Gay
rights group asks for support from Brokeback
Mountain viewers

A group that opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in South Carolina is turning out at a theater showing the gay-themed cowboy film Brokeback Mountain to politic for votes. Melissa Moore, volunteer coordinator for an advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues, recently handed out brochures encouraging people to vote against a state constitutional amendment this November.

Brokeback Mountain, about two Wyoming ranchers who fall in love, has grossed more than $66 million domestically in 10 weeks. It is a contender for several Academy Awards. Moore and others with the South Carolina Equality Coalition were hoping to draw on the appeal of the movie to talk with people about the amendment that passed the general assembly last year by a combined vote of 131-4. No such ballot initiative has been defeated in the 18 states that asked voters to amend constitutions to prohibit same-sex marriages.

South Carolina Equality Coalition chairwoman Linda Ketner says the South Carolina proposal is more extreme than most. She said it would prevent a private company from being able to recognize a domestic partnership for insurance purposes. "We are conservative in South Carolina, but we are fair," she said. "And this is not fair." (AP)