Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Media KOMO: People Are Having SECKS!
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Here's last night's shocking "report" from KOMO about how "your tax dollars" are supporting a sex club in Seattle...
The gist of it seems to be—the scandal seems to be—that the Center for Sex Positive Culture isn't paying federal taxes on its roughly $12,000 annual profit. That's some subsidy there—at least a couple of hundred bucks per year. But as Allena is allowed to point out at the end of the piece most clubs are non-profits—including golf clubs, hunting clubs, private clubs. No one would be shocked to learn that a non-profit club that catered to the needs of the golfing community was facilitating some actual golfing. Why shouldn't a non-profit community center that serves the needs of the sexually adventurous—not just with bondage beds, but with social events, educational events, and arts events—be allowed to facilitate some actual fucking?
But here's what most infuriating about this piece: The reporter couldn't find a single man-on-the-street, a single writer or author (ahem), willing to defend the Center for Sex Positive Culture. Gee, KOMO, biased much? The reporter—the truly awful Marlee Ginter—presumes that everyone out there watching is just as shocked and outraged by all of this as she is (or as she pretends to be). The Center for Sex Positive Culture is ten years old and has hundreds of members and hosts hundreds of well-attended events throughout the year—and they're not all sex parties (not that there's anything wrong with sex parties). The Center's annual Seattle Erotic Arts Festival attracts thousands of people from the area. But KOMO would have us believe that the Center is an affront to our community, not a part of our community; that the community unanimously rejects the Center and all the dirty SECKS! SECKS! SECKS! that goes on in there.
Bullshit, Ginter: if there wasn't a broad base of support out there in the community for the Center—if it didn't serve a need—it wouldn't exist. It would have no members, no one would attend its education events or its social events, and it would close its doors.
Yes, yes: the piece is idiotic and it's not going to get the Center shut down. If anything, it's going to attract new members—there were people in KOMO's audience that ran from their TVs to their computers, looked up the Center, and will be attending their next event. But this kind of sex-negative posturing on the part of the local news marginalizes sexual minorities and, ironically, points to the need for a place like the Center.
You can comment on this idiotic bullshit here. And you can email KOMO's idiotic, biased "reporter" MGinter@komotv.com.
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3
So the club makes $12,000 in profits. That's not very much. So basically they make $1000 a month - just barely running in the black.
5
Wait, a federally funded 501(c) nonprofit isn't paying taxes on its profit? Why is that good again? That's fucked up. I hope that it is shut down.
6
And here I thought my federal tax dollars were going to giving polygamous LDS converts a tax writeoff for "churches" and spreading hate against gays getting married ...
7
@5. I think my sarcasmeter is broken this morning due to lack of sleep, because I can't tell if you are joking or not.
8
California is becoming Missouri and Seattle tv news is becoming a stupid Mississippi sex toy obsessed tv news show...I can't remember what state that sex toy reporter came from. The one where Dan wanted us to send them sex toys?
11
Non-profits aren't supposed to make a profit at all. I hope they have a capable finance person who can make sure that doesn't happen every year. Time to buy some laptops or shower gel or something.
12
Allena and the folks at the Center for Sex-Positive Culture were warm and welcoming and completely lovely when I shot a short film at the Wet Spot a few years ago. I hope Dan's right and this ludicrous KOMO report brings them attention from sex-positive people looking for community, not from reactionary jackholes looking for someone else to oppress.
13
Fnarf - That's not true. It's perfectly acceptable for a nonprofit to make a profit. They just need to set it aside and maintain a reserve or reinvest in the organization. There is a subjective limit to how profitable they can be and for how long, but most organizations don't have that problem.
15
Isn't she the reporter who came to the micro-victory parade for Obama that happened before that huge day-after one on Pike/Broadway. She shows up at 6pm, sees 20 people and stands there, smirking and laughing then drives off after getting a quick blurb from a particpant.
And then at around 8:30 dozens of people appear on Pike/Broadway and she's nowhere to be seen.
And then at around 8:30 dozens of people appear on Pike/Broadway and she's nowhere to be seen.
16
Did you see how her eyes lit up every time she said bondage? Her secret personal theme song is "I Wanna Be Bad" by Willa Ford, I just decided.
