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Film's Showing Urks Tech Professor

Posted on: Sunday, 9 April 2006, 18:00 CDT

By John Grant Emeigh, The Montana Standard, Butte

Apr. 9--This week's scheduled showing of the controversial "Brokeback Mountain" at Montana Tech has already stirred a homosexuality versus traditional values debate on the campus.

After it was announced Friday that the film was going to be shown on campus Tuesday, a professor raised the ire of some students and staff by sending out a mass e-mail objecting to this movie.

Professor Willis Weight sent an e-mail questioning why the Student Union Office would show a movie that pushes "the gay and lesbian agenda on the public." The Academy Award-winning film was the subject of international cheers and jeers last fall for its portrayal of two gay cowboys.

Weight, a geological engineering professor, said Saturday he won't apologize for his comments, but admits they generated both positive and negative reactions from the public.

"I really pushed a hot button," Weight told The Montana Standard.

His brief e-mail was addressed to Chris Van Nuland, the director of Student Union and Student Activities, but it was sent out to all faculty, staff and students.

Weight's e-mail received about 40 replies in just a few hours after he wrote it.

"More than half of them were supportive," Weight said.

However, he described some of the negative comments as "hate mail." He read one negative reply from an unidentified student who stated, "You sound no different than a member of the KKK (Ku Klux Klan)." Weight said he doesn't want to prevent the movie from playing on campus. He added he was just trying to express his personal opinion.

However, professor John Ray told The Standard Saturday he believes Weight's comments were "a little over the top." Ray, a professor of liberal studies at Tech, said Weight's comments reflects a broader example of alleged intolerance toward homosexuals on this campus.

"I'm surprised by the level of homophobia -- bias against gays and lesbians -- there is on campus," Ray said.

Ray said that Weight shouldn't object to a film just because it's controversial.

"The purpose of a college is to discuss controversial issues," he said.

Weight suggested in his e-mail comments Friday that the animated, PG-rated film "Ice Age 2" be shown instead of "Brokeback Mountain." Weight said Saturday that he didn't intend to offend anyone with his comments. He said he believes a majority of people share his opinion, but are unwilling to speak out.

Weight said he doesn't plan to attend Tuesday's screening of "Brokeback Mountain." He added that may respond to this event by creating a seminar on campus that "explains family values." Chris Van Nuland, the director of Student Union and Student Activities, announced Friday there will be a post-screening discussion of the film.

Weight said he received e-mail replies from students and staff members.

"Some staff members were upset because some have gay children," he said.

Weight added that he received supportive e-mails telling him not to "backpedal or apologize" for his comments.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Montana Standard, Butte

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Source: The Montana Standard

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