On Saturday afternoon, I drove about 50 miles to Central Expy at Legacy to hang with the kids at the ‘No MILK for Cinemark’ protest. It was a crazy windy day.
About 15 peeps showed up to hold signs, rainbow feather boas and same-sex smooch as cars drove into the parking lot. During the rally, someone’s car stereo pumped out the new Britney Spears album. At one point, Luna busted out lyric sheets — protest chants based on “Miss Mary Mack” and “This Land is Our Land.”
Everyone was super polite. Some folks who asked the protesters what was going on were greeted by demonstration organizer Israel Luna, who gave them free passes to see ‘Milk’ for free at the Angelika.
There were a couple of police officers in the parking lot and some corporate-looking women were speaking with them, keeping a safe distance from the protesters. (But I think they got the memo that, when it comes to movies, protests are almost always good for business.)
Overall, the afternoon was fun. Plano is replete with hot dudes in super-butch pickup trucks who see movies on Saturdays…
I am a little confused after reading the comments made by Jesse Garcia and Morris Garcia in the Dallas Voice regarding the protest that Mr. Luna put together. First of all, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Israel Luna for organizing such a protest as I can only imagine the amount of work involved in such a project.
Morris Garcia who doubles as a representative for the Collin County Gay and Lesbian Alliance and as President of the local gay chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, a group that has two corporate employees at Cinemark said he would “prefer to settle the issue with a meeting†however the meeting is just in the preplanning discussion phase. He also adds, “Our position is to set up meetings, have an open dialogue and hopefully come out with a positive result from that.†What is the hold up? The telephone is a two way instrument. Talking about setting up a meeting is not pro active. Mr. Luna chose action over potential chat. I have been thinking about giving some thought to finding Brad Pitt’s phone number and then I may try and phone him and see if he would consider marrying me. But, I doubt I will get around to that anytime soon.
Jesse Garcia, no relation to Morris Garcia, also questioned a protest organized by Queer Liberaction outside the Cathedral of Guadalupe in downtown Dallas on Wednesday, Dec. 10. The protest, which took place on International Human Rights Day, was in response the Catholic Church’s opposition to a U.N. resolution backing LGBT civil rights. Morris Garcia said a majority of people who attend the Cathedral of Guadalupe are recent immigrants who can’t even vote but consider the cathedral sacred.
Honestly, I could give a rat’s ass what the recent immigrants of the Cathedral of Guadalupe consider “sacredâ€, if they gave money to the No on 8 campaign or supported it in any way makes them as culpable as Alan Stock. I hope that you are not insinuating that people are coming to our country illegally and in the process want to tell us who we can and can not marry and as soon as they can vote, will vote to suppress the rights that the Garcia’s are fighting for. I don’t think that shit will fly with anyone.
As far as the comments by Jesse Garcia that “It’s a whole different animal north of [Loop] 635, so it’s sort of like we need to respect that.†I am equally as confused by those statements. HOW is it different north of 635? Are they more or less deserving of equal rights? I don’t think Thomas Jefferson said all men are created equal except those who live North of LBJ Freeway.
So if you don’t want to get off your ass and support Mr. Luna and his protest, fine, but don’t sit on the sidelines with this holier than though attitude trying to work within the various groups you represent.
Are you guys trying to balance the rights of Hispanics, Catholics, and Gays?
Omg! this was a amazing protest, so many people went somewhere else, and you guys helped so many people.
it was amazing, i cant wait to hear about more upcoming events to attend.
thank you.
:).
Kudos to Israel for organizing this demonstration! Imagine how much better the world would be if instead of bitching and moaning about injustice people actually did something about it. With his background in film making, being a Gay man and having a sense of justice Israel got upset with Milk being played at Cinemark and did something about it. The Queer community of Dallas should applaud Israel Luna for the courageous stand he took this past weekend!
Plano is replete with hot dudes in super-butch pickup trucks who see movies on Saturdays…
Yeah. Welcome to Stepford.
