Your Thoughts

This film was part of the Human Rights festival here in Bellingham, WA and I know it will change lives. I grew up in Oil City, right next door to Joe (sister of Kent McFarland). I too attended the Catholic School and I too left as soon as I turned 18. I was lucky to have wonderful parents who raised me to see everyone as a human being, period.  Thank you for making this film and telling their stories.  I was especially touched by the father from Titusville.  His evolution and struggle to accept his son is the real hope for me.  Know that your film will impact many.

I thought this movie was phenomenal. Thank you for producing this. I hope people that watch this will open their eyes to the reality of how this nation is changing. This was a great story, and it made me really mad seeing how many people made such horrible comments to your marriage and to C.J. in school. None of you deserved it, but I can see how that is the reality of small towns in the United States. Many people I have come across that come from small towns are Christians and Republican. It is sad that they can not change their minds. It is important if we ever want to become more equal in this world.
I wish the best for all of you!

As the mother of a lesbian and fortunate to have many gay friends in Tucson I just returned from seeing the movie at the great Loft Theatre. 

It was so awesome that I am really without words.  My dgtr. lives in New Brunswick, Canada and I surely hope she gets to see the film somewhere.  Thanks so much for coming to T.

I have been thinking about so many parts of the film and the discussion since seeing it February 2 during the Human Rights Watch Film Festival.  I am impressed with how you both are using the film as a tool for conversation and education.  Random thoughts include how strange it was that the Pastor asked if gays had stereotypes about straight people.  Gay people have grown up with straight people, know thousands of straight people, so even though the question was answered by one of the students, “Straights dress badly” the comparison that all people stereotype is disingenuous.  I thought the points about how mainstream Christians have allowed other extremist Christians to be the voice for their religion and assert that homosexuality is a sin and gays deserve to die is a valid value and argument.  The film is so much stronger by the process you enable.

Thank you for this film.  I will be sharing it with friends.

And to CJ, I have to say thank you for having the courage to come out and also to share your story.  I was nowhere near as courageous when I was your age and can not imagine the courage and strength it took for you to stand up.  You are truly an inspiration.  God Bless you and your amazing mother.

Thanks for all of your hard work on this.  It’s great that you are able to show this in so many places, but there is still much work to be done.
  If you get a chance please show it in Somerset County, PA.  I feel like I can’t hardly go back there anymore and I heard of someone else that feels the same way.  I’m sure there are more people in that area that leave and never return for the same reason.

What an impressive example of how just a few people can make a huge difference. This conversation that you have contributed to is growing, maybe not as fast as we would like, but there is momentum and I thank you for all the time that you have put into this. This video, along with groups such as the Trevor Project, It Gets Better, HRC, etc. allow young gay people to see that there is support out there. As only being 25, I look to do my part and become involved in the gay community of New Orleans promoting a positive lifestyle of gay and lesbians. One line that really stuck with me was, “what they call an agenda we call our lives.” Well said. Changing one mind at a time means one more person to support the LGBTQ community and understand how the human urge is merely to be accepted and respected for who we are.

Thanks again,
Jake Kleinman

God bless you! Thank you for giving ALL of us a voice!

An impressive, important piece of film-making that should be a must-see in all high schools and Boards of Education.  I was lucky…“coming out” was not too difficult for me with a loving family and some incredible friends but I certainly knew people that had a very different experience than mine.  CJ is a truly fine young man and his Mom is just lovely.  I’m 50 now and about to marry the man I love (Yay, Canada!!!) and wish that our laws would “trickle down” to our southern neighbours.  Gay marriage hasn’t torn our country apart, started a war or caused Canada to implode.  I’ve told everyone I know about this film and told them to tell everyone they know.  And so on…and so on.  Let’s change one “redneck” mind at a time everyone.

An important documentary.  Saw it at the Rosebud Festival screening, in Arlington, VA.  Living in a liberal/progressive stronghold that is Arlington, it’s shocking to see how small-minded small town America really is.  Such bigots, all in the name of “Christianity”.  Not to mention the ignorance of people who claim that same sex marriage is a threat to “traditional” marriage.  How so?  We straight people do a good job threatening “traditional” marriage ourselves, what with the 50% of us who fail miserably at it!  Okay, I’m calm.  Thanks for a terrific documentary.