Posted by TheMadFatChickKiller at campaign19.asu.edu on August 01, 2001 at 17:18:25:
In Reply to: Here's my letter to GLAAD -- edit at will. posted by Isis on August 01, 2001 at 11:46:18:
: And again, a sincere beg to NOT write negative letters to their attention.
: You all have until midnight tonight to e-mail me with suggestions for editing this letter, I'm trying to make it shorter (believe it or not).
: **
: To Whom it May Concern,
: The first time I viewed the movie "Chasing Amy" by writer/director Kevin Smith, I could not verbally admit I was bisexual. Mind you, I was well aware that I was intimately involved with another woman at the time, but I was uncomfortable with taking on that identity. Smith's movie helped affirm my belief and confidence in myself. The tagline and theme used throughout that movie - "It doesn't matter who you love, but how you love" - have become a mantra for myself and many other people of alternate sexualities who have been similarly affected by Smith's work.
: Though like you I sometimes question the methods and language Smith uses to express himself, I have always admired his efforts towards tolerance of all kinds - racial, sexual, political and religious. The character Jay, present in all of Smith's movies, undoubtedly spouts the most offensive dialogue. However, Jay has also been exposed throughout Smith's film series as having homosexual thoughts and feelings.
: I am not going defend Smith's use of the word "gay" as a synonym for anything negative in his latest film, "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back". Even though I am an avid fan of his work, I do not agree with his use of homophobic language and have expressed as much to him.
: However, through reading interviews, following his work carefully and reading the messages he leaves for his fans on his website, I have to conclude that these actions do not derive from any personal homophobia on Mr. Smith's part. If anything, he is fascinated by and admires the gay community. It is simply the nature of his work to satirize the unpleasant and judgmental elements of our society, including his major audience, heterosexual young males.
: Though I have always supported the work GLAAD does, I am disappointed that you chose to request monetary donations from Mr. Smith and Miramax rather than take this opportunity to join forces with a media personality who is clearly gay-friendly and could be a powerful ally to the cause. I encourage you to recognize that Smith has great influence over the teenaged males who use this type of derogatory language without any sense of irony. His work (particularly "Chasing Amy") exposes this demographic to concepts they would never otherwise entertain.
: I hope that your justified displeasure with the content of "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back" does not prevent you from opening a dialogue with Mr. Smith that I believe could be mutually beneficial. His talent, his voice, his homophilia and his influence are far more valuable than his money could ever be. I urge you to consider working with Mr. Smith on an alliance of interests rather than engaging in a media battle.
: With all due respect,
: B. Buster
: ***
: Comments and suggestions are welcomed.
: Smartasses will be ignored, unless they have something of value to say.
: -- i