18
KOMO's comment page seems to be down. I emailed their regular progamming email in addition to mginter. I hope she enjoys scolding as much as bondage.
19
She reminds me of Michelle Malkin.
It was a completely stupid report, but at least she made that last point about other club types also being non-profits and how it's all some type of recreation. I don't think this piece was so much an attack on this sex club, or on the idea of sex clubs, as it was just an excuse to fill up two minutes of Komo's insufferable newscast with something dirty-sexy-fabulous for sweeps.
It was a completely stupid report, but at least she made that last point about other club types also being non-profits and how it's all some type of recreation. I don't think this piece was so much an attack on this sex club, or on the idea of sex clubs, as it was just an excuse to fill up two minutes of Komo's insufferable newscast with something dirty-sexy-fabulous for sweeps.
20
not only is the comment page down, but the story isn't even on the site anymore (a search for "sex" on all stories this year turns up nothing and i can't find anything on the "Problem Solvers" page). cowards. gg komo standing behind your "reporter."
25
It looks like maybe the story has been pulled off of KOMO's website?
It can be viewed here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uUMVDJ1fDiY
And if you'd care to share your opinion with KOMO, feel free to email any of the following: tips@komo4news.com, comments@komo1000news.com, problemsolvers@komo4news.com, NewsInquiries@komo4news.com, comments@komotv4.com
The author's email is: MGinter@komotv.com
It can be viewed here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uUMVDJ1fDiY
And if you'd care to share your opinion with KOMO, feel free to email any of the following: tips@komo4news.com, comments@komo1000news.com, problemsolvers@komo4news.com, NewsInquiries@komo4news.com, comments@komotv4.com
The author's email is: MGinter@komotv.com
27
The donation page on the center's website states, "Donations to the CSPC are not tax-deductible."
29
@27: donations to the Center are not tax-deductable, but donations to the Foundation elsewhere on the page are.
30
@29 The reporter specifically stated that club dues are tax-deductible. The center makes no such claim.
31
Wow! The last time I checked, there were 55 (mostly negative) comments about that story. Now (as it's been pointed out) the whole page and video have been deleted. It's like KOMO tried to wipe the internets clean of any trace of the that story. They are clearly in full CYA mode now. I wonder if the Center sent their lawyers after KOMO. I hope so!
32
Ze husband sez Allena was on KOMO Radio today after the noon news, giving info, correcting things, explaining its more than "just" a sex club. Anybody else listen?
33
I don't know about the Center/Foundation lawyers, but the membership was on top of it as soon as the story aired. I donated through the 'Problems Solvers' fund page with specific instructions to distribute 50% to the CSPC and 50% to the Foundation, along with my statement of "I Support Sex Positive Education in our Community". I challenged everyone who read my comment and who agreed to donate _something_ to show support and solidarity for being Sex Positive as well as a "shame on you" to Ginter and KOMO for not bothering to fact check and biasing the story with the most negative spin they could devise. I guess they're ashamed... since they've removed all reference from their webpage.
34
Dear Ms. Ginter:
I was surprised to receive a link to Dan Savage's blog that featured your report from last night on Komo-TV that featured a snippet of an hour-long conversation I had in your studios nearly one year ago when my book -- which you pictured -- debuted.
While I admired the breathless style, and the very creative editing that must have taxed the imagination of the editor, I was disconcerted because your report made it appear as if 1) I conducted some sort of scary undercover sting or investigation 2) I was shocked by what I saw 3) I condemned it.
None of these are true.
In fact, I recall saying in the interview that the club members were "normal" and not scary, that the club had a very real educational purpose, and that my reporting for the previous year, in communities across the country, showed how much more mainstream BDSM and other formerly alternative sex practices were becoming.
Sheesh.
If you had bothered to read the book, or even the chapter based in Seattle -- or even if you had watched your own station's brief interview with me taped on that same day for the afternoon show -- you would have known that I spent time with Allena and with club members and that I had been welcomed with openness and graciousness, just as you apparently were. I made it clear that while I did not find some of the activities of some members to my taste, I was not condemning.
I realize that doesn't make for good "hard-hitting" TV news but boy, you really made the most of what you had. Way to go.
Now I feel as if I should apologize to Allena and the other club members. But I also feel you owe an apology to me for putting me in this position.
