Cuore Stampe: Prayers For Bobby

Prayers for Bobby is a 2009 United States television movie, based on the book of the same name in 1995 by Leroy F. Aarons (December 8, 1933 – November 28, 2004). It is based on the true story of Mary Griffith, gay rights crusader whose teenage son committed suicide due to her religious intolerance.

Mary Griffith (Sigourney Weaver) is a devout Christian who raises her children with the conservative teachings of the Presbyterian Church. However, when her son Bobby (Ryan Kelley) confides to his older brother that he may be a gay, life changes for the entire family after Mary learns about his secret. Bobby's father and siblings slowly come to terms with his homosexuality but Mary believes that her son is committing a sin and encourages him to change his ways with the help of the church.

BOBBY GRIFFITH
(Jun 24, 1963 - Aug 27, 1983)

Stricken with guilt, Bobby decides that his best option is to move out of the family home, hoping that some day, his mother will accept him. He moves to Oregon, giving up on his hopes of defeating homosexuality. He finds a boyfriend, David (Scott Bailey) at a gay bar. However, Mary is staunch in her position and makes it clear that she still does not want her son to continue as he is. Despite meeting David's parents who assure them that things will change, Bobby continues thinking of his mother's words and also sees David with another man. Finally, Bobby's subsequent depression and self-loathing intensifies as he blames himself for not being the "perfect" son and one night, he free falls off a freeway bridge into the path of an oncoming eighteen-wheeler truck, which kills him instantly. The family receives the horrible news the following day and is devastated.

Faced with their tragedy, Mary begins to question herself and her Church's interpretation of the Scripture. Through her long and emotional journey, Mary slowly reaches out to the gay community and discovers unexpected support from a very unlikely source. She becomes acquainted with a local gay reverend, Reverend Owens (Marshall McClean) who convinces her to attend a meeting of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). It is there that she realizes that she knew Bobby was different from conception and that his true value was in his heart.

MARY GRIFFITH

"Homosexuality is a sin. Homosexuals are doomed to spend eternity in Hell. If they wanted to change, they could be healed of their evil ways. If they would turn away from temptation, they could be normal again if only they would try and try harder if it doesn't work. These are all the things I said to my son Bobby when I found out that he was gay. When he told me he was a homosexual my world fell apart. I did everything I could to cure him of his sickness.Eight months ago my son jumped off a bridge and killed himself. I deeply regret my lack of knowledge about gay and lesbian people. I see that everything I was taught and told was bigotry and de-humanizing slander. If I had investigated beyond what I was told, if I had just listened to my son when he poured his heart out to me, I would not be standing here today with you filled with regret. I believe that God was pleased with Bobby's kind and loving spirit. In God's eyes kindness and love are what it's all about. I didn't know that each time I echoed eternal damnation for gay people, each time I referred to Bobby as sick and perverted and a danger to our children. His self esteem and sense of worth were being destroyed. And finally his spirit broke beyond repair. It was not God's will that Bobby climbed over the side of a freeway overpass and jumped directly into the path of an eighteen-wheel truck, which killed him instantly. Bobby's death was the direct result of his parent's ignorance and fear of the word gay. He wanted to be a writer. His hopes and dreams should not have been taken from him but they were. There are children, like Bobby, sitting in your congregations. Unknown to you they will be listening as you echo "Amen", and that will soon silence their prayers. Their prayers to God for understanding and acceptance and for your love. But your hatred and fear and ignorance of the word gay will silence those prayers. So, before you echo "Amen" in your home and place of worship, think. Think and remember, a child is listening."