"Prayers for Bobby"

[Shell Beau]

Who has read it? I had to read it for a cultural diversity class back in college. I was about 20 and had never thought about homosexuality much. This book was a real eye opener. It made me realize that gay people must be born gay (not choose to be) and the torment that a lot of gay people must go through. I encourage everyone to read it. Especially people who are homophobic or believe it is sinful to be gay.

[Shell Beau]

1. No one has read it?

[swimboy]

2. Hi, Shell!

I didn't read it, but I heard a lot about it when it came out. I think my mother read it when she was trying to get a handle on my coming out. Those were some strange days but everything is good with my parents and my brother's family, now that that wife has an ex- in front of her title!

Overall, did it offer a good approach for people trying to deal with a family member's surprise? I think I didn't read it because he dies and for years there were no mainstream gay-themed books or movies where the gay character didn't die.

When I write my coming out story, it will definitely have its comic moments.

:hi:

[Shell Beau]

3. It has been a while since I read it, but he came from a

hardcore Christian family and he felt guilty for being gay. He felt like he was sinning. From what I remember, his mother didn't know for a long time. I'm not sure if she found out before or after he died. He kept it all bottled up inside himself. But he wrote his feelings in his journals and a lot of the book is based on that. He never acted on his homosexual feelings and he prayed every night to God not to be gay. It was very sad. I think the mother is trying to get it across that the love of your child should be beyond any differences you may have with them.

I am glad that your family is better able to deal with it now! :)

[swimboy]

4. Thanks, Shell!

:pals:

[dback]

5. I saw the San Jose men's chorus do it as a choral piece w/Joan Van Ark

Yes, that reads strange, but true: Joan Van Ark was the narrator, and the chorus handled the other parts. It was very moving and tragic, and a good reminder that no matter how much we think "Will and Grace" has made the world safe for gay kids, there's still a lot of loneliness, heartbreak, and self-loathing out there.