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Loading ...Shimmin: Is boycotting Cinemark a step toward equality?
Last week, I watched Keith Olbermann’s commentary on his MSNBC show, Countdown, as he proclaimed:
“I don’t have a personal investment in this: I’m not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.“And yet to me this vote is horrible. Because this isn’t about yelling, and this isn’t about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.”
Unlike Keith Olbermann, my experiences since the California vote against gay marriage have been extremely personal.
As a gay man and as a vice president at Cinemark Theatres (whose CEO, Alan Stock, has been singled out in blogs for his $9,999 pro-Prop 8 donation), this controversy has weighed heavily on me.
Two years ago, I was hired by Alan Stock, and my life partner and I relocated to Plano, Tex., from the San Francisco bay area. Moving to Plano and effectively leaving behind our cherished Domestic Partnership document, signed by California’s Secretary of State, took much consideration. As did the prospect of leaving the progressive Bay Area for life in a “red state.”
However, I quickly discovered - and the past two years have confirmed – that Cinemark Theatres is committed to treating its team members, customers, and colleagues with dignity and respect.
During my job interviews, I discovered that Cinemark has an LGBT liaison for community outreach; Cinemark provides domestic partner benefits for California team members; Cinemark hosts the annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival; and Cinemark works with the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce as well as the Collin County Gay & Lesbian Alliance to arrange advance screenings for movies of interest to the LGBT community.
My partner participates in company and industry functions at Cinemark and is treated as my spouse by everyone here. In short, the corporate culture at Cinemark is inclusive and the customer experience at our theatres is inclusive.
After all, movie theatres are a community melting pot; a destination where all members of the community can share in an entertaining, and sometimes educational, experience.
Am I troubled by Mr. Stock’s personal donation to the Yes on 8 campaign?
Yes.
Have I ever witnessed Mr. Stock’s religious convictions as a Mormon interfere with his fair and equal treatment of employees or customers of Cinemark Theatres?
No.
When a corporation or a religious institution takes a stance against equality, then it is our obligation to stand up and voice opposition.
Unfortunately, there are far too many organizations and religious groups that promote hate and intolerance. Organizations that have taken a position on this issue deserve to be judged by their actions. In fact, a list of organizations that made corporate donations in support of Prop. 8 is posted on the Human Rights Campaign website (www.hrc.org/prop8supporters).
However, the Human Rights Campaign recognizes that it creates a dangerous precedent when corporations are held responsible for the religious or political contributions made by an individual employee; even if that employee is the CEO.
Alan Stock’s donation was a personal decision based upon his religious convictions. He made this contribution as an individual and only reported the name of his employer and his job title to be in compliance with election disclosure laws. Cinemark Theatres did not make any financial contribution to either side of this California campaign.
According to Cinemark’s Chairman, Lee Roy Mitchell, “it would be inappropriate to influence our employees’ position on personal issues outside the work environment especially on political, social or religious activities. Individual political actions, especially those outside of work are independent, individual acts of personal expression.”
This internet-based movement to hold organizations responsible for the individual, private donations of their employees should create fear in all of us.
When I contribute to the HRC, Democratic Party, or local candidates that share my beliefs, I am required, by law, to publicly disclose my position as a vice president with Cinemark Theatres. Should my employer be boycotted for my private views? After all, I’m an officer of the corporation. If groups call for my termination because I am gay, how should my employer respond? Should Cinemark’s 15,000 team-members be impacted by a boycott? Some argue that the employees are “collateral damage” and “the end justifies the means.”
To me, those terms sound eerily familiar to the justifications for past oppressions.
I am proud of Cinemark’s commitment to diversity in our workforce and the range of viewpoints expressed in the films exhibited at our theatres. I am saddened by Alan Stock’s religious stance on gay marriage. But I am hopeful that people can differentiate between the actions of a company and the convictions of an individual.
Right or wrong, individuals must have the right to express their religious or political beliefs outside the workplace without fear of reprisal.
Be angry. Fight for change. We will win the battle for equality. But the battle will be won by cultivating support and understanding; not through blacklisting and misguided boycotts.
Bob Shimmin is Vice President, Food & Beverage, of Cinemark Theatres
Dear Nakhone Keodara,
We received your correspondence regarding your concerns about the
Proposition 8 vote in California. Please know that Cinemark made no
financial contribution to either side on this issue. The company does
not take a formal position on political issues that do not directly
affect our business. It would be inappropriate to influence our
employees’ position on personal issues outside the work environment,
especially on political, social or religious activities. Cinemark is
dedicated to providing high quality entertainment for all of our
customers.
As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race,
creed, religion or sexual orientation. We appreciate the importance of
this matter to you. We hope that you equally appreciate that any
individual act or contribution is just that, individual acts of personal
expression and do not reflect company positions or policy.
Kindest regards,
James Meredith
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Cinemark USA, Inc.
