Loading...
|| POLITICS ||
1 2 NEXT  Page 1 of 2

Cleve Jones Responds: Letter to the Editor

Disheartened by writer James Kirchick's recent commentary 'A Friend to Gays and Antigay Dictators Alike,' Cleve Jones writes a letter to the editor in support of his friend Sean Penn, a man he says is a "tireless champion of human rights both in the U.S. and around the world."


 Cleve Jones and Emile Hirsch during the filming of Milk.

Editors:

As a longtime reader of The Advocate, I am dismayed by the inclusion of James Kirchick’s unfounded attack on Sean Penn. As historical consultant to the movie Milk, I am disheartened by the film’s mention at all in the piece.

I love Sean. I know him better than anyone at your magazine, and certainly more than Mr. Kirchick (an assistant editor at another magazine, The New Republic). Most people will agree that Sean Penn is one of our greatest living artists, but he is also a tireless champion of human rights both in the U.S. and around the world.

I have spent a lot of time with Sean over the past year: on set every day for four months during the filming of Milk; traveling by bio-diesel bus with 150 young volunteers to New Orleans on the Dirty Hands Caravan (including a stop at the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation); as well as private time with him and his family. I know Sean to be a kind, principled and smart man, and I am infuriated by this attack on his character.

The Nation‘s cover story was an adapted excerpt of Sean’s essay/interview entitled "Mountain of Snakes." In fact, The Nation directed its readers to The Huffington Post, which ran Mountain of Snakes in its entirety on December 1st. Had Mr. Kirchick read Mountain of Snakes, he would have read the following excerpt:

On a 2005 family Christmas trip to Cuba, traveling under the auspices of religious tourism, my wife, our children and I were received in a private midnight meeting with then-President Fidel Castro and the great Colombian novelist and Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Prior to our departure from the United States, I had sat my children down with documentaries of the Cuban revolution. In particular, my daughter had been offended by the history of oppression toward homosexuals in Cuba, and had made it clear to her father, that if offered the opportunity to meet directly with Castro, she would refuse it. Marquez invited us to his house. We walked in, and there, in the living room alone, sat Fidel Castro. Taken by surprise by the meeting, and being a polite then-14-year old, my daughter took her place in the room and waited her turn to attack.

Fidel grabbed my arm and seated me beside him. He began the conversation questioning my then 12-year old son about the curriculum in his public school. Did he know how far was the earth from the sun? Did he know voltage from kilowatts? The grilling went for a straight half hour, and Castro's demeanor was of the strict grandfather, hiding his affectionate smile behind his lips while demanding knowledge with curiosity. It seemed to me that he could feel my daughter's chilly demeanor. And at just the appropriate moment, still without a word from her, he asked what it is that's bothering her. She answered, "Why do you not offer the same human rights to homosexuals in Cuba as to heterosexuals? Why have you persecuted them?" She was ready for a fight. But no fight was forthcoming. Not even a hint of defensiveness. Castro seemed nothing but impressed with the question, patiently explaining that while homophobia had not been invented in Cuba, it had deep cultural roots, and that he and the revolution had made many mistakes as a result. But that there is an evolution involved in the process of change. And while they still made mistakes, there had been tremendous growth. (In 1979, Cuba abolished anti-sodomy laws. Today in Cuba, affirmation of same sex unions is scheduled for 2009, surpassing the pace of U.S. social reforms, and sexual re-assignment surgeries come compliments of the public health service) My daughter was disarmed and it was my turn.

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. 1 2 NEXT  Page 1 of 2
Reader Comments
  • Name: Mark Levy
    Date posted: 12/18/2008 9:02:00 AM
    Hometown: North Hudson. NY

    Comment:

    Sean Penn's gifts as an actor shouldn't obscure the evident fact that his abilities as a journalist are limited. Reading his work on Chavez and Castro is disheartening largely because he lacks the historical perspective and depth of knowledge necessary to create a judicious evaluation of these men and their careers. His star status has given him a prominence as a commentator that is largely unjustified. That being said, there's no harm in what he's doing and it does constitute an honest effort on behalf of people who need advocacy. It would be more appealing and productive if Mr. Penn were to spend some more time studying the problems he addresses (rather blithely.) It often seems he's more concerned with himself and his image as a "hard-hitting whiskey-belting journo" than with the problems he's looking into.

