Gay Activists Upset Over Panel of ‘Third Thursday’

Angry over the makeup of the panel for this month’s edition of “Third Thursday,” titled “Being Gay in the ‘90s,” local gay activists are wondering whether the program is going to degenerate into an outdated and cliche discussion of whether homosexuality is a “disease” or a “correct” lifestyle.

The rostrum for the town hall-style program, which will air live at 6:30 p.m. Thursday from Mira Mesa High School, is scheduled to include the Rev. Louis Sheldon, who, among other things, says “sodomites”--as he calls gays--should “go back into the closet.”

In a 1989 interview, Sheldon told The Times that he was declaring “open warfare” on homosexuality, which he called “an immoral but chosen and curable illness.” Among other gay-bashing activities, Sheldon also has advocated the segregation of AIDS victims into “cities of refuge.”

He is now circulating an initiative seeking to invalidate any laws banning discrimination against homosexuals.

“The basic approach that (Channel 39) feels obligated to take bothers me,” said local gay activist Rick Moore. “They’re doing a story on being gay in the ‘90s, and they feel they have to bring in a right-wing fundamentalist to talk about how awful homosexuality is.”

Besides Sheldon and Greg Dickson, billed as a “converted homosexual,” the panel is scheduled to include Dr. Simon LeVay, the gay Salk researcher who says he has discovered anatomical differences in the brains of homosexuals and heterosexuals; UC San Diego evolutionary biologist Dr. James Weinrich; lesbian activist Jeri Dilno; and the Rev. David Farrell, a minister in the local gay community.

According to program executive producer Steve Corman, the program is designed to focus on whether biological or behavioral factors contribute to homosexuality, and the debate over AB101, the anti-discrimination bill recently vetoed by Gov. Pete Wilson.

Sheldon is included because he lobbied against AB101, and he represents the viewpoints of “hundreds of thousands of followers,” Corman said.

But gay activists charge that he is only on the panel to produce a sensationalistic atmosphere, to spark a confrontational debate that will bring in a bigger audience.

“It’s pretty clear to me that they wouldn’t have (brought in an extreme point of view) if the program involved a Jewish, black or Chicano issue,” said Ben Schultz of ACT UP, a group fighting discrimination against gays.

Though Sheldon has a right to speak his mind, the activists have a point.

In this day and age, it would seem possible to have a frank, open and contentious discussion about gays in the ‘90s without bringing in a Bible thumper, just as it is certainly possible to have a lively debate about racism in the ‘90s without having someone on the panel representing the mind-set of a 19th-Century Southern plantation owner. Granted, the Ku Klux Klan represents a point of view, but it would be the worst form of sensationalism to bring white supremacist Tom Metzger into a discussion about affirmative action.

Hopefully the debate about discrimination can move to a higher level than whether blacks are “inferior,” or whether gays have a right to be gay.

Channel 39 could easily have the necessary dissension and conflict about LeVay’s research and AB101 without bringing in the homophobic perspective. There are scientists willing to debate LeVay’s findings and plenty of rational politicians and businessman who do not want AB101.

Certainly the “Third Thursday” producers understand that lines are drawn, that not all perspectives need to be represented. Discussions about having Dr. Paul Cameron, who, among other things, links homosexuality to bestiality, were scrapped because it was judged that he was not credible and did not represent a responsible point of view.

Corman insists that the discussion will not be sensationalistic, primarily because moderator Marty Levin will not allow Sheldon to take it into the gutter. He believes people will benefit from seeing what gays are up against from people like Sheldon.

“People will get more out of hearing him than not hearing him,” Corman said.

Panelist Dilno said she has “concerns” about Sheldon’s inclusion, but agrees with Corman: It will be up to Levin to frame the debate away from Sheldon’s extreme point of views.

“I wouldn’t do this if Geraldo was the moderator,” Dilno said. “I’m hoping ‘Third Thursday’ is more responsible.”

But some activists are not waiting to see how the show turns out. Schultz, of ACT UP, said protests are already planned, but he was not specific.

“Let’s just say there are people who are planning to disrupt the proceedings,” Schultz said.

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