Larry H. Miller is taking a lot of flack for his decision to not show the controversial film 'Brokeback Mountain' at his movie theater in Sandy. News organizations around the nation and world have run the story, and gay rights activists and others are up in arms.
Way to stick to your guns, Larry.
Miller's decision to not show the film about two gay cowboys is not a free-speech issue, as many claim. The theater he owns, Jordan Commons, is not a government entity. It has no responsibility to show every movie that is made. Miller has the right to show or not show what he wants. Whether his 'business decision' not to show 'Brokeback Mountain' was a good one or not remains to be seen. But we commend Miller for standing up for something he believes in, especially when he is under so much pressure from people around the world.
Many have complained that Miller is denying Utahns the opportunity to see a great film. That is far from the truth. Several other theaters in the Salt Lake Valley are showing the film and are probably grateful for Miller's decision, as the movie has been doing surprisingly well at the box office.
These days, acceptance of a controversial lifestyle is pushed in the name of tolerance. But it is too often a one-way street, where one group demands that their views be 'tolerated' while loudly attacking those who disagree. For that reason, many keep quiet, and it's possible that a large number of unspoken voices around the country are in support of the Utah auto icon. Perhaps Miller knew he would be heavily criticized, but we are glad that didn't change his mind.
Though some would paint him as a bigot, Miller made no statement claiming he pulled the film because he hates gays. He just decided to pull a film he felt would be inappropriate to show in his own theater - and we still don't know whether his motive was moral, financial or otherwise. He made a choice and stood by it instead of giving in to pressure from everyone else. In that sense, the world needs more people like him.
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This editorial represents the opinion of The Daily Universe editorial board. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of BYU, its administrators, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.