Scott Eckern: I'm Sorry I Was Such An Ignorant, Thoughtless, Antigay Imbecile!
Ugh. Apparently, artistic director Scott Eckern of California Music Theatre has issued an apology for having donated $1,000 in support of Prop 8.
Quoting from the Broadwayworld.com link that contains the apology:
"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."
As has been revealed to Mr. Eckern and others who at first supported Prop 8, the rights afforded people by domestic partnerships and civil unions are not equal to those of married couples. This is in sheer contradiction to the advertisements used by the "Yes on 8" campaign. It was made clear to Mr. Eckern that the anger and betrayal felt by the community was not over his vote, but by his contribution towards an organization trying to win, by not being truthful about the facts.
Mr. Eckern went on to say: "I definitely do not support any message or treatment of others that is hateful or instills fear. This is a highly emotional issue. I have now had many conversations with friends and colleagues and I now have a better idea of what the discrimination issues are, how deeply felt these issues are and I am deeply saddened that my acting upon my religious convictions has been devastating to those I love and admire...I am deeply sorry for any harm or injury I have caused."
In addition to his apology, Mr. Eckern has made a contribution of $1000 towards the fight for equal rights for all.
And all that jazz. Sphere: Related Content
6 comments:
The Mormons have been actively pressuring their flock to donate to this cause. The thing is, you are NOT allowed to dissent.
He will likely be excommunicated for this.
A non-apology apology. See my blog for my take:
http://ccaggiano.typepad.com/everything_i_know_i_learn/2008/11/californias-proposition-8-hits-home-for-theater-folk.html
Apology not accepted.
What's funniest about this is the tone of bewildered innocence. He seems genuinely unaware that donating to pro-Prop 8 would be seen as hateful. Could he actually have been unaware of it? I have seen people who truly believe their fight against equality is an expression of God's love. But to have no idea passions are running so high? That people would react negatively? That's just confusing.
What's worse--that Eckern contributed money to this vile campaign or that he now purports not to have genuinely understood the implications of such an action? That's a troubling double-dose of ignorance, now isn't it?
He is absolutely entitled to his political point of view, and he must also live with the consequences of that. I live in Massachusetts, where marriage equality has been a matter of law for several years now, with no proof whatsoever that traditional marriage has been damaged in any way whatsoever.
In the 1950's there were screenwriters, directors and producers blacklisted - it was called the McCarthy era. What you are supporting is no different. A man exercised his right to vote. What makes you any less despicable than those who blacklisted others before for having a different opinion. Everyone has the right to vote their own choice. 5.6 million people voted for Prop 8 but you joined hatemongers today who conducted a witch hunt. You, Mr. Fitch, are sponsoring un-American tactics no different than persecuting a man for his skin color or religious beliefs or his politics.
The bottom line is whether you voted Yes or NO - everyone should have that privilege without persecution and harassment and fear of losing their job. Heil Fitch. Someone forgot to tell me you were made God.
As made clear in the above post, what irritates is NOT his vote but his financial support of the measure. His money went into ads that were misleading and FULL of fear-based tactics. Mr. Eckern admits that he was misinformed about the issue: a successful product of the Yes On 8 campaign.
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