Meet Fred Karger

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Fred Karger, from our film "8:The Mormon Proposition." Wonderful man.

Don't Eat That - It's Icky

Yesterday was General Conference for the LDS church. Yesterday Elder Boyd K. Packer got up and spewed out the same old, out dated, ignorant and hateful vomit that he and countless others have been poisoning all-who-will-listen with for decades upon decades.

And we are eating it up.

We are ranting and raving on Facebook and blogs and emails. We are outraged. We are crying for change. Seriously? Change? This is BOYD K. PACKER we’re talking about. Guys, the man ain’t gonna change. EVER. We’ll see giant nipples on Mt Rushmore before we see a change in Packer’s attitude about anything – let alone homosexuality. Why are we even surprised? It’s not like this is his first time at a pulpit. We knew there would be some kind of fall out from Marlon Jensen having the audacity to actually state publicly that he was sorry for the pain caused to gays and their families by Prop 8. I can only imagine what was said to him behind closed doors by Packer and Monson. Of course something had to be done and Packer was just the man to do it.

Isn’t the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over expecting different results? Conference comes twice a year – like clockwork. The same men get up and say the same things. Why the hell are we surprised? Why do we keep expecting them to change? They are not going to – we are the crazy ones for expecting them to.

We want change? Well then what the hell are we going to DO about it? May I make a few suggestions?

(1) Stop being surprised at anything said by the leaders of the Mormon Church. And stop eating up what they say – even if it’s to rant and rave. Remember that cute little story I posted a while ago about the woman in an eating disorders clinic that kept throwing up, baking and re-eating her own vomit? Do I really need to say more? Stop eating The Brethren’s old vomit. It doesn’t taste good.

(2) Stop being victims. Stop begging for their approval. Stop thinking that their validation is needed for ANYTHING. It’s not. For those of us that truly believe that they are just some old men doing their jobs, and not very well, stop hanging on any word they say at all. If you start to feel the old fear and intimidation creep in, wave your magic wand and repeat after me: “You have no power here. Be gone – before someone drops a house on you!” And then smack them in the head with your ruby slippers.

(3) Walk away. For God’s sake, if you are among those that no longer believe I beg of you have your name removed from the records of the church. It will have more of an impact on your mental and emotional health than you know. And it sends a much needed message. Once you have walked away, don’t look back. Go. Be free. Live a happy life in the sunshine.

(4) If your soul feels called to make a difference for the gay kids still being harmed by the church they are trapped in then do so from a place of strength and power. Reach out. Be a role model. Give them enough love to carry them to a place where they can one day choose healing and not death. You want to speak out? Great. Be noisy for the kids. But, again, do it from a place of authority and power NOT smallness and neediness.

(5) If you are gay, COME OUT, COME OUT, COME OUT!!! Stop hiding. Your presence in this world as a wonderful gay person is part of the solution.

Guys, it’s just plain old time to be bigger than they are. Their fear and ignorance are getting in the way of them being the love that the Jesus they believe in taught them to be. Be bigger. Be better. Be happier. Be the change you want to see in the world. Laugh more. Love more.

And, above all else – stop eating the vomit. I beg of you.

Nothing On Earth Can Defeat You, Huh?

"I have been checking your site every hour waiting for you to post your thoughts and massive excitement about the overturning the Prop 8. Hurry! Yahoo!"

Yes, I have been without Internet but I really don't think there is much to say that hasn't already been said. Glorious day. I got the phone call. Cried, hugged my kids, and had an internal party with my daddy. It was as it should have been.

Congratulations my friends. Go get married.





[Photos: Spencer & Tyler (from "8") & Happy Lady (my mother's secret twin) in SF; and Jeff speaking in SLC.]

Guest Blogger: Sister Gladiola Moriancumer Young

I am Gladiola Moriancumer Young and I will be posting here as occasion calls. I must say that I, for one, am quite pleased that the Pearson formerly known as "Sister" has been without Internet for the past several days. Clearly it was God's will, as I think we have heard quite enough from her on the topic of that so-called Proposition 8.

