CMT's Eckern Offers Apology for Prop 8 Funding

According to Playbill.com, California Musical Theatre's Artistic Director, Scott Eckern has offered an apology for his financial support of Prop 8.

Quoted from the article (to read the full article please visit the link above or click here):

In response to the words of Shaiman, Egan, Whitty and numerous individuals who contacted the theatre company, Eckern released an apology and has donated $1,000 to the Human Rights Campaign, which works to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

"I understand that my choice of supporting Proposition 8 has been the cause of many hurt feelings maybe even betrayal. It was not my intent. I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction. I chose to act upon my belief that the traditional definition of marriage should be preserved. I support each individual to have rights and access and I understood that in California domestic partnerships come with the same rights that come with marriage," Eckern said in a statement.

He continued, "I definitely do not support any message or treatment of others that is hateful or instills fear. This is a highly emotional issue. I have now had many conversations with friends and colleagues and I now have a better idea of what the discrimination issues are, how deeply felt these issues are and I am deeply saddened that my acting upon my religious convictions has been devastating to those I love and admire… I am deeply sorry for any harm or injury I have caused."

Well, that's better. And I accept his apology. But I would prefer that people do this soul search and research before they make a leap towards discrimination.

In the "good news" section of today, Connecticut begins marrying same-sex couple today! Congrats to the smart, well adjusted citizens of Connecticut who knew better than to legalize discrimination (and shame on you California for not being mature enough to embrace equality.)

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From Sacramento Bee: "Prop. 8 gift gets theater's leader in a ruckus"

I cannot believe that someone - whose livelihood is drawn from an industry essentially supported and employed by a gays - would support Prop 8 in California. I haven't written on this issue because I tend to slant toward the mildly humorous on the blog but this has got me really cheesed.

Scott Eckern, (pictured left from the Sacramento Bee) the Artistic Director of the California Musical Theatre, has admitted to giving $1000 to the Prop 8 Campaign. Read the full article here. Frankly... I say it's beyond time to voice our frustration with this. Write a letter to Richard Lewis (the organization's executive producer) and Carol Van Bruggen (Board of Directors Chair) asking for Ms. Eckern's resignation. It may be extreme but there is no way I would support or work for an organization that allows hate and bigotry to be in its employ. You can send a message to the theatre through their online form but I would recommend sending a letter directly to Mr. Lewis and Ms. Bruggen at the address below:

Mr. Richard Lewis and Ms. Carol Van Bruggen
California Musical Theatre
1510 J Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95814

Civil liberties should NEVER be up for vote. It's insane that California allowed this to happen. This has to change and it has to change soon.

Marc Shaiman (Hairpsray) and Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q) have already contacted Mr. Eckern and voiced their concerns. Mr. Shaiman has stated that no show he has been involved with will play at the California Musical Theatre again and Mr. Whitty (though Avenue Q is already scheduled for production there this spring) will not permit his shows to be produced there in the future. Mr. Whitty's blog has an interested and insightful conversation with Mr. Eckard - click here to read.

Susan Egan has also supposedly voiced her feelings on this matter. Check out her letter at Broadwayworld.com.

Whatever you believe, there is NO reason that a gay marriage should be classified ANY differently then a straight marriage. God has no place in this argument. We are a nation of many religions and to presume that ONE has the veto power of another or over the government is asinine!

Special thanks to Towleroad for the news on this one!