From a news release
New York, NY December 29, 2011 - Following outreach by GLAAD and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, a highly offensive and anti-LGBT calendar by cartoonist Joe King titled "I'm Not Gay, I'm Just a Sissy: 12 Months of Sexual Confusion," is no longer for sale on Barnes & Noble's web site. A spokesperson for the company yesterday also confirmed it was never sold in stores.
GLAAD is joining LGBT community members and allies as well as blogs including Towleroad and Pam's House Blend in calling on Amazon.com to do the same and stand up for its LGBT customers by pulling the anti-LGBT calendar from its web site immediately.
http://www.glaad.org/action/calendar
GLAAD launched an online action to e-mail representatives and voice concerns about the product at: http://www.glaad.org/action/calendar
"This calendar has no business being sold and supported by reputable retailers," said Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs and Communications at GLAAD. "King has a right to his opinions, however anti-gay or anti-transgender they may be, but retailers also have the right to decide that they don't want to support hateful and dehumanizing content like this."
King's cartoons employ outdated and highly-offensive stereotypes about LGBT people, and more specifically, gay men and transgender women. According to Daily Kos, King has responded to this controversy on his Facebook page with the use of even more dehumanizing and insulting comments against the transgender community, the gay community, and people living with HIV/AIDS: "Hoo-we! Hell hath no fury like a he/she scorned... The telephone tree of tantrums is lit up like a Las Vegas marquee for 'Boy-Lesque' today with hate mail, threats of boycott and even the risk of Jesus spitting on me for my "Sissy" calendar. I SAID I WAS A SISSY UP FRONT. Ironic who the real bullies are isn't it? Let's see if I get a call from Oprah's people or even Anderson Cooper..."
King also stated: "The 'truth' is that AIDS is an 'elective' disease. It STOPS the day guys quit sticking it to each other. And for the tragedy of women and children infected... THAT stops the day their gay husbands and fathers stop cheating on them. Anyone need MORE education, science or funding to understand THAT?"
To view the online action to let Amazon.com know that their support of this anti-gay and anti-transgender calendar is offensive and unacceptable visit: http://www.glaad.org/action/calendar
About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org . ...