First of all, did the protest really have an effect on the dollars spent that day for the few hours you were out there? I think not. Secondly did the protest gain any ground to change the way Cinemark do business with the gay community? You will never know that because now you are on the outside just like you were in your protest and not in the board room where your efforts can really make a difference. The movie is still going to be played there. Are you going to go protest that everyday?
Protest has it’s place and effect at the right time but without a purpose to make people change before you have had a chance to talk with them, you lose the chance to see if they are willing to bend a little rather than make them push you away from the table which makes it harder for us to sit down and talk.
Jesse Garcia and Morris Garcia along with 95% of the LGBT community are addressing this issue from the inside to make a real change for our brothers and sisters in the gay community who work in those places like Cinemark and others businesses. Jesse Garcia hard work in the gay community is well deserved and should be applauded for the direction he has taken. I hope we all can come together with all the energy we have in the LGBT community so that we become one strong voice.
Reading the comments on this site show how we are NOT untied no matter what our differences maybe. The hate that exists in our own gay community is becoming much larger than the hate that is directed at us from the outside. Some how we have to change the way we talk to each other, we need to find a way to stand together rather than standing apart. Let us not become fragments of groups where one group is trying to make their issue louder than the other group. “We all lose” The best way to defeat ones enemy is to expose how they operate from the inside first. “We are exposed”
Dear Look
As you state, you know how 95% of the GLBTQ community feels about protest vs an unscheduled inhouse meeting. With that in mind, we, the ones that feel a protest might be beneficial are only 5%. So figure 5% of 10% and and the math will lead you to about 6 of us that are “untied” here in Dallas. So I wouldn’t worry too much about us.
A protest is a way to bring attention to an issue while a boycott attempts to limit the amount of money spent on a product associated with the issue.
I hope that you, Look @ US, and the Garcia’s will keep me and my 5 buddies informed on what comes out of this meeting you have with the board of Cinemark. Keep us posted, will ya, and don’t be so shy with a name. While, as you inform me, we are far from being the majority, we still would like to see the issue resolved.
I appreciate your efforts Jack, but after you bring attention to an issue what is the out come you want? What do you want to achieve from your message in your protest beside bring attention to an issue we all already know about? What people out there do you want to hear your message? My question to you is, before you protest think of how this will affect the whole community and how your message can galvanize others to put them into action and follow you to change lives…
When you have a few people trying to caring a message versus hundreds, then they hear you loud and clear. I hope you get my point. Let’s work together for the greater good.
Boycott has a way of getting attention because that affects the pocket book. Anytime that happens we all listen and that is what you want others to do. Have them listen to you so that you have a chance to change the minds of those who oppose us.
You see we can have a conversation without being divisive and yelling at each other. In a debate the most important thing is to listen and I hear you. So let’s take this new found energy and use it for the greater good that will bring ALL of the (GLBT) community together to become one strong voice.
“Boycott has a way of getting attention because that affects the pocket book.”
This isn’t always the case. Sometimes boycotts don’t work at all.
When the LGBT community got crossways with Coors back in the 1990s and staged a boycott over the Coors family giving large contributions to anti-gay, conservative political campaigns, the effect was hardly noticeable. Sales at Adolph Coors Co. were not affected. (Of course, one could argue that they might have gone up had the boycott not taken place).
Same with the Disney theme park boycott by the Christian community a few years ago over gay-themed events, promotions to the gay community and advertisements in gay publications. Disney actually had a better year during the time that the christians were supposedly boycotting.
When Continental Airlines abrogated union contracts back in 1983 by filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and emerging as a non-union carrier, they were boycotted by union workers everywhere. Problem was, union workers were (and still are) a minority. They also don’t travel much. Continental experienced a dramatic increase in passenger traffic and reported record profits the following year.
Boycotts are only effective if there is widespread opposition. Once companies reach critical mass, as Cinemark, Coors and Disney all have, boycotts of those companies are seldom very effective for minority causes. Most minority boycotts end up being the equivalent of blacks boycotting a Ku Klux Klan rally or gays and lesbians boycotting the Southern Baptist Convention. I wonder how many people went to a Cinemark theater to see “Milk” just to see what all the fuss was about? My guess is, a lot more people than were turned away by the protesters.
