Prop. 8 gift gets theater's leader in a ruckus (Sacramento)

Sacramento Bee ^ | November 11, 2008 | Marcus Crowder

[pf flyers]

Gay and lesbian artists called Monday for an artistic and audience boycott of California Musical Theatre after learning that its artistic director donated $1,000 to a campaign that backed banning gay marriage in California.

[pf flyers]

This good man needs your help and deserves your support.

[PeterFinn]

I guess they’d like to lynch him.

[BenLurkin]

This demonstrates in a nutshell why and how Hollywood became Hollywierd.

[Holicheese]

NOOOOOOOOOOO, Oh GOD, Please NOOOOOOOOOO not an artictic strike!!!

[twister881]

To blazes with the whole lot of poofters and carpet munchers! Go protest against the blacks and Hispanics; they're the ones who put the initiative over the top by huge margins. Leave the Roman Catholic and Mormon churches alone! And if you swing your handbag at me, “girlfriend,” you'll get your @$$ flattened...the old fashioned way!

[caseinpoint]

Fascism at work. Punishing a company because one of its employees exercised a First Amendment right in his private doings is a dangerous game which can go both ways. The vitriol aimed at an individual who was exercising his conscience is sad but typical of a thugocracy now being created in this nation. If the gays don’t back off and leave this man alone, I know a lot of gay companies or gay- sympathizing companies that won’t get business from me or mine. (Sadly, the damage is probably already done for this gentleman. Even if he keeps his job, he will be “marked” for life. May as well tattoo his forearm.)

[M. Dodge Thomas]

Flip side of the Dan Cooper controversy.

[Grampa Dave]

” the gays don’t back off and leave this man alone, I know a lot of gay companies or gay- sympathizing companies that won’t get business from me or mine. (Sadly, the damage is probably already done for this gentleman. Even if he keeps his job, he will be “marked” for life. May as well tattoo his forearm.)”

We don’t march and threaten Catholics and Mormons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jiwc9ybBiAw&feature=related

We can boycott the corporations funding the repeal of Prop 8.

Boycotts can work for our side too.

There are many corporations funding the repeal of Prop 8.

This link takes us right to the corporate sponsor page to repel Prop 8:

http://laglc.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=SU_CORPORATIONS

[GunsAndBibles]

I wish I could boycott PG&E for giving $250K to try to defeat Prop 8. Just can’t afford that “off-grid” acreage right now.

[Arguendo]

I don't know... people here seemed pretty supportive of that boycott against a gun company whose CEO donated to Obama. But I agree things like this are generally pretty silly.

[caseinpoint]

My main beef is the attempt to destroy an individual by getting him fired for something he did in private. Companies make judgments with their money, including risks, and they can be held accountable but should an individual lose his livelihood because of a political contribute only? That goes beyond favoring or boycotting a company.

[Dr. Thorne]

The arts in America are owned and run by gays - lock, stock and barrel. This is mostly because straights are busy raising families and living upright lives. I was one of them and left an arts career for many reasons, but one of those reasons was that I was sick of dealing with the Lavender Mafia who comprise the gay management structure in every arts field.

I was also really sick of hearing gays loudly conversing about where they had stuck what and with whom the night before. The art currently produced in Western countries is demented filth and the big reason can be summed up in one word: homosexuality.

[PapaBear3625]

I wish I could boycott PG&E for giving $250K to try to defeat Prop 8. Just can’t afford that “off-grid” acreage right now.

You can't boycott them, but you can create problems for them by organizing protests to the California Public Utilities Commission over EVERYTHING that PG&E might try to do.

[callthemlikeyouseethem]

Pelosi said the voters didn’t understand what they were voting for, and now 44 of California’s legislators are seeking to invalidate their vote:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/11/10/state/n171337S51.DTL&type=politics

“More than one-third of California’s lawmakers added their voices Monday to the chorus calling on the state’s highest court to overturn the prohibition on same-sex marriage approved by voters last week.”

who cares what “the people” think anymore?

[goldstategop]

The Left wants to punish people for their beliefs. Its the new McCarthyism and its ugly.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[olddemocrat]

I suppose if people call New Jersey the armpit of the country, then San Francisco would be the a—h-—?

[TheDon]

No kidding! Soon they will setting up concentration camps for us!

http://www.antigayblacklist.com

[doug from upland]

THE GAY FASCISTS HAVE FORCED HIM OUT

Scott Eckern Releases Statement and Announces Resignation as Artistic Director for California Musical Theatre

Last update: 11:03 a.m. EST Nov. 12, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov 12, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Scott Eckern, Artistic Director for California Musical Theatre, released the following statement regarding his resignation. The statement is released as follows:

“I understand that my choice of supporting Proposition 8 has been the cause of many hurt feelings, maybe even betrayal. It was not my intent. I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction. I chose to act upon my belief that the traditional definition of marriage should be preserved. I support each individual to have rights and access and I understood that in California domestic partnerships come with the same rights that come with marriage. My sister is a lesbian and in a committed domestic partnership relationship. I am loving and supportive of her and her family, and she is loving and supportive of me and my family. I definitely do not support any message or treatment of others that is hateful or instills fear. This is a highly emotional issue and the accusations that have been made against me are simply not true. I have now had many conversations with friends and colleagues,and I am deeply saddened thatmy personal beliefs and convictions have offended others. My choice to support the Proposition was personal, and does not represent the views and opinions of California Musical Theatre or the many people associated with the organization. I was required by law to identify my employer and occupation at the time of my donation.

I have enjoyed my association with all the many fine staff members, artists and audiences over the years. I have strived to stay true to our mission of producing quality live theatre to enrich the cultural live of the community. In the course of my work, I have encouraged a work environment that is safe and creative, working together in an atmosphere of mutual respect. I have focused on producing shows with fresh eyes to allow the intent of the original creators to come through. I have not imposed my beliefs onto any of the works, but have sought to explore the truths found in the storytelling to speak for themselves if they are told well. I have enjoyed the opportunity to be alongside wonderful artists as we have collaborated on sharing productions that will both enlighten and entertain.

I chose to express my views through the democratic process, and I am deeply sorry for any harm or injury I have caused in doing so. I want to support not only my friends and loved ones, but everyone in their efforts to receive equal rights so I will be making a comparable donation ($1000) to the Human Rights Campaign. I hope that through future conversations bridges may be built and healing can occur that will allow us to arrive at a better place of understanding for all involved.

I am leaving California Musical Theatre after prayerful consideration to protect the organization and to help the healing in the local theatre-going and creative community. California Musical Theatre will continue to welcome with open arms all staff, artists and audiences who collaborate in the experience that live theatre does best — to lift the human spirit. I will continue to be in the audience to cheer on all the good work. It has been an honor to serve alongside those I love and respect in this noble profession. I am disappointed that my personal convictions have cost me the opportunity to do what I love the most which is to continue enriching the Sacramento arts and theatre community.”

Sincerely,

Scott Eckern

SOURCE: Randle Communications

Randle Communications

Clay Merrill, 916-448-5802

[doug from upland]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bwoeNYZP_Q

That certainly has them upset -—

You have some nerve to judge someone else his/her happiness. Did something happen in your life that made you this...this... evil?!
Yes, that’s right. To me, you are evil. A normal person doesn’t judge others by their color, sexuality or anything else.
Oh, and for the record: I’m straight. But I’m human. I can’t say the same thing about you.

[Godzilla]

Local news already announced that he has resigned.