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All we ask is that, since it is connected to the Lesbian & Gay Community Center of Greater Kansas City, you be respectful of other bloggers and watch the language. We want you to feel free to express...but with some consideration.
First topic up is "What's going on with Pride"...at last night's Pride meeting they elected new officers for President Pro Tiem, VP Pro Tiem and Treasurer. They also announced that they would have to work harder this year to cover some expenses that put them in the black, but that their goal is to still provide one of the best Prides in the country.
What did you think of Pride? What would you like to see different? What were you most pleased with? Do you want to be a part of Pride's planning committee?
Next topic is "Did you know The Center's gone Cyber?" It was promoted heavily through May and June, and in July the Center went Cyber with an enhanced website at www.lgcckc.og. Have you visited the site? What are your thoughts on what the next step for The Center should be?
You have something else to comment about? Do it now!
Signing off, your Center Guy
3 comments:
New website looks GREAT. Good job.
There was once a "Literary Lesbians" book club. Does it still exist? What's the contact info?
Thanks!
Literary Lesbians is still going strong after 6-plus years. We'll be meeting at Toto's in Mission on Johnson Drive at 7 p.m. Sept 18 (we always meet third Thursdays). We're reading "Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs, but you don't have to have read the book, so come check the group out! -- Elizabeth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CINEMARK, CEO SPENDS $9,999 TO WAKE UP SLEEPING BEARS
20081120
By SirWilard
The Jackson County Chapter of “MOVIE BEARS” met over dinner and announced that the weekly "Gay Men’s Movies Night” will be honoring the announced boycott of local movie theaters owned by Cinemark Holdings Inc., Movie Bears started in San Francisco four years ago and has since grown to include chapters in other cities.
“Movie Bears” learned that Cinemark’s CEO, Alan Stock, a Mormon, donated $9,999 to the campaign supporting Prop 8 in California.
This national boycott marks one of the few times members of the bear community have become actively involved in a political issue. "We decided to boycott the Cinemark Theatres based on the current leadership of the company, Alan W. Stock, CEO, and his recent political decision to support homophobia in California through his support of Proposition 8,".
Traditionally the Bear Community is low key about “Gay Rights Activism” but Prop 8 in California may be turning point in Bear History according to SirWilard. Other groups in the communities have joined with the “Movie Bears”, such as the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” , “Queer Faries” “Goth Queers”, “Radical Faries of the Midwest” among others
The JCC Movie Bears locally attended 17 movies this year at local Cinemark Theatres, purchasing over an estimated 600 tickets , spending over $10,000 including concessions. Nationally “Movie Bears” started in San Francisco in 2004, and it is said that affiliated clubs now operate in 11 U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., all of which have indicated they will participate in the boycott.
Locally SirWilard Naylor, attempted to contact Mr. Stock, however telephone calls to his offices were not returned. In a telephone interview with SirWilard, Mr. James Meredith, Cinemark’s vice president of marketing, indicated he was aware of the boycott pointing out the donation was a "personal action," separate from Mr. Stock’s role as the company’s chairman. He went on to say, "It would be inappropriate to influence our employees’ position on personal issues outside the work environment, especially on political, social, or religious activities. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race, creed, religion or sexual preference. Any individual act or contribution is just that, individual acts of personal expression and do not reflect company positions or policy. Cinemark did not make any financial contribution to either side on the Proposition 8 vote in California nor does Cinemark have an opinion on this issue.
Over time, Boycotts have proven unsuccessful, however locally members of the Jackson County Chapter of “MOVIE BEARS” feel they can not continue to spend their hard earned money with an organization that is lead by an individual who supports discrimination against the Gay and Lesbian Communities.
The national statement from “MOVIE BEARS” is: "We’re not going to patronize a company whose top person encourages hate," said Hayes, (National President of MOVIE BEARS ) who says the boycott’s goals are not specific. "I’d love to see an apology come from the CEO and a donation made to a marriage equality organization. That would certainly start the healing and move us in a positive direction, but when and what would end the boycott is up to the group."
Locally, Cinemark’s operates at least two theaters.
* Cinemark The Palace at The Plaza (500 Nichols Rd, Kansas City, Missouri)
* Cinemark 20 (5500 Antioch, Merriam, Kansas)
The Web site claims the company operates 289 theatres with 3,688 screens in 38 states.
SirWilard, Speaking with Meredith could not get a response as to his organizations policy on domestic partner benefits or any donations made by the company to Gay, lesbian, Bisexual or Transgendered groups.
In an email to Mr. Stock, SirWilard wrote: “Movie Bears of Kansas City have voted to join the boycott.., FYI.., Don't know why you choose to wake sleeping bears..., Thought you were smarter than that.”
For more information, go to http://www.nomilkforcinemark.com as evidence of the momentum started by the Movie Bears’ actions. According to the site, more than 1,000 people have signed onto the boycott. The Web site encourages patrons to see the new Milk movie, about slain San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, but to do so at a non-Cinemark theater when it opens later this month.
The Cinemark boycott is one of several that some gays have organized since the passage of Prop 8. For more on the top donors to Yes on 8, visit http://www.californiansagainsthate.com; for more on taking action, visit http://www.stop8.org.
For Information about The Jackson County Chapter of “MOVIE BEARS” contact SirWilard@USAPrint.us.
The Jackson County Chapter of “MOVIE BEARS” meets weekly (Friday) for Dinner at 7:00 pm and a Movie later on in the eveining.
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