Dear BTL,
In their respective editorials on the "Brokeback Mountain" movie, John Corvino ("The 'Brokeback Buzz," Dec. 21) and Charles Alexander (Jan. 12's "Seven Golden Gropes!") seem a little flummoxed by its success. As Corvino put it, "I've grown tired of people talking about 'Brokeback' as if it's the first film ever to broach the subject of men loving men, or if such love is a recent discovery." And then both go on to cite past movies they ostensibly believe better dealt with the subject of love between two men, notably stories featuring drag queens.
What Mr. Corvino and Mr. Alexander may not realize is that not everyone sees their point of view. The reality is, "Brokeback Mountain" is the first film about male love that I could relate to. There are some of us where the lifestyles of the characters portrayed DO make a difference. I cannot relate at all to drag queens or men who yearn, in any shape or form, to be the opposite sex. I'm just an intellectual, masculine caveman slob (yes, all of the above, gentlemen) from the Midwest who happens to like guys. I don't give a hoot if it's not PC to vehemently say that I absolutely despise pre-fabricated stereotyping concocted by professional gays who insist on pegging us all after their own limited notions. Promoting acceptance is one thing; promoting a sheep-herd mentality is another. "Brokeback Mountain" is a universal story of love understood by all (hence the excessive "buzz"), and leaves it blissfully at that. No message shoving, no preaching, no pandering.
Niel Rishoi,
Ann Arbor
Brokeback' not a drag
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