Church’s Opponents Target Broadway Star Over New LGBT Policy
Within hours of the announcement of the Church’s new policy recognizing and protecting children of LGBT families, opponents of this change have turned their animus on an unlikely target, Laura Osnes.
Osnes, the popular Broadway performer, performed to rave reviews at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s Pioneer concert, and is returning to perform with the choir for their Christmas concert December 17-19th.
The recent policy change has sparked strong feelings on both sides of the issues. But opponents of the change, no longer feel satisfied by publically advocating for its change, now feel the need to try and embarrass the Church and put Osnes’ career in jeopardy.
The idea seems to have been started by Rob Myers, of Provo, Utah who was the first to tweet to Osnes, and soon after posted this request on Facebook:
[quote_box_center]There doesn’t feel like there is much we can do. Then this idea came. Broadway star Laura Osnes will be singing with the MOTAB for the Christmas concert. She’s been outspoken in favor of LGBT rights in the past. Let’s inundate her with requests to publicly cancel her performance due to this policy of hatred. You can find her @LauraOsnes on Twitter.[/quote_box_center]
Most of the tweets have followed this template suggested later in the day:
Though there have been others, including this one by a Twitter account that misleadingly represents itself, that have gone even further than the original suggestion.
These types of tactics imply that people should not be able to work with those who have differing opinions. Unfortunately these divisive tactics work. When it was discovered that Brendan Eich, the CEO of Mozilla, supported proposition 8 in California other companies refused to do business with Mozilla until Eich eventually had to leave his job.
These tactics are particularly effective in the theater community. Scott Eckern, Artistic Director for California Musical Theatre for seven years, was forced into retirement when his opposition to Gay marriage was discovered, and many in the entertainment industry threatened to boycott the theater.
Those who engage in these kinds of tactics evidently do not wish to live in a pluralistic society. Unlike the Church, which has reached out to create partnerships with those whom they disagree with, sometimes even working together to pass legislation to protect LGBT individuals, those who engage in these types of tactics believe everyone in the country should be forced into their point of view or put out of business.
This campaign could be particularly harmful to Osnes.
In a 2013 interview, she described herself as “a Christian in the industry” and described her struggle to avoid parts with offensive language and nudity. This new campaign puts Osnes in the position of unprofessionally cancelling a previously booked engagement, or drawing the ire of those in her industry. If some find her actions on par with those of Eich or Eckern, she may even find herself out of work if she doesn’t give into this coercive tactic.
How some opponents of the Church such as Myers could support a Broadway industry that savagely and obscenely mocks the most sacred beliefs of Latter-day Saints while demonizing those who wish to work together despite differences is beyond my comprehension.