Dream A Dream

Prayers For Bobby

This is a scene from a movie.
It includes mention of suicide.

"'Homosexuality is a sin'
'Homosexuals are doomed to spend an eternity in hell'
'If they wanted to change, they could be healed of their evil ways'
'If they could turn away from temptation, they could be normal again'
'If only they would try, and try harder if it doesnt work'
These are all the things I told my son Bobby when I found out he was gay. When he told me he was homosexual, my world fell apart. I did everything I could to cure him of his sickness.
Eight months ago my son, jumped of a bridge and killed himself.
I deeply regret my knowledge of gay and lesbian people, I see that everything I was taught and told was bigotry and dehumanizing slander. If I had investigated beyond what I was told, if I had just listened to my son when he poured his heart out to me, I would not be standing her today with you, filled with regret.
I believe that God was pleased with Bobby's kind and living spirit. In Gods eyes kindness and love is what it's all about.
I didnt know each time I echoed eternal damnation for gay people, each time i referred to Bobby as sick and perverted and a danger to our children, his self esteem, his sense of worth were being destoryed,
And finally,
His spirit broke beyond repair.
It was not Gods will that Bobby climbed over the side of a freeway overpass and jumped directly into the path of an 18 wheel truck that killed him instantly.
Bobby's death was the direct result of his parents ignorance and fear of the word 'gay'.
He wanted to be a writer.
His hope's and dreams should not have been taken from him, but they were.
There are children like Bobby, sitting in your congregations, unknown to you, they will be listening as you echo 'ahmen'. And that will soon silence their prayers.
Their prayers to God for understanding and acceptance, and for your love.
But your hatred and fear and ignorance for the word gay will silence those prayers.
So, before you echo 'ahmen' in your home and place if worship, think. think and remember a child is listening".