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Gay Mormon Cowboys Touched by “Brokeback Mountain” By Matt Christensen January 2006 Gay Mormon cowboys and members of the Utah Gay Rodeo Association are going in droves to see the new acclaimed film Brokeback Mountain, and many of them are being deeply touched by the movie. Based on a short story by Annie Proulx, Brokeback Mountain revolves around two cowboys who grow up in violently homophobic environments and must keep their same-sex relationship secret for 20 years. The story is set in Wyoming, and one of the fictional characters comes from Sage, a real town only miles from the Utah border. "My experience with Brokeback Mountain this weekend was so incredibly moving that I cried," says Ben Clark, an Affirmation member and fourth-generation rancher. "It's the kind of movie that everybody, especially straight people, need to see to understand the culture we grew up in and what we go through." Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee attended the premier in Ben's hometown of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and hosted a Q&A session after the screening. "I cannot tell you how amazing it is to see my little ranch community come of age and talk openly about gay and lesbian issues," adds Ben. "It's awesome. We are going to put forth our best efforts to get the PFLAG group to have a float and a few horses and riders in the Old West Days and Independence Day Parades in Jackson Hole." "On the gay-rodeo circuit this movie has been talked about for almost two years," Clark Monk told Salt Lake Tribune reporter Brandon Griggs. Monk, who grew up on a dairy farm in Spanish Fork and served an LDS mission, says he hopes the film will help audiences change their attitudes towards homosexuality. To see the movie trailer, go to www.brokebackmountain.com. For more information about the Utah Gay Rodeo Association, visit www.ugra.net. |
www.affirmation.org