Activists Seek To Tie "Milk" To Gay Rights Campaign

New York Times:

LOS ANGELES -- When the movie "Milk" comes next month to Claremont, a college town about 30 miles from here, Patrick Milliner intends to greet it with a candlelight vigil protesting the newly passed state prohibition of gay marriage.

Before this month's election, Mr. Milliner organized unsuccessful opposition to California's same-sex marriage ban, Proposition 8. Now he expects the movie, about Harvey Milk, the murdered gay-rights crusader and San Francisco supervisor, to ignite his "Shame on 8" campaign.

"It fits perfectly with the plan," Mr. Milliner said.

That may be good for the movement. Whether it is also good for the movie is less clear.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[jessejuju]

Patrick Milliner is extremely passionate and we gay marriage supporters should be thanking him. I protested with him during the weeks leading up the election and while we were met with opposition, he was definitely determined not to let them get to us.

He's continuing the shame on 8 campaign not only with this movie, but with christmas toy drives and protests. He is definitely an asset to everyone.

[AlaskanWannaB]

I think all Americans believe gays and lesbians should have the right to "marry." No one wants to take away anyone's rights. I think the problem is the word "marriage." Although not clearly defined as such, most Americans believe "marriage" is a term signifying an arrangement between one man and one woman.

Are gays and lesbians opposed to coining their own word for homosexual "marriage." Is "civil union" not appropriate? Do civil unions deny gays/lesbians of some right that marriage provides them? Can you create a word that symbolizes the same thing as "marriage," which I personally believe is the only objection people against gay "marriage."

I read in the U.S. Today an article about Elton John and his partner, David Furnish. Elton John stated the same view...that American objected to the use of the term "marriage" to define a homosexual partnership. He stated that he and his partner was fine with civil union and believe it was equal to "marriage." He did not understand why American gays and lesbians insisted on using the term marriage when "civil unions" were, in England, equal to marriage and he were guaranteed the same rights as heterosexual married couples.

It's going to take some time just like it took time for African Americans to be viewed as equals. There are still a majority of Americans who still believe that African Americans do not deserve to be on equal footing with their white counterparts.

[Eric8869]

Civil Unions do NOT have the same rights as marriage so the point is moot on the word "marriage".

Until there are the same rights as marriage there is no point about the wording.

[AlaskanWannaB]

Well, my point was to make sure that "civil unions" are equal to "marriage."

[kellygrrrl]

the more you read into this story, the more you see so many things connected ... Jonestown, DiFi, Larry Craig, Anita Bryant ... it's almost surreal.

[kellygrrrl]

I hear Sean Penn is spectacular in this role. Looking forward it to. I will rock my No on 8 button when I go see it.

[antaeus]

The headline makes it seem as if it would be some kind of stretch to make this connection. How is that true when the very subject matter of the film--the location, the players, the cause--are in fact already related to current events in California?

[InfinityMiami]

You insist on being heard, but you keep deleting my posts. What's up with that?

[Giada]

I'm pleased It's front and center. Without these types of special interests we'd be left with the Titanic recycled indefinitely. Human rights are at the forefront, hopefully, it stirs an interest in our secular roots.

[OverIt]

Bad idea. That tactic is preaching to the choir. The plan should be to reach out to those who still need to be educated. Pushing viewing/support of the film as a ready-endorsement of the broader LGBT agenda shrinks the potential audience and is counterintuitive.

.

[jthomsen]

America has spoken on this subject.... and I, myself am tiring of the propaganda mill.... I have gay friends... I am pretty accepting.... but I always feel like I'm being manipulated by the never ending propaganda machine.... not unlike the one who had us hating Germans and Japanese for most of my youth....

Hollywood needs to diversify...... I'm tired of the same ole same ol interest groups finding new and different ways to indoctrinate and enlist my kids.....

[rmetz74]

Oh brother.

The gay marriage questions is analogous to interracial marriage, not to anti-American propaganda. If you think you're being manipulated by some evil power in relation to gay rights, you're not accepting, you're paranoid.

America has certainly not come to an agreement on this issue, and like interracial marriage, it will almost certainly end up in the Supreme Court, as it should.

As for indoctrinating your kids, it's corporations and churches who are out to do that, not gays and lesbians. Because gays and lesbians understand that you can't 'make' someone gay, any more than you can make them straight. (Lord knows many gays and lesbians have tried that.) You can, however, teach someone to be tolerant. And fortunately, this month's election proved that your kids' generation has already learned that lesson far better than their parents' ever did.

Black and women's rights came first, gay rights are next... And just as was the case with those first movements, the older, bigoted generations will fade, the new, more tolerant America will support equality, and your children's children will think it's crazy that it was ever a question in the first place.

[cdlryan]

You said it! Preach!

[Troyxx]

Right on! Excellent piece.

[Eric8869]

There is no propoganda machine - there are just people fighting for their civil rights.

When your partner dies alone in a hospital room beause you are not legally married and not let into the room. THEN tell us how annoying it is to you.

You're right Hollywood needs diversity - How many GLBT mainstream films can you think of? Brokeback Mountain .....um....... - maybe a handful. We have OUR stories too.

You can't make kids gay by teaching them gay people exist.

I wouldn't be your friend if you were the last person on earth.

[jessejuju]

It's obvious you're not as 'accepting' as you say you are. You compare our rights for marriage to propaganda over a war that killed millions of people that thereby interned induviduals on the basis of their ethnicities.
Your argument is weak, you used the words 'indoctrinate' and you consider us a 'special interest' which usually refers to business people who put money in politicians pockets for looking the other way.

Nice to see that you're pretty 'accepting'.

[claptrapa]

It is entirely appropriate to use this powerful film as a wedge for the gay rights activist. I salute their protests and the film. I hear it is marvelous and that Penn's performance is oscar worthy.

[luvobama]

It is and his performance is as well.

[GayGrandpa]

The message of Harvey Milk will again ring through this great land. It is OK to be gay. We are here; we are not going away. Come out come out whoever you are! Until this land understands that it is OK to be gay and that we are children, daughters and sons, brothers and sisters, co-laborers, tax payers, soldiers, we are here, we are everywhere...come out come out whomever you are...be seen, be heard, be unafraid! We are different that some others because although we are willing to and have died for our beliefs we are less inclined to kill for them...but we are here and we are here TO STAY!

[jthomsen]

and very very annoying.....

[rmetz74]

I suppose that's you being "pretty accepting". Your gay friends must be so proud.

[Eric8869]

Not as annoying as having your civil rights taken away from you.

[InfinityMiami]

I like the idea. Very prudent.