Give us your ideas for future projects

[peteinportland]

This is a thread so you can give us your ideas for future projects.

We have a couple of major goals at davecullen.com in regards to projects and campaigns:

1. We want to help create the best web community on the Internet, a place where people will always return and feel at home. We think one way of doing this is to provide our members ways to connect with one another. We know nothing connects people more than being involved in a common goal and a common project. So, we want our forum projects and campaigns to connect the largest number of our members in a purposeful way.

2. We want to empower our members who want to advocate on behalf of BBM in terms of spreading the message of BBM or in championing the Art itself.

So, with that in mind, tell us your ideas. Obviously there is only so much we can do at any one time, so we can't adopt every idea. However, we can adopt some and work with all of you to carry out those ideas!

Thanks to all of you for your support!

[Bobby19in1963]

I like the idea of a Brokeback Mountain Foundation.  Although this place is wonderful, it would be more than a Web site.  Like the book we are writing, something that can stand alone out there for people to have and use in many different ways.  I run a Web site for my alumni association, and although I have hundreds of registered alumni, only a small fraction use the Web site on a regular basis.  There has to be a Reunion in the planning stages to get the most activity.  So, while the Internet is truly awesome and is the means for bringing us all together, we have to face the fact that we can probably reach more potential Brokeaholics and Brokeback Marriages out there with a foundation tied into our efforts.  Something that we can have chapters of in each state and country.  This was an idea posted back in the angry days after the Oscar fiasco.  When we were raising money for the Ad Campaign, somone suggested the Foundation and I thought it was a wonderful idea.

It appealed to me because I have been in a Brokeback Mountain Marriage for 40+ years.  Without this movie my choices I thought were only two...I could die first or my wife could.  Each event would free the other.  I hate to say I was at that point, but there was nothing in my life that put everything together like Brokeback Mountain and this Web site.

So, my reasoning is that there are thousands out there like me and my wife, and since Brokeback Mountain Marriage is now in our language...there should be a place where people could go that has it all together for them.

Now, if we think that this forum is the place for that, then that's okay with me.  But, there are going to be people whose lives have changed so much that they'll want to devote a good deal of time to a project...and a Foundation seems like a good idea.  I personally think that we have amassed a group of people here that can accomplish anything we set our minds to.  I've been extremely impressed with the wonderful minds this site has exposed.

Bobby...I'm already talking up the Arizona Chapter!

[Bobby19in1963]

I found this quote by Jaysmommy about the proceeds from our book:

I believe this book could be a hugely important tool in the War on Hate and Ignorance...all sales of this book should be donated 100% to, perhaps a new foundation created out of the phenomenon of BBM.

[mrfritz]

Personally,

I think it is most important that we join together and work to stop the descrimination that has begun against gay people in the United States. 

In 2004, the republicans used Gay Marriage to encourage voter interest.  The result was an overwhelming vote for the republicans and some states outlawed gay marriage. 

In 06, the campaign is going to be gay adoption. 

I'm sorry, but there are thousands of kids in foster homes, institutions, etc. that could be adopted by many families.  However, usually only very young children are adopted. 

Why on earth, would these republicans wish to hurt these kids for their own political gain, rather than to put them in loving homes??

I can't even believe that they are that stupid to believe that gay people can influence others to become gay. 

It is time for this new age of discrimination to end. 

I truly hope that everyone starts opening their eyes to the changes our government is trying to impose on us.

Peace,

Steve aka Fritzie

[peteinportland]

I found this quote by Jaysmommy about the proceeds from our book:

I believe this book could be a hugely important tool in the War on Hate and Ignorance...all sales of this book should be donated 100% to, perhaps a new foundation created out of the phenomenon of BBM.

We will be using the proceeds from the book for projects and campaigns that our members decide upon. Hence the reason for this thread. We think web activism is a cutting edge idea that we are really helping to pioneer. This forum is, for us, our foundation so to speak. Our goal with these projects and campaigns is to have the reach people are speaking of with a foundation.

Frankly, I'm not sure a bricks and mortar foundation could have raised so much money so quickly from 700 donors from around the world for these ads. It took the power of the Internet backed by a vibrant Internet community. We are about to put at least 2,000 BBM DVDs in libraries and other places around the world. We are going to publish a book of BBM stories and hopefully get it those who need it. We are looking at doing a video that also speaks to these stories.

Moreover, it is important to realize what an incredible tool the Internet and this forum is for people. It is hard to get this type of reach and the level of discourse we see here in a more formal foundation sort of setting. I've been doing community activism and organizing work for years in both a professional and volunteer capacity, and even in the very big and worthwhile organizations with whom I've worked, I've never seen the level of community and support I've seen here.

So, I guess I should ask, what do you see a Foundation doing? Because that is what we want to do via our Internet activism on this site. IMO, we are better tuned in and might have better results. We (meaning all of us in this community) are the foundation. What is it we should aspire to do with our efforts?

Pete

(And BTW, we have a couple of very interesting partners working with us on some fundraising efforts in the real world that may have a great impact on our abilities to implement more projects. Of course, I will share more information on these projects once we are able to do so.)

