Brokeback Utah
You may not know this guy – prolly cause his team has sucked the last few years – but this is Larry Miller.
Everyone, Larry. Larry, everyone.
Larry owns the Utah Jazz – and, well, half of Utah – and as a former Utahn I can say in all honestly that he’s an important, almost revered part of the community, unfortunately. And in typical Utah fashion, Larry has caved to local conservative views and pulled “Brokeback Mountain” from his Salt Lake City multiplex theatre. You know, that movie where Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal GET IT ON.
Now listen, I know Utah has a reputation for a conservative, stick-up-your ass state (i.e. Orrin Hatch) but having lived on the other side of the chastity belt, I know otherwise. Known as “little San Francisco,” Salt Lake City has a surprisingly large gay and lesbian community, and I myself have been hit on by very nice transexuals in surprising places. The city has a HUGE gay pride parade every year, which the city hates of course, and in 2004 Utah hosted the national PFLAG conference (see my story in the Salt Lake City Weekly about the conference). My point is, they’re EVERYWHERE in SLC. And the city is rocking because of it. (Check out Sound and the Trap. Good clean gay fun to be had by all!)
So why pull a movie about gays in an area with a strong gay community?
Utahn gay rights advocat Mike Thompson has this to say, “It’s just a shame that such a beautiful and award-winning film, with so much buzz about it, is not being made available to a broad Utah audience because of personal bias.”
Exactly.
All Larry Miller needs is a little back door lovin. In the meantime, Utah has other celebs to be proud of like Rosanne Barr and that Jeapordy guy Ken Jennings. Both of whom would love to watch Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal GET IT ON.
What's Hot at PopCrunch?
Related Articles:
- “Brokeback Mountain” Opera 2013 New York City
- Hottest Student Bodies: University of Utah
- Lindsay Lohan Enters Cirque Lodge Rehab Sundance, Utah
- Heath Ledger Funeral Protest; Westboro Baptist Church Heath Ledger Funeral Picket
- Justin T and Jessica B’s Scenic Sundance Hideway
On January 10th 2006, daily dose of queer wrote:
Utah Jazz Owner Larry Miller Pulls ‘Brokeback Mountain’ from the Megaplex at Jordan Commons
Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller, setting “an example for the people of Utah,” according to the president of the conservative Utah Eagle Forum, Gayle Ruzicka, abruptly pulled “Brokeback Mountain” from the film schedule of the Megap…
On January 13th 2006, J Lee wrote:
Dear Mr. Miller,
I am a past resident of the Great city of Salt Lake. I spent 8 wonderful years there and despite the Mormon majority that basically runs the city, I managed to own my own business and had a great cliental.
One thing I do however remember quite clearly was how YOUR family seemed to make the Gossip headlines usually referring to something under the heading of “Have you heard the Latest?” Your family, if memory serves me correct, and I’m sure it does was one of that wonderful cities most SCREWED up that I have ever heard of. I recall many stories being told of the “Miller” families latest court related incidents. Personally, I would not put the word “Holy”, to anything related to your family name.
This brings me to my main point. Who the Hell gave you the right to decide what the public views? Do you really think pulling “Brokeback Mountain” from the theaters will win you any Brownie points? I suppose it would keep your type of people from seeing a GOOD side of the gay lifestyle, and as the Bible says, do unto others…and you call yourself a good wholehearted, church-going, family man and yet you are telling people their rights?? Sounds sort of like Communism to me. To be honest, my OPINION of you is quite simple; you are a jackass, a homophobe, and a crook. Maybe you are the one who has an issue with the Gay thing. Seems it is usually the ones that are against the gays and don’t understand gay people that are the freaks. After all, this is 2006, not 1946. Have you taken a look at yourself in the mirror lately? I don’t think you have anything to worry about when it comes to gay men checking you out, or at least not any with taste. And in closing this particular point, Are you sure there are no QUEERS in your family? Why don’t we check the old Miller family tree?
Here is another point to ponder,
Ever notice how us “Gay and Lesbian” folk take pride in our automobiles? I know many of “us” folk who do drive the oh so very expensive autos.
Now, the way I see it is this, if a good old homosexual came in to a Larry Miller dealership to purchase an automobile, would your sales staff do all they could do to sell them a car? Chances are, I bet they would. So what does that say about good old Larry? I’m seeing the word “HYPOCRIPT” come to mind???
If it were up to me, I would have as many “Gay” friendly organizations, companies, businesses, etc… boycott your car dealerships, and if my word of mouth stops just ONE person from purchasing an automobile from you the Miller name, I will honestly believe my work is done.
On January 13th 2006, Janis wrote:
Amen brother. Amen.
It’s also worth noting that one of Miller’s car dealerships was, for a time, called “Stockton to Malone”…. which unfortunately never EVER was a winner.
J Lee, I’m so glad you’re a former SLC guy who GETS IT.
On January 17th 2006, S. Schrater wrote:
I respect Larry Miller because he had the courage and moral standing to not show a movie that is an attempt to encourage immoral behavior. Next car I buy will be at Larry Miller’s dealership
On January 19th 2006, Genae wrote:
Mr. Miller shunned this movie for the wrong reasons. I would have had more respect for him if he shunned it because he said it SUCKS. Because it does. Completely unbelievable love story. Simplictic and completely unaware of its power. This movie’s controversy is far outweighing its interest as an art form.
On January 23rd 2006, J Lee wrote:
Obviously S. Schrater is in the same BOAT as Larry Miller, namely “The Titanic”, Get real, the movie was good and who the hell are you anyway? and good luck on your next lemmon!!