In Defense of Larry Miller

ESPN.com Page 2 today published an article on Larry Miller today (which will later appear in ESPN the Magazine) calling on David Stern to take action against Larry Miller for having pulled "Brokeback Mountain" from a movie theater he owns. You can read the article here.

After reading it myself, I emailed ESPN.com this response:

Dear ESPN Editors

LZ Granderson's article regarding Larry Miller and his decision to pull "Brokeback Mountain" from his own movie theater is out of line. I'm disappointed that the article was given such prominent location on ESPN.com's website.

To begin with, the article seems to assume that anyone who doesn't support a movie that favorably depicts (and thereby at least tacitly endorses) homosexual activity must therefore be homophobic. In essence, if you're not with them, you're against them (and you're homophobic).

My sense from the article is that author would classify everyone who: 1. doesn't agree with the message of "Brokeback Mountain" and 2. doesn't think it should broadcast in their home or business (for fear of being seen as endorsing the message) MUST therefore be homophobic. That's outrageous.

Larry Miller is a Mormon. The Mormon faith teaches that homosexual activity is contrary to God's plan and repugnant to Him. Even so, Mormons have been repeatedly counseled to treat those identifying themselves as homosexuals with kindness and respect.

Since it's well known that Miller is Mormon, the author of the article is essentially castigating Larry Miller for being an avowed Mormon and for not wanting a movie in his theater that openly promotes a message that is contrary to his belief system.

Miller has made no derogatory comments about or shown any hostility toward those who are avowedly homosexual. Not agreeing with the lifestyle (and not wanting to promote it) and yet being tolerant and respectful toward those who chose it cannot be considered bigotry--unless that term applies to whomever doesn't agree with them. That's apparently the meaning the author ascribes here.

As a result, In publishing the article, ESPN has given the author an opportunity to essentially make a back handed assault on Mormons--as well as any religion for that matter, where homosexuality is still considered a sin, regardless of how much these religions counsel their members to be tolerant and respectful of those who still chose that lifestyle. Perhaps the assault was intended.

This is to say nothing of the tenuous linkage of Larry Miller's simple decision to pull a movie from his theater to those NBA players who've been openly derogatory about homosexuals. Are they seriously supposed to be considered in the same breath? On the one hand you have people making comments ridiculing homosexuals and on the other you have someone who simply doesn't want to promote the lifestyle. I hope I am not the only one who sees the distinction here.

And is David Stern really supposed to have such power that he can dictate to owners what movies they are and are not allowed to pull from their theaters should they happen to own them? What about what movies they're allowed to see or not allowed to see?

Sincerely,
Aaron Clark