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Richard Piatt and Randall Jeppesen Reporting"I don't want to be a censor, but to me there are certain things that cross the line."
To Larry Miller, Brokeback Mountain crossed that line. But today, Miller also says he has a better understanding about prejudice against gays and lesbians. Miller's decision not to show Brokeback Mountain in his theaters sparked a movement to stop his speech at the University of Utah, but today, that speech went ahead as planned after a private meeting with his critics.
Talking about his car dealerships, about the Utah Jazz, that is easy conversation for Larry H. Miller. But he says he also learned a lot after talking about something he's not comfortable with: gays and Lesbians.
Larry Miller wondered if there would be protests at his speech. Instead there were just a couple signs and a lot of people wearing cowboy hats.
Larry H. Miller: "I've been debating how to open my remarks. I feel like I ought to say howdy!"
The hats ARE a statement. They're a reference to 'Brokeback Mountain', the same-sex love story set in cowboy country; a film Miller refused to show in his theaters. The decision sparked world-wide fury, but at the U, it has tempered.
Tanji Byram, U of U Student: "I do like the idea of the cowboy hats to say, 'We're not going to do what you did, that we are open and welcome.'"
Kathryn Stockton, U of U Gender Studies Program: "Today we're welcoming him. It's not so much a protest as it is a celebration of free speech."
Miller did get around to talking about higher education, his businesses, success, but he started on an emotional note: Now, he says, he appreciates people's differences.
Larry H. Miller: "If we take the time to listen to each other and try to understand each other, we find we have a lot more in common than we previously thought."
Still, hard feelings remain for some. Three-dollar bill hand outs sent a clear message.
Josh Moon, U of U Student: "We've been quite upset at the university because they picked someone who represents censorship to give a talk about higher education. And it seems a little disingenuous and hypocritical. "
But Miller says he is more sensitive to prejudice and violence facing some gays and lesbians. That, he says, was his biggest eye-opener.
Larry H. Miller: "The fear is real and the fear is justified. And that is not right."
Student Megan Mcnulty says the university should invite all viewpoints to campus including Miller's, even though she thinks he went too far when he pulled the movie out of theaters.
Megan Mcnulty, student: "I'm sad to see he didn't go through with the movie, but it's ultimately his choice."
Miller says he will keep an eye on what movies his theaters show or doesn't show, but he says he do it with greater sensitivity from now on. He does not plan to see Brokeback Mountain.
