.



This leads me to believe that the judges of the Spectrum award are either not reading the letters sent to them or they do not care that fans don't approve of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer's" blatantly homophobic imagery.



Please read my letter and respond to the issues I have addressed.



To reward the makers of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" after the

heinous way they have portrayed lesbians is a travesty.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to seeing your reply, or

at least some acknowledgment that you received my complaint.

Lisa Countryman

[Sheridan]

What I actually meant was that they are so desperate fro any positive images of gays and lesbians that they are quite prepared to ingore any awkward facts. So they ignore the end of S6 and praise JW's previous work.

Willow: ...I have to tell you....

Tara: No, I understand you have to be with the
person you l-love

Willow: I am

[BBOvenGuy]

The individual judges may not be responding simply because it's the weekend. Not everybody spends Saturday and Sunday on the net. Let's give them until mid-week and see if anyone replies.

------------------------------------------------
"A man who fails well is greater than one who succeeds badly" - Thomas Merton

[kpmuse]

The unfortunate response from Spectrum. I asked if he could let me know the specifics of why the judges nominated Buffy e.g. what criteria did they use:



The nomination will stand as is. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was recommended to the judges for its work in 2001 and the judges felt its work in 2001 was worthy of finalist status consideration for the Spectrum Awards. The judges believe that the quality of the genre content and the quality of the GLBT content in Buffy during calendar year 2001 is strong enough to merit this nomination. We are not judging creators, but the work that was created and ONLY the work that was created.



Once again thank you for passion regarding this issue.



I encourage you to spread the word among whatever lists/groups/websites this nomination has been discussed to let people know that we have heard that there is a concern. The judges stand by their decision to name Buffy a finalist for its work in 2001 and further email will not alter that.



- Rob Gates



Administrator, Spectrum Awards



Well at least we know he read the actual email and it's not just a canned response. Perhaps we will hear from the judges this week.

Kristine


Tara & Willow Forever

[WebWarlock]

Well either they or Joss is going to end up looking really stupid if Buffy wins.



"Hi yes we won an award for the positive portrayals of gays and lesbians! Wait till you see what we can do for black and latinios in season 7!"



Sure, whatever.



As far as pulling the names. Isn't all this on their OWN website as well?



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

The Other Side, home of Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks

Arioch! Arioch! Blood and souls for my Lord Arioch!
Elric of Melniboné

[Italiangirl]

Well, sent a letter. Here it is. Don't know if it will change much, but ultimately every voice makes us all stronger.



_________________________________________________



To Whom It May Concern...



To begin, let me say that the work you do in recognizing outstanding positive media images of the GLBT community is so important, and I applaud your commitment to doing so.

It is because of that importance, however, that I feel compelled to question your nomination of Joss Whedon and Buffy the Vampire Slayer this year. Although during the 2001 year the portrayal of Willow and Tara, the show's long standing lesbian couple, was overall positive, in light of the recent events of the show I do not think it wise to include them in your list of nominees. I'm sure you are aware of what transpired - Tara's death by gun violence which occurred directly after the couple had sex onscreen for the first time, and Willow's subsequent turn to the darkside. I'm also sure that given the nature of the awards you are presenting, I do not need to remind you what a hurtful, offensive and tired cliche this is for lesbians in television and film history. To me, this seems to be in direct opposition of the philosophy and spirit of your awards, and I question your decision to reward Joss Whedon for his ultimate homophobic and cliched termination of characters who were once so positive, loving and precious to the lesbian community. Perhaps a more fitting nomination would be the Willow and Tara comic WannaBlessedBe, also released in 2001. The comic, created by Amber Benson, Christopher Golden and Terry Moore, captures fully the love and spirit of the relationship between Willow and Tara, but unlike Whedon's storyline, continues to treat it with respect and reverence into the present.

Clearly, in the end it is your decision whether or not to let the nomination stand, but I urge you to consider the ramifications if you do. You are sending a strong message to both your GLBT and straight followers that not only is Whedon's storyline an acceptable way to portray lesbian love, but that you endorse it. If that is true, then I have been very wrong about the purpose and mission of the Spectrum Awards for several years now, and will not harbor any illusions about your organization and awards in the future.



Sincerely,



Julie Oliverio