Jack E. Jett – you rock. My favorite: “have been thinking about giving some thought to finding Brad Pitt’s phone number and then I may try and phone him and see if he would consider marrying me. But, I doubt I will get around to that anytime soon.” hahahahaha.
Isn’t it pitiful, the way some of these gays sit around bitching and criticizing our efforts to make REAL change, while they do absolutely nothing? Hey “Look @ Us” – your last sentence was utterly meaningless, and proves you are completely, 100% ignorant when it comes to gay activism. You don’t even know what you meant by that sentence. You just said it because you thought it sounded good. I would LOVE for you to explain what that sentence means, but I am sure beyond a doubt that you have absolutely no idea, so I won’t ask. What is your first name, anyway? (does it start with an ‘e?’ hehe)
Of course I know boycotts don’t always work I never said they did, but there are some which have worked very well. But would you not agree that the protest did not have any major impact at all or very little? My point to all of us including myself is let’s use our efforts together so we can make a stronger statement and become one voice.
As for you Gabe, I hear you to not matter how angry you are. Not real sure if you know how much hate you show in the words you speak. Let us hope you will turn that into a positive effort.
(I repeat)
Some how we have to change the way we talk to each other, we need to find a way to stand together rather than standing apart. Let us not become fragments of groups where one group is trying to make their issue louder than the other group. “We all lose†The best way to defeat ones enemy is to expose how they operate from the inside first. “We are exposedâ€
If LookUSA knows what 95 percent of the gay community feels, yet is afraid to state his/her real name on a GLBTQ blog, then something is not passing the smell test. While Jack Jett may not be the most eloquent speaker, he does make sense. Protesting is not a new concept.
Yes, I do agree that the protest had very little impact, if any. In fact, it probably did more to help Cinemark than anything else. It wasn’t well organized, there weren’t very many protesters and the end result was little more than a nuisance for Cinemark. All in all, I’d say it failed miserably.
Adverse publicity is sometimes good for business. It brings out those who are curious as to what all the fuss is about.
FYI: Montgomery Bus Boycott, December 1, 1955 to December 20, 1956. If you wanna boycott Cinemark, don’t make it a one-day event. Be out there everyday. If you wanna mimic the civil rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s, actually do it.
Yes, me represent the everybody of gays. We not to protest. We shoud not boycott.
It is not nice and we make the people of striaightness not like us. Cause we not have rights.
So not to protest in front of the Church of Holy Guadalupe Mary & The Jesus Chain. It might upset the Pope. So it is best and better to sit and be quiet and maybe Cinemark will give us free popcorn and make all okay. Okay?
I am addressing this question to all of us, how do we express our issues in protest from this point on to make a positive impact and create change for the greater good? More importantly what actions do we take so that EVERYONE has a voice in the prop8 issue and hate crime law in Texas?
I would like to talk about that, we need to move forward together because their are groups out there who don’t want us to live no matter what equality we gain. If you are part of the GLBT community or African American, or what they call non-white you are under attack.
Take a look at this link:
https://www.adl.org/PresRele/Extremism_72/5387_72.htm
Jeezzzzzz!
This blog is amazing. We have LOOK@US being overly dramatic with the stats (95% of our community would prefer to work behind the scenes) to Texoma James putting Cinemark in the same financial class as Disney & Coors in the case against Boycotts.
This is my first and last comment on this “intelligent” blog. Out of here.
Next?
I did indeed put Cinemark in the same class as Disney & Coors. Their balance sheets are similar; current ratio, quick ratio and debt to equity ratios are all roughly equal. Did you not notice that? Or were you not intuitive enough to investigate?
