Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#0Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:54pm
The Globe and Mail (Canada's national paper) had this article about gays coming to Canada which mentioned one of my fave playwrights (and Sondheim connection) Craig Lucas--Here's an excerpt:
"U.S. gays choosing Canada
By MARINA JIMÉNEZ Globe and Mail
Wednesday, November 10, 2004 - Page A11
They're calling it the gay drain. Hundreds of well-heeled gay and lesbian lawyers, professors, educators and film directors from the U.S. are immigrating to Canada, drawn by the country's recognition of same-sex rights, unions and benefits.
Craig Lucas, who wrote the popular Hollywood movies Prelude to a Kiss and The Secret Lives of Dentists, contacted a Toronto immigration lawyer last week after the election victory of Republican President George W. Bush.
"Our rights are slowly being eroded," said the award-winning screenwriter, who plans to move to Vancouver with his partner, a set designer. "It happened in Nazi Germany, the incredible brain drain of artists, scientists and writers who fled to the U.S. Now it's happening here [in the United States]. The government wants gays to live outside the protection of the law."
Michael Battista, a Toronto immigration lawyer, said Mr. Lucas, like many of the gay Americans who have contacted him, has just the kind of skills Canada needs and will have no trouble qualifying to immigrate under the points system."
article can be read in full at
http://www.avi.org/node/view/946
#1re: Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:12am
Michael Battista must be a busy man. I see his name pop up everywhere.
Maybe this means I can finally find a boyfriend. 
#2re: Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/14/04 at 9:25amHow will anything change if the people with strong voices just run away? This is the time to stay and fight and raise those voices. If they leave and don't speak out it's only going to get worst IMHO.
#3re: Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/14/04 at 9:46amI couldn't agree more, pab. Well said.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#4re: Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/15/04 at 10:21pm
While it's nice to think that maybe I'll get to see Lucas workshop some of his plays in Vancouver--and I like these people being in my country, I agree with Pab actually.
E
sabrelady
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#5re: Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/18/04 at 11:44amWell, if anyone on the board frm the red states wants to emigrate I'll consider adoption!(LOL)
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#7re: Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/18/04 at 2:36pm
"This is the time to stay and fight and raise those voices." - This position is only tenable if you consider the good of the many to be greater than the good of your own.
We are all individuals living our own independent lives. While it is indeed spectacular when someone makes sacrifices for the good of his fellow man, it is hardly something that can be required. That is what makes people that are real leaders so special.
It may be advantageious to have those people speak up for the benefit of others, but if there is an opportunity for them to live peacefully and without judgement elsewhere, I'm not going to stand in front of them and call them selfish.
If you have an idea of what needs to be said and done to work toward the betterment of life for gays in this country, then feel free to get and there and make it happen. But you don't have the right to question why others are not.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#8re: Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/18/04 at 2:48pm
Everyone has to do what they feel is right. I just wish they would all quit crabbing about it and do it. "I'm leaving forever. Ok, I'm really going this time. Don't try to stop me!"
This means you too: Alec Baldwin, Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford
#9re: Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/18/04 at 2:49pm
well said, D. I'm staying the U.S. myself. But, why shouldn't one move to a place that is in tune with their beliefs and ideals. Canada sounds like a remarkable place.
As a country that was completely created by immigrants (with the exception of the Native Americans), we should understand this concept.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#10re: Playwrite Craig Lucas flees Bush's USA to Canada
Posted: 12/18/04 at 5:08pm
Gotham - I completely agree. The 'boy that cried wolf' syndrome is worse than anything for the cause. It reinforces the impression that despite what they're carping about, this is still the best place to live (which is usually for very selfish reasons anyway.)
jrb - interesting point about immigration.
Videos