Pretty cheesy.
Yours,
Brian Alexander
More...
I was surprised to receive a link to Dan Savage's blog that featured your report from last night on Komo-TV that featured a snippet of an hour-long conversation I had in your studios nearly one year ago when my book -- which you pictured -- debuted.
While I admired the breathless style, and the very creative editing that must have taxed the imagination of the editor, I was disconcerted because your report made it appear as if 1) I conducted some sort of scary undercover sting or investigation 2) I was shocked by what I saw 3) I condemned it.
None of these are true.
In fact, I recall saying in the interview that the club members were "normal" and not scary, that the club had a very real educational purpose, and that my reporting for the previous year, in communities across the country, showed how much more mainstream BDSM and other formerly alternative sex practices were becoming.
Sheesh.
If you had bothered to read the book, or even the chapter based in Seattle -- or even if you had watched your own station's brief interview with me taped on that same day for the afternoon show -- you would have known that I spent time with Allena and with club members and that I had been welcomed with openness and graciousness, just as you apparently were. I made it clear that while I did not find some of the activities of some members to my taste, I was not condemning.
I realize that doesn't make for good "hard-hitting" TV news but boy, you really made the most of what you had. Way to go.
Now I feel as if I should apologize to Allena and the other club members. But I also feel you owe an apology to me for putting me in this position.
Pretty cheesy.
Yours,
Brian Alexander
36
My email to Ms.Ginter:
The scandalous piece on the Center for Sex Positive Culture that you presented last night made quite an impression on me, an appalling one!
It was remarkable how many inaccuracies were conveyed in such a short time.
Allena Gabosch does not “own” the Center, the community does.
There are no private rooms available for members all rooms are shared.
Membership dues to a 501(c) 7 are not tax-deductible.
Nonprofits do not keep any profits for personal gain, that's what nonprofit means.
Brian Alexander’s quotes were taken out of context to give a false appearance of condemnation.
Even in a busy election month the LPM (lies per minute) quotient in your piece was extraordinary.
Failing to mention that the Center is a volunteer driven organization, the oft marginalized sexual minorities that it also serves, or the fact that if the need for the Center did not exist, it would not exist either, indicates what a hackneyed and biased attempt at sensationalism this piece really is.
I always thought that fact checking and unbiased reporting were fundamental to good journalism. I've noticed that KOMO has already pulled the story from its website. It seems they already want to orphan it and get as far away as possible.
I do wonder, how does it feel to sell out your journalistic integrity in exchange for a shot at toothless scandal? Shame on you
The scandalous piece on the Center for Sex Positive Culture that you presented last night made quite an impression on me, an appalling one!
It was remarkable how many inaccuracies were conveyed in such a short time.
Allena Gabosch does not “own” the Center, the community does.
There are no private rooms available for members all rooms are shared.
Membership dues to a 501(c) 7 are not tax-deductible.
Nonprofits do not keep any profits for personal gain, that's what nonprofit means.
Brian Alexander’s quotes were taken out of context to give a false appearance of condemnation.
Even in a busy election month the LPM (lies per minute) quotient in your piece was extraordinary.
Failing to mention that the Center is a volunteer driven organization, the oft marginalized sexual minorities that it also serves, or the fact that if the need for the Center did not exist, it would not exist either, indicates what a hackneyed and biased attempt at sensationalism this piece really is.
I always thought that fact checking and unbiased reporting were fundamental to good journalism. I've noticed that KOMO has already pulled the story from its website. It seems they already want to orphan it and get as far away as possible.
I do wonder, how does it feel to sell out your journalistic integrity in exchange for a shot at toothless scandal? Shame on you
37
I sent KOMO this note:
You people should be ashamed of yourselves. The sensationalist hit peice you ran on the Center for Sex Positive Culture made it seem like a night club of private owners scamming the state, rather than the community organization that it really is. The only difference in terms of actual daily function between a non-profit and a profit making business is that the profits are not distrubuted to shareholders.
I wonder why you don't do a salacious "expose" style hit peice on that great bigoted hate group known as the LDS church? One that made so much "profit" it's built mega temples all over the world, and could get it's bigoted "members" to donate 20 million dollars to take away people's civil rights.
