Your Thoughts

I just saw the documentary this afternoon and thought it was very powerful, and wonderfully done.  I saw it at a churchin my small town of Lancaster, Pa. and was a bit skeptical at first because, being gay, I have not always felt welcomed and there seemed to be many “churchgoers” in the audience and I knew very few of the people there.  As soon as the movie started I could sense that hearts were open.  When the movie was over, I overheard a group teenage girls in the restroom talking about the movie and how interesting it was and how nice CJ seemed and how he didn’t seem like” a gay” and they were very excited that the filmmakers were going to be speaking about the movie.  Wow!

I remember when this wedding announcement was put in the paper.  I saw it before I left for school that morning and thought, “Wow, this is going to create a firestorm, but it is an incredible move for this town!”.  See, my 11th and 12th grade year in high school the big thing in the mornings was for the entire class to sit and read the newspaper and have mini discussions.  This was a huge discussion that day.  It wasn’t met, in my Sociology class (go figure), with much positive response. 
I followed the controversy as best as possible and always wondered what that couple thought of the silence they broke in this community.  My youtube search of, “Oil City, Pennsylvania” tonight gave me the answer.  Knowing this documentary exists makes me incredibly happy and for some reason gives me hope that someday the people of Oil City, and other rural areas will begin to embrace diversity.

Just watched the film last night. As a mother of two boys (7 and 9), I worked with another mother to bring diversity training JUST about this issue to our elementary school after hearing my kids report to me they hear “gay” used a lot at school to mean “stupid”. I got fed up and knew I had to do something. I was scared and it was hard. But I spoke up. Your film give those of us who speak up courage to do so.

I LOVE your film and cherish the real-life heroes you’ve introduced me to. It takes such courage to be yourself, to share your story, to have a dialogue with “the enemy,” to open your heart to change. Long Live the Brave Ones of Oil City and small town America.

Your film shows exactly & very humanistically, the reality that faces many of the lives of the families, friends, youth, peers, co-workers, and the entire GLBT Community. Sadly enough, but true, school bullying and discrimination are still occurring each and every day.  We need our strengths to come together from everyone. Straight Allies, Strong Families, and True Friends embracing together against the opposition. Your Film also covers the three main Focus Points of PFLAG’s Mission: Support, Education, and Advocacy!  Great Job and Tremendous Work!  Please share, that PFLAG has a “Safe Schools” Program and a “Straight For Equality” Program for GLBT Allies. Remember, that after a loved one “comes out”, their Family, Friends, and Co-Workers need to have their own “coming out” in support of them and recognize the potential problems ahead can be turned into opportunities for change and growth in our Community and beyond. I also encourage people to watch the extra clips on the movie menu. These were excellent additions to the movie.

OUT IN THE SILENCE was shown at my highschool last night. I must say, it was simply amazing. I mean, I was in awe of what you guys have done. It hurt me to see people were treated so badly, but I am glad you were able to do this. It opened my eyes even further than they already were and I truly appreciate the chance you gave us by coming to Stroudsburg with your movie.

Out in the Silence was shown last night at Stroudsburg High School, and I would just like to say Thank you so much. The movie was very strong, and the movie stirred up a lot of emotions. It was upsetting to see how openly out people were being treated and it made me realize why I am so passionate about fighting for equality. I do hope that the people that showed up last night were shown just how hard it is to be openly gay and that this will help them to understand some of what the LGBTQA community endures. So thank you, once again for allowing your movie to be shown at Stroudsburg High School, and I wish you the best of luck for the future of this film, and for you yourself as well.

I personally have been a witness to bullying with in my high school and felt as if there was nothing that I could do or help. Tonight has shown that there is always something that can be done.

Trisha BalmerWonderful film. My heart breaks for CJ and his mom. I am so glad that they had the courage to stand up and speak out. I wish that Pastor Micklos could have reacher a higher enlightenment, it would have made a perfect end to the film… but that would be asking for a miracle, I think. I agree with everyone who thinks this film should be shown in every high school. And I have to say that my 11 year old son (who accompanied me to the film screening because he didn’t want his mom to be out by herself at night… my Knight in Shining Armor) thought the part at the end was great, where CJ said “Suddenly I wasn’t the guy who dislocated your shoulder in football practice. I was some little fairy or something.” . He understood that and connected with it because he’s a football player… and I think if more kids could see this film, they would connect with CJ, too. And they could understand that he is just like them and that there is nothing wrong with being gay.

And if more Christians could realise that it would awesome too… but there’s that asking for miracles thing again. lol…

Thanks for showing this in OC guys! I loved the film!

Truly amazing work. Congrats on opening the eyes of many small communities that want to sweep such issues under the rugs.