Bigotry & Homophobia, So Happy Together

I was surprised that there wasn’t a bigger noise in Utah regarding a popular movie about gay cowboys. Like most fundamentalist churches, the Mormon church doesn’t like the homosexuals. This institutionalized hate and intolerance was one of a list about sixteen miles long of why I’m no longer a Mormon. My more progressive Mormon friends don’t like to talk about this aspect of the church teachings or it’s resultant culture, but it’s right there, under the surface. I expected the movie to be talked about, disdained and not shown except for the arty gay-friendly theater. Which apparently, there are two of in Salt Lake City. So while one could only see the movie in two theaters in the valley, one could still see the movie. This is the heart of Jesusy Good Conservativeland, USA after all.

Heather and I got a babysitter last week and despite me feeling like complete crap, we went and saw Brokeback Mountain. We didn’t see any protesters or signs of angst from the community that this film was playing down to the showhouse. Really fine film. Highly recommend it. It’s very difficult to watch. There is no overt agenda or preachiness. It’s just a story about people falling in love in a culture that doesn’t want to acknowledge that it’s ok to be gay. Kind of like today in most of the U.S. It’s very well told, tragic, and touching. We are an ignorant country, afraid of letting go the deeply genetic Puritan strains from our past. That the lead characters in the story are cowboys makes it more dramatic and compelling. I wasn’t expecting the universality of forbidden love to be so well-played. Heath Ledger is quite convincing, as is Jake Gyllenhaal. Ang Lee definitely atones for Hulk.

Well, my surprise at the lack of reaction was short-lived. It looks like the owner of the Utah Jazz, countless auto dealerships and a few very large megaplex movie theaters is either a homophobe, a bigot or both. I said looks like. Because I don’t know if he is or not. It just looks like it from where I’m sitting.

This morning on a local news show we watched a “debate” about Gay/Straight student alliance clubs in Utah High Schools. Seems the local nutburger Senator who wants his Jesus to run things is sponsoring a bill to outlaw the clubs. On the show, one of the guests was a screechy woman who was trying to say that gay culture was a health hazard and that’s what the issue was about. Countering her was Utah’s out and proud (and awesome) state Senator, Scott McCoy. As with most of these kinds of “discussions”, the right-wing nutjobs always argue that of course they aren’t homophobic. Of course. Mr. McCoy offered one of the best counters in the most relaxed way:

Screechy Nutjob: “Of course I’m not a homophobe. When I worked in New York, half my staff were gay.”

McCoy: “I don’t think you are a homophobe. Homophobes are afraid of gay people. You are a bigot.”

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  • Beth

    Here’s a piece from Salon (ran in Dec., I think):
    http://tinyurl.com/bey9g
    [Ed. Note: Commented edited to remove both HTML and long URL; link goes to commenters story]

    Essentially says that the convservatives weren’t speaking out against “Brokeback Mountain” because they didn’t want to give the film any free publicity – even if it was negative. (A tactic that certainly hasn’t stopped ‘em in the past.)

    Can’t wait to see the film. I live in the midwest, and it’s still not showing here. Slated to open next week (Jan. 13). Will be interested in seeing the reception here. During a preview for “Brokeback Mountain” before “Walk the Line”, I overheard two 20-something “dudes” in front of me say, “That’s fucking sick.” I just hope the homophobes/bigots/whatever save their $$ so as not to ruin the experience for the rest of us.

    I read the short story the film is based on and must say it was the most compelling and heartbreaking story of forbidden love I’d ever had the pleasure to read. It’s too bad the message will be lost to so many people simply because it is told through the experience of two men.

  • http://www.ransom-note-typography.com jon deal

    That story of Larry H. Miller also hit the main page of fark.com yesterday as well.

    It’s just so incredibly hypocritical that Megaplex 12 and 17 (owned by LHM) will show movies chock full o’ violence and sex and whatnot, but there is a movie that has evil and sinful gay folk in it and he’s going to get all moral about it. Ugh.

  • http://www.kristyk.org kristyk

    None of our theaters are showing it, not even the arty one! Which sucks, because I can’t very well justify driving sixty miles to see it.

  • http://penn.typepad.com Leah Penn

    glad you went to see it! My family went, and we all thought it was a great movie. The first hour was a little slow, but it picked up well.

    When I reviewed it (albeit briefly) on my blog, I didn’t even mention the gay factor. I guess it just didn’t occur to me to mention the fact that the love story revolves around two guys. Mostly, I thought it was a heartbreaking story of two people who could not be together despite both their ardent wishes.

    I definitely got misty-eyed at the end. I thought the final details tied into the last few minutes were absolutely beautiful.

