The Power of Family

Last Tuesday found me at our local downtown art movie house of sorts for a one night screening of the film, "For the Bible Tells Me So." Rarely is our city granted such public access to a film with this subject matter, so naturally I jumped on the opportunity to see it.

What was the subject matter? Well, really, more than anything else, it was about families. In fact, one of the families featured in the documentary was from the local area and was in attendance to support the screening of the film along with a surprisingly large audience. Several families, mostly deeply religious families who had been taught for years that homosexuality was wrong, were featured. All of them had one thing in common: a gay son or daughter. Through the progression of the film were learn how these families have dealt with this reality (or not dealt with) and been able to either accept them for who they are or not. It was really amazing to me to see how some of the families were even able to turn the experience into something overwhelmingly positive, even taking to the streets to challenge the church's notions of what is right and wrong in regard to sexuality.

I have been fortunate myself in the fact that my family has not turned its back on me because of who I am; and, although the road has not been without its bumps and potholes, for the most part there has been little turmoil because of my sexuality. If nothing else, this film has reminded me of how important my family is to me and and how important it is in general that we stick together as family, even if it is only the families we have created ourselves with relationships and close friendships. I applaud the local family for having the courage to do the film and to be present for the local screening, and I hope that every family with a gay son or daughter would have the courage to stand by their children no matter what their sexuality may be.