Timeline is a regular feature in each issue looking back to events and milestones that have helped us evolve into the community we are today.

Early November, 1992

Known perhaps as the lesbian mecca of America, Northampton, Ma. found itself in the midst of some differing opinions following the Oct. 23, 1992 airing of a 20/20 episode.  In a program entitled “Women Loving Women,” the ABC-TV newsmagazine set out to show mainstream America what lesbian life was all about, but some women felt that the show merely skimmed the surface, while others felt the show failed to accurately represent the complexity and diversity of the lesbian community.

The host, Lynn Sherr, had opened her show with the following statement. “Compared to gay men who have become vocal, political and visible, lesbians choose to remain hidden.” Sherr’s point was that lesbians “choose” invisibility.

Women like Northampton-based author Leslea Newman questioned whether or not Sherr had “ missed the entire feminist movement.” Newman also felt that the episode depicted lesbians as financially elite, perfectly content and well-manicured—thereby inaccurately representing all lesbians. Newman had been asked to appear on the episode, but she declined when the producers would not allow her to speak about her career as a lesbian writer.  Newman felt as though the producers wanted to film her engaged in more “normal” activities. “One producer said I was perfect because I didn’t look like a lesbian! Well, this is what a lesbian looks like.”

And while many, like Aliza Ansell, co-producer of WOW productions, seemed to feel like the show was not too in-depth and that it overlooked the large population of gay and lesbian viewers, others felt that the program was indeed an accurate portrayal of lesbian life in a town in Western Massachusetts. “...It was intended to be positive and I feel that it was,” Northampton Mayor Mary Ford said. “The purpose was to look at professional, older lesbians—and they did that. I have heard nothing but positive responses from around the country,” Lin Wetherby, owner of the Northstar, a local club and restaurant said.

Sherr was further criticized for her attempt to balance the show with retired city councilor Jim Brooks who said lesbians are “not normal.” Sherr then asked Brooks how he thought lesbians had hurt Northampton. Some were angered, feeling as though Sherr had perhaps inserted her own judgements, asking not if  Brooks had thought lesbians hurt the town, but how they had hurt the town. As it happened, the piece was paired with a story about a serial killer whose victims were all women.

Tags: 2010, 37-05, EARLY MARCH