Brokeback Values

[eggwards]

In a show of incredible gumption, a few weeks ago a private school in Austin returned a multi-million donation from a family who objected to the use of an Annie Proulx short story about gay cowboys in a 12th grade English class. According to a story in the American-Statesman (free link here while supplies last).

The St. Andrew's board of trustees officially released Cary McNair (son of Robert McNair, oilman and owner of the Houston Texans football team) and his family from their $3 million pledge to the school's capital campaign after McNair objected to the use of Brokeback Mountain. "St. Andrew's has a policy not to accept conditional gifts, whether it's $5 or $500,000. When the McNair family looked at their gift in a conditional manner, then the school could not accept it," said Bill Miller, who was asked by St. Andrew's to serve as its spokesman for this story.

Controversy over the attempted censorship and the school's retraction has apparently been the talk of the Texas capital.

P.S. By the way, I've heard this rumor that Proulx's story is going to be made into a movie, or something? (Oddly, the younger McNair is something of a indie film producer himself. Oh, those fickle scions of the American oligarchy!)

I've heard through rumors and whispers that the Texans owner has also been a major financial backer of Proposition , the Texas Marriage Amendment. I've been trying to find some evidence of this, but can't at this moment. It wouldn't surprise me though. Of course none of this appeared in Houston publications because they all kiss McNair's ass.

Now I wouldn't take it out on the players, but you can believe that I won't be buying a ticket to support the Texans anytime soon. Luckily they are winless, and there's very little to get excited about.

Comments

[cubziz.livejournal.com]

P.S. By the way, I've heard this rumor that Proulx's story is going to be made into a movie, or something? (Oddly, the younger McNair is something of a indie film producer himself. Oh, those fickle scions of the American oligarchy!)

Hunter and I saw the trailer last weekend. If you'd like I can try to record it the next time it comes around. It looks like a cute movie, but the trailer while treating them being "gay" as okay, it made it look "less" than the straight marriage of one of them, which is a shame. Course, that's a trailer for ya.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

I've seen that trailer, and I think they were trying to make it seem like the boys just fished a lot and occasionally took a nap together. Best not to get everyone worked up in a trailer when there will be protests at the movie opening.

[cubziz.livejournal.com]

Exactly. :(

Wonder how long until they start with multiple versions of commercials. "Red Neck Version", "Boys Town Version", etc.

;)