[Bobby19in1963]

Now, if we think that this forum is the place for that, then that's okay with me.

I did a search for the original poster of the Brokeback Foundation idea, but it didn't turn up.  Since I have no experience running a foundation, I'll go along with the Forum in whatever manner the leadership deems best.  However, I must reinterate that the Internet is not the only answer.  While it reaches a vast congregation, there are still so many who do not have the skills or access that need our help, too.  The book, the library campaign are wonderful outreach programs.  I feel confident that those and others will be found to make it all work.

Bobby

[Garry_LH]

Dear Fellow "Brokebackers,"

Hello and greetings once again from WAY Upstate New York.  My apologies for being away from and not contributing lately to this wonderful Forum ... it's taken me this long to emotionally recover from Oscar night.  (I have just re-registered here and am happily now back on the "Brokeback Mountain" trail)

As most of you already know or have recently learned, Randy Quaid (aka: "Joe Aguirre") has recently filed a $10 million law suit against "Focus Features" and it's Producers claiming that he was "underpaid" for his "supporting role" in "Brokeback Mountain."  (It appears now that while "Jack and Ennis" were up on the mountain tending sheep and eating beans, "Joe" was back in his trailer angrily gnashing away on some "sour grapes") 

Well, cowboys and cowgirls, I think it is time for us all to "circle our wagons" and rally once again ... this time to show our support for (and come to the aid of) "Focus Features" and particularly it's co-presidents James Schamus and David Linde.  May I suggest that we (as we/"The Dave Cullen - Ultimate Brokeback Mountain Forum" did for the post-Oscar "Daily Variety" ad campaign) create a special "Brokeback Mountain - Focus Features Defense Fund" (via PayPal contributions) so to (in our own little way) help "Focus Features" defray some of their legal costs incurred in their addressing this very "unpleasant" matter.  ... Your thoughts??

Best,
"MountainBuddy"

I would say Universal Studios, and their baby Focus, are more than capable of defending themselves. Does Mr. Quaid have a leg to stand on, I would have no clue. Personally, I would feel if the actors were not offered a percentage above the film making a certain proffit, Focus might just be seen as being on the cheap side. I think this is one battle we are best steering clear of. We don't have the facts, and we probably never will.
Though, it wouldn't surprise me for Randy to not get a dime, and Focus turn around and reward its loyal friends; the actors that didn't sue them.

[Garry_LH]

To be honest, I doubt Mr. Quaid, or his handlers, could care less about who does or doesn't support BBM. Legal eagles smell money, that's moral enough for them. Personally, I think we are far better off supporting getting folks to see the movie. I don't see how supporting Focus in a legal hassle, which seems to be pretty standard fair for Hollywood, can help promote the message we see in Jack and Ennis's hell of a life. I feel we do their story a disjustice by becoming involved in a fight between Hollywood egos. It's the stuff of tabloid grocery store check out lines. This tiff does nothing to promote seeing BBM. I can't see how our supporting Focus legal efforts would make the back page of any paper.  And, I don't think it would shed too good of a light on a group that's work seems to be aimed at helping others by sharing our stories of how it touched our lives, and hoping other's might see BBM in the light of the spirit we share here.
I vote for staying out of Hollywood politics and concentrate on how BBM is opening the understanding people have of themselves and we gay folks.
My two cents...
Sorry for not using great big colored fonts. :-)

[Garry_LH]

Ok, so how do we go about getting bumper stickers made up? I think these words are headed to being our moto. Should Dave & Company go into business? Add the website's address below in green?

If you can't stand it, you gotta fix it!

[nakymaton]

I've been peripherally involved in a internet-based foundation. The group wrote a book, and wanted to donate all the proceeds to charity. A couple lawyers and law students involved in the group checked out tax laws, and concluded that, if we didn't want to pay taxes on the proceeds, we would need to be a 501 (c) 3 foundation.

I'm not a lawyer, and didn't follow all the discussions, but I'm curious: Pete, Dave, and everyone working on the forum projects -- have you thought about whether this group needs to do tax accounting, and whether it would be useful to set up a foundation to make sure we don't get in trouble with the IRS?

From the discussions amongst my friends, I've gathered that there are very specific things that a 501 (c) 3 (tax-exempt) foundation can and can not do. It can't compete with for-profit businesses, and it can't get involved in politics, for instance. I think it would be able to do things like donate DVDs to libraries (which are themselves non-profits), and it would be able to donate money to other non-profit groups (like the Matthew Shepard Foundation). But the group would need a lawyer to help sort everything out.

You guys should probably make sure that the donations for the ads don't violate tax laws, too. I don't fully understand what things are taxable and what aren't, but there might be tax implications any time money gets transferred via Paypal to this site. I don't know. Again, I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not an accountant, but my brief encounters with tax law made my head spin.

(The "can't be political" rule drives me crazy, by the way. Hateful anti-gay programs sponsored by churches are considered religious, not political, but any kind of program that tries to make the world a bit more just and caring by combating anti-gay prejudice is likely to be spun as political by the Right. Argh.)

