Friday, November 14, 2008
Theater official quits over his support for gay-marriage ban
McClatchy Washington Bureau: "Scott Eckern, artistic director for the California Musical Theatre, resigned Wednesday as a growing number of artists threatened to boycott the organization because of his $1,000 donation to the campaign to ban gay marriage in California."
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6 comments:
i want to say that this guy should be able to believe whatever he wants but its hard to say that because everyone he works with this (and myself) disagrees with him. its not even so much that they disagree with him as that they're offended by his belief. plus, you would think perhaps an actor (or a dozen) that he works with would have convinced him by now.
However much I'd like to say "screw him" for supporting Prop 8, I feel like the artists are acting unfairly by boycotting the theater. He should have the right to give campaign contributions to causes he believes in without fear of reprisal. As long as his discriminatory beliefs don't extend to his behavior at work, it should be a non-issue.
Eckern has the right to believe in what he wants. It is a freedom we enjoy in this country. However, he should have know that making this information public would have caused him some problems because everyone opposite of him would also want to share their beliefs. Now that theater community has lost a great leader.
The artists of that community should not boycott the theater for the personal decision (completely unrelated to the business of the theater) of one individual who has given that community so much.
He can think what he wants to think, but as Keith Olbermann said, do you have a heart?
Are the artists acting unfairly? I would not want to work at an artistic,collaborative company under a boss that I disagree with over how someone should be able to live their life. Boycott the theatre, the art director, whoever and whatever it takes to be heard. Put someone in there that the artistic community wants to work for and be a part of.
If the company decides to protest because the company disagrees with the artistic leader, for whatever the reason, I don't see how that could not be related to the operation of the company. If it's an issue strong enough to protest for then it's an issue that your support for may want to be kept private.
This is a clear violation of rights. However I must say, as biased as I am, that perhaps in this situation a more complete awareness of his surrounding environment would have helped. I don't think he should have lost his job and I do respect him for voicing his opinion, however much I may disagree. The sad part for me is that someone who works on a daily basis with the gay community still holds these kind of beliefs. In response to his boycott, it is sad a talented member of the community was ousted over this as horrible as it is.
I think that this is kinda rediculous. I mean, the fact that one's beliefs are preventing hi from working is ludacrous. I thought we had made progress form that... I guess not. Then again, one should always be catious of their surroundings; I agree with Epstein: he should be allowed to respectfully practice the First Ammendment.
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