I hope you got a chance to see Prayers For Bobby on Lifetime this weekend. Quite honestly, I was expecting the typical Lifetime fare: a woman struggles through some life changing crisis, and emerges stronger on the other end. In fact, it is that, and so much more.

The message of Prayers For Bobby is clear and damning. When you repeat the refrain of constant hatred from the homophobes, you are sending a message that we're dirty, evil, sub-human, not worthy of your compassion.

While I was fortunate to be accepted immediately by my family when I came out, I know that there are millions of young gays and lesbians out there that are struggling with this very issue.

"homosexuals have sex in public places and recruit young children"

"a thief chooses to steal"

"if we legitimize gay relationships we might as well legitimize bestiality"

"the gay lifestyle is full of disease and despair"

These kinds of hateful statements are echoed in public by the haters all the time, without the slightest bit of discomfort. And what I love best is how they always preface their remarks with something like "I"m not against gay people." Well, when you're calling us pedophiles, disease ridden, depressed, sinners, who are somewhat less sinful than those who practice bestiality, that doesn't sound very compassionate and loving to me.

To me, the most compelling and tearful moment of the movie was when the mother realized the part she played in her son's death (seen in the video above). She didn't pull the trigger, but she certainly handed him the gun.