Wow. I just read all of these comments for the first time! I believed in an action and decided to make a statement to let people know about the Cinemark CEO’s hypocrisy. That’s all. A few people decided to protest with me, which was great, we had many people come up to us, ask us about our cause and we gave out almost 20 free passes to MILK at another theatre. I see that as a success. I’m not interested in making any political statement to organizations, I’m not interested in pleasing people (especially people who are cowardly enough to remain anonymous), I’m not interested in protesting for days and days on end like the 50’s or 60’s, I’m not interested in making everyone happy I wasn’t interested in doing anything but informing people in Plano what was going on Opening Weekend of Milk. This was all about MY feeling toward Alan Stock’s way of thinking and wanting to make a profit from MILK. THAT. IS. ALL. I wanted to make a statement, I did it and it’s over. What I think is the height of ridiculousness is that most of these bloggers on this subject weren’t even there…which proves what I’ve always thought: Those who don’t do…criticize. Now, get out and go fight for ‘something’ instead of bitching about how YOU were affected from something that had nothing to do with you.
No anonymity here. I’ve handled Satan himself…I can handle all of you.
israel luna
Cinemark protest organizer
Israel if you going to go out in the public and make political statements on social issues that effect people in the community be prepared to accept criticism from other people who my oppose you. I would think you would understand that working for an avtist news paper (Dallas Voice).
This is why we need to take protesting very seriously because it does reflect how others see us and how we are viewed in media and print outside of the community, so that we are not taken lightly on very important issues.
You know who I am.
Michael, I’m a filmmaker with movies in worldwide distribution. I’m no stranger to having my thoughts/ideas/art exposed nakedly to the public with criticisms, critiques, comments and/or compliments following. I even have a writer’s group every Tuesday for local writers (published authors, Deans of Universities, producers) where all we do is read our work and get critique to make our works better. That’s not my problem.
My problem is someone like you being a part of an organization (JTI), attending my pre-protest meeting for Cinemark, giving ideas on how to handle it and giving thoughts on how to make it go smoothly, then not showing up to it, then complaining about it afterwards on a blog with an anonymous name. That, my friend is what the Batman series of movies call the character TWO-FACE. Why not just tell me that you’re posting these critiques? I’ve been nothing but up-front, honest and unafraid of outcomes, consequence, retort or retaliation from my way of handling this protest. It’s sad and disappointing that everyone isn’t as brave and ballsy as I. This will be my last blog on this site that is associated with this subject. If you choose to respond, you know how to get a hold of me for an in-person discussion instead of this way, which you seem to be fond of.
So, to conclude this discussion (at least on my end) I’ll speak to the blogger that began it: “Hi, Look@Us, I’ve done what you’ve asked. I’ve ‘looked at you,’ processed it and have decided that we’re right where we belong. I’ll continue going out, protesting on the street fighting for the rights of me and my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters…as you continue hiding with an alias behind a computer screen complaining about how we go about it. Good luck with your way of helping the LGBTQ community become equals with the rest of the world.
By the way Israel I am only a member of that organization I have never spoke on the behalf of JTI which I believe has a very positive direction. And yes your meeting was an open meeting to the public for those who wanted to get involved. The reason why I chose not to be involved is because the protest in my opinion was something I was not willing to get on board with, although I support your efforts. I have that right to do so; don’t get upset with me if you are criticized for making a public or social statement and someone disagrees with you.
You of all people should understand that, I also have a right to voice my opinion weather I do it nameless or not. I think that is why they have that feature on the site or would you like Dallas Voice Instant Tea to change that just for you?
Maybe we will have a chance to work together on something that is for the greater good and bring awareness about issues that will galvanize the entire GLBT community. Good luck to you as well.
Cinemark Plano-Legacy is no longer showing Milk.
https://www.cinemark.com/theater_showtimes.asp?theater_id=251 Hmmmm….looks like Israel was effective…. Aneglika in Plano is showing the film. Awesome. High five Luna!
I *HOPE* with all my heart that the protest resulted in the events that have transpired. However, knowing corporate America the way I do, I would surmise that Milk didn’t draw the crowds and has been replaced with a feature that would bring more dollars to the bottom line. Corporate executives seldom ever care about people, only their paychecks, bonuses, stock options and perks.