Dear Nakhone Keodara,
We received your correspondence regarding your concerns about the
Proposition 8 vote in California. Please know that Cinemark made no
financial contribution to either side on this issue. The company does
not take a formal position on political issues that do not directly
affect our business. It would be inappropriate to influence our
employees’ position on personal issues outside the work environment,
especially on political, social or religious activities. Cinemark is
dedicated to providing high quality entertainment for all of our
customers.
As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race,
creed, religion or sexual orientation. We appreciate the importance of
this matter to you. We hope that you equally appreciate that any
individual act or contribution is just that, individual acts of personal
expression and do not reflect company positions or policy.
Kindest regards,
James Meredith
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Cinemark USA, Inc.
—–Original Message—–
From: nakhone@gmail.com [mailto:nakhone@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 2:34 AM
To: SiteTheatre; Cinemark Site Support
Subject: Contact Us: Other questions
To Whom it Concerns,
I am aware that Cinemark has a policy against discrimination that is
based on sexual orientation, among other characteristics. I appreciate
that, and applaud your commitment to equality. Please note that sexual
orientation is not a “preference;” it is an immutable characteristic,
and you insult the gay and lesbian community when you imply otherwise.
Your CEO, Alan Stock, contributed a large amount of money to the
Proposition 8 campaign. Proposition 8 stripped fundamental legal
protections from gay and lesbian Americans and their families. Since
your CEO will benefit directly (and lucratively) from your ticket sales,
I cannot, in good conscience, continue to patronize your business.
I am especially repulsed by the fact that your Mr. Stock will be
receiving money from screenings of the movie “Milk,” which expresses the
ideals of equality, justice, and activism. I have taken those ideals to
heart, and I will act against my aggressor, your CEO, by seeing the
“Milk,” and other movies, at a competitor’s theater. Others have joined
me in this commitment; see http://www.nomilkforcinemark.com for details.
Please note that there is still time to avert this boycott, since “Milk”
does not open until December 5th. I recommend you take one or more of
the following actions: (1) Fire your Mr. Stock, (2) Convince your Mr.
Stock to issue a public apology, and convince him to make a donation to
an LGBT rights group like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) or a charity
that benefits LGBT people, (3) Publicly apologize for Mr. Stock’s
behavior and make a donation to an LGBT rights group like the HRC or a
charity that benefits gay and lesbian people.
I look forward to your response,
Nakhone Keodara
CINEMARK’S RESPONSE TO MY LETTER:
Dear Nakhone Keodara,
We received your correspondence regarding your concerns about the
Proposition 8 vote in California. Please know that Cinemark made no
financial contribution to either side on this issue. The company does
not take a formal position on political issues that do not directly
affect our business. It would be inappropriate to influence our
employees’ position on personal issues outside the work environment,
especially on political, social or religious activities. Cinemark is
dedicated to providing high quality entertainment for all of our
customers.
As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race,
creed, religion or sexual orientation. We appreciate the importance of
this matter to you. We hope that you equally appreciate that any
individual act or contribution is just that, individual acts of personal
expression and do not reflect company positions or policy.
Kindest regards,
James Meredith
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Cinemark USA, Inc.
—–Original Message—–
From: nakhone@gmail.com [mailto:nakhone@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 2:34 AM
To: SiteTheatre; Cinemark Site Support
Subject: Contact Us: Other questions
To Whom it Concerns,
I am aware that Cinemark has a policy against discrimination that is
based on sexual orientation, among other characteristics. I appreciate
that, and applaud your commitment to equality. Please note that sexual
orientation is not a “preference;” it is an immutable characteristic,
and you insult the gay and lesbian community when you imply otherwise.
Your CEO, Alan Stock, contributed a large amount of money to the
Proposition 8 campaign. Proposition 8 stripped fundamental legal
protections from gay and lesbian Americans and their families. Since
your CEO will benefit directly (and lucratively) from your ticket sales,
I cannot, in good conscience, continue to patronize your business.
I am especially repulsed by the fact that your Mr. Stock will be
receiving money from screenings of the movie “Milk,” which expresses the
ideals of equality, justice, and activism. I have taken those ideals to
heart, and I will act against my aggressor, your CEO, by seeing the
“Milk,” and other movies, at a competitor’s theater. Others have joined
me in this commitment; see http://www.nomilkforcinemark.com for details.
Please note that there is still time to avert this boycott, since “Milk”
does not open until December 5th. I recommend you take one or more of
the following actions: (1) Fire your Mr. Stock, (2) Convince your Mr.
Stock to issue a public apology, and convince him to make a donation to
an LGBT rights group like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) or a charity
that benefits LGBT people, (3) Publicly apologize for Mr. Stock’s
behavior and make a donation to an LGBT rights group like the HRC or a
charity that benefits gay and lesbian people.
I look forward to your response,
Nakhone Keodara
people with zero integrity should not be writing editorials on 365gay.com
same thing with Sundance Org…
they can’t find another theatre to project a movie?