Brothers and Sisters, Satan has clearly won this round. But, make no mistake, we will keep fighting. You may think that all the money that The Only True Church exhausted from it's members was collected in vain. Not so. The Lord demanded that we sacrifice all within our time and our means and we did. Now we may all stand blameless before God and be lifted up on the day that the world is consumed by fire because of those gays. And that day will come. Mark my words.

It was no accident that it poured rain here in Utah the day the plague of gay marriage was, once again, visited upon California. God and his wives were weeping in their Heavens. And I tell you what, my sister and I pulled the drapes and spent considerable time on our knees when we saw that giant double rainbow that Satan painted over the Lord's Only True City. Some said it was beautiful, but I would not be deceived. I know pure evil when I see it.

Yes Sir, the Devil may have won the battle. The world may be celebrating. But me and my house, we will continue to prepare. For the end is upon us. The real storm is coming.

And we should all be very, very afraid.

8 Opens Nationwide In Select Theaters This Weekend

Yep, it's finally time!!! 8:The Mormon Proposition opens tomorrow in select theaters and VOD. This is the latest info I have but CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS as dates, times and theaters have been changing. Here in SLC there will be Q&As at The Tower. I will be there Sunday and (a big, fat maybe but not at all for sure) on Friday.

Enjoy! Lemme know what you think.

June 18, 2010:

Atlanta- Landmark Midtown Art Cinema
Boston- The Coolidge Corner Theatre
Chicago- Gene Siskel Film Center

Dallas - Angelika Dallas
Ft. Lauderdale - Gateway

Honolulu - Kahala 8 Theatre
Houston - Angelika Houston
New York City - Village East Cinema, Chelsea Clearview

Los Angeles- Laemmle’s Sunset Five

Palm Springs- Camelot Theatres
Scottsdale/Phoenix - Harkins Camelview 5

Salt Lake City – Tower Theatre
San Diego- Reading Theatre- Gaslamp 15

DC – AFI Silver Springs (3-day)


June 25, 2010:

San Francisco – Presidio Theatre

San Francisco – Sundance Kabuki Theatre

Berkeley – Rialto Elmwood Berkeley

Santa Rosa - Rialto Cinemas Lakeside

Stading Ovations, Celebrity Sightings And Oscar Winners - Oh My!

Yesterday afternoon an audience of 600+ stood and gave "8: The Mormon Proposition" a standing ovation - something virtually unheard of at Sundance - that lasted through the entire closing credits. It was incredible, emotional and almost other worldly. It is an incredible film. When I saw the final cut at a private screening earlier this weekend, I sobbed through much of it. I will sing Reed and Steven Greenstreet's (co-director & editor) praises until the end of my days for what they've created. In a word - it is stunning.


(Why, oh why, the Getty Gods of Camera Snapping insisted on capturing me with this oh-so-weird look on my face while addressing the crowd yesterday is beyond me. But it's still cool. Pictured: (L. to R.) Steven Greenstreet, Me, Reed Cowan, Chris Volz (producer), Bruce Bastian (Exec. Producer), Lance Black (Narrator), Gavin Newsom (San Francisco Mayor) and Dennis Herrera (San Francisco City Attorney).

I was extremely fortunate to be able to spend a couple of days around Dustin Lance Black (Oscar winner, Best Screenplay, "Milk") who is an absolutely lovely person. We all crowded into the rooms where celebs get their photos taken by top photographers for our Cast & Crew photos. Bumped into Chris Cooper, had my make-up touched up 3 feet from Tommy Lee Jones, came face to face with Adrien Brody (love him!) and was knocked off balance and grabbed the arms of Ben Affleck. It's incredibly fun to be star struck while at the same time getting VIP treatment as a producer on one of most hyped films at the festival. When Reed and Steven G. met Robert Redford he smiled, shook his finger and said, "Oh... it's YOU guys! You were the main topic of my press conference yesterday." How cool is that???

As I overheard someone say, "Sundance is filled with Movers & Shakers and Losers and Fakers." So blessed to be counted among the Movers & Shakers - or, at least, rubbing elbows with them.

Running back up for another screening and HRC party. I will return and report.

8:TMP Makes CNNs Top 5 Sundance Films To See

BOW CHICKA BOW BOW...

