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LGBT Community Leaders on Brokeback MountainHollywood is Finally Getting the Message
“It’s about g-ddamned time,” exclaims Director of Greater Worcester Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Jenn-Britt Kelly on an early Monday morning phone call. After years of marginalized roles, gay characters are having their time to shine on the silver screen. For the first time, a gay romance is being portrayed seriously by two mainstream actors in a movie marketed at a mainstream audience. Britt-Kelly’s reaction is understandable; it’s definitely cause for jubilation ~ even before the first cup of coffee for the day. John Lekas, program coordinator for Supporters of Worcester Area Gay and Lesbian Youth (SWAGLY) said he thinks the film’s ability to cast two major Hollywood names is testament to the changing times. “There was a time when big-name Hollywood actors would never do a same sex romance. It reflects a reality in our culture, it desensitizes society to the reality of same sex relationships.” The film, which has garnered seven Golden Globe nominations, is based on a short story by Annie Proulx. It tells the tale of two ranchers, Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) and Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal), whose unconventional relationship confounds their friends, their wives and, most of all, themselves. At a time when there’s much talk about red and blue states, as well as of the definition of marriage, this movie isn’t supposed to be political. For some local advocates though, visibility is more important than agenda setting. “I hope people see the whole idea that love is universal,” said Paul Leone, president of the Central Mass Business Council. “It’s just a process of familiarizing; in love there’s a commonality.” Part of the appeal of Brokeback Mountain is the raw honesty director Ang Lee uses to portray Del Mar and Twists’ forbidden affair. Super-hunks Ledger and Gyllenhaal lock lips and, yes, even have an incredibly intense sex scene. “We’re at a point where we can be intrigued by it and not be disgusted; it will be a sort of freak show initially,” said local singer/song-writer Wil Darcangelo. “People will go for the sensational parts, but be educated in the process. It’s not as weird or bad as they think.” The powerful story has already earned the reputation as a groundbreaking film. Still, even without the in-your-face advocacy of a Michael Moore documentary, many believe by giving the same-sex love affair of Brokeback the same treatment as any other love story, the film can go a long way in society. “The whole gay marriage think is legal in Massachusetts, but it’s very possible it will go before voters in a referendum three years from now; 11 states have defined marriage as between a man and woman,” recounts Tim DeSantis, owner of Rage nightclub. “The timing is very good for a movie like this to portray gay relationships in a positive way.” |
January 2006 -
What’s that breeze rolling down Brokeback Mountain? There’s a steady wind coming off the setting of the new film of the same name starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as two cowboys in love. Listen closely and you’ll hear it, a collective cheer coming from the LGBT community.