The long awaited Lifetime Networks
premiere of Prayers for Bobby is Saturday and PFLAG is
hosting the parties.
In Prayers for Bobby, Sigourney
Weaver (Aliens, Jeffrey) plays a mother so blinded by
homophobia that she cannot see that she's driving her own gay son to
suicide. It's the true story of Mary Griffith's heartbreaking
transformation from staunch religious zealot to PFLAG-waiving gay
activist after the death of her son, Bobby, at the young age of 20.
Weaver said the material in Prayers
was “fascinating and disturbing.”
In reviewing the film, Variety
called it “fresh and poignant” when comparing it to the
groundbreaking AIDS-themed An Early Frost, and praised the
filmmakers for keeping the movie “powerful without being unduly
preachy.”
PFLAG says Griffith's story is not
uncommon.
“Mary Griffith’s journey from a
parent struggling with her son’s coming out to embracing the gay
community is one that plays out in communities, and PFLAG chapters,
every day,” PFLAG Director of Communications Steve Ralls told On
Top Magazine in an email.
Much of Mary's spiritual evolution
happens when she attends a local PFLAG chapter. And PFLAG groups
around the nation are celebrating the film's powerful message with
premiere events and viewing parties.
The official PFLAG viewing party is
being held in Washington, D.C. After the movie, Scott Bailey
(Guiding Light), who plays David, Bobby's boyfriend, will be
available to answer questions.
The Dayton, Ohio PFLAG chapter is
hosting a discussion on Sunday, the day after the film's premiere,
that will include an appearance from Ryan Kelley, who plays Bobby
Griffith in the film.
Several other PFLAG chapters are also
planning events revolving around the premiere, Detroit,
Winston-Salem, Nashville, Fort Worth and Key West included.
The Lifetime Networks original
movie Prayers for Bobby is set to premiere on Saturday,
January 24.
On the Net: PFLAG's Prayers for
Bobby premiere events schedule is at
http://pflagblog.blogspot.com