Your Thoughts

My partner Mike and I have just returned minutes ago from seeing the movie at the Auckland Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. It was wonderful, powerful and painful all at the same time. Close to home too, as much of what CJ experienced was very similar to my own teenage age years of small town life in the Uk in the mid 1970s. I admire CJ’s courage and how the support of others helped him blossom and grow as the film progressed. That’s what we have to do of course for all the other CJs out there, be out, gay and proud, as role models and to fight not just for our own personal rights, but those of others who live in fear so that they don’t have to go through the suffering and intense lonliness that we did. The fight for civil rights is never over, we just hand on the baton to those who come after us.

The sad thing for me is that as much has everything has changed since I was CJ’s age, in some ways nothing has at all and that homophobic bullying in schools is still rife, not just in the USA, but here in NZ and back home in the UK and the rest of the world too I imagine. I hope that we can all use this film as a tool in the fight. It is inspirational.
Neil

You came and spoke at the GLBT Summit today and showed us this documentary. I was shocked when i saw all the struggles that you and CJ went through. Like i said at the meeting, my friend went through the same thing and i plan on showing this to him too to let him know that he’s not alone in this struggle of acceptance. You did amazing work and have inspired me. I just want to thank you for putting yourself on the line and i want to thank CJ put putting his life on display to show me and others this jaw dropping documentary. My GSA plans to show this to the school to try and open their eyes as well, so thank you.

Sabre- We’re glad you and your GSA enjoyed and appreciated the film and sad to hear that somebody was so hostile as to destroy your copy of it.  Let us know your address and we’ll send a new one right away.  You can break a DVD but you can’t break the human spirit!

This movie was both informative as well as touching. It showed the problems that many LGBT teens are facing as well as adults. I showed it to my high school GSA and had some friends watch it. Unfortuantly a very rude and obnoxious person broke it in rage towards the LGBT community. I wish he would of been able to seen it before he acted out. I feel it is a truly remarkable movie.

I am from CJ’s home town.  I worked with CJ when he briefly worked at a fast food restaurant.  I currently work with his mom.  Anyhoo, this documentary really opened up my eyes to how things are around here.  We often get consumed in our own lives, and dont realize all of the injustice there is to the people around us.

Having grown up in Clearfield, PA, less than two hours from Oil City, this documentary hits very close to home for me.  I would never have been able to be ‘out’ at that time (late ‘70s - early 80’s) in my life; I suffered through constant bullying and ridicule even before I realized why….and had no idea how to deal with any of it, felt I would never be understood, nor had any idea where to reach out for resources.  I am fortunate to have overcome those insecurities and fears but I am sure many, many youth in rural Pennsylvania communities still feel as I did, as though there is no help.  Showing this documentary in small, rural areas, such as the one I attended in Lebanon, PA, is one of the first steps in awareness and acceptance; I applaud all the efforts in getting the word out - for any individual that receives one glimpse of hope, one shadow of understanding that others have journeyed, survived and thrived, that individual will enjoy renewed strength and confidence.

There is no doubt that this gay couple new EXACTLY the kind of response their announcement would receive in Oil City.  I wouldn’t call this project a “Setup,” but that’s pretty much what the outcome is turning into - trashing small town America via colleges, high schools and public TV.  I accept gays and I believe that they should not be attacked or made fun of.  What I do object to is the militancy as in he gay marriage issue.  I believe that the term “marriage” implies offspring from that union which includes a mother (female) and father (male).  A child with a mother and father has a MAJOR advantage over a child being raised by two women or two men.  Is it possible for adopted children from a gay couple to turn out great?  Sure,  but why put a child through all that stress which will surely come?  To me,  I often see children from a gay union as more about the “parents” than it is about the “child.”  Hope I am wrong, but I doubt it.

I grew up in Oil City and didn’t know that this film existed or that what happened to CJ even happened and my parents still live there along with a few of my friends.  I learned about the film after I had lunch with the Director from the Persad center and he had invited me to a showing of this film but because I couldn’t attend I decided to purchase the DVD.

I couldn’t wait to get out of Oil City because of many reasons but the main one because I knew i was gay and it would not be tolerated in the OC.  I had thought that things were better since I have a very dear and close friend who lives in Oil City with her partner and two children.  I was shocked to see that it really hasn’t changed too much but i do believe there is always hope for these small towns.  It’s the people that decided to stay that change the minds of those people. 

This film was a very good insight for my partner to see where I was raised and the people that lived around me.  I am thankful to to Joe Wilson and CJ Miller for sharing their stories along with the other cast members. 

Everyone should see this film…..

I live in the town in this movie. I have been out for over 10 years now. This town has changed but it will never be like the big cities. I have been threatened more than once because of who I love. I don’t do anything that any other “straight” couple wouldn’t do in public. I walk down the street holding my girls hand. I know that people stare and say things but I figure if we want change we (the gay community) have to do it. And movies like this one are a great way. I think we should show it in every school in America. We need parents, teachers, and churches to teach acceptance not hate! Thank you!

I have not yet seen the film, but now know more than ever, that we need to bring it to my local community.  There are so many youths who are out, or who are afraid to come out, fearing for their own physical and emotional safety.  I am hoping that if local citizens view this film, they may see an opportunity for change and to be a support.  We are not to be feared as LGBT persons; we are another aspect of humanness to be celebrated.