Sigourney to Play Mom in Prayers for Bobby  | Entertainment News | Advocate.com

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May 20, 2008
Sigourney to Play Mom in Prayers for Bobby

Oscar-nominated actor Sigourney Weaver has signed on to star in a movie about a devout Christian woman who questions her faith after her gay son commits suicide. Prayers for Bobby, a Lifetime Original Movie, is being adapted from Leroy Aarons's 1995 nonfiction book of the same name, the network announced on Monday.

When Mary Griffith finds that her son Bobby is gay, she becomes convinced that he could be cured of what she sees as his sin, while the rest of their family comes to terms with his sexual orientation. Desperate for his mother's approval, Bobby steps up his prayers and church activities, while becoming increasingly depressed because of his Presbyterian Church's disapproval of homosexuality. Eventually Bobby commits suicide, prompting Mary to reflect on her son's life and accept his orientation.

The film is slated to premiere in February 2009 on Lifetime. (The Advocate)

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  • Name: Mary Griffith
    Date posted: 2008-05-31 6:45 PM
    Hometown: Walnut Creek CA.

    Comment:

    Name Mary G Hometown Walnut Creek CA. I hope Ron from Clifton, NJ watches this film because , he will see, the "bad guy dosen't die" " the good guy dies" that being , my son Bobby.... the bad guys/women who pushed him over the edge still live , I am one of them.I'm thankful I was able to overcome my fear of a man made God of wrath and vengeance , giving me the freedom to search for the truth without the fear of receiving retribution from the wrathful God of "Mans" imagination, and the imagination of the homophobes as well, "Truth and Justice will always prevail over ignorance and bigotry" god of "Mans


  • Name: Sean
    Date posted: 2008-05-31 12:22 AM
    Hometown: Warren

    Comment:

    Religion is not about compromise, it’s about faith, unwavering in devotion and love. This choice is the true life preference. Maybe the only one we are granted in this life. The choice between embracing something you do or don’t want to be and/or embracing something higher can be the choice the drives you mad. I’ve read Prayers for Bobby and can identify with the story. I’ve had suicidal thoughts and desires because of my sexuality. The gay community declares it miss-interpretation, The Christians declares sin. Then the games begin. Battle of words while the people trapped between both worlds are slowly crushed. This inner struggle can not be dismissed or ignored for us who feel this burden. It is our constant companion. It is an uncompromising struggle for sanity. Happiness Vs Salvation, Sanity Vs Religious devotion, and Acceptance Vs Eternal Damnation. Maybe this is the gay cancer.


  • Name: Anne
    Date posted: 2008-05-30 3:16 PM
    Hometown: Lafayette

    Comment:

    Hopefully this movie will allow people to relate to a regular family of the suburbs. And all the religous folk will see that they are not the only ones spinging thier wheels trying to service a god whom the bible portrays as a cruel and hateful who picks and chooses who he cures or saves? That is not love. The right wing will be their own demise - And perhaps kids, people in general won't waste thier time and energy trying to cure themselves or be someone they are not. Human rights - amen. These movies need to be out there until the majority gets a clue...and hopefully provoke people to think for themselves, be accepting and loving to all fellow humans, thus - a movie about gays with a happy ending will be one day soon be born.


  • Name: Karen Breen-Bondie
    Date posted: 2008-05-29 2:52 PM
    Hometown: Ferndale, Michigan

    Comment:

    This movie is filming in my Ferndale, Michigan neighborhood at a Presbyterian Church this week.


  • Name: Johnny Green
    Date posted: 2008-05-21 5:26 PM
    Hometown: Dallas, Tx

    Comment:

    Lifetime produces a lot of good movies with very good everyday lessons. Some bigoted people still won't accept us but just maybe someone who is struggling with themselves or a parent that is struggling with their child's gayness will realize that this is something real. I think if we could just change, most of us would because of the discrimination that is thrown at us. I would say that if some parents would go back and think about a child's or a relative's suicide they could find some signs that this person was struggling with being gay. When you accept yourself and accept God's unconditional love, it will set you free to be whom God created you. I wish it would be a happy ending but until hypocritical christians change there will be a lot of unhappy endings.


  • Name: Wes C
    Date posted: 2008-05-21 8:29 AM
    Hometown: Boston

    Comment:

    To me it's not another "gay" killing himself movie but a movie to show people just how mean, hateful the church really is and how being gay isn't something they can change. God made us who we are and the church has to accept it. God is the only one who can judge us in the end. As with all good books there is a movie made so this shouldn't be any different.


  • Name: Craig
    Date posted: 2008-05-20 1:51 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    As much as I'm tired of seeing suicidal gay movies, I think that many people still need to know how destructive intolerance can be. The "ex-gay" movement and the murders of gay junior high students by classmates (from just this year) are evidence that such movies are still relevant today, even if the younger generation is more open and accepting LBGTs.


  • Name: Michael Coffey
    Date posted: 2008-05-20 1:33 PM
    Hometown: San Diego

    Comment:

    As much as I don't want to see another 'the homosexual dies in the end' film, I think it still has a message for many people. I live in California, and a black woman I know who is always talking about human rights and how gays should be treated fairly, has had a complete crisis of faith over the recent California Supreme Court ruling (much to my surprise). We are coming up on the fight of our lives over same-sex marriage and we need to start having dialogues with people who think differently than we do, even if it seems basic to us.


  • Name: Ron K
    Date posted: 2008-05-20 8:54 AM
    Hometown: Clifton, NJ

    Comment:

    Another Redemption by Death movie about a homosexual! Ew! I think we can do without it no matter how well intentioned – the homophobes will be only too happy that the ‘bad guy’ dies!


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