  • Name: Pareidolius
    Date posted: 12/17/2008 5:05:00 PM
    Hometown: Santa Rosa

    Comment:

    While I am very skeptical of the Castros and Chavez's intentions (especially Chavez) I was very impressed with Penn's article "Mountain of Snakes". The left has a history of "useful idiots" who have gushed over the most megalomaniacal dictators without bothering to find out what they were actually up to. Lenin, Stalin and Mao come to mind. My first reaction to Chavez was "if it quacks like a duck . . ." But there was a nagging question about his redistribution of resources to the poor. Was he really walking his talk, and how would I know that without actually going to Venezuela? The terrible toll that cronyism and corruption has taken on the poor of South America is undeniable. I am ever so slightly opening my mind to the possibility that Chavez is flawed, but sincere in his intentions in Venezuela.

  • Name: Jonathan
    Date posted: 12/16/2008 10:37:00 PM
    Hometown: Caracas

    Comment:

    Penn is just naive. I'm sure his intentions aren't bad. The problem is his naivite comes with arrogance, and that's pretty hurtful for people like me, who live and breathe every day under the Chavez regime. Castro did put homosexuals in concentration camps. Justifying him by saying he doesn't do it anymore, he just did "mistakes"... its like justifying Hitler, if he were alive today and had the concentration camps closed. Those are not "mistakes". Those are crimes against humanity. And the Castro brothers have a collection of those.

  • Name: Art M.
    Date posted: 12/16/2008 2:23:00 AM
    Hometown: San Francisco, CA

    Comment:

    Oh, Leon. Get off your high horse, of COURSE Jews crucified Christ. If they hadn't, there wouldn't BE a Christianity. Of course, since there WAS no Jesus, nor a Moses, nor a Yahweh, it's all pretty frikking moot. That's all delusion and not real. What's REAL is that while Chavez might spy on his own people, SO DOES THE USA. Hell, Israel even sent spies against us, so why should we feel all friendly to YOU? Republiturds have proven time and time again that NOT talking to people doesn't get us anywhere. Maybe talking with them won't get us anywhere, either, but at LEAST it's DOING something. ANYTHING, except pissing MORE people off the way Bush has done.

  • Name: LeoOnTheEdge
    Date posted: 12/15/2008 4:23:00 PM
    Hometown: Edgewater, NJ

    Comment:

    After seeing the movie, I concur that if a gay actor once again was overlooked to portray Harvey Milk, then I'm glad Sean Penn was selected. He gave a great performance which was both sensitive and well nuanced. Having said that, let me also add that "The Advocate" came out of the film looking somewhat blemished, given some of its unfortunate earlier (cop out) endorsements and priorities. I'm pleased to say that the publication has come a long way in 30 years.

  • Name: Leon
    Date posted: 12/15/2008 4:13:00 PM
    Hometown: ISRAEL

    Comment:

    Who cares if he is homophobic or not?! This is not really the issue at hand. As members of an oppressed group we should also care about the oppression of others. The simple truth is that Chavez has a population under surveillance not dissimilar to 1984 (with neighborhood watches that catalogue suspicious behavior and interrogate people who visit abroad - if indeed they manage to leave the country). Let us think of all of the minorities: LGBTs, Jews and others that live under Chavez's horrific regime. Just so you'll get an idea of what kind of man this is, he described Jews in his Christmas speech as "the descendants of the same people that crucified Christ." Venezuelan Jews suffer as if in pre-WWII Europe, under this friend of Penn, and they are not the only one, but rather just one easy example. Now lets think whether we want to endorse someone who endorse such a regime. Finally, I hope Mr. Penn will truly be as skeptical as he is described to be and check the company he keeps.