  • http://www.elvery.net/drzax Simon

    I love to read your political comment and it reminds me everyday not to lump Americans into one big basket of people I dislike. And luckily I have friends here that provide me with the same hope for Australia. I read an article just yesterday in Australia’s best mainstream national newspaper and it astounded me yet again just how racist people (including reporters and editors) can be.

    On a lighter note, this is the second blog post I’ve read today which features something good about Australia’s film industry. That’s very encouraging in light of the potentially disastrous effect the US-Australia free trade agreement could have on our film industry.

    S.

  • AprilD

    I am glad I’m not the only one who enjoyed this movie! I’m happy to say I live in a place that’s a lot more accepting of homosexuality. Us Canadians are generally more laidback about stuff like this…at least in the last 10 years or so anyway. More people need to come out of the Dark ages and realize that the world has changed.

  • http://www.xanga.com/ripzip ripzip

    Ah. Larry Miller. Financier of one of the great Mormon cinematic piles of crap: The Work and The Glory. Feh. The man is an idiot.

    And YEA!!! for Scott McCoy. That is one of the greatest comeback lines EVER.

  • http://jenniferinexile.blogspot.com Jenn

    Jon,

    Once again yeah for you. I love how much you support us gays. We need people who have a large number of readers or listeners telling everyone we are not freaks, we don’t all have “the AIDS” and we won’t ruin children by parenting them.

    It’s so nice to hear this movie being related to as a love story and not the “gay cowboy” movie. I of course won’t get to see it until the video release. I live in a small town in PA where they are pretending there aren’t any gays anywhere in the entire world.

    Again, thanks Jon for giving us a voice.

  • http://www.nothingbutbonfires.com Nothing But Bonfires

    Nowhere in Charleston is showing it either. Then again, this is the city that banned the IMAX film “Volcanoes of the Deep Sea” because “many people here believe in creationism, not evolution,” according to the IMAX theatre director.

  • http://bigdlittledmistatruffyandme.blogspot.com Karen Rani

    The second part of your post reminds me of the kid in my province who fought to take his boyfriend to the prom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Hall

    Marc Hall laid the ground work for more pro-gay/lesbian acceptance in Ontario schools – catholic or otherwise. Last year in our school district, there was a huge war among parents, with the school board caught in the middle because some parents and students wanted education about the gay lifestyle to be taught in schools in order to promote acceptance. Gay and lesbian kids were being treated horribly by their peers and people felt that with the right education, students would be more apt to accept that lifestyle. Fair enough.

    BUT! The proposed curriculum would start in Kindergarten! Now I don’t know about you, but we personally did not want our son to be learning about ANY kind of sexuality at that age FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD.

    We had given him the cartoon version of where babies come from at that age, and felt that was enough. When he came home at 6 years old and asked us if two men could get married, THEN we spoke to him about gay/lesbian relationships. It’s not an easy thing to discuss with your kid, I’ll admit, but if you don’t, they’re going to be confused and misguided by their peers.

    I think we rely on the school system far too much to teach our kids about things that are better taught at home. While I certainly want diversity and acceptance taught in the schools, I think the sexuality side of these things can wait until an older age – maybe 9 or 10.

    I’m all for teaching younger children about the differences in people and families, but that could include a huge range of things – physical disabilities, divorce, deafness, the list goes on and on. It’s not like being a gay/lesbian couple is something special and should be separately taught – it’s just that it doesn’t have to be such a focus.

    Stepping off my soapbox now. I’m sure there will be people who disagree with me – so be it.

    Can’t wait to see Brokeback Mountain – sounds amazing!

  • http://plazajen.blogspot.com Jennifer in Kansas City

    Hatred is simply fear that’s cooked too long in its own juices. I wish our society fostered a more secure, loving & accepting environment for our children & ourselves – it’s natural to fear what we don’t understand (sometimes), but in the end, we have a cerebral cortex, we are in control of our own lives, and no matter where you “source” your morals & ethics, fear & hatred don’t jive with Good Christian (or Ethical) Livin’. Sigh. Maybe in Leta’s lifetime, we’ll chip down the wall….

  • moonrattled

    How the two of you can stand living in Utah is beyond me, but it’s a relief to know you’re there. I like the thought of Utah being infiltrated by the sane. Perhaps there are others who are of unlike Utah mind as well. Tbogg http://tinyurl.com/drlwm [Ed. Note: PEOPLE, PLEASE USE TINYURL FOR POSTING LINKS TO COMMENTS] has a hysterically funny post comparing the beauty of Jake to the homophobic hag protesting the film…note: she says nothing about the movie the theatre is showing. Hostel. A super gross horror flick of combining sex and torture. Lovely.

