Brokeback Mountain isn't the first or best movie to have a "homosexual theme". I think the academy would be the first people to accept a gay movie as they want to try and be the most accepting group.

I forgot all about Capote being gay and I've also never heard anything about the Rodriguez situation you mentioned. So my two theories have been done away with. Guess they just thought Crash was the better film, as for Sin City guess you can credit that to your point.

Boys Don't Cry came out in 99' and Hillary Swank won an oscar for best actress for that movie.

the Rodriguez situation is this:
He wanted Frank Miller credited as a director, but the DGA wouldn't allow more than one director per picture (unless they joined as a duo). Rodriguez told them to go fuck themselves (probably didn't word it like that), and quit the guild, Miller was credited as a director.

Gotta respect that, loyal guy.

What matters more, awards from an academy or fans and ticket sales? Obviously just ticket sales don't matter (look at the crap that makes money sometimes) but I think fan following and fan praise is worth much more than an award from a biased academy. I have a lot of respect for Rodriguez, it takes a lot of balls to do what he did. Although there go the chances of his next Spy Kids getting an oscar...

and let's not forget Midnight Cowboy (1969) - only X-rated film to win best picture

But, I agree with Sam (I think) - whatever the down-sides of Brokeback, it was wonderfully acted, well-written and IMHO stunningly directed. I appreciated the slow-pacing and enormous backdrop scenery - I think it captures something about living in that part of the world ( southwest, plains and west - where the skies really seem to stop time for days at a time)