Your Thoughts

This movie was both informative as well as touching. It showed the problems that many LGBT teens are facing as well as adults. I showed it to my high school GSA and had some friends watch it. Unfortuantly a very rude and obnoxious person broke it in rage towards the LGBT community. I wish he would of been able to seen it before he acted out. I feel it is a truly remarkable movie.

I am from CJ’s home town.  I worked with CJ when he briefly worked at a fast food restaurant.  I currently work with his mom.  Anyhoo, this documentary really opened up my eyes to how things are around here.  We often get consumed in our own lives, and dont realize all of the injustice there is to the people around us.

Having grown up in Clearfield, PA, less than two hours from Oil City, this documentary hits very close to home for me.  I would never have been able to be ‘out’ at that time (late ‘70s - early 80’s) in my life; I suffered through constant bullying and ridicule even before I realized why….and had no idea how to deal with any of it, felt I would never be understood, nor had any idea where to reach out for resources.  I am fortunate to have overcome those insecurities and fears but I am sure many, many youth in rural Pennsylvania communities still feel as I did, as though there is no help.  Showing this documentary in small, rural areas, such as the one I attended in Lebanon, PA, is one of the first steps in awareness and acceptance; I applaud all the efforts in getting the word out - for any individual that receives one glimpse of hope, one shadow of understanding that others have journeyed, survived and thrived, that individual will enjoy renewed strength and confidence.

There is no doubt that this gay couple new EXACTLY the kind of response their announcement would receive in Oil City.  I wouldn’t call this project a “Setup,” but that’s pretty much what the outcome is turning into - trashing small town America via colleges, high schools and public TV.  I accept gays and I believe that they should not be attacked or made fun of.  What I do object to is the militancy as in he gay marriage issue.  I believe that the term “marriage” implies offspring from that union which includes a mother (female) and father (male).  A child with a mother and father has a MAJOR advantage over a child being raised by two women or two men.  Is it possible for adopted children from a gay couple to turn out great?  Sure,  but why put a child through all that stress which will surely come?  To me,  I often see children from a gay union as more about the “parents” than it is about the “child.”  Hope I am wrong, but I doubt it.

I grew up in Oil City and didn’t know that this film existed or that what happened to CJ even happened and my parents still live there along with a few of my friends.  I learned about the film after I had lunch with the Director from the Persad center and he had invited me to a showing of this film but because I couldn’t attend I decided to purchase the DVD.

I couldn’t wait to get out of Oil City because of many reasons but the main one because I knew i was gay and it would not be tolerated in the OC.  I had thought that things were better since I have a very dear and close friend who lives in Oil City with her partner and two children.  I was shocked to see that it really hasn’t changed too much but i do believe there is always hope for these small towns.  It’s the people that decided to stay that change the minds of those people. 

This film was a very good insight for my partner to see where I was raised and the people that lived around me.  I am thankful to to Joe Wilson and CJ Miller for sharing their stories along with the other cast members. 

Everyone should see this film…..

I live in the town in this movie. I have been out for over 10 years now. This town has changed but it will never be like the big cities. I have been threatened more than once because of who I love. I don’t do anything that any other “straight” couple wouldn’t do in public. I walk down the street holding my girls hand. I know that people stare and say things but I figure if we want change we (the gay community) have to do it. And movies like this one are a great way. I think we should show it in every school in America. We need parents, teachers, and churches to teach acceptance not hate! Thank you!

I have not yet seen the film, but now know more than ever, that we need to bring it to my local community.  There are so many youths who are out, or who are afraid to come out, fearing for their own physical and emotional safety.  I am hoping that if local citizens view this film, they may see an opportunity for change and to be a support.  We are not to be feared as LGBT persons; we are another aspect of humanness to be celebrated.

I also have grown up in the bible belt of the united states and it is very hard everyday to me to go out in public with my girlfriend and not get starred at or pointed out as if we are aliens or even talked about by people right next to us. I am 17 years old and just 3 months ago came out to my mom and am slowly telling the rest of my family although my friends have known for a couple years. I go to a small country school in the middle of no where and my school is majority white and baptist. Although I have found a good group of friends that are also lesbians or gays it is still hard to go through the school day sometimes knowing people hate you or won’t talk to you for who you are. I watched this documentary and told my girlfriend all about it I fell in love with this film and CJ’s incredible story. The thing I have found hardest in being a lesbian or gay is that people don’t take you seriously in your faith. I believe in God and I believe that he loves us for who we are I have been baptized and to some people that is shocking but to other gays and lesbians I know they are inspired by how honest and open i am with both my faith and my sexuality. A big thanks you to those who helped make this film what it was because it is truly an inspiration to all.

I am a bi woman that lives in a small town.  This story is one that I hope will inspire more small town people to see that we are not really any different then they are.  All we want is to live with our partners and be happy.

I actually found your documentary on Apple TV…I had no idea how close to home this would hit for me. I grew up about 2 hours west of Oil City, and so many things about this movie brought me back to my own experience of growing up gay in a small town, and facing the challenges day-in and day-out. I thought what CJ said at the end of the movie was so profound, something like…“I used to be the school jock, an athlete, played all kinds of sports…Then I came out and was only known as the sissy, the queer, the fag…And all because of what I think is hot…But I’m actually still the same person, still the same guy I was before.” 

I truly believe that most people are genuinely kind and want to do the right thing. But we often are afraid of the unknown, as Pastor Mark & his wife said. It just takes someone to start the dialogue, and look what can happen! 

I believe that this film could help save a life someday, and I applaud you for your efforts.  BRAVO to the directors Joe & Dean for their courage and willingness to “take up the cross” and answer THIS call to action!  Please keep up the good work.