Raddon exits LA Film Fest
Richard Raddon, the director of Film Independent's LA Film Festival, has ankled his post.
Raddon and the org have been facing a barrage of protests over Raddon's contribution to the successful Yes on Prop 8 campaign that banned gay marriage in California.
Bowing to immense public pressure after refusing to accept Raddon's earlier resignation, Film Independent's board of directors convened Monday and agreed to accept his second resignation.
Raddon issued the following statement:
The Board of Film Independent confirmed in a statement:
Raddon and the org have been facing a barrage of protests over Raddon's contribution to the successful Yes on Prop 8 campaign that banned gay marriage in California.
Bowing to immense public pressure after refusing to accept Raddon's earlier resignation, Film Independent's board of directors convened Monday and agreed to accept his second resignation.
Raddon issued the following statement:
"I feel honored to have worked with such a wonderful group of people at the Los Angeles Film Festival over the last nine years. I am proud of our accomplishments. And I am proud to have worked at Film Independent, an organization whose principles and values of diversity and artistic integrity I cherish. I have always held the belief that all people, no matter race, religion, or sexual orientation are entitled to equal rights."
"As many know, I consider myself a devout and faithful Mormon. I prefer to keep the details around my contribution through my church a private matter. But I am profoundly sorry for the negative attention that my actions have drawn to Film Independent and for the hurt and pain that is being experienced in the GLBT community."
The Board of Film Independent confirmed in a statement:
"With great reluctance, Film Independent has accepted Richard Raddon's resignation as Director of the Los Angeles Film Festival. Rich's service to the independent film community and to Film Independent has been nothing less than extraordinary. He has always shown complete commitment to our core principles of equality and diversity during his long tenure. It was through his leadership that the Los Angeles Film Festival has grown into a formidable and exciting showcase for talented artists and diverse voices. We are sorry to see him go."
Michael Jones is the film festival editor at Variety.com. 
He claims he made his contribution "through my church". How is it that political contributions can be made through his church to affect civil matters when we live in a country that is supposedly founded on the separation of church and state? Was this tax deductible? What about their 501C3 status? Is that legal? Furthermore, how can he say he supports equality for GLBT people when clearly he ACTIVELY works against it? He should be a politician with that kind of double talk. No one of course should be fired for their personal beliefs, but certainly his commitment to what his organization is supposed to stand for is questionable. And that is why he is a fair target for the GLBT communities' spotlight on the H8.
Posted by: Bobby R Poirier | 11/26/2008 11:16:33 AM
...religious is the new gay
Posted by: sloagm | 11/26/2008 7:40:49 AM
FIND may be sorry to see him go, but I AM NOT! I will not tolerate supporting the salary of a man who put his money into taking my rights away!!!! Shame on you RICH and good luck job hunting right now….
Posted by: Nicky Morgan | 11/25/2008 3:43:51 PM