Rating: 
Summary: Powerful examination of Gay teen suicide
Review: "Prayers for Bobby" is a deeply moving account of one mother's journey from closed-minded, Bible thumping drone to enlightened crusader for human rights. This story really struck home for me. Like Bobby, I was raised in a home where well intentioned folks would use the Bible to condemn homosexuals, unaware of the affect their words were having on me. In my late teens I lived with a sister who's husband was abusive (not physically, at least not to me). This man thought that all "faggots" should be rounded up and killed to protect decent people. We were not allowed to watch any TV program that featured anyone Gay (or black, or, or, or). Still, it was the isolation from God which hurt the most. I mistakenly believed what I was told by my mother, the TV evangelists and even certain friends: homosexuals are an abomination and are going to Hell. Reading this volume, I realize how lucky I am. In the twenty years since I've been out to my family and friends, I have taken a lot of time teaching them what it means to be Gay. I let people know upfront that I have a personal relationship with God - and no one can take his love away from me. When I hear people like Jesse Helms, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, even the Pope - I can't help but wonder if they even understand the teachings of Christ. It's all about love. I am so happy that Mary Griffith has come forward to tell her story. Her transformation is an inspiration. Leroy Aarons has honored both Mary and Bobby with this beautifully rendered memoir. This should be required reading for parents of Gay teens - or parents who may only suspect that they have a Gay teen.
Rating:
Summary: A heartbreaking and thought-provoking story
Review: "Prayers for Bobby: A Mother's Coming to Terms with the Suicide of Her Gay Son," by Leroy Aarons, tells a powerful true story. Mary Griffith was a woman who believed in a strict, oppressive version of Christianity and pressured her gay son to try to "change." But after his suicide she reexamined her theology and beliefs about homosexuality and was herself radically transformed.The book begins with Bobby's suicide and then moves back and forth in time to tell 2 parallel stories: that of Bobby's life and that of Mary's life after his death. This is a profoundly moving story, skillfully told by Aarons. Despite the tragic subject matter, I found the book ultimately very hopeful and uplifting. It's a real story of spiritual liberation and rebirth. This is also an important book in that it exposes the deadly danger of anti-gay prejudice. The book includes a useful appendix of organizations that deal with gay/lesbian youth and gay/lesbian issues more generally.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful examination of Gay teen suicide
Review: "Prayers for Bobby" is a deeply moving account of one mother's journey from closed-minded, Bible thumping drone to enlightened crusader for human rights. This story really struck home for me. Like Bobby, I was raised in a home where well intentioned folks would use the Bible to condemn homosexuals, unaware of the affect their words were having on me. In my late teens I lived with a sister who's husband was abusive (not physically, at least not to me). This man thought that all "faggots" should be rounded up and killed to protect decent people. We were not allowed to watch any TV program that featured anyone Gay (or black, or, or, or). Still, it was the isolation from God which hurt the most. I mistakenly believed what I was told by my mother, the TV evangelists and even certain friends: homosexuals are an abomination and are going to Hell. Reading this volume, I realize how lucky I am. In the twenty years since I've been out to my family and friends, I have taken a lot of time teaching them what it means to be Gay. I let people know upfront that I have a personal relationship with God - and no one can take his love away from me. When I hear people like Jesse Helms, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, even the Pope - I can't help but wonder if they even understand the teachings of Christ. It's all about love. I am so happy that Mary Griffith has come forward to tell her story. Her transformation is an inspiration. Leroy Aarons has honored both Mary and Bobby with this beautifully rendered memoir. This should be required reading for parents of Gay teens - or parents who may only suspect that they have a Gay teen.
Rating:
Summary: Tragedy leads to understanding and outreach
Review: Aarons does a superior job in weaving together the complex, multi-dimensional story of the Griffith family, and the subsequent metamorphosis of Mary Griffith following the suicide of her son, Bobby. The book documents the ignorance, intolerance and hate found in much of society in the United States, as well as in many fundamentalist Christian churches as it relates to homosexuality. Aarons reveals much about Bobby's agony - we learn first hand through numerous quotes from his personal journal and through interviews with the family and friends. It is wonderful that Mary was able to evolve personally and spiritually. Her outreach to the gay community has been wonderful. Mary's message to young gay people everywhere to "not give up on love" is very poignant, profound, and timely.
