Posted by John Walker at acbd85db.ipt.aol.com on August 01, 2001 at 18:57:52:
In Reply to: Some bad, bad news concerning me and GLAAD posted by Kevin on July 31, 2001 at 17:52:15:
How come Scott has stabbed you in the back like that?
It seems very sad that he would say he understands and then go and bad mouth you behind his back... Why? Publicity for his cause? How do these pressure groups gain so much power? and who can possibly moderate them if they go too far?? The "Pressure Group Moderatoring Pressure Group"?
*sigh*
You better be quick to say that the donation to the MSF was because you SUPPORT gay groups and not because you wanted to "pay him off" or even because you wanted to say that you're "sorry". (Ten G's is a lot of money my friend.)
How can they ignore the very pro-gay messages in the film?? Or in your other films?? That scene in Dogma was one of the most daring and progressive scenes in "main stream" (no offence) cinema I have ever seen!
99% of films people go to see at the cinema skip past the whole issue, never bother putting gay characters in or if they do they never have one of the MAIN CHARACTERS showing gay tendencies -- Hollywood would never make Die Hard with Bruce Willis kissing a guy! Or even discussing his past "dabblings". Look at all the hoo-ha over Tom Cruise! Could he put out a more anti-gay message?? -- "if everyone thinks I'm gay no-one will like me anymore! i'd better sue!"
I'm surprised you were allowed to make a film where you put one of the main characters into a "dubious" catagory... surely Hollywood would think that's "unmarketable"?
*sigh*
You know all this and you said it better yourself. In short: I completely agree with you and offer my support.
I hope my little letter to GLAAD with help make a difference.
Thanks Kevin... and Good Luck!
~ John W
PS - I think that deleted scene from Chasing Amy, the one about "passive aggressive gay bashing", really said it best. How could someone who wrote this possibly be against gay people? It shows complete understanding of the whole issue! What kind of a message does it send out when someone who so openly "progressive" gets, for the lack of a better term, "bashed"?
I digress! :)