Sold Out

So, 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION sold out at Sundance 11 days before general public ticket sales began. There are many, many people who are clamoring for tickets. I can't get 'em for ya, Reed can't get 'em for ya. So sorry. If you are one of those people trying to get tickets, contact Sundance immediately and ask them to add more screenings of 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION. E mail them at: FestivalTickets@sundance.org

Bad news for pining viewers, great news for the film.

So excited!!!

Reed Cowan: Mormon Of The Year

Reed has been nominated as "Mormon of the Year" for the influence he has had with his film. Right on.

Please Internetland, VOTE HERE AND VOTE NOW. In the name of David Hasselhoff, amen.

And, thank you.

SUNDANCE BABY!!!

It is official. "8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION" is going to Sundance. Thrilled-Ecstatic-Screaming-Happygasmic-Joy!!!

Congratulations Reed. You have soooo earned this.

* * *
Related Links:
New And Improved Website. Of particular interest: The "Behind The Scenes" interviews.

8:TMP Huffington Post

Great article for any and all interested.

8 The Mormon Proposition

I cannot think of many things in my life I am prouder of than my participation in Reed's film. And the depths of gratitude I feel for him and his willingness to take this on - well, there really are no words.

The website is now up. Check out the trailer, it is amazing. Spread the word and stay tuned for updates...

8 The Mormon Proposition.

I Hate To Say It...

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No Crown For You

Miss Calif.: Anti-gay marriage answer 'Cost me my crown'
MSN Entertainment

Miss California Carrie Prejean thinks her anti-same sex marriage opinion cost her the Miss USA title on Sunday.

In an interview on Monday's Billy Bush Show Prejean stated: "It did cost me my crown. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I said what I feel. I stated an opinion that was true to myself and that's all I can do."

During the show, celebrity judge Perez Hilton asked Prejean on whether she thought same-sex marriage should be legalized. Prejean replied: "In my country, and in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman." Prejean later lost to Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton, who took home the crown.

"It is a very touchy subject and (Hilton) is a homosexual and I see where he was coming from and I see the audience would've wanted me to be more politically correct," she said. "But I was raised in a way that you can never compromise your beliefs and your opinions for anything."

Even though her answer stirred up some controversy, Prejean said she still felt like she won the competition.

"I feel like I'm the winner. I really do," Prejean said, mentioning that she had more than 200 friend requests and 1,000 new messages on Facebook.

A lot of people, many friends of mine included, are really pissed off at her. Being the gay rights megaphone that I am, you'd think I would want to 2X4 her. Strangely, I'm not pissed off or surprised - just more and more determined to keep pushing forward. And, you know what? I find it weirdly refreshing that she at least stood where she stood and spoke what was true for her - right in the face of a gay man and in a industry largely run, and supported by, gay men. That took serious balls. Not that I agree with her in the tiniest little bit. I do not think she stood as a beacon for righteousness and protection of the almighty and oh-so-horribly threatened family. Her truth is bigotry. But I am so tired of people talking out of one side of their mouths out of fear, and in order to be politically correct, and then turning round in private and rolling their eyes and bashing the gays. That happens way too much - here in Utah especially.

People that oppose gay rights and gay marriage are standing firm all over the place. Fine. Good for them. It is better than being two faced pussies about it. But they must also know that there are now consequences for doing so. Friends of mine, gay and straight, have chosen out of long time friendships with people that are clinging to their bigotry. I have not had to yet. People kind of know not to step on that land mine with me. And, they understand why I feel the way I feel. It used to be the case that those of us that supported gay rights would keep our mouths shut and say to ourselves, "They don't know any better, it's what they have been taught. Just let them be." No more. Prop 8 crossed the line and no one is taking it anymore.

Those individuals that discriminate against gays do not yet see that it is no different than discriminating against women, blacks, Jews... the list goes on and on. And they may never see it in this lifetime. But they do need to know, here and now, that they can no longer open their mouths, judge and condemn people, and expect to be awarded for it. There are no crowns being given out for hatred.

They will continue to praise each other and give one another big pats on the back. They will support one another in their fear and judgement and convince themselves that it is okay because they are on the Lord's errand. They are standing for truth and know that their treasure, their crown, is in heaven.

I just think they are going to be more than a little surprised when they finally leave this life and sit down for a little chat with Jesus. What did he teach, again? Oh, yeah...