This is a 'confession' of a former right-wing fundamentalist. Taken from IMDB forums, re: MILK.

[thoughtcrime1984]

I was born into a 'christian' home; went to church, went to christian schools, listened to christian music and only had christian friends. I didn't even know what a homosexual was until later in life. My faith taught me to love and show compassion to others. Yet homosexuals were 'outside' this love. It was quite accepted and supported to discriminate against such 'sinners'. Yet in my early 20s (i'm 28 now), i started questioning everything .. esp the dogma surrounding the evangelical's churches view of homosexuals.
By 25 i finally came to the conclusion that no one would 'choose' homosexuality. I was angry that the God of the New Testament would create people whom he condemned.

How does this all relate to the movie Milk?
Well ... i found myself crying in the parking lot after the movie was over. I felt angry. I was angry at myself for believing and accepting such hate. I regretted all the aweful things i had said/thought. This movie demonstrated how similarly the arguments in support of prop 8 were of prop 6. And that people still consider homosexuals to be deviants. There are many Anita Bryant's in the world today -- they just aren't as tactless. They pretend to love; yet they discriminate just as loudly. They are the Sarah Palins, the Mike Huckabee's, the Mormons and the evangelicals.

For those reading this that are gay; I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the aweful, hateful things you have had to endure. You didn't choose to be gay but as John Stewart says people choose their religion. There is hope. People can change. After all, I did.
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I'll admit that I felt somewhat as this person did 10 years and more ago. I have become increasingly tolerant over the years, and now am ashamed for ever having that mindset. I have not seen the movie "Milk" yet, as it is not available anywhere near where I live (WHY??). But I will the very day it shows near me, and I have a feeling that this movie may have a very positive effect towards changing thought patterns of those who hate. I hope so, I am so tired of the division. Race and gender issues have long gotten more attention than the gay rights issue. Those issues deserve the attention they receive, as far as trying to get equal rights for minorities and women, but the gay rights issue obviously needs more attention. I posted this anonymous person's thoughts here because they opened my eyes as to the potential this movie has to increase momentum for the rights that gays deserve- the very same rights that everyone deserves.

[JohnnieGordon]

1. Unfortunately I don't think enough people are going to see Milk for it to change much

If it was a blockbuster-sized hit, over 100 million, then you'd probably right. But it's an art-house movie that will probably fall well shy of Brokeback Mountain's box-office, which was respectable at 80 million, but still shy of blockbuster territory. Milk can only make a sizable impact if it's seen by the masses.

[defendandprotect]

2. The story of Harvey Milk used to play on TV . . . very effective documentary . .. .

hopefully, many people saw that and were enlightened --

but I don't know that too many understand the "MILK" title -- ?

I planned to see it but the weather here has slowed that down so far.

[babylonsister]

3. OTOH, there are people, like my 81-year old dad, who have

been waiting all year to see an intelligent movie. I spoke to him X-mas Eve, and 'Milk' was the movie they had selected to see yesterday. So perhaps more people will check it out.

[Blarch]

4. It proves that these people CAN and WILL change.

It proves that the gay community doesn't know what the fuck they are talking about.

[WhollyHeretic]

5. "It proves that the gay community doesn't know what the fuck they are talking about."

You've got some hatred huh?

This post proves that you're an asshole.

[Blarch]

6. Listen up.

Obama will be the greatest help to the gay community EVER.

And the gays are shitting all over him. Clearly some of these people can be changed, despite what the gay community says.

Like you just said, It's my way or the high way ...otherwise you are an 'asshole'

[WhollyHeretic]

7. People are changed by honoring them?

The person in the OP changed his mind about gays because someone honored him and his bigoted preaching? Nice try.

[mkultra]

8. we can only guess what changed him

but odds are real good that what changed him is being accepted by people who WHERE tolerant. This contact with the "more evolved" humans is probably what made him question his own dogman to begin with.

Maybe you should check out ghandi. I know you might think him a fool but he does bear some fruit.

[QC]

15. Did ignored say something stupid and offensive again? n/t

[JohnnieGordon]

9. I was hardly denying that people can change..

I was only saying the movie probably won't be seen by enough people to make that much of a difference. There's also a difference between ordinary people changing, and a professional homophobe like Rick Warren changing. No I don't believe he'll ever change. He's not a homophobe out of ignorance, he's a homophobe because it pays well, and he couldn't care less how his rhetoric and political activities impacts the lives of gay people.

[RandomKoolzip]

11. What a jerk thing to say.

:thumbsdown:

[Blarch]

12. fuck that.

They went nuclear on this shit and ending up hurting the cause. People like me are pissed about the gay community dividing the party before Obama even gets in the WH.

[RandomKoolzip]

14. Aw....does somebody need their banky?

[RetroLounge]

13. Or maybe your post proves it about you.

:puke:

RL

[Umbram]

17. Is there any need for that shit? (nt)

[thoughtcrime1984]

10. I posted this to show that views can change, one by one.

This movie could be helpful in continuing to gain tolerance and even support towards equal rights for all. Is this not what we want, more genuine compassion for the lack of rights that the LGBT community has suffered through? There was no other motive for this OP, I really do want equal rights for all. The story of Harvey Milk was unknown to me, and probably many others. We should all know it, and those of us not in the gay community should try to imagine what life would be like in those shoes, although it'd be impossible to know. Just as it is impossible to know the oppression that women and minorities have felt, if you are a white male, as I am. I look at it as a duty of the Democratic Party to fight for equal rights, to do what is right. This is what we are, we are the everyman/everywoman.

[Starry Messenger]

19. I think it's a great post!

I saw Milk a couple of weeks ago. I'm not in the gay community, but I'm a shy person who has avoided being an activist. Movies like this inspire me to be more vocal about what I believe in. Posts like yours help me see it is worth it! Thank you! :hi:

[Starry Messenger]

16. K &R

[Cha]

18. Poignant..this is a good example

of..you never know when you're going to get an epiphany! :think: Good on this anonymous poster!

[JohnnieGordon]

20. It'd be nice if Obama encouraged everyone to go see it

And said how much he loved it, and how it shows that it's time for gay equality in this country.

[EFerrari]

21. Kick

:hug:

[roseBudd]

22. I think the key point is these people have been brainwashed...

and they were brainwashed when they are very young.

I think the B word should be brainwashed, not bigots.

My step daughter is a Jehovah's Witness. She was exposed to that particular lunacy as a child by her grandparents. There is nothing anyone could say to her, not failed prophecies or Arameric translations, that would convince her that the this "system" is not going to come to an end and the 144,000 will be living in Paradise on Earth.