A Tender Story of Intolerance
February 8th, 2007Miller says he now thinks ‘Brokeback’ ban was wrong
Today’s Salt Lake Tribune features a slightly contrite Larry H. Miller (the guy who banned Brokeback Mountain in his movie theaters last year.
“I’m still outspoken on issues, but I know I have to look at people’s feelings and lives. I’d like to say I’m more understanding now. To say I’m tolerant would be less accurate, but I am more understanding.”
Credit to the gay community for giving more than they are receiving in this case. At least Miller met with them. I can’t wait for the days of openly out athletes. That is going to move the discussion forward in countless wonderful ways. o
(Thanks, Dave for this link!)
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February 8th, 2007 at 10:14 am
> Owens hopes other prominent Utah leaders will follow Miller’s example: “If he can come out and say, ‘I was wrong to discriminate against a group of people,’ then who knows who’s next? Maybe Orrin Hatch?”
Good luck one that one. Having said that, who knows?
February 8th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I’m actually impressed. I like to think that people can change, and that uptight middle-aged rich white mormons can admit they’re wrong. Now we just need to soften a few million more of those uptight rich white mormon hearts.
February 8th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
What perfect timing for your post. Just yesterday, former NBA player, John Amaechi announced that he is gay. He is the first NBA player to come out publicly. See article below.
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1586838,00.html
February 8th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Geeze alina m…bitter much? lol
People can’t progress and change if there are always those on both sides that either a)won’t allow it, or b) don’t beleive it.
Not everyone in Utah, or who’s Mormon for that matter, is a close-minded bigot.
February 8th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
pat, I read that same quote about Orrin Hatch and thought the exact same thing, “Yeah, good luck with that.” Pigs will fly out my butt before anything like that happens, I expect.
February 9th, 2007 at 3:45 am
staceymay:
Bitter? Yes. Sure, “Not everyone in Utah, or who’s Mormon for that matter, is a close-minded bigot.” But if you live there and aren’t part of the consensus narrative, there is a high statictical likelihood that people who might otherwise be kind and understanding will instead show you their bigoted side.
Not all pots of water sitting on stovetops will burn your hand… but if you’ve reached out enough times, and gotten burned enough times, you’d be a fool to assume anything other than “I’m going to get burned” when presented with the same situation.
I loved Utah. But the bigotry I experienced there isn’t the sort of abstract, academic, point-of-view-dependent, two-sided bigotry you describe. It doesn’t require ‘bitterness’ to see that it is a very real and pervasive practice of a monocultural society.
Outside of Utah I have many Mormon friends and the difference between their attitudes and the prevailing attitudes of Utah Mormons is so extreme that they almost seem to be practicing a different religion. Their acceptance of other points of view and the lack of a pervasive cultural saturation combine to create a situation where bigotry would stand out as the shameful practice it is. In a self-reinforcing monoculture such as that found in Utah, there isn’t enough damping on the cultural processes and there is a distinct lack of reference points that would make much bad behavior stand out.
So: bitter, much? Sure. But if you have been stabbed an uncountably large number of times, do you not bleed much?
February 9th, 2007 at 7:22 am
I’m quite impressed, I didn’t think he’d ever move on the tolerance issue. So many more people need to do the same though. It’s hard for me to understand, as a Brit, that places like Utah, Florida and California can be so culturally poles apart, yet in the same country and under the same government. I’d be fascinated to visit Utah, but I just hope I don’t meet any of these Miller/Hatch type people…
February 9th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Staceymay: While I appreciate the concise comedy of your response, and would love to just let it stand on its own,
I do feel like I should just admit that I am a little bitter. I’m mormon, I live in downtown salt lake city, and I sit in church every week cringing everytime someone says something uninformed and bigotted in the gospel doctrine class I teach. So…hearing that Mr. Miller has admitted he might have been wrong on the issue gave me a little cause to celebrate. I try not to be bitter. I promise 
February 10th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Sorry that this story makes me f-ing sick. How long does the gay community have to take the scraps from the table? I’m glad you posted it. I just think Miller is an asshole.