The tempest grows over the controversial last minute pulling of Brokeback Mountain from the Sandy Megaplex, a movie theater owned and run by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller. Yesterday, representatives of Utah's gay community made a "call to action" against the theater, demanding to know "why that decision was made." So far, the only communication on the subject has been a notice posted in the ticket window an hour before the film was to have its premiere screening, stating, "There has been a change in booking and we will not be showing 'Brokeback Mountain.' We apologize for any inconvenience." Since then, not a peep:

[T]he Utah businessman and owner of the Utah Jazz has not said a word since last Thursday, when his theater company yanked the film from its lineup - less than two hours after Miller apparently learned of the movie's subject matter from a reporter.

Media professionals say Miller's silence has helped give the story international appeal and encouraged people worldwide to poke fun at Utah with negative stereotypes about the state's predominantly Mormon population.

While Miller remains tight-lipped about his motives, we're somewhat surprised he wasn't a little more progressive in his actions. After all, he spent tens of millions of dollars making sure that longtime partners Karl Marlone and John Stockton could "hook up on the pick-and-roll" together for nearly two decades, and never have to suffer the tragic pain of separation of Brokeback's lonely cowboys.

• Media pros say silence on pulling gay movie gives the story legs [Salt Lake Tribune]
• UTAH GAY GROUP ISSUE 'CALL TO ACTION' OVER BROKEBACK BAN [GCN]
• Previously: Heath Ledger To Brokeback Banners: Don t Be Afraid Of Love [Defamer]

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