Posted by Wonder Girl at dialup-63.210.123.163.dial1.losangeles1.level3.net on August 01, 2001 at 03:37:22:
I just read over the letter that you sent to Kevin Smith, as well as his subsequent thoughts on the matter. As a Kevin Smith fan, it pains me to my very soul that you chose to go after, of all people, him. I'm sure that you have already received dozens of letters from my fellow fans. I'm also sure that many of them were way more eloquently written and thought provoking than mine will probably turn out to be.
My problem with the situation is this: Why go after Kevin? Granted, you weren't at all vindictive or mean spirited in your letter, but... Kevin? Of all people? He wrote 'Chasing Amy,' for goodness sakes. If he were any more pro-gay, he'd be GAY! He doesn't deserve this. He's a good man, a good father, who is not only aware of how influential he can be, but who actually goes out of his way to use his influence to open minds and break down barriers.
I believe that you underestimate Kevin Smith's main audience. We are not young teenagers and "frat boys" who are looking to see some really funny dick & fart jokes. Some of us go to his movies for that, but not only for that. The difference between a Kevin Smith audience and, say, an 'American Pie' audience, is that we don't just expect the gross-out humor, we're also expecting a story, great characters, clever dialogue, and substance. As Kevin Smith fans, we would not be satisfied with just the dick & fart jokes.
Some fans went into 'Chasing Amy' simply as fans. Kevin made us see that there was so much more to his movies. He had faith in us that, if our minds weren't already open, maybe he could do something about it. So many of us, including me, left the theater enlightened. It was a side of homosexuality that we had never seen. There were no cliches. It was glaringly honest. And we appreciated that from Kevin: faith that we would understand completely. We would let him do his thing, and not say a single negative word.
It's a lot to ask, I know, but if would be so wonderful if you at GLAAD would have the same faith in Kevin Smith's audience. Please, leave Kevin Smith alone. He's got a little girl and a wife. He doesn't need any unnecessary burdens. And that's all that your letter was. You had a complete right to be concerned, but maybe you should've looked at the big picture. Kevin is not a homophobe. He is the farthest thing from it. He didn't need that letter. Of all people to try to censor, it shouldn't have been him. He's on your side.
Straight from the heart. Damn Kevin, you're like family to me!
-Jen