But to sabotage the success and exposure of a film celebrating the powerful successes of our own movement — to a LARGE cross section of the open-minded general public that we absolutely want to inspire — at a time of readiness for dramatic paradigm shift on several national issues — and in the shadow of CA Prop 8, pushing forefront the ideas of freedom of family — you have GOT to be kidding!

Social progress is a social process. It happens within the culture. Sometimes, the courts make an assertion about the rights of a non-majority, and it takes the majority some time to get it. Proposition 8 was a likely — probably necessary — step to advance the issue within real public discourse. Same sex marriage IS coming — it will take longer if we limit the public’s access to the best advocacy media available. MILK was handed to us. It is done, and ready. All we have to do is bolster publicity and success for the movie to maximize its impact. We totally should.

Yeah, I know. That $9999. A corporation having an ultra-conservative CEO — big deal. We need to be absolute about absolute principles, e.g. freedom from violence, and non-violence. The personal funding of speech in the context of a political campaign does not rise to that level. And how much advocacy do you think we could deliver for $9999? Forget about it. The effort to produce MILK was massive ($12,000,000) — and the result is excellent. Cinemarks’ willingness to show Milk way more than makes up for Alan Stock’s embarrassment to his employer. Leave it alone. Renounce the boycott of Milk shown at Cinemark theaters. Do whatever you can to support the success and exposure of Milk at all theaters.

Phil Weinstein
Boulder, Colorado
http://www.WhyIsMaVieEnRoseRatedR.com/
http://www.PamRhodes-Colorado.com/

Were do you work TJ? This great place where you don’t have to work with people that have different beliefs than you. They hiring?

You failed to sacrifice a VP job for your own “cherised” California domestic partnership rights. You didn’t have enough self-respect to tell Alan Stock you would refuse his job offer unless you got DP rights. No wonder he thinks it’s OK to treat gay people with disrespect — you let him treat you that way!

And so many gay people do that. Did everyone commenting on this article give money to fight Prop 8? Or volunteer time? How about the hundreds of thousands who marched these last few weeks?

Gay Americans “pass” as straight. And fail to speak up when they could. And don’t even come out to family members. No sacrifice. No dignity.

Black Americans have faced dogs and firehoses, and gays are unwilling to turn down jobs from homophobic CEOs or insist on equal benefits.

Alan Stock is a poster boy for bigotry. You, Bob Shimmin, are a poster boy for timidity.

Hold On, I think I’m missing another HRC Dinner/fundraiser/butt wiping conference!

“I think it is important for the Cinemark Theater company to make a strong donation for the Invalidation of prop 8. “

How will hurting this company help us?