Did you read the book, Prayers for Bobby, on which the movie was based? I knew the author, Leroy (Roy) Aarons personally, and he told me about getting many letters from gay youth who had contemplated suicide before reading this book — it literally saved their lives. Joshua Boneh, Roy’s life partner, tells me that more readers continue to write about how important the book is to them.

I hope your readers will take a look at the author’s website, http://www.leroyaarons.com/, too.

I didn’t mean for that to sound as harsh as it did. (Gosh I wish blogger would let you edit comments…)

My parents were very religious and closed-minded (well, one still is and the other’s dead, but that’s another story). I’m frankly amazed you could even get yours to watch that movie. Mine certainly wouldn’t even turn to the channel it’s on. Any time the subject of homosexuality comes up, it’s simply batted away as if it doesn’t exist — and as if I really aren’t who I am.

Nothing infuriated me more than to see my mother turn away from me and start silently praying anytime I mentioned the fact that I’m gay — that I go on dates, that I have gay friends, that gayness exists.

And my dad’s the same way. I can certainly bring up the subject of my being gay, but he just says “OK,” “I see,” “Mm hm,” and lets it drop. Like it’s not even worth talking about.

To this day I am not a whole person in his eyes, and yes it’s painful, but what can I do? I don’t have the right to expect anything from him, nor does he have the right to expect anything from me. I just have to live my life the best I can. After any one of these interactions I let the disappointment come and go. What else can I do?

That’s why I’m saying you should prepare yourself. It’d be great if your parents accepted you for who you are, but they may well remain weak and selfish like mine. Like many. You don’t have to let their shortcomings run your life, though.

It is important to you because they are your parents. They brought you into this world, and they raised you to become the man you are. They will always be important to you.

I hate to say it, but it will probably take time for them to come to terms with your sexuality. I know it does not seem right or fair, but people can be stubborn.

My parents were accepting of my sexuality, but it took 4 years before they got comfortable with it. When I mean comfortable, I mean asking about dating and such.

I know you said you are impatient, but you have to be patient. One day, they will probably realize that this is no phase and that it is part of who their son is.