Film with homosexual themes linked to Congressman Goode’s office

By Mollie Halpern
Investigative Reporter
Published: October 31, 2008

In 2002, republican Virgil Goode’s name was put in the closing credits of the movie…Eden’s Curve…which explores homosexuality.
The producer tells us that Goode has no connection to the movie, and Goode, who opposes gay marriage, says the same thing.
That producer is the artistic director for the North Theater in Danville… a theater that Goode secured a 150-thousand dollar economic development grant for in 2003.
At one time, Goode’s wife and press secretary were members of the theater’s board.
His former press secretary also appeared in the movie.
“WSLS 10 On Your Side” has learned that Jerry Meadors used the fax machine line at Congressman Virgil Goode’s office in Danville as a contact number to promote Eden’s Curve—a gay film that he produced.
Take a look at these documents we obtained from “Insideout”—the organization which runs the “Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival”.
Here’s where the fax number is listed…the paperwork is signed, Jerry Meadors.
“WSLS 10 On Your Side” wanted to know why Meadors used the number—and whether he had permission from Goode’s office to do so.
Meadors declined an on-camera interview—but tells us that “It is very possible that I might have called Linwood Duncan to ask to use the fax.“
Duncan, who served as Goode’s press secretary and who is Meadors longtime friend and next door neighbor, says that he has no recollection of that.
He also says nothing in that office happened without Goode’s permission.
When we asked Goode about it—he says that permission would have *never* been granted.
Congressman Virgil Goode says, “Frankly, I’m very angry about this, they have no business using a taxpayer funded line to receive or to send a fax to whatever that film festival is.“
This is the second time Goode and Duncan have been linked to Meadors movie.
Our media partner, “The Danville Register and Bee” reported that Meadors thanked goode in his closing credits and that Duncan had a cameo in the film.
“WSLS 10 On Your Side” has learned that just days after the article was published, Duncan retired from the position he held since 1996.
According to this e-mail, Duncan retired because of health reasons.
Is there a connection between Duncan’s sudden retirement and the article?
We went to Duncan’s home to find out.
He didn’t want to go on camera—but later told us by phone that he retired because he’s sick.
Congressman Goode tells us he didn’t force Duncan out the door…
Mollie asks, “You never pressured him to leave?“
Goode answers, “No, but if he had anything to do with letting Jerry come in there and send there and get a fax from the film festival, I probably be asking him to leave.“
In this statement, Goode says Duncan “Did a good job as press secretary.  I think he wrote well.“
Goode says he is suspicious that somebody in the office gave Meador the fax number to use and plans to go to the Danville office to question his staffers about it either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
He says to his knowledge no faxes about Eden’s Curve have been sent or received at the office.
It’s also important to note that meadors also thanked our media partner, the Danville Register and Bee, as well as dozens of people from Danville on the closing credits of his movie.
WSLS has learned that Meadors has resigned from his position as artistic director at the North Theatre.
His last day is today.