One can struggle with having two identities that are often portrayed as mutually exclusive – like being Christian and gay or lesbian. 

Jointly sponsored by the University’s LGBT Resource Center and University Union, “For the Bible Tells Me So” is an award-winning documentary about the contemporary face of an old debate between Christian fundamentalists and individuals who identify as gay or lesbian. 

The film features five Christian families, each with a child who comes out as either gay or lesbian and describes how the families coped with trying to meld their child’s sexual preference with their own faith .

“What I like about the film is that it gives a whole range of reactions,” said Jennifer Miracle, director of the LGBT Resource Center. “It’s realistic, and it doesn’t send the message that it’s easy to reconcile those things and it shows that not everyone gets to this place of full understanding, but they at least get to a place of accepting and loving their child.”

However, one family did not come to accept their child’s new identity and found it to be completely inconsistent with their religious values.

Anna Wakefield, one of the young adults featured in the film, came out to her mother in 1988 in a letter she wrote. 

Her mother had a difficult time coming to terms with the news, and almost ten years later in 1997, Anna committed suicide as a result of her conflicting identities. 

Janet Frick, associate head for the department of psychology, was a college friend of Anna’s at Missouri State University in the late 1980s; the two were also in the same Bible study group.

“Anna was a giving friend, had a great sense of humor and was a sweet person,” Frick said.

She said that she did not learn of Anna’s death until she viewed the documentary.

“It was very heartbreaking, I just couldn’t believe it,” Frick said. “Looking back now, I could see that she was really struggling because she had this secret and didn’t know who she could share it with safely.”

Anna’s mother, Mary Lou Wallner, will lead a discussion following the film. After her daughter’s death, Wallner started TEACH (To Educate About the Consequences of Homophobia) Ministries. 

TEACH Ministries educates the public through efforts such as speaking engagements, workshops and videos.

Like the ministry, “For the Bible Tells Me So” tries to dispel established ideas about Christianity and homosexuality.

‘’Not all Christians are homophobic and I think sometimes that’s a generalization that is made,” Miracle said.

Frick, who was instrumental in arranging the film screening, believes that “For the Bible Tells Me So” is a powerful film and beneficial for college students to see.

“It’s very entertaining but compelling as well,” Frick said. “Everyone I know who has seen it has found it to be life-changing and perspective-changing.”

When: 6:30 tonight

Where: 101 Miller Learning Center

Price: Free