Geeks Out Sets Up ‘Ender’s Game’ Boycott Over Orson Scott Card’s Anti-Gay Beliefs

Geeks Out, a gay organization within the "geek" community, has announced plans to boycott the “Ender’s Game” movie due to Orson Scott Card’s anti-gay beliefs. Card is the author of the acclaimed science fiction book the movie, starring Harrison Ford, is based on but was not involved in the production of the film.

“Ender’s Game,” directed by Gavin Hood (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”), is to be released on Nov. 1, 2013. If the big-budget movie from Summit Entertainment is a box office hit, sequels written by Card, or original ideas from Hood, could lead to a new franchise. As noted by the Hollywood Reporter, Card was not involved in the making of the movie, other than having a writing credit for the book. Nevertheless, Geek Out argues that any money made by the film will help add to Card’s wealth.

On the “Skip Ender’s Game” website, Geeks Out states, “Skip Ender’s Game is a call to action. Do NOT see this movie! Do not buy a ticket at the theater, do not purchase the DVD, do not watch it on-demand. Ignore all merchandise and toys. However much you may have admired his books, keep your money out of Orson Scott Card’s pockets.”

As part of the “Ender’s Game” boycott, Geeks Out is setting up events in a number of cities, including New York, Chicago, Dallas and Toronto, during the film’s Nov. 1 premiere. Geek Out also suggests volunteering, donating the price of a ticket to gay rights organizations and educating others about Card and his beliefs.

The site quotes an interview with Salon where Card said, “I find the comparison between civil rights based on race and supposed new rights being granted for what amounts to deviant behavior to be really kind of ridiculous. There is no comparison. A black as a person does not by being black harm anyone. Gay rights is a collective delusion that’s being attempted.” Geeks Out also notes Card is a board member of the National Organization for Marriage, which backed Prop 8 in California and opposes gay adoption.

Geeks Out declares, “The queer geek community will not subsidize his fear-mongering and religious bullying. We will not pay him to demean, insult, and oppress us.”

Card has not been featured in much of the “Ender’s Game” marketing. During the biggest geek event of the year, San Diego’s Comic Con, “Ender’s Game” will be featured prominently and Ford, Hood and the young cast including Asa Butterfield (in the title role), Hailee Steinfeld and Abigail Breslin are all set to attend. Card, the book’s author, is noticeably absent from the list of panel attendees.

Card’s planned involvement in a new “Adventures of Superman” comic story was met with a similar reaction. Comic stores threatened to boycott the comics and the story's artist Chris Sprouse left the project, notes Wired. After the controversy, DC Comics has shelved Card’s “Superman” story until it finds a new artist.