Ender’s Game

Those of you who have followed my blog know that I am a big fan of science fiction, one of the books that I have read is the “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card and now it is being made into a movie. But there is now controversy over the movie.

'Ender's Game' to receive potential boycott for author's comments
KSL
By Carole Mikita
September 6th, 2013

SALT LAKE CITY — "Ender's Game" has been one of the most anticipated movie releases of the year, but some public comments made by the author could potentially have people boycotting the movie.

Orson Scott Card wrote the "Ender's Game" trilogy, and the movie is set to release in November. The movie will star several big Hollywood names including Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, and Abigail Breslin.

However, Card has made several comments about same-sex marriage in the past that some consider controversial and there is talk of boycotting the film. Card said that the comments were made a few years ago, but that now people are using his film as a platform to fight his stance on marriage.
[…]
From 2009 until 2013, Card served on the board of the National Organization for Marriage. Before that, he backed California's Prop 8. From a recent L.A. Times article which questions the possible boycott, Card is quoted from his 1990 article for Sunstone Magazine: "Laws against homosexual behavior should remain on the books. . .to be used when necessary to send a clear message that those who flagrantly violate society's regulation of sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens within that society."

So many in the LGBT community are torn between watching the movie or boycotting it because of the author’s views and financial support  against lesbians, gays and trans-people.

However, at the same time people are shouting for a boycott, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) has given an award to the company behind the movie…

GLSEN Honoring Company Behind 'Ender's Game' Film
Bilerico Project
Filed By Guest Blogger: Will Kohler
October 04, 2013

In a controversial move, GLSEN -- the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network -- will be honoring Lionsgate Films with the Chairman's Award at its Ninth Annual GLSEN Respect Awards ceremony on October 19th. The move comes despite major backlash from the LGBT community and a boycott of its upcoming film "Enders Game," which was written and produced by outspoken homophobe and former National Organization for Marriage board member Orson Scott Card.

I reached out to Andy Mara, GLSEN's press representative, about the choice of Lionsgate as a reward recipient and how rewarding such a company runs counter to the concept of "respect" for LGBT people that the Respect Awards are supposed to promote. Below is the response that I received not from Mara himself, but from Julia Marella of Slate PR, a public relations firm based in Hollywood:

    Lionsgate has a long and rich history of creating LGBT-inclusive and affirming films. The studio has also been an industry leader in ensuring workplace protections and benefits for LGBT people. When Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment last year, the company inherited its library of current projects, including Ender's Game. Though GLSEN flatly rejects book author Orson Scott Card's support for the discrimination of LGBT people, we stand behind Lionsgate's similar rejection of Card's personal beliefs and its long-standing commitment to support the LGBT community.

So what will you do?