***

And Garry_LH: I want a bumper sticker that says "If you can't stand it, you gotta fix it!" I love it.

[peteinportland]

Ok, so how do we go about getting bumper stickers made up? I think these words are headed to being our moto. Should Dave & Company go into business? Add the website's address below in green?

If you can't stand it, you gotta fix it!

Ha! Actually something we are already doing (as something fun for our members). Look for an announcement tomorrow!

Great minds think alike.

Pete

[peteinportland]

I've been peripherally involved in a internet-based foundation. The group wrote a book, and wanted to donate all the proceeds to charity. A couple lawyers and law students involved in the group checked out tax laws, and concluded that, if we didn't want to pay taxes on the proceeds, we would need to be a 501 (c) 3 foundation.

I'm not a lawyer, and didn't follow all the discussions, but I'm curious: Pete, Dave, and everyone working on the forum projects -- have you thought about whether this group needs to do tax accounting, and whether it would be useful to set up a foundation to make sure we don't get in trouble with the IRS?

From the discussions amongst my friends, I've gathered that there are very specific things that a 501 (c) 3 (tax-exempt) foundation can and can not do. It can't compete with for-profit businesses, and it can't get involved in politics, for instance. I think it would be able to do things like donate DVDs to libraries (which are themselves non-profits), and it would be able to donate money to other non-profit groups (like the Matthew Shepard Foundation). But the group would need a lawyer to help sort everything out.

You guys should probably make sure that the donations for the ads don't violate tax laws, too. I don't fully understand what things are taxable and what aren't, but there might be tax implications any time money gets transferred via Paypal to this site. I don't know. Again, I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not an accountant, but my brief encounters with tax law made my head spin.

(The "can't be political" rule drives me crazy, by the way. Hateful anti-gay programs sponsored by churches are considered religious, not political, but any kind of program that tries to make the world a bit more just and caring by combating anti-gay prejudice is likely to be spun as political by the Right. Argh.)

***

And Garry_LH: I want a bumper sticker that says "If you can't stand it, you gotta fix it!" I love it.

That is a good question. Actually, every bit of money that goes through this site gets reported as earnings for davecullen.com and is offset with 100% of it being written off. We are about as on top of it legally as we can be. We don't want Dave or the site to get in trouble. Thanks for looking out for us. That is a very valid concern.

BTW folks, except for bumper stickers, I have not yet seen any ideas on other projects we can undertake in the future on order to spread the message of the movie. Any other ideas out there?

Thanks for the feedback.

Pete

[Sebastian]

I'm not an 'organizational' person, but this link concerning a Texas gubernatorial 'hopeful' and an Ohio Senate candidate who advocate the execution of gays is chilling. (And the Ohio candidate is a Democrat. :-[)

http://www.q-notes.com/top01_032506.html

I realize this Forum probably needs to remain politically neutral, but there must be some way to address this issue with the positive approach that has worked beautifuly here thus far. That this kind of hate speech toward other minorities would be disallowed is a no-brainer! Anything to promote a more positive image of GLBT folks and our community here with our straight friends could help.

Thanks for the consideration.

When they came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

Martin Niemoeller

[DanRWentzelJr]

This is not an argument for or against forming a foundation, but just another idea to throw out there.

There is the possiibility of creating a program within an existing foundation, so as not to duplicate overhead.

For example, if the Matthew Shepherd Foundation or Trevor Foundation were willing, we could help to start and fund a program under their banner that would use public readings and public showings of Brokeback Mountain, to be followed by discussion sessions about the movie, to help combat homophobia, rural or otherwise. 

Whatever we do with Brokeback Mountain would probably need to be signed off to who owns the rights, wouldn't it?   But, I just wanted to throw the idea of a program within a foundation out there as another possibility.  If a whole new foundation arises, that's great too.  There are lots of possibilities.

If we do go the program within an existing foundation route, we can choose to specify that a certain percentage of funds raised go towards "general administration" for the foundation (i.e.. "overhead").  Overhead has gotten sort of negative reputation.  Everyone wants as much money as possible to go to the front line, but every organization has overhead -- salaries, rent, office expenses, etc., and many donors want to feel their donation is going to the specific mission and not to something boring like office suupplies.  My nonprofit work esxperience showed me that most nonprofits are starved for "general funds" and need to come up with creative ways to pay for the administrative expenses.  A certain percentage of program funds that is known in advance is a way to go.   You don't want only 25 cents to the dollar actually supporting the program, of course, but 100% to the program without any overhead support is unrealistic and impractical, in my limited experience.  Others with nonprofit experience may have a different opinion.

[Garry_LH]

And Dan comes through again... brilliant!!!

I wonder if there is someway to reach parents, the sooner the better. Giving folks a clue what they say in front of their kids can make a huge difference in how those young people see themselves would do a huge amount of good.
About the only thing I can think of are the PTA orginzations.  Maybe the folks with Trevor... (gahh brain blank)