Unfortunate Proposition 8 Fallout
I have really tried hard to bite my tongue and refrain from posting anything political. I wanted to take a respite from the political blogging. Unfortunately, something came up that I just can’t ignore.
Scott Eckern, Artistic Director for the California Musical Theatre, and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apparently made a career ending mistake. He donated $1,000 to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign. According to the Sacramento Bee:
The idea of a blacklist and boycott have grown from Shaiman’s postings and e-mails. The composer, who is openly gay, said he read about Eckern’s contribution to the campaign on the Web site [web site name removed], and he felt he had to do something.
“I was so shocked. I’m dealing myself with being legally discriminated against, and then come to find out, I helped put money in his pocket that helped get this proposition passed,” Shaiman said in a telephone interview.
Shaiman sent an e-mail which has reverberated through the national theater community and backed the CMT’s leaders into the unusual position of doing damage control. He wrote he wouldn’t allow his work to be done at California Musical Theatre, and theater workers around the country have followed his lead.
“No one should be surprised in 2008 at how fast information can be spread, and that’s of course a doubled-edged sword,” Shaiman said.
Susan Egan, star of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Cabaret,” followed with a similar e-mail.
Theater professionals flooded CMT’s offices over the weekend with phone calls and e-mails decrying Eckern’s actions.
In a statement released Monday, CMT executive producer Richard Lewis said: “Any political action or the opinion of Scott Eckern is not shared by California Musical Theatre. We have a long history of appreciation for the LGBT community and are truly grateful for their longstanding support.”
I just received notification that Scott Eckern has resigned after 25 years with the California Musical Theatre to protect the organization that he cares so much about. His own statement regarding his resignation is here. From that document:
“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. My sister is a lesbian and in a committed domestic partnership relationship. I am loving and supportive of her and her family, and she is loving and supportive of me and my family. I definitely do not support any message or treatment of others that is hateful or instills fear. This is a highly emotional issue and the accusations that have been made against me are simply not true. I have now had many conversations with friends and colleagues,and I am deeply saddened thatmy personal beliefs and convictions have offended others. My choice to support the Proposition was personal, and does not represent the views and opinions of California Musical Theatre or the many people associated with the organization. I was required by law to identify my employer and occupation at the time of my donation.
I have enjoyed my association with all the many fine staff members, artists and audiences over the years. I have strived to stay true to our mission of producing quality live theatre to enrich the cultural live of the community. In the course of my work, I have encouraged a work environment that is safe and creative, working together in an atmosphere of mutual respect. I have focused on producing shows with fresh eyes to allow the intent of the original creators to come through. I have not imposed my beliefs onto any of the works, but have sought to explore the truths found in the storytelling to speak for themselves if they are told well. I have enjoyed the opportunity to be alongside wonderful artists as we have collaborated on sharing productions that will both enlighten and entertain.
[...]
I am leaving California Musical Theatre after prayerful consideration to protect the organization and to help the healing in the local theatre-going and creative community. California Musical Theatre will continue to welcome with open arms all staff, artists and audiences who collaborate in the experience that live theatre does best — to lift the human spirit. I will continue to be in the audience to cheer on all the good work. It has been an honor to serve alongside those I love and respect in this noble profession. I am disappointed that my personal convictions have cost me the opportunity to do what I love the most which is to continue enriching the Sacramento arts and theatre community.”
I too am very disappointed that Scott’s “personal convictions have cost [him] the opportunity to do what [he loves] the most.” I can’t help but reflect upon the hypocrisy of those whose efforts led to Scott’s resignation. While calling upon religious individuals to accept and condone their same-sex marriages regardless of religious conviction, they seek to blacklist Scott Eckern and his employer because he made a personal donation to a cause based on religious conviction. Perhaps it is just me, but this reflects poorly on the proponents of same-sex marriage insistence that they have no desire to adversely impact anyone’s free speech or ability to practice their religion.
McDonalds, Apple, Google, P.G.&.E., Brad Pitt and others used the funds that I spent on their products, services or movies to fight a measure that I personally supported. While I didn’t like it that they used my hard-earned money for this purpose, I didn’t call for blacklists, protests or resignations.
In this case, apparently Scott was supposed to know that his personal donation would be unacceptable to many of the same people with which he had worked for 25 years at CMT. Apparently, it is a requirement to support same-sex marriage in order to work at CMT or in musical theatre at all. I find this an appalling double-standard.
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