PFLAG Boulder County is pleased to present a special screening of “Prayers for Bobby” at the Boulder Public Library at Ninth and Canyon, at 7:00pm, with a reception before the film at 6:00pm. This screening is free and open to the public. 

This screening will replace PFLAG’s regularly scheduled monthly program on February 19th. 

Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Sigourney Weaver stars in this emotional true story about a 1970s religious suburban housewife and mother who struggles to accept her young son Bobby being gay. What happens to Bobby is tragic and causes Mary to question her faith; ultimately this mom changes her views in ways that she never could have imagined. Also starring: Ryan Kelley (”Mean Creek”), Henry Czerny (”The Tudors”), Dan Butler (”Frasier”) and Susan Ruttan (”L.A. Law”), Austin Nichols (”John From Cincinnati”), Carly Schroeder (”Mean Creek”), Scott Bailey (”Guiding Light”), and newcomers Shannon Eagen and Rebecca Louise Miller. Based on the book “Prayers for Bobby” by Leroy Aarons.

Lifetime will premiere “Prayers for Bobby,” a drama focusing on the tragic coming-out of a gay teen in the 1970s, on January 24, at 9:00pm, ET/PT. The film will have an advanced screening in Denver on January 15, at the Shwayder Theater at the Jewish Community Center of Denver, 350 S. Dahlia Street, Denver, Colorado 80246 (303) 399-2660. This is a private event hosted by Daniel Sladek, the executive producer of the film. All are welcome, though seating is limited. Please RSVP by January 13, at asst@sladektaaffe.com. 

About the film … 

Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Sigourney Weaver stars in this emotional true story about a 1970s religious suburban housewife and mother who struggles to accept her young son Bobby being gay. What happens to Bobby is tragic and causes Mary to question her faith; ultimately this mom changes her views in ways that she never could have imagined. Also starring: Ryan Kelley (Mean Creek), Henry Czerny (The Tudors), Dan Butler (Frasier) and Susan Ruttan (LA Law), Austin Nichols (John From Cincinnati), Carly Schoreder (Mean Creek), Scott Bailey (Guiding Light) and newcomers Shannon Eagen and Rebecca Louise Miller. Based on the book “Prayers for Bobby” by Leroy Aarons.

Read more >> Prayers for Bobby | myLifetime.com.

DEAR ABBY: I’m 16 and know in my heart that I’m gay, even though I’d give anything not to be. So far, I have kept this to myself, but I don’t think I can keep it within forever. 

Please tell me how you “come out.” I am worried sick about what will happen, since my parents belong to a church that believes homosexuality is a terrible sin.

Will my parents still love me? Will my friends reject me? Will my sister, who I’ve always been close to, be afraid to keep sharing a room with me? 

As hard as I have tried, I can’t change the feelings I have inside, so I know I have to deal with this, but I don’t know what to do. Please help me. – TORMENTED GIRL IN LOUISIANA

DEAR TORMENTED GIRL: I can only imagine the stress and anxiety you are experiencing. My heart goes out to you. 

As you clearly point out in your letter, sexual orientation is not a choice, but something a person is born with. Not knowing your parents or your inner circle of friends, I can’t predict how they will react if you tell them you are gay. But if your instincts tell you that your family will react badly, then I advise you to wait to come out until you are out of their house and self-supporting.

In the meantime, allow me to share two helpful resources. The first is PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). 

This organization has been around since the early 1980s, and from it you will receive specific advice on how to deal with your parents. Its website is www.pflag.org, and I highly recommend it. 

The second is the Trevor Helpline, a nationwide, 24-hour crisis helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people. Its toll-free number is (866) 488-7386. You can find out more by going to www.thetrevorproject.org.

Read more >> Dear Abby | Aiken Standard | Aiken, SC .