  • http://leta4chemyahoo.com Leta

    I read the Salon piece that the first commenter mentioned, and I have to say, I’m seriously disturbed by the whole aspect of the story that plays “the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” as the conservative Christian foil to the secular, sex drenched “Brokeback Mountain”. I haven’t been to the movies in aeons, but the movies currently out that I want to see are (guess what?) Walk the Line, Narnia, and Brokeback.
    I have read all the Chronicles of Narnia as a kid, cherished them actually, and never even realized that they were a Biblical allegory until very religious friend pointed it out. I’ve also read Brokeback Mountain, which I think should be given some special Nobel Prize for being the finest piece of magazine fiction ever published. It is the quality of the literature that they are based on that makes me want to see these movies. To me, that commonality far exceeds any difference in plot. That’s the function of great writing, isn’t it, to put you inside someone else’s experience for a while?
    I am not what most people would consider a religious person. I do, however, believe in God, and I think the talent and skill to write as beautifully as C.S. Lewis or Annie Proulx has to be God-given. To try to pitch their stories against each other breaks my heart.

  • http://thesheltonfreepress.typepad.com Jenna Shelton

    Not showing in Traverse City Michigan either. I too really wanted to see it, I guess I will have to wait.

  • http://www.yarngame.blogspot.com clara

    As soon as I saw the headline screaming out “Utah Bans Brokeback” (or some such similar wording) I was just ITCHING to see what you had written about it.

    I’m glad I wasn’t dissapointed and you made a post!

  • http://biggaysam.com Sam Merrill

    I’ll have to drive 72 miles and enter another state to see this movie. Our theaters here in the four corners area are owned by a Mormon family and they refuse to show it.

    Welcome to my world? :P

    I have been thinking about this movie quite a bit and what the threat might be to conservative America.

    As long as gays are portrayed as clownish and blatantly effeminate conservative America is comfortable. The second we’re portray as normal every day people then the shit hits the fan.

    I’m already planning a road trip to Durango, Colorado (closest theater to us that is showing the movie) with dinner and a movie. Might as well make a night of it.

    As to Larry Miller? I can’t believe I bought a car from that son-of-a-bitch.

  • http://stacied.typepad.com/schmoopy/ Stacie de la Rosa

    Hi Jon,

    I haven’t commented here before but am a faithful reader of you and Heather both. Ya’ll are more crazy delicious than Mr. Pibb and Red Vines.

    It is things like this that always remind me I live in a ridiculously conservative America, well that and that guy in the White House. Having been raised in my blue state, liberal city where I was taught nothing but acceptance in all forms, it makes me feel that I am always so far on the other side of this fence when these issues arise. Then when a lovely film like Brokeback Mountain is released, I am reminded of the God-fearing folks and Screechy nutjobs of the world.

    Quick story–when my husband and I were married in Austin, TX. Liberal city yes, but still Texas none-the-less, my gay best friend stood up with us as my person of honor. Let’s just say the Texans are still talking about that one. Had it been my female best friend, no one would have batted an eye, but I was asked by several people that day what the hell I thought I was doing AT MY OWN WEDDING. I will NEVER understand.

    Reading the comments here how people are not able to see a film like this as the states where you reside won’t show it, just makes me realize how much we haven’t progressed as a nation. One reader would of had to haven driven 60 miles? Outrageous. I will never understand how theatre owners can get away with this kind of crap. It’s a film that deserves to be seen! What is the fear in showing a love story? It’s probably one of the more realistic films out right now, and one whose story needs to be told.

    I wonder, are these same theatre’s which are NOT showing Brokeback Mountain showing films such as Hostel or Grandma’s Boy?

    My husband and I saw nothing more than a love story in this poignant and heartbreaking film. My husband cried his eyes out as the credits rolled, and Heath Ledger needs to be getting some Oscar lovin’ for his part. Ang Lee too!

    Thanks, Jon, for addressing this issue. Scott McCoy rules.

  • http://dicentra.diaryland.com alina m.

    This is infuriating. It’s not possible to avoid that man in Salt Lake City. He made a very stupid move and I hope the backlash is extensive.

  • Michelle

    For insights about homophobia, I seek the wisdom of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert:

    SC: The minute we let them get married, you’re breaking down the last societal barrier between our world and their world.

    JS: But, I think that’s the point. I think the point is that when you break down those barriers, that’s a metaphor for something positive.

