1990: Card argued that states should keep sodomy laws on the books in order to punish unruly gays–presumably implying that the fear of breaking the law ought to keep most gay men in the closet where they belonged. He advocated the criminalization of homosexuality, arguing, “those who flagrantly violate society’s regulation of sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens within that society.”
2004: He claimed that most homosexuals are the self-loathing victims of child abuse, who became gay “through a disturbing seduction or rape or molestation or abuse.”
2004: His thoughts on Gay marriage "So if [they] insist on calling what they do "marriage," they are not turning their relationship into what my wife and I have created, because no court has the power to change what their relationship actually is. Instead they are attempting to strike a death blow against the well-earned protected status of our, and every other, real marriage. They steal from me what I treasure most, and gain for themselves nothing at all. They won't be married. They'll just be playing dress-up in their parents' clothes.
2008: In 2008, Card published his most controversial anti-gay screed yet, in the Mormon Times, where he argued that gay marriage “marks the end of democracy in America,” that homosexuality was a “tragic genetic mixup,” and that allowing courts to redefine marriage was a slippery slope towards total homosexual political rule and the classifying of anyone who disagreed as “mentally ill:”
Card went on to advocate for, literally, a straight people’s insurrection against a pro-gay government:
When government is the enemy of marriage, then the people who are actually creating successful marriages have no choice but to change governments, by whatever means is made possible or necessary… Regardless of law, marriage has only one definition, and any government that attempts to change it is my mortal enemy. I will act to destroy that government and bring it down….2009: He joined the board for anti-gay lobby The National Organization for Marriage, which was created to pass California’s notorious Proposition 8, banning gay marriage.
2012: He supported his home state North Carolina’s constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage by arguing that gay marriage “will be the bludgeon [The Left] use to make sure that it becomes illegal to teach traditional values in the schools.”
But with all that said I have to admit that the series sounds amazing and something that I would totally love and seeing the trailer for the movie continued to peak my interest. So I'm conflicted. Do I let my "gay" side win and not see or read anything about this topic or do I let me "geek" side win and read/listen to the books and see the movie.
Now I do know that I won't be buying his books or audiobooks. I will not contribute any money to this hateful bigoted man but there are "other" means of "acquiring" his audio books, and I don't have to spend a dime. As for the movie it's hard to boycott the movie when they paid for the rights to this story over 10 years ago and OSC hasn't really been involved with the production of the movie. We have been told by the movie company that he is not receiving anything on the back end so buying a ticket for the movie you are not putting money into his pocket. I don't know if I believe that or not, that's why I'd rather see a free screening or get a DVD screener of the movie from the Producer's Guild of America... just to be safe.
So the question, is it okay to listen to the audiobooks and see the movie? Am I betraying my gay community even though I'm not contributing any money to this man? My answer... No I don't think I'm betraying anyone. I think you need to separate a person's personal beliefs from their works. I'm sure he's not the only "hateful" celebrity around. He just seems to be the most vocal and not care what others think about him. This horrible man has every right to believe what he does. I have been told that there is no anit-gay message in Ender's Game, that you would never know the authors bigoted views from reading the book.
With all that said I think I will try and "acquire" the audiobooks and if I do get the oppurtunity to see a "free" screening of this or get a DVD screener I will watch it.
What are your thoughts.. leave them in comment section below.
I've been conflicted as well Kenny. The trailers and story looks like a lot of fun and it's right up my alley. However, I feel compelled not to be connected to the creator in any way. It's not about the financial support I'd make by purchasing a ticket to the movie. My conflict is greater and is about my support of his work, adding to his success and celebrating it by participating in his results. It's true that I'd probably like the story. But there are many other things on this planet I can enjoy instead if the movie or book. I've decided that I will pass on this story. Keeping this in perspective, it's not like I'm giving up food or sleep. This is only a story and my core beliefs are more important.
ReplyDeleteI read Ender's Game a while ago, and I'll admit, it was a good read. On the strength of it, I read a bunch of OSC right after, including a fascinating story about a generation ship and the drama inherent. And then I found out about the man. I refuse to support him in any way, including purchasing a ticket to the film, but if you have access to the story for free or have already paid for it, then oh well, enjoy it. The art is removed from the man. Of course, there are those of us who feel OSC is a closeted homosexual and THAT occasionally comes out, but that's a different topic.
ReplyDeleteI believe that through history, there have been many artists whose behavior would sicken the most benevolent of us in ANY society, yet their works are beautiful and inspiring. Personally I have no need to get to know Van Gogh, who we all know was in love with a prostitute and cut off his ear, but his paintings are gorgeous and evoke a love of art. MANY many artists have horrible perspectives on things, which we read about or view with varying levels of feeling horrified, but their art is excellent mana for the soul.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I believe Ender's Game is a very good book. I have read several other Ender-related books, and enjoyed them as well. Not one of them has changed or altered my views on "gay" society; I love all my friends, and don't judge them based on their sexual preferences. I judge them based on being loving, sweet, creative, amazing, happy, interesting, compassionate, delightful people.
OSC isn't going to change how I feel about my friends and loved ones...any more than looking at a Van Gogh painting is going to make me cut off my ear, or reading Alice in Wonderland is going to make me want to race out and become a drug addict. IF you choose to look deep into any artist's soul, you may hate and be disgusted by what you find there...so I just look at the work as objectively as possible and see how it speaks to me.
I agree. The art should be removed from the man (or woman.)
xoxo JL