Subject: GLBT and Straight Friends/Allies - we need your help!
**ABC has recently chosen a path of intolerance and ignorance. And we need your help to let them know that's not okay.
You may have heard already about the abrupt firing of actress Brooke Smith from Grey's Anatomy. Her character Erica Hahn just came out as lesbian on the episode that aired October 30th on ABC. After viewing this episode, ABC deemed the character unacceptable for their network and the storyline too "explicit". I'm providing a link to the scene that prompted this firing. The only thing "explicit" about it is its honesty and raw acting. There is nothing physically explicit in it and has not been since the storyline started. It seems the very existence of a gay character was enough for ABC to immediately pull the plug on this storyline, and dismiss an actor involved with the show almost from the beginning.
The executives gave the Producers ONE show to "disappear" this storyline after a build-up spreading across two seasons. (The show kept the actress playing the doubting bisexual, presumably because she would be more palatable to the general audience). That last show will air November 6th.!! From advance word, it promises to be sudden and nonsensical. ABC has issued a statement that this is an "organic" ending to this storyline and has nothing to do with Smith's character being lesbian. We expect a further release soon stating the sky is not blue.
This is a clear case of nervous homophobia on the part of ABC. Treating the lives of lesbian and bi -women as normally as their straight counterparts on the show was deemed unacceptable by the network.
**This protest is NOT simply a case of being disgruntled that a favorite character on a serial television show has been let go. It's outrage that a character, an actress and by extension lesbian/bi viewers, have been treated so dismissively and with such disrespect and condescension. This is about GLBT rights and visibility! On the heels of Prop. 8 passing in California, it seems a giant step backwards for GLBT rights is in the air. We want to protest that trend. PLEASE HELP!
2) THEN MAIL ACTUAL LEAVES to the Network and the Producers of Grey's! We want a dramatic and creative response to show them how much we support this storyline and GLBT folks, in general. Send as little or as many leaves as you want. Envelopes or a big box. But send some today. Please. If you can include a short note saying "We see leaves too!" or "We support Brooke" or the like, that would be great. Have more to say? Even better.
(**It's probably best not to identify on the OUTside that your mail is part of this campaign. Make them open it!)
Mr. Stephen McPherson-President, ABC Primetime Entertainment
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
______
Grey's Anatomy
Attn: Shonda Rhimes, Executive Producer
4151 Prospect Ave. 2nd Floor,
Producer's Bldg.
Los Angeles, CA 900273
SHARE THIS EMAIL with as many sympathetic friends and groups that you can. It's important that we reach beyond viewers of the show. Because it's about more than that!
THANK YOU!