Rating: 
Summary: Prayers For Bobby
Review: Although it's a heratbreak whenvever sa child dies, I found the author using this womans tragedy to blame religion and society for her son's death. I also found Mary simply exchanging her former Pharrasical beliefs of her past religions without question for the Pharrasical beliefs of the gay organization she now supports without question. She seemed to need to blame someone for her sons death rather than try to understand it. I find the pflag group as hypocritical in their beliefs as I did her former beliefs as this group does not accept those gay and lesbians who are struggling with Not wanting to be homosexual and who are looking to change but get no support from the gay community. Today we know change is possible and there are thousands who have and want to change yet this pflag group and the gay community as a whole only ridicules,criticizes and makes fun of them. They are not tolerant nor offer any support for them. They are no better than those who do the same to those who "choose" to engage in homosexual activity and lifestyle. I pity Mary as she has been grosly mislead both spiritualy and mentally. She should investigate and talk to those in groups such as NARTH; PFOX; and other groups of this nature if she really wants to help our youth when they are young to learn "how to change" and "give them the tools" and "concrete direction" on "how to" accomplish this especially if they do not want to entertain these "unwanted feelings". They shouldn't have to just accept them, they no longer have to and there are resources out there to help them accomplich this! Give them the knowledge they don't have to be gay...that the old adage "ONCE GAY ALWAYS GAY' is no longer a true fact of ones life nor an imutable trait as once believed!
Rating:
Summary: Several passages are photocopied on my office wall
Review: As a gay male who's life partner was raised by deeply religious parents, Bobby's story hit very close to home. Though my life partner survived, the scars run deep. This novel so vividly points out the difference between hardcore religion and true spirituality. It has further proven to me that the Bible is a book of MAN'S "interpretation" of God's words. I believe Bobby has moved on to a peaceful existence because his mother believes that as well. What a triumphant story of one woman's struggle to realize that God is LOVE; that God is not rules, rituals or punishment. Thank you, Mary, for following your heart! I applaud Bobby's mother for all her efforts on behalf of gays and lesbians who still face unrelenting prejudice and ignorance sadly disguised as "religion" and "spirituality". This book reaffirms the power of the soul and the beauty that results from truly listening and opening up to the meaning of love. It's sad that Mary didn't realize it while Bobby was still alive, but his spirit lives on in a wonderfully rendered memoir that hopefully is saving countless other Bobbys even as I write this.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and unforgettable...
Review: As a native Oregonian (from Portland), and a gay young man at one time depressed and nearly suicidal in the early 1980's, I moved to California in 1986, found a support group among family and friends and my life improved...having read this book twice, I feel a strange "connection" with Bobby Griffith and wish I could've befriended him in Portland that fateful summer (I was living just miles away)...a must-read for anyone and everyone who has ever known, feared, loved, or befriended someone gay...
Rating:
Summary: Gut Wrenching, Could not put it down
Review: As soon as a child comes out to their parents this book should become required reading for the parents. It shows the struggles of a boy between his religion, family and his own sexuality. Somehow the family considered themselves the same as their religion and forgot their role as parent and unconditional love. The son paid for it from his agony and eventual suicide. This book will rip at you, it is an emotional read. It is a necessary read.
Rating:
Summary: "Prayers for Bobby" is a Blessing!
Review: Author Leroy Aarons chroniles Betty Griffith's journey after the suicide death of her gay son, Bobby. While some readers may claim that this book is "too sad and depressing" I actually found it filled with hope, as I saw Mary's 180 degree turn and transformation from Prebysterian religious fundalmentalist to a woman who questions the church's position on homosexuality. Simply put it is not God who finds fault with homosexuality. It is more those that interpret the Bible and their interpretations on it. This is one book that I wish more people would read, because I think their is something here for everyone, given the current political nature of this country. Readers of this book may never know all the reason why Bobby Griffith took his life, but we can hope that out of his death many lives can be saved.
Rating:
Summary: "Prayers for Bobby" is a Blessing!
Review: Author Leroy Aarons chroniles Betty Griffith's journey after the suicide death of her gay son, Bobby. While some readers may claim that this book is "too sad and depressing" I actually found it filled with hope, as I saw Mary's 180 degree turn and transformation from Prebysterian religious fundalmentalist to a woman who questions the church's position on homosexuality. Simply put it is not God who finds fault with homosexuality. It is more those that interpret the Bible and their interpretations on it. This is one book that I wish more people would read, because I think their is something here for everyone, given the current political nature of this country. Readers of this book may never know all the reason why Bobby Griffith took his life, but we can hope that out of his death many lives can be saved.
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