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Some might view the nominations of Brokeback Mountain, Capote, and Transamerica as a great step forward for the gay/lesbian/transgender communities, but Brokeback's failure to cap The Year of the Gay Cowboy with the Best Picture trophy provides easy fodder for those who think that Hollywood "got the message" that America's not ready to buy season tickets to the gay rodeo:

"I think America sent a message to those in the industry that this isn't something that they're interested in, and hopefully this was something that weighed heavily on them as they voted for these pictures," said Alan Chambers, president of Orlando, Florida-based Exodus International, a Christian organization that promotes "freedom from homosexuality."

And with this clear rebuke from red state America, the Gay Mafia retreats to David Geffen's Malibu compound to regroup for next year's attack on the heartland. They now realize that co-opting the cowboy, that indelible icon of Marloboro-puffing, rugged heterosexuality, was too bold a move, and will make sure that next year's epic, tragic same-sex love story will involve a FedEx delivery guy and a DMV clerk, occupations that won't immediately register as sinister attempts to destroy the breeder status quo.