Not only did Israel draw some attention to how bigoted and callous some people can be, but he also brought attention to the culture of corporate greed that has become so pervasive in our society. He may not have realized that he and his team were killing two birds with one stone.
Rachel Weidman $50,000.00 Dallas 10/29/08
William Benac $5,000.00 Dallas 10/31/08
Patricia Stark $3,000.00 Dallas 10/3/08
Linton Salmon $3,000.00 Dallas 10/28/08
Robert Kimball $2,000.00 Dallas 10/27/08
Brent Romney $1,000.00 Dallas 10/27/08
Leslie Bluhm $1,000.00 Dallas 10/28/08
Sandi Smith $200.00 Dallas 9/23/08
Robert Dobrient $100.00 Dallas 5/18/08
Thomas Carmody $100.00 Dallas 8/28/08
$65,400 dollars in support of PROP8 (Dallas) Against PROP8 $36,890.23 (Dallas)
This is public information you can find it on the site listed below.
(Source: Richard Dalton, a computer-assisted reporting specialist, compiled this analysis of Prop. 8 campaign contributions for the Associated Press. The analysis is based on campaign finance reports submitted to the Calif. Secretary of State’s Office since 2007 and contains data current as of Nov. 4.)
From: https://www.sfgate.com/webdb/prop8/
Here is some information draw your own conclusion from the numbers and the list of people. Cinemark will be sending the movie to its dollar theater because it ran the length of time it suppose to from an opening movie that did not do well in Plano or Dallas. Something to think about, we had a chance to educate people by allowing them to see the movie and maybe find some support from a audience that may not have ever heard of Harvey Milk and seen our fight from a different perspective. Allen Stock is only a drop in the bucket of the money that was donated in support of Prop8.
Note: I called and talked to the manager of the Cinemark where the protest took place.
Look @ US Says:
December 16th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
First of all, did the protest really have an effect on the dollars spent that day for the few hours you were out there? I think not.
Texoma James Says:
December 17th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Yes, I do agree that the protest had very little impact, if any.
Draw your own conclusions.
Here is some additional information, for what it is worth:
Rachel Weidman $50,000.00 Dallas 10/29/08
949 Deforest Rd.
Coppell, TX 75019
William Benac $5,000.00 Dallas 10/31/08
3529 Princeton Ave.
Dallas, TX 75205
Patricia Stark $3,000.00 Dallas 10/3/08
(Could not locate; name too common)
Linton Salmon $3,000.00 Dallas 10/28/08
10 Grantley Ct.
Dallas, TX 75230
Robert Kimball $2,000.00 Dallas 10/27/08
(Could not locate; name too common)
Brent Romney $1,000.00 Dallas 10/27/08
5003 Victor St.
Dallas, TX 75214
Leslie Bluhm $1,000.00 Dallas 10/28/08
5939 Brushy Creek Trail
Dallas, TX 75252
Source: undisclosed but reliable.
Look @ US
You do realize that slamming people who stick out their necks with a protest while you hide behind a fake name is very evangelical. Is JTI a religious group. What is this group you speak for or don’t speak for? Are you ashamed of being gay? Something with you doesn’t pass the smell test.
BTW, how is that meeting coming along with CINEMARK?
Jake let me make this perfectly clear for you ok, I am NOT an official board member or committee member of that organization, I am a Member of the organization. I do not have any official capacity in the decision making process being made at the main office of JTI. Please get your facts right. I do support some of the efforts and the direction of where they are trying to take the GLBT community.
If you want that information you can get on the main JTI site to voice your opinions about the mission of that organization in the Dallas area.
thank you
Whoaaaa! Somehow I missed all of this. Since there is no way to read tone, please know this is not in a mean tone, nor negative– just writing my very direct way of communicating– just providing some information and clarifications here.
1. Look@US has been named here (in one of Luna’s posts) as well as in person. It is Michael, not me, (whose first name begins with E). I have not posted anything on this specific topic until just now.
