I was watching the Hallmark channel yesterday and came across, My Brother's Keeper. I watched this movie about a year ago and was pleased to watch it again. Not one of those movies with a big budget, snazzy special effects, stellar cast (unless you consider John Lithgow to be one), and without as Arnold would put it, "a shocking twist" at the end. It relies instead on a simple story-telling with a powerful message.
Based on a true story, John Lithgow acts as twin brothers, Tom & Bob Bradley, both homosexuals and teachers in a school in the small New York community of Bayport, Long Island. When Tom Bradley, who is also HIV positive, decides to go for an experimental procedure that might offer him a cure, he realizes that his insurance company refuses to pay for the treatment. When the Bradleys decide to sue, they are forced to come out with their homosexuality and HIV.
The small community however quickly rallied behind Tom Bradley, organizing fund raisers and offering emotional support. Tom Bradley won the court case but an eye infection prevented the experimental procedure from being carried out. Tom Bradley would pass away the following year.
Perhaps, the movie's most gripping moments, is to see, Tom Bradley's mother, a staunch Roman Catholic come to terms with the fact her sons are homosexual.
I usually consider that nothing of value is to be learnt from the silver screens. Not in this case. Again, the local media has been awash with regards to the homosexual 'problem'. Much of the objection once again comes from vocal religious types. They would do good to watch the show.
It is an irony that religion, much vaunted, as tolerant and peaceful, is in this country an outpost for close-mindedness and intolerance. On the delusional belief, that theirs and theirs alone is the revealed and infallible word of God (or Gods), the religious leaders have called their masses to respond negatively to the homosexual situation.
The Bayport community of Long Island have shown us, that when people dedicate their lives and efforts for the good of the community, then that community will respond likewise when the need arises. The school superintendent, a Mr. Reilly remarked, "I have not received one call, from either a parent or anybody, that's negative.'' How wonderful the human spirit of benevolence and helpfulness. They did not care for his orientation nor his religious views.
Let us hope that people will be able to see through the rhetoric of these charlatans, masquerading as religious preachers, imams and priests. And that people will always respond as the Bayport community has done - In a civilized way in this civilized world.
