Last night at a fundraising gala for the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amy Pascal appealed to her Hollywood industry colleagues about some specific word choices:

"How about next time, when any of us are reading a script and it says words like fag, or faggot – homo – dyke – take a pencil and just cross it out. Just don't do it."

Her prepared speech was informed, sweeping, compassionate, and clear. [color="Red"]She began her talk by recognizing visual media's power to entrench values, particularly to children and young adults.

"I'm talking about kids who are gay and I'm talking about kids who aren't gay. One group needs affirmation and the other group needs education. And, if I'm being honest, neither of those issues are high on any movie studio or TV network's agenda…"

"Now it's time for all of us to take that step. Not every gay character needs to be defined by his or her sexuality. Can't being gay just be one stitch in the fabric of someone's life? [color="Magenta"](apparently not, judging from the actions of turd-shlookers 'n' tuna boat swabbies)Can't we depict men and women who just so happen to be gay – perhaps a lawyer or soldier or business executive or scientist or engineer… [color="Red"]We need to create an atmosphere that encourages people to speak up, so we get this right…
We can do better and we will do better. We have to. If we just think about that kid in North Dakota, or their parents, we might just do it a little differently."

http://gawker.com/amy-pascal/