Monday, January 09, 2006

Mormons Afraid Of "Brokeback Mountain"

The Mormons -- arguably the most bigoted, actively anti-gay mainstream religion -- is petrified of "Brokeback Mountain." And with good reason. Any decent human being, any good Christian, indeed anyone who sees the film with an open heart will experience a sad, tragic story about how cruel and damaging it is to force people to deny who they are. They'll see a movie about two people in love and audiences will wish their story didn't end so sadly. And audiences will cry. Here's a story on what a popular date movie it's turning into for straight couples.

But not in Salt Lake City. According to USA Today, at the last moment, the movie theater in Salt Lake City scheduled to show the film backed out of its agreement and cancelled the movie's debut. You gotta love when bigotry and fear trumps money in a businessman. (The movie has already grossed $22 mil in limited release and anticipation is high as it racks up one award after the other on the way to the Oscars. It's in 80 cities, well ahead of where they expected to be at this stage and you can be sure it will hit 1500 screens when the movie gets 8+ Oscar nods.)

Two things. First, only one theater in Salt Lake City was going to be showing the movie? That's the implication of the story in USA Today. Surely some other theater will step up to the plate. There's popcorn (and Kleenex) to be sold!

Second, the owner of the theater is Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller. How does the NBA feel having a bigot as one of its owners? How do the fans of Utah Jazz who are gay feel about Miller's actions? If you're a fan of Utah Jazz - ESPECIALLY if you're a season ticket holder -- call them at 801-325-2500 and tell them what you think about Miller's hate-mongering. Let us know what they say.

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