Wildcat's coverage of Awareness Week sensationalistic, destructive

As co-director this semester, I have been very happy with the Wildcat's coverage of past events involving BGALA. However, after reading the article in Wednesday's Wildcat ("BGALA drag show 'raising awareness'"), I feel the need to express grave concern over the paper's destructive and sensationalized coverage of events that numerous people have volunteered incredible amount of time to create.

Why is it that out of the 12 events scheduled, the Wildcat only chose to focus on the "Drag" show? Is it because the editors knew that they could use it to get the most emotional and opinionated responses from students? Out of all the pictures that were taken by your photographer during the show, why did you choose to use one that many people, including myself, would think was inappropriate? The whole idea behind the show was to provide entertainment to BGALA members and the university while increasing people's awareness of the entire gay and lesbian community, not just to show that people who do not approve of us could not "scare us away." I am very proud of the performers who volunteered their time and energy to produce a very entertaining and fabulous show. They did not just "bat their eyes and blow kisses!" They showcased an incredible ability to take on different characters and famous music stars through their amazing lip synching, dancing and stage presence. As far as I am concerned, the Wildcat took a very positive experience and manipulated it into one that it could use to create the most tension and "sell" the most papers. I might as well have invited a supermarket tabloid to cover the event!

I would like to encourage BGALA members to write in to the Wildcat to express their opinion about the above mentioned article. As I have said many times in meetings, we can not expect society's prejudices to change unless we speak out with a solid and united message.

By Jason Cianciotto (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 1, 1997