Tuesday, March 27, 2012
MY STORY BUT I AM STILL HERE
Today's film, Fifty Gay Favorite #17, was
A christian mother obsesses about her son's homosexuality and tries to turn him to no avail.
She does, however, plant the seeds of hate and offers the curse of damnation in his head so, in fact, drives the son to an unhappy, guilt ridden early gay life and he commits suicide.
From here, we see her transformation of an activist for gay rights and the reconstruction of gay parents.
It is a very touchy theme, threatening to turn to soap before our eyes and, while it is a little wet, it does succeed in being a moving testament to acceptance and true love.
The events in this film occurred in the late 70s and early 80s but are as relevant today as then. To that extent it is timely.
I had a christian mother, full of hate. The old line about "love the sinner but hate the sin" holds little water for me. She never accepted who I was. Tore up my pictures as a kid because I told her that I was gay then. Different.
She knew it all the time and hated it. When it became true and I came out to her it became all about her.
I have never, ever had a suicidal thought and I didn't after that. But I did spend a significant part of my life trying to be what she wanted and, while I forgive her, I don't accept her actions. So "loving", so fucked up.
I wouldn't want to see it again but I did like it and happy to see it and cry again about the terrible waste of all young people who grow up under this kind of horrible silent or spoken accusation.
I had the love and support of my father. I found another Higher Power who loves me. I met wonderful people in my life. I got over any neurosis planted in me by the religious bastards who were all around me as a kid.
So the film carried a special resonance for me.
A 3 out of Netflix 5.
Labels: christist watch, films, gay films
