Open letter to Robert Redford

[Pab Sungenis]

Robert Redford
c/o Wildwood Enterprises
725 Arizona Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Dear Mr. Redford:

As you know, on November 4th, the people of the State of California voted to strip gays and lesbians of their right to marry. This was largely due to an enormous misinformation campaign financed by the money of the Mormon church in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Mormons enjoy enormous tax benefits and a preferential status from the State of Utah. Tax revenue spent within that state goes to help fund the church, which allows them to abuse their privileges through campaigns such as the “Yes on 8" campaign.

I know you have an excellent history for progressive causes, and for the rights of gays and lesbians in particular, so I am asking you to do the logical thing. Please use your position as the man behind the Sundance Film Festival to call upon Utah to revoke the preferential tax status of the Mormon church and, if they will not, move Sundance out of Utah and to a more gay-friendly site until such time as they do.

Thank you for your time.

[texastoast]

1. Absolutely the Mormon Church should lose its tax exempt status

Along with every other church which politicizes from the pulpit. That is not "religion."

[Mari333]

2. Redford can bring it to Michigan

here is the webpage of the Saugatuck Film Festival..Saugatuck MI is a gay friendly oasis in the middle of SW Michigan, and is a wonderful place to visit. Its a delightful place, and the town has rainbow flags all over on its shoppes. Add to that, the town fathers/mothers do not allow any corporate franchises within the town's city limits.
Its a pretty amazing little burg in an otherwise rural and sometimes red michigan area. They can use all the support they can get.

http://www.waterfrontfilm.org/

[Pab Sungenis]

4. Write to him and suggest it.

Feel free to adapt my letter.

[hisownpetard]

5. Hell, he can hold it in my backyard, and I'll give him free meals and lodging!

No problem.

P.S. Great letter, smart idea.

K&R.

[Mari333]

6. you must have one heck of a back yard!!

[hisownpetard]

10. A little crowding never hurt anyone, right?

[adadem]

11. Great idea!

I love Saugatuck....with the beautiful dunes and cool shopping that would be perfect!

[lunatica]

3. Sounds like a good plan to me. Put all Churches on notice too... n/t

That's the way it's done in this country, which has suddenly become a Constitutional one again. On Obama's new site they have a section that lists their Agenda (scroll down to the bottom of the home page).

http://change.gov/

The item at the very top of the list is Civil Rights.

http://change.gov/agenda/civilrights/

It has a box where we can submit our ideas.

At least as of now it looks like we actually get to have a personal say. Let us try to put it to good use.

[CTyankee]

7. Move it to Connecticut! We have the strongest state supreme court decision

in the country for gay marriage rights!

It's wonderful here and right close to NYC. My vote is for moving it the cultural capital of CT, New Haven, which happens to be where I live!

[AuntPatsy]

8. I like that letter, I hope he recieves it and follows through.

[Shardik]

9. Nicely done.

K&R

[FtWayneBlue]

12. Excuse me, but

I think that there is an incorrect idea floating around DU that religious organizations cannot speak out about issues without risking their tax-exempt status. This is untrue. They cannot endorse candidates or political parties, but they do have a right to speak on issues.

I am all for civil rights for everyone - - - including freedom of speech.

I don't think that corporate personhood exists to allow them to fund candidates or political parties, but I do think that religious organizations have the right to address issues. Other churches such as UCC and UU are speaking in favor of GLBT rights - and should be allowed to continue to do so.

My two cents worth. Please don't flame me.