    SC: Look, Jon, he only reason my wife and I got married in the first place was because it was something gays couldn’t do. Our wedding was conceived entirely as a giant homosexual taunt. But now, now the vows I made to my wife seem as shallow and empty as the vows I made to my three previous wives.

    JS: But I’m not still seeing, and again, I haven’t studied it like you have. But how do two people who have nothing to do with you, how does their personal decision impact your commitment.

    SC: Well Jon, here’s a for instance. [sic] My wife and I have been through a bit of a rough patch lately. Over the last few months, I’ve forgotten our anniversary, her birthday, on several occasions, her name. Now, I ask you Jon, is this because of some magic pattern of emotional neglect just dropped down from the sky to ruin my marriage? Isn’t it the simpler answer that hundreds of gays were granted judicial permission to seek equal contributory benefits? Connect the dots, man.

  • McDonie

    Blah, blah, and blah. While I certainly respect everyone’s opinion, I can say that I would rather save my money than watch a film about a couple of queer cowboys. I have no doubt that this is a well scripted film. However, after seeing Desperate Housewives yesterday evening, I venture to say that I would have no desire watching two men kiss…no matter what the underlying storyline may be. What’s next, a film about a couple of queer priests?

  • http://mssisyphus.blogspot.com Ms Sisyphus

    Oh how I love Stephen Colbert!

    Once again, Utah makes me proud to be a Canadian (although that could change in couple weeks if the voters up her are stupid enough to elect the Northern version of Dubya.)

    And Karen Rani, I do disagree. The Ministry of Education includes sex and sexuality in their curriucula because its an important aspect of the world in which our children live. And unfortunately, many children who live in homes that believe that school is no place to learn about sex are not getting any sort of positive message or accurate information about it at home.

    Including homosexuality in social studies lessons certainly doesn’t mean that your kindergartener is going to be exposed to the joys of anal penetration, just that gay/lesbian families are going to be included in any discussion that does take place.
    And if it is openly discussed in classrooms, then those misguided 6 year old peers have the chance to be positively educated too.

    Oh, and how cool is it that Utah has an openly gay senator? That gives me hope.

  • http://biggaysam.com Sam Merrill

    A friend of mine has a little more information on the Larry Miller fiasco:

    http://www.s007767.com/blog/?p=224

  • http://www.patatomic.com patatomic

    > My more progressive Mormon friends don’t like to talk about this aspect of the church teachings or it’s resultant culture, but it’s right there, under the surface.

    Jon.

    We (your progressive Mormon friends) talk about it all the time, but not with you. We all know to avoid religion in general and Mormon issues specifically when it’s hang time with the Armstrongs. It’s that fine line we walk.

    For the record I personally have no issues with gay culture/lifestyle. I have ZERO problem with gay marriage and I have several active Mormon friends who think likewise. I support gay rights and my voting record in California and Utah will back that up.

    When I lived in San Francisco I found my Ward to be very accepting of openly gay men who attended. The Bishop at that time seemed to handle that situation with absolute grace, as did many other members of the Ward. It really wasnít an issue.

  • http://www.blurbomat.com blurb

    Pat, you and your record are awesome. Unfortunately, you and your record are in the minority. I wish there were more people like you in the faith. And other faiths. You are extraordinary in your views and your openness.

    This was not a dig at you, but at a cultural issue of hate and ignorance. Listening to bigots try to rationalize their hate in the cloak of moral superiority… I’m gonna say something. Ignoring it only perpetuates it. Calling attention to it means it might be dealt with, even in a small way.

    If you subsitute the words “Hispanic” “Latino” or “African American” for gay, it is precisely the same language my grandparents used to talk about non-white people. They criminalized their behavior, justifying it with pseudoscience and nonsense. The very same thing is happening today. Religion is at the heart of it.

    Mr. Miller made a couple of business choices that he had the right to make. As a consumer, I’ll make the choices I need to make. They won’t include Mr. Miller.

  • http://biggaysam.com Sam Merrill

    I grew up in the church and gay. The incidences of acceptance were few and far between. I’m glad you have had some positive experience with this issue but let me tell you. It is very rare. I was a member of a group in Utah that tried to help gays overcome their “sexual orientation.” The number of positive experiences could be counted on one hand. The number of bad experiences? Legion.

    Why do you think there is such a high suicide rate among LDS members struggling with homosexuality? Because of POSITIVE experiences? That would be a no. I even lost a job in Utah when the family that owned the business found out I was gay. They were LDS. I have had terrible experiences. My lover was murdered because he came out. I have been bashed three times with one incident landing me in the hospital. This was in Utah. It’s not all roses and sunshine. Not by a long shot.

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