Comments on: Sundance 2009: To Boycott or Not to Boycott

By: fightingbigots

fightingbigots — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:58:48 +0000

Apparently, the commenter above believes that it’s ok to discriminate against a group of people if that’s your “belief” or “standard.”
I wonder if this person would think it’s ok if a group of people decided that Mormons couldn’t marry — or breed, so as not to spread their wrong beliefs to future generations — if he or she wouldn’t be screaming BIGOTRY! DISCRIMINATION! UNFAIR!
Or what if people compared Mormons’ beliefs and actions to those of thieves, murderers, rapists, and the like?
Oh, don’t be so touchy. We don’t dislike Mormons. We don’t say persecute Mormons, we just don’t want them to have the same rights we have.
My point: NO ONE has the right to discriminate against anyone else. NO ONE.
As for Sundance, if they’re going to remain in Utah, they should damn well make sure that NOT A PENNY of their festival’s revenues will go to bigots who support anti-gay discrimination or discrimination of ANY kind.

By: Fightinglee

Fightinglee — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:35:17 +0000

Why is it that anytime people have a belief, or a standard against something, it is bigotry. Mormon doctrine teaches that God made man and woman, and that the act of procreation is a sacred thing. It teaches, in fact, that is one of the most sacred acts.

Homosexuality is considered wrong in Mormon teachings, and they have that right, just as people can say it is wrong to steal, lie, kill, do drugs, drink, etc. There are many acts considered wrong by society that the performer of that act can claim doesn’t hurt anyone but themselves, but that is rarely true. In any case, isn’t it bigotry to discriminate against Mormons because they believe homosexuality is wrong? They didn’t say, hey, lets go out and attack gay people, or even dislike them. They said, lets stand for what we believe in and let everyone know we believe it is wrong, regardless of whether it is popular or not.

By: Andre Soares

Andre Soares — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:16:32 +0000

Can’t say I disagree with you, Wolf.

It is a very fine line, indeed. It’d be difficult — though perhaps not undoable — to avoid pro-Prop. 8 businesses while at Park City.

One would have to consider the benefits of the liberal, inclusive Sundance Fest against the possibility (probability?) of financially assisting businesses owned and/or operated by religious bigots.

Personally, I’d still say that Sundance is worth it — at least this year, considering how close the election was to the festival.

Now, I fully agree that Sundance fest organizers should have come up with a clear statement about their position on the matter.

And finally, I probably should reiterate my view that even if the Mormon Church itself is bigoted — like so many other religious institutions around the globe — not every Mormon is a bigot and that discrimination of *any* kind, whether anti-gay or anti-Mormon, is unethical.

By: Wolf

Wolf — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:14:05 +0000

Well it sort of Sucks to be Sundance. But it also sort of sucks that they have not come out with an ofical statement or strance in this and are still showing movies at the CineMark Theatre. This is NOT just about Gay Marriage anymore. This ia bout opression, equal rights, and the seperation of church and state. Andre and MovieCity it will be rather hard to avoid not dime that money in businesses that were financial supporters. Also ALL Mormons must give 10 percent of their INCOME to the Church which in turns uses it for what they deem fit. So basically all Mormons funded it.

But getting back to the businesses. Thats treads a very fine line. Marriott Hotels which is owned by a Mormon and more specifically The Huntington Group Huntington Hotel Group which is comprised of numerous companies owned and controlled by Brent Andrus where Sundance is Headquartering in Park City. Mr. Andrus gave $20,000 to YES on Prop 8. And where did that money come from but Profits from his hotels. And then Sundance Headquarters out of them and actually on their website refers people to them who are looking for lodging.

Obviously logistically it would be a NIGHTMARE to move Sundance at this time. BUT peopele and porganizations need to stand up and issue statements at least.

By: Joe Donaldson

Joe Donaldson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:54:03 +0000

I don’t agree with the commenter that we should boycott Sundance because it has opted to remain in Utah. It’s not like they could simply pack up and go just two months or so before the festival begins.
But I must add that I’m VERY upset that Sundance organizers have decided to have screenings at Cinemark theaters, whose CEO gave a lot of $$$$ to the Yes on 8 bigotry campaign.

By: libhomo

libhomo — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:35:00 +0000

There is no possible way to hold a major event in Utah without financing the Mormon Church’s crusades to promote discrimination and violence against women, against people of color, and against queers. The decision of Sundance to stay in the Hate State was viciously bigoted.

I have no reasonable alternative but to block the Sundance Channel on my cable as long as the festival promotes discrimination and violence against people like me by staying in Utah.