Prayers For Bobby Brings The Preach
HEADS UP: THIS COULD BE THE MOVIE THAT FINALLY TOUCHES YOUR RELIGIOUS FAMILY’S ANTI-LGBT HEARTS
WHEN CHRIS TAAFFE, DAVID PERMUT, and I set out to turn Leroy Aarons’ landmark book Prayers for Bobby into a motion picture, we never expected our journey would take us nearly 13 years to create the GLAAD- and PRISM Award-winning film, nor did we ever imagine it would continue several years later and lead us to the great halls of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.
Daniel Sladek
Prayers for Bobby screened by invitation of the European Parliament to coincide with May 17’s International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Let’s be honest: Europe is a place that’s known for its (mostly) religion-free policies and thusly, its LGBT-friendly attitudes. (Also: Congrats, Ireland!) Regardless, the quotes that came out of the screening made us think that some Americans should use the film to reach their religion-centric families and the anti-LGBT hardlines therein. Take a look:
“Showing the film here at the European Parliament was a great opportunity to get both an emotional and an intellectual grip on the fact of how important it was that the World Health Organization twenty-five years ago abolished homosexuality as a mental illness,” EP Vice President Lunacek said. “Prayers for Bobby is an impressive film which conveys how ideological and religious narrow- mindedness can, in the literal meaning of the word, actually kill someone. Mary Griffith’s remarkable path toward a mother who after the ordeal of losing her son struggles to understand, change her perceptions, and join in the fight for a respectful society which accepts that it’s normal to be different.”
“Prayers for Bobby hits the nail right on the head. It’s a beautiful and sensitive instrument to [reach] people you never expected to [reach], especially those who think their religion disapproves of LGBT people,” IGLA’s Michael Cerulus said.
PFLAG National Executive Director Jody Huckaby stated: “Our association with [the film] has helped to create many new PFLAG chapters across our country. In other countries across the globe, many have been inspired by the power of Mary Griffith’s story, as told in the film, to organize and create groups that provide support for parents, families, allies, and people who are LGBT, and they are working together to create the kind of positive change that the European Parliament has called for across the European Union. We at PFLAG National call on others to follow the leadership of the European Parliament and elevate the crisis of inequality, discrimination, violence, and death of people who are LGBT and create opportunities to speak up for the protections of everyone.”
So get your fam to watch it! Prayers for Bobby is available on DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment, and via digital streaming on Amazon Prime. PrayersForBobby.com
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