  • Name: Sara
    Date posted: 12/15/2008 1:17:00 PM
    Hometown: San Marcos,CA

    Comment:

    I happen to think Mr. Penn is a strong activist for everyone's rights--While Bush was flying over New Orleans to get a look at the damage, Penn was in a boat taking people off their roofs. Regardless of whether or not I believe he is a tireless advocate, the fact remains that Sean Penn is an actor. And while we Americans give an astounding amount of power over public will to celebrities, Sean Penn does not write legislature. While it's great to have people who are highly regarded as public advocates for us, I feel personally that it's far more important to focus on those with political power. I read this particular article because I love Cleve Jones! Of course, this is my own personal opinion.

  • Name: Mike
    Date posted: 12/15/2008 11:43:00 AM
    Hometown: Westfield, NJ

    Comment:

    As far as I know, Sean Penn has been a reliable civil rights activist and advocate of liberation struggles around the world for years. His being a rebel is hardly surprising. Sean's mother hails from Belfast and he has been a supporter of the Irish fight for civil rights and democracy in northern Ireland. The fact that he may have been nice to Fidel Castro during a visit hardly means he is homophobic.

  • Name: Pat
    Date posted: 12/15/2008 9:33:00 AM
    Hometown: Sacramento

    Comment:

    I do not know Sean Penn any better than anyone else here, but what I have seen is a kind man who is for ALL human rights, period. He is a friend of gays without question, but he clearly feels that to get those human rights he must befriend evil people. Kill 'em with kindness and friendship. I get it. And I respect him for it. And hopefully it works, for ALL of us!

  • Name: J. Peron
    Date posted: 12/14/2008 11:12:00 PM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    Whether Penn is a good actor is not the question Kirchick was addressing. Mr. Jones ignores the real question. Neither was the question whether Penn is pro-gay. What was discussed was Penn's long term support for dictatorial regimes of an extremists Left-wing bent. Jones just ignores that. Whether Chavez was elected is no more important than the fact that Hitler was elected. Election does not mean one is a supporter of individual rights -- as Mr. Bush indicates.



More Online Only
  • Film Teen Spirit

    While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

  • Politicians L.A. Confidential

    What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

  • Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

     

    Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.


  • Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

    A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

  • Music France's Latest Export

    He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

  • Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

    The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

  • Theater Video Content Flag Puppet Masters

    When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

  • News Softball With Oprah and Palin

     

    Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

  • News View From Washington: Frank Tells

    This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.

  • News Features Where's Mitrice?

     

    Mitrice Richardson is a 4.0 student, a former beauty pageant contestant, and a lesbian. She’s also been missing since September, and her family and girlfriend want answers. 


     

  • Theater Seat Filler

    The Advocate’s queen on the New York theater scene meets bisexual conjoined twins, pits Sienna Miller against Jude Law, tastes Cheyenne Jackson’s Rainbow, and saves up for a rainy day with Hugh Jackman.

  • Art Fairey Good 


    Controversial artist Shepard Fairey spends his creative capital to bring marriage equality back to California.

  • Film Crazy Like a Fox

    Hipster actor Jason Schwartzman gets schooled on his gay fans and the Hollywood closet and reveals why he’s never played a gay role.

  • Television Viki Victorious?

     

    Soap icon and six-time Emmy Award winner Erika Slezak talks about the trials and tribulation of playing Victoria Lord and her run for mayor, gay rights, and the sudden death that rocks Llanview.

  • Commentary Called to Serve

    The military continues to operate under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which even the Pentagon says is unsubstantiated. As General McChrystal asks for more troops in Afghanistan, one gay Navy vet offers his service to his country in spite of the policy that would deny him.

  • News Features Marriage Foe Tied to Pro-Gay Companies

    Ford Motor Co. and Reynolds American, two companies that receive consistently high marks from the HRC, have ties with Schubert Flint Public Affairs, the firm that was instrumental in defeating marriage equality in California and Maine.

     

  • News Features A Few Good Men

    In honor of Veteran's Day, two of the most famous gay vets -- Frank Kameny and Dan Choi -- share their letters from Uncle Sam.

Most Popular Stories