‘Love Poem’: Biblical defense of gay marriage targets Prop. 8

Dave Barton is known for directing bloody, violent, sexually explicit "in yer face" plays. Given that he was a Christian fundamentalist who began questioning those teachings and became a gay activist with ACT-UP, it's not surprising that the Rude Guerrilla Theater Company's artistic director and members of his troupe would weigh in against Prop. 8, the initiative to overturn California's recent recognition of same-sex marriages.

What might surprise some is the reverent and tender approach Barton takes in directing "Love Poem," a two-minute video urging a "no" vote that would preserve gay marriage. The text is from the New Testament -- Chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians -- delivered in multiple voices by more than 15 members and supporters of Rude Guerrilla. The unspoken irony is that some of Paul's other writings have formed the basis for religious arguments that homosexuality is sinful and gay marriage wrong.

-- Mike Boehm

Comments

[Tyler Green]

Under California law, there is no separate kind of marriage called "gay marriage." A 'no' vote on Prop. 8 would simply ensure that marriage continues to be recognized in its present form by the state. Ergo, the ballot measure doesn't "preserve gay marriage," it preserves marriage.

[Tom Kelly]

Thank you putting up this lovely video, and for your writeup.

You wrote that "what may surprise some is the reverent and tender approach" Dave Barton takes in this short, yet powerful film.

I am not surprised. I have not seen all of Dave's plays, and have not known him for a long time, but....it took about two brief encounters to spot him as one of the most loving, tender, kind, talented and lovely men I've had the pleasure to know...

Surprised? Not me....

[gay dating forum]

very nice post, thank you for sharing it with us, i would of never found it on youtube, i also am not surprised :)
thanks again