Did anyone watch "Prayers for Bobby" Tonight?

[Lil Missy]

Do you know what that is about?

[babylonsister]

1. It's excellent. Here's a thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4907323

[Lil Missy]

17. I did not know it had already been alerted in GD.

Here is my take, tonight.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4911666

[MrSlayer]

2. No. It sounds depressing.

I've been in a relatively good mood.

[orleans]

3. shit! i missed it! n/t

[Lil Missy]

4. Well, I guess I already knew the ending. He died.

I don't know why I torture myself like this.

This was based on a true story.

Now that I have watched it end to end, I am more mortified, and in some ways more gratified.

What I did not realize, was that his funeral service, for crissakes, was entirely built and spoken around the fact that he had completely left God, against his mother's insistence.

And that he refused to resist temptations that could be cured if he were only closer to God. Thus, his death was justified.

This kid jumped off a bridge into the wheels of a semi truck. Now, if there is a God, I don't think that was God's will. He was Bible beaten and shamed so much, that he felt he had no other option left but suicide.

And yes, that does piss me off.

To mother's credit, she did finally come to peace, and suggested there was never anything wrong with her son in the first place. And she has been an activist for gay rights since then.

I am sure she is a wonderful and god-fearing woman. But good fucking duh. How she harassed and tormented that kid into suicide.

[dsc]

5. ask anyone who went to enough AIDS funerals and we went to at least one like that

family in the front, gays in the back, and a sermon about how either the dead person had repented and was thus saved or hadn't and was thus lost.

[Lil Missy]

10. I know, dsc. And I am sorry.

You don't need to convince me. But I also understand the anger.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. It wasn't God's will. God gave us free will.

That poor child didn't stand a chance.

I can't watch it. I've tried a couple of times, but I have a son that age and it just kills me to watch what that baby went through. I can't imagine doing that to one of my children.

I feel desperate sorrow for the mother in this movie because she was acting from her heart in trying to 'change' her child. I don't think she did it out of malice, but ignorance.

I wish I could say that things are different now, but my daughter is in college and has told me that she knows more than a few who are afraid to come out to their families. It's beyond sad.

[dsc]

7. I have been sober nearly 9 years

and lost quite a bit of weight on two occasions but the hardest thing I ever did was tell my parents I was gay. I was terrified, fortunately for no real good reason, that I would lose them. I put myself through the wringer I am glad my parents didn't.

[Midlodemocrat]

8. I'm glad for you. My daughter is dealing with a friend right now,

a very dear friend, who has decided to come out, but his parents are kind of 'old world' and he is having a terrible time. He spends a lot of time here, which is fine with me. He's not the first distraught kid I've sheltered.

I adore my children, both girls and my boy and I just can't imagine turning my back on them for any reason, especially based on who they choose to love. My son drives me batshit because he's so flipping lazy, crapola student, general PITA, but I would throw myself in front of truck for him. I certainly wouldn't be able to deal with putting him out because he came out to us. He's my child. Parental love should be unconditional.

[dsc]

9. you are a Godsend

I am the advisor for my school's GSA and I have already had to deal with kids whose parents have been less that terrific. It is all I can do not to scream at them through the phone.

[Midlodemocrat]

11. Been there, done that.

I truly want to reach through the phone or the computer and rip some people to pieces. And, if you knew me, IRL, you would know that that kind of restraint for this issue doesn't come easy.

I have always been a huge child advocate and I won't stand for someone hurting a child. I can't tell you how many 'in your face' confrontations I've been in over the years. I figure it's the least I can do.

[Lil Missy]

15. I am so glad to know this boy has a a welcome place with you while he sorts things out.

But it seems to me that his parents should be the ones sorting things out. I am like you, and would never dream of shutting my child out, for any reason.

I was scared shitless to come out. I told my sister first. She was shocked, but said ILY, call me back tomorrow, after you tell mom and dad.

That worked out okay, my mom cared not a bit, and had a movie to watch. My dad said, bring her over, and I'll cook you some dinner.

I was very lucky with my family. But many others are not. And I do care about them. Thus, why this movie meant so much to me right now.

[Lil Missy]

12. I think you saw more of this movie than you are confessing.

I agree, I don't think this mother had malice in her heart. I think she seriously felt it her duty to "rescue" and "save" her son.

I certainly hope the parents of the friends your daughter is telling you about are a bit more enlightened.

Also, it seems to be the cool thing to "experiment" while in college. So, don't be surprised if your daughter has a few stories.

I also know of tragic family situations, and a dear friend of mine who is estranged from her daughter until "she changes her ways".

Stupid, I tells ya. The daughter is still fucking women.

[Midlodemocrat]

14. I hope they are, but frankly, I don't see it.

They are very 'old world' and this is their only son. It's been a rough four months for him and I can only pray it gets better.

And, truthfully, I only saw snippets. At some point I'll watch the whole thing, but not right now.

[Lil Missy]

16. You do not have to watch that movie.

Just don't. If you can't, then don't push it. Seriously.

[msongs]

13. the flying spaghetti monster cooks in mysterious ways? nt

[babylonsister]

18. You need to watch this movie.

I missed the first hour with the son, but I knew what it was about.

The rest of it was about his mom coming to grips with what she did, why, how religion was involved and how she doubted what she 'knew'. Very powerful.

[norepubsin08]

19. Excellent show!