Most egregious is the opening, when the talking haircut at the begining states that a "seattle woman is looking for state and federal money to finance part of her sex club organization." "Her" organization? A significant population of the Seattle community supports the Center for Sex Positive Culture with membership dues, just like any other membership organization. It's owned by the community, not any single member.
The piece then doesn't bother to explain exactly where she is "looking" for state and federal funds.
I'm disgusted with KOMO. The talking parasites KOMO hires to to broadcast this sewage don't deserve to handle money in fast food, much less broadcasting on the publicy owned airwaves. At the very least, these walking atrocities (Marlee Ginter especially) ought to lose their FCC licenses. KOMO should end up buying the center a new building out of the deal. It would not surprise me if some of the innaccuracies reach the threshold of libel.
Shame. Just shame.
Sincerely,
Christopher Bingham
More...
You people should be ashamed of yourselves. The sensationalist hit peice you ran on the Center for Sex Positive Culture made it seem like a night club of private owners scamming the state, rather than the community organization that it really is. The only difference in terms of actual daily function between a non-profit and a profit making business is that the profits are not distrubuted to shareholders.
I wonder why you don't do a salacious "expose" style hit peice on that great bigoted hate group known as the LDS church? One that made so much "profit" it's built mega temples all over the world, and could get it's bigoted "members" to donate 20 million dollars to take away people's civil rights.
Most egregious is the opening, when the talking haircut at the begining states that a "seattle woman is looking for state and federal money to finance part of her sex club organization." "Her" organization? A significant population of the Seattle community supports the Center for Sex Positive Culture with membership dues, just like any other membership organization. It's owned by the community, not any single member.
The piece then doesn't bother to explain exactly where she is "looking" for state and federal funds.
I'm disgusted with KOMO. The talking parasites KOMO hires to to broadcast this sewage don't deserve to handle money in fast food, much less broadcasting on the publicy owned airwaves. At the very least, these walking atrocities (Marlee Ginter especially) ought to lose their FCC licenses. KOMO should end up buying the center a new building out of the deal. It would not surprise me if some of the innaccuracies reach the threshold of libel.
Shame. Just shame.
Sincerely,
Christopher Bingham
38
I also donated through the 'Problems Solvers' fund page with specific instructions to distribute 50% to the CSPC and 50% to the Foundation, and a note in the reference field with the address to be sure the CSPC gets the check. I particularly like picturing what it'll be like for KOMO to hand over the checks to my organization of choice....
39
omg, CSPC offers classes and workshops on how to have better sex? How dare they! Guess it's time to try & take Babeland down too.
40
Here is the link to Ken Schram and some other guy's radio show. About half way through the show they discuss this whole issue and do a fairly good job of it, despite giggling like school boys half the time.
http://www.komonews.com/opinion/commenta…
http://www.komonews.com/opinion/commenta…
41
've seen a couple of suggestions for a couple of protests here, but honestly, what's being suggested isn't going to work.
What will work is a boycott of the shows (or maybe the stations) sponsors.
This kind of sleaze-ball, sensationalizing, yellow journalism is done to boost ratings and sell advertising. If the advertisers hear that a local club with 5,000 active members is not going to buy their products if they advertise here, they will run screaming away. =That= is the only way you will get the attention of these money grubbers.
Who wants to start a list of places to not shop?
A.M.
What will work is a boycott of the shows (or maybe the stations) sponsors.
This kind of sleaze-ball, sensationalizing, yellow journalism is done to boost ratings and sell advertising. If the advertisers hear that a local club with 5,000 active members is not going to buy their products if they advertise here, they will run screaming away. =That= is the only way you will get the attention of these money grubbers.
Who wants to start a list of places to not shop?
A.M.
43
you do realize that most "non-profits" make HUGE profits and large staffs that get enormous salaries. yet because of america's Puritanical Ideology we get singled out.
44
I'm catching up on my yahoo email. Just sent Ms. Ginter a note.
One to chastise her for dishonest reporting.
Two to thank her for "donations, new members and renewed comradarie between old members/friends."
Miss y'all & the Center!!
anita from TX
One to chastise her for dishonest reporting.
Two to thank her for "donations, new members and renewed comradarie between old members/friends."
Miss y'all & the Center!!
anita from TX
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