Prayers for Bobby

Synopsis:

Bobby Griffith was his mother’s favorite son, the perfect all-American boy growing up under deeply religious influences in Walnut Creek, California. Bobby was also gay. Struggling with a conflict no one knew of, much less understood, Bobby finally came out to his family.

Quick Thoughts:

It took nearly 13 years to bring “Prayers For Bobby” to life on TV, but when it finally aired in 2009, this queer biography film was a huge success. The film is based on the biographical novel by Leroy F. Aarons, “Prayers for Bobby: A Mother’s Coming to Terms with the Suicide of Her Gay Son”, which stems from interviews with Mary Griffith, Bobby’s mother, and how she coped before and after her son’s suicide due to her own homophobia. While the film certainly evokes emotions and tears, it paints an honest picture of how surviving family members try to cope with suicide, specifically when their own prejudices attributed to that suicide. However, while there are dark and triggering moments, the real message is one of hope and comprehension that Mary and her family arrive at after their own struggles. I strongly encourage you to watch “Prayers for Bobby” today!