BACKFIRE-PRONE
Brokeback Mountain is unlikely to advance gay acceptance
BY HEIDI HARRIS

Since most people refer to it as the "gay cowboy movie," it's not surprising Hollywood has fully embraced Brokeback Mountain. Based on a short story by Annie Proulx, Brokeback Mountain chronicles the lives of two cowboys whose gay relationship begins under unlikely circumstances and continues for decades, even after both marry. 

Although film critics would have us believe this is simply a "love story," to average moviegoers, this is no ordinary tale of love. Anyone who's researched the movie ahead of time knows about the infamous "pup tent scene," so the first part of the movie is spent anticipating the scene. Will it be graphic? Will I be disgusted? 

As a straight married woman, gay relationships are a bit of a mystery to me. I simply can't relate. However, I was surprised at the brutality of the scene. Frankly, I've seen more romance on Animal Planet, leaving me amazed that the gay community hasn't objected to the scene. 

Sex scene or not, I found the movie boring, and so did the left-leaning crowd who saw it with me. Gay or straight, I didn't care what happened to either of these men. The movie dragged, and the dialogue was laughable at times. 

Without the gay theme, I doubt this film would have received any attention. Hollywood, in its blind subjectivity, chooses to applaud this movie because they obviously believe it will advance gay acceptance. If anything, Brokeback Mountain will backfire. 

Straight people are told that gays are the same as heterosexuals, and they have a right to love anyone they want to. If that pup tent scene represents "love," I'm not buying it.

In addition, most reasonable people find it impossible to feel empathy for men who have each taken marital vows and broken them every year of their married lives. Adultery is wrong, regardless of who you're cheating with. The excuse I've been given by some critics is, "Well, they had to get married - it was the 1960s." Or, the even less convincing, "You don't understand, they hadn't come to terms with their homosexuality." I'm not buying those excuses either. 

If you and your cowboy buddy want to go live with each other in a remote cabin, feel free to do so, but you don't have the right to hurt other people because you're conflicted. Once you take vows, you're supposed to put your "inner conflicts" behind you. You've made a choice - now live with it. 

I personally know gay people who have been with their partners for many faithful years. They're not hurting anyone else by lying or cheating, and they're not out protesting anything. They're just trying to live their lives as normal people, which is what the "gay rights" movement was supposed to be all about. 

As a propaganda tool, Brokeback Mountain only serves to confirm the negative stereotypes of the gay lifestyle. Since Hollywood and the political left are desperate to advance acceptance of gay relationships, here's some advice from a straight woman: Lose the aggression and try portraying gay relationships that don't hurt other people. LW

Listen to Heidi Harris on KXNT 840-AM’s morning show from 5 to 9 a.m. Contact her at heidi.harris@infinitybroadcasting.com.