2. I write this as the (previous) City and Regional Organizer for JTI-Dallas, Michael did not nor does not speak for JTI. He has his own group, United Community Against Gay Hate Crimes (aka UCAGHC). When he attented Irsreal’s meeting, he was not there as a member of JTI-Dallas, but as a citizen and the founder of his own group. He has been very active in JTI-Dallas and his efforts are very appreciated.
3. Gabe was told who Look @ US was the night of 18 Dec in my presence by Michael himself. Gabe stop trying to make accusations about me and JTI in blogs just because you do not agree with me. This is ridiculous. (Reference: Gabe’s post here was prior to his being told who Look@US was).
4. I personally and publicly in print backed Isreal’s protest at Cinemark as well as posting the information on my personal Facebook page. Due to the mission of JTI, an organization who was started by someone else, I followed their directives in not supporting a protest in the name of JTI. I also did provide Isreal with many suggestions and things he should do while organizing the event, and he will be the first to tell you that. Personally, I had one reservation which I said to Isreal in person on 18 Dec (w/5 witnesses)– but it was not a bad comment (just something I would not have done..a personal difference of choice–but supported his efforts). Unfortunately I did not attend because I had a family issue arise, but I did try.
I have resigned both of my positions with JTI — and with that, hope that this attack of both me personally (looks at Gabe) and JTI (again looks at Gabe) will cease, just because I don’t agree with their ideas — to ensure I am swayed to their point of view.
So instead of gaining my support Gabe, you wasted valuable time that I had to work for our community and exhausted my interest in doing so any further in a lead position. GREAT JOB! You should pat yourself on the back Gabe. Keep up the work! Let’s see, if you work as hard as you did on me to win my support on other leaders, let’s see… you could get maybe 10 a year to drop potential support for your efforts. Double or triple your efforts, you could get 20-30 a year. How about rethinking and refocusing your efforts to where it truly needs to be. Outside of the community, not internally.
As you can see… my name is posted and previous posts to date, were in the name of JTI-Dallas.
Last post. Ciao.
oh, Etta. Honey. Why would you start a post with: “…Since there is no way to read tone, please know this is not in a mean tone, nor negative– just writing my very direct way of communicating– just providing some information and clarifications here.”
then end with blatant, mean-spirited sarcasm: “GREAT JOB! You should pat yourself on the back Gabe. Keep up the work! Let’s see, if you work as hard as you did on me to win my support on other leaders, let’s see… you could get maybe 10 a year to drop potential support for your efforts. Double or triple your efforts, you could get 20-30 a year.”
Guuuurl, you sure have a tendency to contradict yourself.
I’m not sure where or why you thought I was attacking JTI, or even yourself. I will admit that in previous e-mails/posts I have made it fairly clear, in more ways than one, that I believed you lacked, in more ways than one, the qualities necessary to be in a leading role during this new Dallas LGBT movement, but I didn’t do it in an “attacking” way. Quite honestly, most of the time I just thought you needed a big ol’ Xanax! ha. Hmm… Oh, and I made it clear that I have no patience or tolerance of people who criticize QL’s methods rather than actually DOING something… (I’m still waiting on the results of that meeting with the Cinemark management) But again, I never meant to attack you personally.
One more contradiction (gurl. seriously.) is that you’re apparently blaming ME for “exhausting your interest…in a lead position” Eh? Didn’t I just read your resignation letter in the DV, where you said it was because of a family health crisis? (By the way – I said a prayer for your family.)
Anyhoo….it really is too bad we butted heads so much. If you think back to both lengthy conversations we had, one on the phone and one in person (with Michael – who was a very nice guy. He didn’t say much, bu then it isn’t always easy to get a word in edge wise when Etta’s in the conversation, is it? hehe.) you might remember that I stayed polite and to the point, albeit brutally honest, while you were the one who flew off the handle and jumped off topic over and over again. (That reminds me: How’s your grandpa?) Well I hope you don’t hold any animosity toward me in your heart. I honestly think you’re a great person, and I hope you’ll say “hi” if you ever see me at another rally or out on the strip. I wish you well in all your endeavors. And go get that Xanax prescription, gurl! 😉 toodles.