Makes me sick — and I support all boycotts of bigots who originally hoped their hateful vote/support remained a secret from their employees, vendors and supporters.
A few things strike me:
First, Cinemark provides Domestic Partner Benefits (for which one is taxed) to California employees. If it was truly an important part of the culture of the organization it would be extended to ALL Cinemark employees.
Second, please think about the following: If Alan Stock contributed money to the KKK, he would be ousted by the Board, and you would be appalled. I am afraid that you have been drinking the Kool Aid that makes one think that it is OK to be biased against the gay community provided it is shrouded in one’s own religious convictions. It is not OK.
I understand his point, but he lost me when he stated this: Cinemark provides domestic partner benefits for California team members. Why not to employees in states where they aren’t required to do it by law?
I might also add that Mr. Shimmin’s assertion that a boycott of Cinemark theaters is “misguided” is condescending and arrogant. Exactly who appointed him as the conscious of the GLBT community? -to decide for all of us what we, individually and collectively, should do with our own money? I suggest Mr. Shimmin stop trying to pad his own resume and show some integrity. You, and every other GLBT employee of Cinemark, have countless other employment options available to you in CA – the many GLBT people who cannot get married have no other options available to them. Your job is not more important than their marriage and if someone chooses to make some small gesture to protect their marriage and possiblt their family by boycotting people who donated to organizations responsible for promoting passing of this proposition – that is their rite – regardless of whether or not that aligns with Mr. Shimmin’s career.
I almost cried at your plea for reasonableness Mr. Shimmin. We want Alan Stock’s head to roll off of Cinemark’s payroll. If not, then we will take our money somewhere else. Shame on you for standing up for our enemies. The funny thing is, they can and probably will fire you because you’re gay because we don’t have legal protection under the law. Maybe you forgot that fact so your playing the devil’s advocate argument is lame and doesn’t have merit. John was right when he pointed out that you lack integrity. Quit your job in protest and you will gain our respect, Uncle Tom!
Quoting a portion of a letter sent to Cinemark from the San Francisco Movie Bears:
“The CEO of any company is its leader, its captain, its public face and – sometimes – its figurehead. As such, we know of no major national corporation that serves the general public that would EVER appoint a person who was admittedly anti-Semitic, misogynistic, racist or otherwise bigoted. Such a person would create a negative public image for the corporation, and harm its business.”
That pretty much says it all.
Screw that, I cannot in good faith go into that theater EVER without feeling that I am helping him. He gets his paycheck from me spending my money there.
Remember:
DON’T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU
I will continue to not spend money where I am not appreciated as a person.
I have still not ever stepped foot in an Applbees restaurant since they pulled their advertising a few years ago for a show on the first gay marriage.
We have said it since the election,and we continue to say it, were not rolling over this time, nor will we ever again.
While the CEO made the contribution “on his own” – he does benefit from the money that the gay/supportive community spends at Cinemark Theaters. By not going to Cinemark Theaters we are sending a direct message to “his” wallet — perhaps his action then risks his job if Cinemark (a company that “may be supportive”) decides that its CEO’s personal decision has cost them too much money.
I would stop going to my doctor, dentist, coffee shop, auto repair garage and any and every business that supports YES on Proposition 8. One of the strongest “votes” and individual can make in this environment/economy is with their dollar!
Apparently you know you place, Mr. Shimmin. It seems that you’re a a Cinemark employee first and a man second. Ooops – a gay man. all this for what? A lousy nickel. I sorry your boss put you up to this- you could have told him no.
He keeps talking about Cinemark’s commitment to equal treatment, but you can’t vote for unequality and then say, “Oh, we’ve always been committed to equality.” Also a “yes” vote on prop 8 is not a mere expression of political beliefs, it’s a direct action to dissolve 18,000 marriages and stop countless others.
I respect Mr. Shimmin’s opinion but I disagree with it. Had this donation come from a regular employee, that would be one thing – but this is the CEO of this chain, and as such, his private life actions do reflect on his professional life. (Nearly $10,000 is not a small donation either). I agree with the first poster – Mr. Shimmin should have resigned if this situation caused him as much angst as he proclaims. Instead, this column comes across more as someone trying to keep his job (or worse, someone who is trying to kiss some CEO butt)… the GLBT community is NOT large in comparison to the overall population and what we do or do not do with our money is one of our greatest tools to promote social justice. That may mean, at times, unavoidably hurting some GLBT people in the process – but with very few strong options at our disposal – this may have to occur at times. While it is wonderfully idealistic to believe that someone’s private life should not impact their professional life, that view is simply naive. I strongly disgaree with Mr. Stock’s donation, regardless of his motivation, and in return, I will not be patronizing his theater chain.
If you had a shred of integrity, you would have resigned, Mr. Shimmin. No one admires an Uncle Tom.
And you’re damned right I’m boycotting that bigot’s movie theatres. I’m asking all my friends to do the same.